Chapter 1460: Growth (4)

After sending off Fu Tinghan’s family of three, Princess Hongnong leaned on Ren Hui’s hand to stroll in the garden to aid digestion. She said, "You were too bold today."

Ren Hui respectfully held her hand, her voice still gentle, "The Princess’s grandchildren are all grown now, Your Majesty’s position is secure, the Crown Princess’s authority is increasing, and the court’s situation is stable. You’ve suffered for a lifetime, why can’t you indulge a little?"

Princess Hongnong: "Is growing senile a good thing? My grandfather was wise for half his life, but in old age he became obsessed with personal feelings, which led him to insist on establishing my father as emperor, plunging the world into chaos."

"Family joy is but a fleeting moment for me. Indulging in it can lead to further conflicts, causing unknown casualties." Princess Hongnong sneered, "The world jostles for gain. Humans are the most vile creatures; wagering on hearts is the worst gamble. Should I show the slightest favoritism to the Second Prince, countless demons and goblins would stir in secret."

"Commoners can become bandits for a string of coins; how much better are the elite families? They will do anything for personal gain."

Princess Hongnong has spent her life rallying for the Great Jin, raising the banner of righteousness to gather influence, hoping to support a crumbling structure.

She has seen people of great righteousness, but more often encountered shameless scoundrels, who merely drape themselves in silk to conceal their ugliness, feigning justice to mask selfish desires.

She would never allow herself to become such a person. Even now, just because she’s aged, even in death, she would not permit her personal desires to take control.

Princess Hongnong said coldly, "This won’t happen again."

Ren Hui felt a chill in her heart, knowing the Princess was serious. Even she was not allowed a second occurrence.

She sighed inwardly and respectfully acknowledged.

After leaving the Eldest Princess Mansion, Zhao Mingming continued to chatter non-stop, though this time there was also Fu Jingjing’s voice in the carriage.

He had much to say to his father, adding comments energetically from the side, sometimes unable to compete with his sister, nervously pulling at his ears.

Fu Tinghan separated the two of them, "One at a time, let your brother speak first?"

Zhao Mingming paused, generously saying, "Let my brother go first, my throat is about to give out."

Fu Tinghan casually poured her a cup of sour plum juice.

Zhao Mingming happily drank while sitting next to her father, listening to Fu Jingjing speak.

"Father, I already solved the nine linked rings you gave me. I even created a new one myself that no one can solve, not even my sister..."

Zhao Mingming: "That’s because I haven’t focused yet. I only glanced at it for less than fifteen minutes. Wait until I go home and study it. I will definitely solve it."

Fu Jingjing: "I put it together in just seven and a half minutes..."

The siblings didn’t finish speaking one after the other but continued in this manner, word by word, as they returned to the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Hanzhang, knowing that they were dining outside, didn’t wait for them. After finishing her own meal, she took a walk in the garden of the back hall.

When the father and sons briskly chatted as they entered, she had already walked around the garden nine times, sweating lightly, and stood in place by the roadside, just beneath a lantern.

As soon as Zhao Mingming and Fu Jingjing entered, they saw Zhao Hanzhang standing under the lamp and eagerly ran towards her, "Mother——"

Zhao Hanzhang asked with a smile, "What did you eat tonight? Did your grandmother eat well? Did you taste anything delicious?"

"We ate a lot, all dishes we like, and some favored by grandmother. She added a bowl of rice and ate happily..."

Fu Tinghan slowly stepped forward, and together they brought the children back to the hall. The family of four gathered to talk about their day’s events before veering into some amusing gossip.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Jingjing will soon begin his studies. He’s so clever and has a talent in mathematics. I’m thinking of finding him additional classmates."

"I heard there’s a child prodigy in Jingzhou who solved the entire ’Nine Chapters on Mathematical Art’ at eight years old. Guo Pu has already gone over to see if he can pass on his legacy."

Actually, Guo Pu was most eager for Fu Jingjing, but Zhao Hanzhang allowed him to teach Fu Jingjing astronomy, geography, and philosophy, yet opposed accepting Fu Jingjing as his disciple.

She hopes her son is capable but doesn’t want him becoming obsessed with mysticism.

She herself harbors skepticism about the world, but this doubt is founded on facts and experiences. She’s confident she can handle such skepticism without losing herself in it.

Fu Jingjing, however, is still a child.

She dislikes him encountering these ideas too soon. What he needs now is an objective study of established knowledge; future questioning and exploration are choices he can make with maturity.

If he chooses Guo Pu at that time, she wouldn’t stop him.

But for now, he’s still an ignorant child and requires parental guidance, so Zhao Hanzhang straightforwardly declined.

Fu Tinghan: "They are several years older than Jingjing. Ji Yuan’s second son and Ming Yu’s eldest daughter are also smart, around Jingjing’s age. Why not select them as study companions?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "I’ve considered it, but they’ve already arranged schools for their children."

With Zhao Mingming around, many ministers avoided sending their children to be study companions for Fu Jingjing. Those willing either had motives disapproved by Zhao Hanzhang or their children were unsuitable.

Zhao Mingming looked at her father, then her mother, and said, "Mother, give me the list. I’ll go invite them."

Zhao Hanzhang gave her a glance and said, "Don’t interfere. Your brother is different from you. His talent lies in mathematics. I want him to joyfully pursue what he loves without forcing him alongside the children of ministers. I think it’s best to form a special class with similarly bright and talented kids."

A youth science class, producing future scientists—how great!

Zhao Hanzhang said, "We’ll select children from the common folk, regardless of status; those interested can try. As long as they’re capable, I’ll fund their education—these will become future pillars of the nation."

She added, "Cultural ideas are the basis of social progress, while science and technology are the paths to societal advancement. We must seize this route."

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but laugh, "You are wealthy now."

Zhao Hanzhang proudly lifted her chin, "I’m very wealthy now."

Zhao Mingming was tempted by the sight, rushing to hug her mother’s arm, shouting, "Mother, give me some, give me some, I’m so poor."

Fu Jingjing imitated and jumped in, directly into Zhao Hanzhang’s embrace, tightly clutching her sleeve, "Give me some too, just a bit."

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily and embraced them both, "Alright, I’ll give you some."

The next morning, as soon as they woke up, the two received gifts Zhao Hanzhang prepared—a box of gold beans. The eunuch delivering the gift smiled and said, "Your Majesty says this is your allowance for half a year. If it’s not enough, once spent, we’ll talk, and Your Majesty will give you more—but Your Majesty also said, you must account for every penny spent."

Lowering his voice, he said, "The idea seems to be that Your Majesty intends to audit later."

Zhao Mingming’s mouth dropped open; she knew her mother’s money was not easy to take.