Chapter 154 Awu and I, our hearts are in sync
Emperor Wusu seemed to only then notice their arrival, and slowly put down his book.
"Don't be so formal, sit down and let's talk."
Li Yuzong brought out a small huanghuali chair inlaid with precious flowers and birds from somewhere, and Qiuqiu skillfully sat down on it with her short legs.
The size is just right; it looks like her own personal chair.
Ji Qingwu sat down to the side, looking somewhat reserved.
The emperor's voice came from the palace, clear and pleasant to the ear.
"Have you memorized today's lessons?"
Chiu Chiu confidently raised her little head and answered, "I can recite it backwards."
Then, Emperor Wusu asked a few questions, which the little girl answered fluently and clearly, without any exaggeration.
As Ji Qingwu watched them exchange questions and answers, her expression softened, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but turn up.
Having such a smart and lovely daughter is truly a blessing for her.
Before she knew it, her gaze had fallen on Emperor Wusu, who was listening intently to Qiuqiu's words.
He nodded in response from time to time, offering a few gentle words.
Unlike an emperor who is high above and looks down on the world, he is more like the head of an ordinary family who has finished his business and returned home to check on his young son's studies.
This scene was heartwarming.
A thought suddenly occurred to Ji Qingwu.
If she could have foreseen this situation, would she have had a second option after giving birth?
If only her strategy hadn't gone wrong, and it had been him from the start, how wonderful that would have been.
If he weren't the emperor...
Ji Qingwu sighed softly. Unfortunately, fate is fickle, and there are no "what ifs" in life.
He was the emperor.
He was an emperor with three palaces and six courtyards, who ruled the world.
His identity alone meant he was destined not to be her ideal man.
Ji Qingwu had never harbored any romantic feelings for the emperor before, because she always knew that falling in love with such a man would be like drinking poison to quench her thirst.
This is not someone she can afford, not before, and still isn't.
She could easily promise to marry Li Chengxun after only a short time at home because she knew she could protect herself.
As long as the Ji family retains its power, she will have a powerful backer.
Even without love, they can maintain a facade of mutual respect, and she can live a peaceful and comfortable life until old age.
But now, she's having thoughts she shouldn't be having...
Ji Qingwu sighed, and the struggle in her eyes was seen silently by Emperor Wusu.
After the endorsement and evaluation process was completed, Li Yuzong came forward with a glass box.
Chiu Chiu excitedly transferred all the candies, cakes, and other sweets from the box into her pink and blue pouch.
The little girl looked up and saw her mother staring at her with a stern face.
"Mother," she said in a childish voice, "this is a reward for reciting the text today." The little girl then added, as if to say something completely unnecessarily, "It's nothing else."
This reminded Ji Qingwu of what yesterday's gifts were... betrothal gifts... wedding candy...
So she glared at the person on the throne, thinking herself annoyed.
But to those present, it was clearly a coquettish glance, her eyes sparkling with tenderness and charm.
Emperor Wusu raised an eyebrow and said, "This student's mother seems to have a lot of opinions about me."
Li Yuzong's eyes darted around before he continued, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Study has been open to the families of officials for some time now, but we have never communicated with the students' parents to understand the teaching situation. A few days ago, Lord Qiao mentioned this matter to me, saying that the students' families should work together to encourage their studies, which would be twice as effective."
Emperor Wusu nodded and said, "Lord Qiao is right. I don't have anything important to do right now."
Li Yuzong laughed so hard his eyes were almost invisible, facing Ji Qingwu.
"There is one right in front of you. This old servant will take Miss Qiuqiu to rest first. Your Majesty may inquire about Miss Ji's situation regarding the students returning home after finishing their studies at the Imperial Study."
Before leaving, Qiuqiu patted her bulging purse and encouraged Ji Qingwu.
"Mother, if you answer the question properly, the Emperor will reward you."
In just a few words, Ji Qingwu became the subject of investigation; the change was too rapid.
She stood in the center of the hall, looking up at Emperor Wusu, wondering what he wanted to ask.
His hand rested on the books on the large table, and he said, "I do have a question I would like to ask you."
Such a serious and solemn expression, coupled with his request for guidance, made Ji Qingwu feel uneasy.
She asked in surprise, "Is there something His Majesty doesn't know?"
Emperor Wusu said, "Of course there are."
What does Your Majesty wish to ask?
He said, "I would like to ask this student's mother, what is Qiujiu's full name?"
That's the question; you really have to ask her to find out.
Chiu Chiu didn't get her formal name until she was two and a half years old.
It wasn't that Ji Qingwu wasn't trying her best; she racked her brains but couldn't come up with a satisfactory name. While she was struggling with this decision, the child had grown up quite a bit.
In the end, she finally settled on the name after looking through the books in the local collection, but during those years in Nan Chu, neither she nor Qiuqiu had household registration documents, so they had never used it.
Ji Qingwu looked at him and said, "Chiu Chiu's full name is Ji Wenjing."
Her voice was both soft and clear.
There was a moment of silence in the hall.
Emperor Wusu's reaction was initially one of disbelief and stunned silence, followed by a relaxed expression and a joyful laugh.
This was the first time he had laughed so freely and heartily.
Ji Qingwu looked at him, not understanding what was going on. Qiuqiu took her surname, Ji, but he was not displeased at all; on the contrary, he was delighted.
She asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty, why are you laughing?"
Emperor Wusu asked, "Is her name derived from Wenhua and Junjing?"
Ji Qingwu nodded, acknowledging that he was right.
Chiu Chiu is her precious jewel, and choosing these two characters as her name is just right.
Emperor Wusu rose from his desk, his posture as graceful as a bamboo stalk and as radiant as a jade tree.
Ji Qingwu looked at him, and Emperor Wusu's dark eyes gleamed with a hint of light as he smiled and said, "You have chosen an excellent name."
He said in a slightly raised tone, "A gentleman is like a jade pendant, his feathered robes are radiant, his jade ornaments are as bright as the moon, and his beauty is as exquisite as brocade."
Upon hearing the words he uttered, Ji Qingwu immediately caught a particular word, and her heart stirred.
She suddenly understood why the emperor was so happy.
Ji Qingwu couldn't contain her joy either. Her eyes crinkled with laughter as she said, "Is Your Majesty also praising yourself for choosing such an excellent name?"
The phrase "A gentleman is like a heng" is likely the origin of the name the emperor gave to Yuan Heng.
Ji Qingwu simply picked two words with precious meanings from an ancient book, but unexpectedly, they happened to coincide with the name that Emperor Wusu had given to Yuan Heng.
"The character '珩' represents preciousness and uniqueness, but I never imagined that there was another supreme treasure."
Emperor Wusu said leisurely, "Awu and I can be considered to be of one mind."
He stood before the throne, atop several steps, smiling as he gazed at her.
Ji Qingwu couldn't help but take a step forward, getting closer to him.
She asked, "Your Majesty, have you always regarded Yuan Heng as a treasure?"
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