These past few days, as winter sets in, the weather has been erratic, and Cheng Ye often feels the chill, leading to bouts of fever in the middle of the night.
Despite the care provided by the maids, Zhao Hua still worries and finds it hard to sleep soundly at night, often checking on the children's condition.
On this particular night, after checking on Cheng Ye and seeing that his high fever had subsided, Zhao Hua decided to stop by Cheng Yu and Ruo Xin's chambers to see if they were tucked in properly.
Especially Cheng Yu,
who originally resided in the Chaoyang Palace but had temporarily moved to a side hall in Zhao Hua Palace while Chaoyang Palace was under renovation these past few days.
During court sessions, Zhao Hua always felt that he appeared somewhat weary, as if he hadn't rested well.
After checking on Ruo Xin and approaching Cheng Yu's chamber door,
though it was dark inside, Zhao Hua heard a faint sound before she could push the door,
"May the ministers be at ease."
Curious, she peeked through the crack and saw Cheng Yu dressed neatly in court attire, sitting upright on a pear wood chair, hands slightly raised, addressing an empty space before him.
She gently knocked on the door and softly asked,
"Yu'er, are you asleep?"
Hearing Zhao Hua's voice, Cheng Yu seemed visibly flustered.
He hurriedly took off his court attire, rushed to the bed, and wrapped himself tightly in the blanket before mumbling a vague response,
"Mother?"
Zhao Hua entered the room, smiling, and sat on the edge of the child's bed,
under the moonlight, she glanced at the court attire strewn haphazardly on the warm seat, and gently stroked Cheng Yu's forehead as she inquired,
"I heard just now that you were practicing court etiquette in your room, is that true?"
Cheng Yu never lied in front of Zhao Hua,
so when she asked, he didn't deny it either,
just nodded, but always seemed a bit timid.
Zhao Hua spoke softly, "It's already late at night, and you have to rise for court in just a short while, why can't you sleep?"
Sitting up halfway on the bed, Cheng Yu said with a downcast tone,
"Your son wants to do better, maybe then the courtiers won't misunderstand you so much."
Hearing this, Zhao Hua's heart was touched in the softest spot, making her feel even more sorry for Cheng Yu.
In fact, Cheng Yu was already very mature,
getting up before dawn every day to wash and change, and then heading to Chaoyang Palace for court hearings, which would last for at least two hours.
After the morning court session and lunch, although he didn't have to review memorials, the Grand Secretary would always come at the appointed time to teach Cheng Yu his lessons.
Being a qualified emperor, proficiency in both civil and military matters is a necessary condition,
so after dinner, there would be imperial guards coming to teach him martial arts.
The day was always scheduled tightly, with no room for relaxation.
Zhao Hua gently caressed the child's cheek, her eyes full of tenderness as she asked,
"Aren't you tired?"
Cheng Yu nodded, unable to conceal his disappointment as he said:
"Tired. But my son has been trying very hard, yet he still feels he cannot be a good emperor. Even now, every night before bed, he is still very afraid. Afraid that as soon as he opens his eyes... he will have to attend court again..."
He lowered his gaze, his eyes evasive, and weakly asked:
"Mother... have I disappointed you?"
Zhao Hua embraced the child, comforting him gently:
"Silly child, you have already done very well. Everyone has the right to choose their own life and to reject anything they do not like. You were born into the imperial family, with many unnecessary burdens on your shoulders compared to children from ordinary families, but these so-called inherent responsibilities are not necessarily yours to bear."
If you really don't like attending court, or even feel afraid of it, you should have told Mother earlier. In Mother's eyes, as long as you live peacefully and happily, it is the best thing. If you don't like attending court, we won't go. No one can force you to do anything. You can bravely be yourself and do what you think is more meaningful."
Cheng Yu suddenly looked up, a fleeting glint of stars in his eyes, somewhat incredulously saying:
"Really? Can I really do whatever I want?"
Zhao Hua smiled, "Of course. But in life, one must have preferences. To live a life of idleness is to waste one's own life and be irresponsible to oneself.
Mother noticed that you are always exceptionally focused when practicing martial arts every day, and Zhao Attendant also said that although you are young, you have your own unique insights into military tactics, and you always discuss with him. Is that true?"
Upon hearing Zhao Hua's question, the usually introverted Cheng Yu's eyes suddenly became firm, staring straight at Zhao Hua, his joy evident,
"Your son really enjoys practicing martial arts and riding horses, and also enjoys reading military books and studying the art of deployment, finding it very interesting."
Infected by his emotions, Zhao Hua also happily said:
"In that case, Mother will arrange for General Zhao and General Chen to come and teach you, alright?"
Cheng Yu nodded heavily, "Alright!"
Seeing her son's heartfelt smile, Zhao Hua's heart melted along with it.
Her son didn't need to grow up to be the pride of heaven,
He can live in any way he likes, do anything he wants,
As parents, they always hope their children will excel,
But what is the definition of excellence?
In Zhao Hua's view, as long as her children can focus on what they like, and find joy in it,
Then the day they show a heartfelt smile will be the day they excel.
In the days that followed, Cheng Yu claimed illness and stopped attending court,
The dragon seat remained empty, while Zhao Hua continued to sit behind the curtains, handling court affairs.
What she wanted was not this world, but to give Cheng Yu a freedom that rightfully belonged to him.
And sitting in this position for a long time, sometimes Zhao Hua would also hear some 'interesting things.'
She heard that the Commander of the Imperial Guard favored his concubine and drove his wife to despair and suicide at home,
And she saw General of the Frontier Defense with a colorful face, only to find out upon closer inspection that it was his two concubines fighting at home, he went to stop them but was accidentally injured,
Zhao Hua inquired about the situation of the womenfolk, and he merely brushed it off with a casual remark,
"Chen's mischief led to this, she also suffered facial injuries. I've divorced her, putting an end to the disturbance."
He uttered the words of divorce so casually, as if discarding something worn out, casually disposed of.
But in the Qi Dynasty, a woman who has been injured and divorced by her husband cannot return to her natal home,
All that awaits her is the incessant gossip and the destined miserable life.
At that moment, Zhao Hua suddenly felt that she should change something,
She wanted to change the social status of women in the Qi Dynasty,
She wanted women to have a voice,
She wanted them to be valued like men,
She wanted them to live as vibrant individuals, not merely appendages to others, not mere playthings to be kept or discarded at will.
She knew deeply that even if she became the empress dowager of the regency, the most respected woman in the realm, the courtiers below would only show superficial respect to her.
To grant Qi Dynasty's women equal rights as men, to change deeply entrenched beliefs, was bound to be difficult and arduous.
But even if it's tough,
Someone in this world must take the first step.
[To be concluded tomorrow night at midnight.]
