Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Sweetie Is Going to the Royal Academy
She had it.
Chu Tian Tian hopped off her chair and trotted straight up to Chu Cheng Yan. She lifted her little face, voice soft and sweet.
“Tian Tian greets Eldest Imperial Brother~”
As she rose—
“Aiya!” Her body wobbled “clumsily” to the side, perfectly timed, and she bumped right into his chest.
Her little hair tuft came loose. Her big eyes immediately filled with tears—two fat pools trembling right on the edge.
“Waa… Eldest Imperial Brother, I’m sorry… Tian Tian didn’t mean it…”
Chu Cheng Yan’s heart softened on the spot. He crouched quickly and steadied her.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Imperial Brother isn’t hurt. Sweetie, did you fall?”
She looked so small and soft in his arms, like a warm little dumpling.
Without thinking, Chu Cheng Yan scooped her up and patted her back. “Good girl, don’t cry. Imperial Brother isn’t blaming you.”
Chu Tian Tian seized the moment. She lifted the pastry she’d been squeezing so hard it was slightly misshapen and pushed it toward his mouth, speaking through a sniffle.
“Eldest Imperial Brother, eat. If you eat Tian Tian’s cake-cake, you have to forgive Tian Tian. Pinky promise!”
Chu Cheng Yan stared at the suspicious pastry, then at the jam smeared across her little hand. The corner of his mouth twitched.
The Retired Emperor chuckled. “Cheng Yan, it’s Sweetie’s heartfelt gift. Try it.”
“It’s Sweetie’s heartfelt gift,” Chu Tian Tian repeated solemnly, nodding like she was delivering an imperial decree. “Try it.”
That did it. Chu Cheng Yan finally laughed. He leaned down and took a bite right from her hand.
His brows relaxed without him noticing. “Alright. Imperial Brother ate Sweetie’s cake-cake, so of course I forgive Sweetie. Pinky promise.”
[Ding-dong!
Congratulations, Host!
High-risk mission: Obtained Prince Su’s forgiveness—completed beyond requirements!
Reward: Divine skill—Photographic Memory.]
Chu Cheng Yan held the little imperial sister and discovered, to his surprise, that he liked her more the longer he looked.
He turned to the Retired Emperor with a smile. “Imperial Grandfather, Sweetie is clever and lively. Why not let her begin at the Royal Academy as well? Grandson can look after her.”
Chu Tian Tian’s eyes lit up as if someone struck a match.
The academy!
The village chief grandfather once said scholars were the most powerful. Everyone liked scholars. Studying made you smart—and being smart helped you wash yourself clean.
She shot her little hand into the air. “Go! Sweetie wants to go! Tian Tian wants to study lots and lots of books and become a clean, proper scholar!”
The Retired Emperor laughed so hard his beard nearly stood up. He waved grandly. “Good! Sweetie has ambition! Someone—go tell the emperor at once. Make proper arrangements for my little Sweetie. Now!”
Inside the Imperial Study, the emperor was still frowning over memorials when Wu Ya bowed and presented a letter.
“Your Majesty, a letter from the cold palace… from Consort Li.”
He opened it, and every line looked soaked in tears. The proud Consort Li, once bright as a phoenix, had written only apologies and pleading so humble it sank into dust.
The emperor’s chest tightened as if someone had grabbed his heart.
But the matter of Lin Chong still hadn’t been resolved. How could he let her out?
With the court’s eyes on him, even he couldn’t act purely on impulse.
Just as he was stewing, Wu Ya brightened. “Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor sent a message—ah! The Ninth Princess has come in person!”
“Imperial Father!”
A chubby little cannonball streaked into the room. Her short legs pumped like mad, and she dove straight into the emperor’s arms.
“Tian Tian missed Imperial Father so much! Imperial Father, did you miss me?”
Her small body carried the warm scent of sunshine, and the gloom in the emperor’s heart scattered like smoke.
He laughed, eyes crinkling. “I did. Imperial Father missed Sweetie to death.”
He bounced her in his arms. “Sweetie really is Imperial Father’s little lucky star.”
Then he remembered. “Right—what message did your Imperial Grandfather send?”
“Imperial Grandfather said Imperial Father has to hurry and send Tian Tian to the Royal Academy to study!”
“Oh?” The emperor blinked. “Sweetie wants to study?”
“Mm!” Chu Tian Tian nodded hard. “Mother said studying makes you smart! Tian Tian doesn’t want to be an idiot!”
“Idiot?!” The emperor’s face darkened instantly. “Who dares say my Sweetie is an idiot?”
Sweetie pouted. “Nanny Wu used to scold Tian Tian every day. She called me stupid.”
“Outrageous!” The emperor slammed his palm on the desk. “That vicious slave! Even chopping off her head ten times wouldn’t be enough!”
Sweetie hurriedly patted his chest. “Imperial Father, don’t be mad, don’t be mad! Tian Tian doesn’t believe her. Tian Tian is Imperial Father’s daughter—so I’m definitely as smart as Imperial Father!”
Her big eyes blinked, mischievous light swimming in them. “Eldest Imperial Brother said if you take first place on the academy exam, you can ask Imperial Father for a huge reward. Anything!”
She wriggled closer, leaned toward his ear, and whispered in the smallest breath.
“Imperial Father… if… if Tian Tian takes first… can Tian Tian ask you to let Mother out?”
She stared up at him, nervous and hopeful.
The emperor’s heart pinched.
“Sweetie, why do you have to wait until you get first to say this? Imperial Father can—”
Sweetie shook her head, face serious.
“Mother did something wrong. Imperial Father punishing her is right. Tian Tian knows being emperor is hard, and so many people are watching. Tian Tian can’t just cry and make trouble and make Imperial Father uncomfortable…”
Her little hand clenched the corner of his dragon robe, voice trembling but firm.
“But… Tian Tian is Mother’s daughter. Tian Tian wants Mother to come out of the cold palace… Tian Tian wants to save Mother too.”
The emperor went still.
So many children called him Father, but how many had ever said, with real understanding, that being emperor was hard?
Warmth and sourness surged together. He hugged her tight, his voice going a little hoarse.
“Fine. Imperial Father promises. If Sweetie takes first place at the academy, Imperial Father will let you speak in front of everyone. No matter what you ask, Imperial Father will agree.”
“Thank you, Imperial Father! Imperial Father is the best!”
Sweetie cheered, then smacked a loud kiss on his cheek.
Then she bounced away, shouting, “Tian Tian is going to tell Mother the good news!”
The emperor watched her go, smiling—until the smile thinned into something heavier.
“Wu Ya,” he murmured, tapping the desk, “do you think Sweetie can really take first?”
Wu Ya bowed, grinning. “The Ninth Princess is gifted and clever. She will surely… surely have boundless prospects.”
The emperor didn’t answer.
The Royal Academy gathered the best of the princes and the sons of powerful officials—children taught by great scholars since the day they learned their first character, sharp as little foxes.
Even the entrance exam alone eliminated countless candidates.
Sweetie was bright, but she was still so small. She’d only been learning characters for days.
To take first among that crowd…
The emperor’s gaze deepened.
That little girl had handed him a problem as big as the sky.
And yet… he found himself secretly looking forward to it.