To The Palace

Qing Yang stood at the door of the living room in shock. She couldn't believe what she had heard. She thought she would study on her own to prepare for the scholar exam. And she didn't think that the Emperor would send his royal guards to come and fetch her. 'But where to pick her up?' Besides, it wasn't stated on the parchment that she was going to take part in a learning program at the somewhere else.

Grandma Fen Fang's brows furrowed. Her head tilted to the right as she stared intently at the royal guard who was standing in front of her.

"Excuse me Mister, I don't mean to hinder your duty and if I am allowed to ask. Why was Qing Yang picked up and for what purpose?" This time Grandma didn't just silently accept the emperor's orders. she wanted to know what was going on. Yesterday this royal guard came to fetch Qing Yang on behalf of the Emperor and this time he did not say so.

Qing Yang looked at the royal guards anxiously and curiously. Waiting for him to answer Grandma's question.

"By the emperor's decree, Miss Shu will undergo a study program by the court scholars in the palace and under supervision by the emperor in preparation for the scholar exams that will be held at the festival mid-autumn" The royal guard explained loudly and briefly in one breath. Hope no more questions to slow down the task.

Grandma's eyes opened wide. This is something that is not possible in the long history of the yellow kingdom. No woman has ever been able to take the scholar exam. Then why did this royal guard suddenly come and say such a thing. moreover, he mentioned the 'emperor's decree?'

"Mister, there must be something wrong here…" before Grandma could continue her speech. The royal guard cut in, for he knew what she was going to say next.

"Emperor's decree, allows women to take the scholar exam and can be hold the title of scholar if she passes the exam" With a smiling face, the royal guard looked at Grandma patiently waiting for another question from Grandma who was standing full of suspicion and curiosity.

And on the other side in the corner of his eye. He knew that Qing Yang was standing at the door of the living room listening to his words. But he still maintains his decency in front of Grandma.

Grandma's eyes widened even more in disbelief at what she had just heard. And to confirm it she turned towards the door where she is standing, looked curiously at Qing Yang, and hoped that she would explain this to her.

Qing Yang saw Grandma, even though her body was shaking, she tried to keep the calmness that Grandma had always taught her to always stay calm in whatever was going on. She put the cleaning equipment on the table not far from where she was standing. Walk over to Grandma.

She briefly explained in detail what had happened. When she finished speaking, Grandma had become calm and turned to the royal guards and said "Mister, sorry to keep you waiting, if that's the case, Qing Yang will follow you to the palace." Grandma's voice was firm and calm. Her face was smiling and, in her heart, she said, 'finally women get the same rights as men'.

"Qing Yang go, and study diligently. Grandma hopes you can pass the scholar exam later" Grandma said who had turned to face her, grandma's hand holding her cold hand. Grandma smiled broadly at her, by feeling her cold hands she would know that she had been restless since the royal guard came.

"But Grandma, I think it's better for me to study with you. I don't think I can study in peace in the palace" she replied, trying to find an excuse not to go to the palace to meet the emperor. she had already guessed that there would be tension and discomfort she would have for the emperor.

"Silly girl, you will receive the teachings of a scholar in the palace who has already obtained the emperor's acknowledgment. he will guide you to take the scholar exam because he has also taken the exam. So, he must know clearly what to do how in answering scholar exams" said Grandma, her hand stroking the back of her palm. trying to provide comfort and make her calmer.

Qing Yang just lowered her head, embarrassed. Grandma is right. The one who could help her was the one who had taken the same path.

"Go" Grandma's said, not wanting to delay and gave her another reason not to go to the palace.

With a heavy heart she obeyed grandma's words. Lifting her face looked at the royal guard, nodded her head slightly, a sign that she was ready to go.

"Thank you for your help, we are withdrawing," said the royal guard as he bowed his body in courtesy to an elder and owner of the Xiao Hai House.

After saying that the royal guard raised his hand at the side, allowing Qing Yang to walk over.

"Grandma, I'm leaving," she said to her grandma.

"Take care and remember what I taught you about manners." Grandma's eyes looked at her meaningfully. She knows that she can carry herself in the behavior and attitude of interacting with other people.

"Okay, Grandma," she replied obediently.

She followed the guards to the gate. The same carriage as yesterday and the one that was going to take her to the palace, was already waiting at the gate. She got into the carriage and sat on the corner side near the window. Take a deep breath, try to calm herself down.

Shortly after the guard went up and sat opposite her. The carriage moved, walking away from Xiao Hai house.

Qing Yang stared out the window, towards the gate. Grandma and the other kids stood there and waved for her. She raised her hand and waved to them with a small, choked smile.

During the journey, she didn't know how many times she had taken in and out of breath. She hoped that this action would calm her down, but it didn't. Her fingers, twirling between one another, nervous.

The royal guard who had been sitting in front of her and had been indirectly watching her. Smile a little. He wanted to give her some comfort for her but was at a loss as to what he should do. During the time he followed the emperor, this was the first time the emperor had shown his concern for a woman. Moreover, he also broke the scholar rule that had happened for hundreds of years just for the girl sitting in front of him.

At first glance, there was nothing special about her in his eyes. He was also curious as to what had caught the emperor's attention for this girl. The emperor was surrounded by many women in the palace, but none of them caught his attention. The more he searches for answers the more he gets stuck in his curiosity and doesn't find the answer. In the end, he could only wait patiently. So as not to make the atmosphere more uncomfortable for the girl in front of him if he kept looking at her. He turned his head towards the window opposite her. Glance at the passing trees against the bright blue sky.

Qing Yang couldn't understand why she wasn't calm like this. What makes her restless. 'Is it because I will meet the emperor again?' she asked herself and continued. 'But after all, hasn't she already met the emperor a few times? even last night sitting side by side enjoying the tranquillity on the coast'.

She was getting more and more restless trying to think about what was going to happen. How should she behave in front of Scholar. Then suddenly a thought came to her and made her even more restless. She turned her face towards the royal guards, her brows furrowed 'Wait, didn't this mister say earlier, that the emperor would watch over her studying. That means…..is the emperor going to be around all the time during the teaching?' The thought alone made her have to stand on in a panic.

Her face scrunched up with worry. Her fingers were twisting each other with more and more pressure. She felt like he wanted to scream but had to give up on holding back a burst of anxiety mixed with panic.

Her heart was beating fast as the carriage stopped in front of the palace. Surprised, 'Already arrived? very fast? how?' she looked left and right looking out the window, perhaps because she was lost in thought, making her hallucinate. And to stop her doubts. The royal guard's voice was heard.

"Miss Shu, we have arrived" the royal guard gave her a comforting smile. And waiting for her to wake up from her confusion.

"Ah… yes" were the only words that came out of her mouth after gaining her daze thought.