The next morning, there was a light summer rain trickling down the arched roof of the pavilion where Ye An was sitting at. When she woke up to the cool weather this morning, Ye An thought that it was a nice day to have her morning reading session outdoors at the pavilion that was located just behind the Mental Cultivation Hall and that was what they were currently doing. Ye An was sitting cross-legged with a soft cushion underneath her and a low table in front of her that was covered with books and writing tools. On her right, the grand eunuch was preparing warm tea on a smaller round table while the lieutenant was standing guard at the edge of the pavilion. In front of her, a thin screen separated her from the Confucian tutor who was preparing for today's lesson.

"Tutor Jiang, I would like to ask your opinion about something."

The tutor looked up towards the person behind the screen. Tutor Jiang was a well-respected scholar and a tutor of Confucianism. He had dedicated almost all his life to the study of the Confucian texts. Now that he was starting to grey at his temples and nearing his fifties, his only goal was to spread the knowledge that he had gained throughout the years to the younger generation in hopes that it would contribute to the bettering of the country's future.

During the emperor's usual morning reading sessions, Tutor Jiang would read off the latest Confucian textbook to the emperor and add elaborations to the texts in the books. And so, the emperor never once spoke to him directly. This was a first and he knew that he was one of the few people who were fortunate enough to have heard the emperor's voice which was much softer and gentler than he had imagined.

"Ask away, Your Imperial Majesty." The tutor replied calmly, putting his books and brushes down.

"What is your opinion on the decision to go to war with the Northerners?" Ye An asked from behind the screen.

The tutor was expecting the emperor to ask about their lessons and was stunned by the context of the question. He paused for a moment before replying. "Forgive me, Your Imperial Majesty. My opinion is far too insignificant for this matter. I don't think that I'm able to answer that."

"You're too humble, Tutor Jiang. Of course your opinion matters. You're one of the many residents of this country. Any sort of war affects the country's residents the most, isn't it?"

"That may be true, Your Imperial Majesty. However, it's best I don't comment on something that has been decided."

Ye An paused, thinking about another way to approach this subject before proceeding. "...Alright then, if you still insist. But what would Confucius say about it?"

The tutor thought about it for a moment before answering gently. "He would have been adamantly against it."

The tutor carried on. "There is this Confucian text.. "The Great Learning". In which it was stated that the end goal for humanity is to maintain peace and order. Thereupon, as the leader of this country, Your Imperial Majesty has a duty to spearhead the effort to attain that goal. And yes, one might interpret that war is permissible to obtain that ultimate goal. But war and violence should never be the primary solution. In our case, our country is currently in a period of time of relative peace. Yes, there was a skirmish at the northern border. But to propagate that into a full-blown war would only bring more chaos, further violence, and social turmoil, not peace."

"Hmm.. I see." To everyone else present, the emperor's tone sounded flat. However, Xi Chen who was standing on the side of the pavilion caught a hint of satisfaction in the emperor's words.

Since the emperor was concealed behind the screen and seemingly replied without any emotion, the tutor couldn't gauge how his words were received. Afraid that he might have said something that irked the emperor, the tutor quietly apologized. "My apologies if that was not what you wanted to hear, Your Imperial Majesty. I am merely answering based on what I know of the Confucian texts."

"No, no. You misunderstood me, Tutor Jiang. In fact, that is exactly what I want to hear." Behind the screen, Ye An gave a genuine smile that she hadn't had on her face in a long time. "Then what would you suggest we do about the Northerners' invasion?" Ye An asked but promptly added, "Based on the Confucian texts of course."

"Extend an offer of friendship. Opening up the opportunity for mutual respect. One of Confucius' quotes goes like this: Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. In other words, it is also advocating that one should do to others what one wants others to do. And if what Your Imperial Majesty wants is just to keep the peace between both countries, the most direct solution is to build a friendship with the North."

Ye An pondered on that for a minute before answering. "You're absolutely right, Tutor Jiang. Thank you for your insight. Shall we continue with our lesson today then?"

Later, after a hearty breakfast following her morning reading session, Ye An prepared to head for a battle of wits at the court meeting. As she stepped out into the courtyard, she saw that the lieutenant was standing at her doors as usual. However, unlike other days, the lieutenant had a parasol with him.

It had been a while since Ye An saw the lieutenant with a parasol. After she made the decision not to visit the Empress Mother in the mornings, the only place where Ye An went with the lieutenant without the entire convoy of servants was the Mental Cultivation Hall which was connected to her residence through a series of sheltered corridors so no parasols were needed for that journey no matter rain or shine.

Xi Chen stood to attention when he noticed that the emperor stepped out and held the parasol over the emperor's smaller frame. Ye An was surprised to see that, unlike his previous parasols, it was slightly larger with a piece of organza sewn to its hem, effectively covering both of them and creating an unusually intimate space just for the two of them.

"Your Imperial Majesty." Xi Chen bowed his head.

"Lieutenant Yun." Ye An acknowledged his greeting.

"The royal astronomer predicted that the rain would get heavier later. The usual tall parasol that the grand eunuch usually carried might not be able to combat that." The lieutenant explained.

"Thank you. I'll be troubling you again today." Ye An continued, referring to his assigned task to relay her messages in the court meeting later.

"It's no trouble. It's my duty." Xi Chen replied plainly.

Ye An looked at him thoughtfully. Since he had arrived at the palace, the lieutenant had proven his worth to Ye An again and again. And especially so since that time when she managed to escape under his watch. He probably needed to prove something to her after that incident. Ye An let out a small laugh of amusement at the thought.

Since they were practically in their own private bubble under the parasol, Xi Chen was the only one who caught Ye An's laugh. "Your Imperial Majesty?" Xi Chen quirked an eyebrow curiously.

Ye An shook her head slightly at Xi Chen. "It's nothing. Let's go, Lieutenant Yun."

As usual, the Throne Hall was full of whispers and chatters as the court officials waited for the emperor's arrival.

"The emperor, His Imperial Majesty, has arrived!" The grand eunuch announced as Ye An and Xi Chen arrived at the entrance of the throne room.

"Lieutenant Yun, I've been doing some thinking as we were walking here." Ye An suddenly turned to face the lieutenant. "Isn't today a good day for me to finally come out from hiding?"

"Your Imperial Majesty? I-I don't quite understand." Xi Chen was flustered at the sudden close proximity of their faces that he lost his ability to think straight.

Ye An placed a hand over Xi Chen's that was holding the parasol. Xi Chen's eyes widened at the emperor's touch but quickly realized what Ye An was doing when the hand over his pushed the parasol off the both of them.

The ministers near the entrance gasped loudly, even the grand eunuch and Ye An's convoy of servants were shocked at the emperor's sudden action.

Ye An stepped into the throne room, the dumbfounded grand eunuch followed half a beat behind her. Xi Chen quickly closed the parasol and placed it by the door before striding in quickly behind them. Loud gasps were elicited from the ministers as Ye An walked the short walk between the entrance and the Dragon Throne, but she took notice of none of that.

Tilting her head up, Ye An finally got a good look at the magnificent dragon carving that covered more than half of the ceiling overhead through the beads of her crown. The carving of the dragon even playfully carried a pearl in its mouth. This was her first time perceiving the vibrant colors of the enormous carving. As she arrived at the foot of the platform where the Dragon Throne was, Ye An turned to the grand eunuch to give an order.

"Please remove the bamboo screen."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. I will tend to it this instant." The grand eunuch replied as he went up the platform and folded the bamboo screen before carrying the item down the platform.

"You could just set it aside for now." Ye An told the grand eunuch as she climbed up the steps to the platform, the lieutenant closely following behind her.

As the emperor settled into the Dragon Throne, Xi Chen bent over. "Your Imperial Majesty, I assume that you won't need my message relaying services now?"

What a bright mind he has, Ye An couldn't help but think sarcastically even when she was no longer apprehensive about the lieutenant. "Yes, Lieutenant Yun. But I still need you here for your military advice."

Xi Chen nodded at that. Truth be told, he was slightly miffed that he won't be able to assist the emperor in this one area anymore. Xi Chen wanted to be of service to the emperor as much as he possibly could and this felt like something was taken away from him.

The astounded ministers came to their senses and hastily went down kneeling as they bowed to Ye An.

"Long live, Your Imperial Majesty."

Ye An thought that the scene was quite funny. It wasn't the first time she was at a court meeting but it was the first time she had received such a formal greeting by a lot of the ministers here. If she knew revealing her face had such an effect on those old men, she would've done this a long time ago.

"Gentlemen, greetings. You may stand."

The ministers stood up at the emperor's prompting. As usual, Minister Hu took a step out of his position in thoughts of kick-starting the court meeting by presenting updates on the issues that his district was having.

"Hold on, Minister Hu. Before your presentation, I have an announcement to make." Ye An declared which made Minister Hu step back into his place.

"I assume that you are all shocked that I decide to reveal my face to you today." Without waiting for any acknowledgment, Ye An continued. "I am here to make an announcement and I figured that showing my face to you would be a way for me to show you the utmost respect I have for all of you who are present today."

"I believe that all of you have heard of the protest yesterday? I heard that almost the entire population of the capital was gathered at the Heavenly Gates under the scorchingly hot summer sun to observe the spectacle. So I'm sure word would have traveled to each and every one of you by dusk. Am I right?"

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty." The ministers replied in unison as they bowed.

"It made me deliberate about the decision for war once again which made me come to a conclusion." The ministers' eyes darted towards each other nervously.

"A different conclusion. I have decided to retract the decision to go to war." Ye An declared.

"Your Imperial Majesty!" Minister Hu snapped his head to look at the emperor.

"Your Imperial Majesty, my apologies but that is not possible. The decision has been made weeks ago." The minister who was standing beside Minister Hu exclaimed.

"Decisions could change, Minister Peng."

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. Forgive me, but small decisions such as what crops should be planted on the southern plains could change, not decisions about going to war." Minister Hu stepped in.

Amidst all of this, Xi Chen who was at his usual spot by the emperor's side noted that the few ministers from the northern region were holding their breath at this exchange and Minister Sze's face was unreadable.

"Minister Hu. Big decisions or small, they can all change as long as the action behind the decision has not yet been conducted." Ye An replied in a similar manner a parent would a child.

"But-"

"No buts. After much consideration, there is no immediate need for a war with the Northerners. If any of you would like to contest my decision using the recent invasion at the northern border, where the Northerners didn't even get the chance to step through our doors before our archers at the wall shot them down. So please, go ahead and justify that." Ye An's voice hardened.

There was complete silence in the hall.

"Well then. We shall proceed with the agreement that was drawn by Minister Sze." Xi Chen noticed that the ministers from the northern region let out a sigh of relief at the decision to cease the war. Minister Sze bowed towards the emperor in acknowledgment of the peace treaty that he had drawn.

"Now on to the next thing. I believe the yearly event of the Annual Hunt is dawning upon us." Ye An said in a lighter tone.

The ministers perked up at the mention of the Annual Hunt. To which Ye An stated calmly. "This year, we shall be extending an invitation to the Northerners."

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