The beauty of Spring Pavilion

She was still standing there frozen, as the emperor touched her shoulder. The blood in her body rose to her head and made her face blush red, panicked.

Still with her head lowered, her eyes glanced left and right. Confused what to do until the emperor's voice was heard again. "Miss Shu" called the emperor as he extended his other hand to her.

As far as she could remember this was the first time the emperor had called her by her family name. She tried to remember, and she confirmed that this was indeed the first time the emperor had called her by her family name. Realizing from her reverie, she immediately bowed her body while saying "Your Majesty, I'm sorry for my impoliteness." Her voice trembled with nervousness.

The emperor's face softened, his lips widened, smiling. "Hey, Miss Shu, come sit," said the emperor, hoping her nervousness would stop.

She hesitated to accept the emperor's hand because she felt she did not deserve it. Seeing that she was hesitating, the emperor smirked then turned to walk towards where he was sitting earlier and sat down.

He put his one hand on the table. His eyes looked towards Qing Yang, waiting for her reaction. When he saw her raise her head, he showed her the seat in front of him. Gestures her to sit there.

She nodded her head slightly in response to the emperor's gesture. Reluctantly, she walked slowly. Walk in the direction indicated by the emperor. until there she still hesitated to sit down.

"Please have a seat Miss Shu" the emperor's voice broke her doubts. She glanced at the emperor and the emperor raised his eyebrows with his head slightly nodded, gesturing for her to sit down.

Her feet stepped forward, taking a position to sit down. After sitting down her head was still look down and she was wringing her fingers, nervously. Thinking about what she should do next.

"Have you read the contents of the parchment?" asked the emperor even though he knew she must have read it.

"I-I've read it, Your Majesty," she stammered. Then as if a power had suddenly arisen within her, she asked "Thus, Has Your Majesty broken the scholar rules?"

Without wasting time and in one breath she then said "You don't have to do that just because of me Your Majesty. I am a woman who is clearly not allowed to take the scholar exam. What would the other officials say if they found out that Your Majesty allowed a woman to take the scholar exam? This will be the subject of discussion among the palace and the residents of the East Sea coast."

Unbeknownst to her, she was speaking freely even though the previous minute she had been visibly worried and unable to speak. Seeing this the emperor burst into laughter. Which made her realize that she had spoken loudly and disrespectfully to the emperor.

Instantly she bowed her head and apologized "I'm sorry Your Majesty's, I didn't mean to be rude" she grumbled inwardly 'Qing Yang you stupid, what have you done, where are the manners that Grandma has taught you?' Her brows furrowed, irritated.

The emperor's laughter was still heard and then slowly disappeared. In the midst of her worried the emperor said "This attitude is what I want" the emperor leaned forward, holding the cup in front of her to be moved closer to her while saying "I'm sure, you need to drink" after that the emperor withdrew his hand and smiled.

She raised her head and glanced at the emperor and was greeted by the emperor's smiling face. She slowly took the cup, raised it to her mouth and took a sip of the drink. She felt a delicious aroma, soft on the tongue. And Unbeknownst to her, she is wetting her lips with her tongue that slip on her lips. She remembered last night the emperor also gave her a drink of the same kind of tea but there was a difference from last night's tea.

This movement did not escape the emperor's eyes, who immediately smiled a little and then said, "This is tea from the southern seacoast which is famous for its subtle aroma and taste and is said to make you calm when you are nervous and upset."

"Oh" was the only answer that came out of her mouth while nodding her head.

"I still have another tea with other benefits, if you want to try it" the emperor suggested to her which she immediately answered.

"Oh, no…no Your Majesty, this tea is more than enough. Since I'm calmer now, the effect is like Your Majesty conveying the benefits of this tea," she declined gently to show courtesy in front of the emperor.

"Well, if that's the case. So, are you ready to start the process of studying for the scholar exam?" he asked her directly.

"Hmm… Your Majesty as I have said earlier…." Before she had finished saying what she wanted to say, the emperor interrupted.

"You don't have to worry about that. The most important thing now is that you just have to focus on studying."

"But Your Majesty…." she tried to say it again but was again cut off by the emperor.

"Shhh….. Miss Shu, I've changed the decree regarding the rules of the scholar exam. So, from now on, not only you but other women can also take the scholar exam," he said explaining to make her feel calm.

Her eyes opened wide for a moment, startled. How can a rule that has been applied for decades? It has now been removed. And now, he could confirm her doubts last night that she could finally take the student exam like a man.

"And since today is the first time you come to the palace and you are not familiar with the palace rules, I will guide and teach you today" her eyes that already widened, shocked. as if her eyeballs wanted to pop out of the shell of her skull, if only her eyes weren't closed. smeared by the muscles of nerves, it was certain that her eyeballs had fallen and were rolling on the ground by now.

She was overcome with rage again. How could she possibly learn if it was the emperor himself who taught to her. But she also believes that if it is a scholar who teaches, she becomes increasingly unable to focus because she thinks about how the scholar will react if she finds out that the person, he is going to teach is a woman.

He must have thought so. His status as a scholar has been tarnished. If she had to choose, she would prefer the emperor but how could an emperor teach a woman to be a scholar, moreover the emperor must have many other things he has to do regarding the palace and prosperity of the yellow kingdom.

Seeing her surprised reaction, the emperor smiled and said "Before becoming emperor here I also took the exam, so I know how to take the scholar exam" the emperor smiled inwardly, remembering the exam he meant was definitely very different. Since the exams he took were those that took place in the heavens, his exams were much more rigorous. The questions are much more complicated.

"Well, what do you think, Miss Shu?" asked the emperor who had been waiting for an answer from her.

"Hmm… I… I… just go with what Your Majesty has said," she answered slowly but sounded relieved.

"Good. For that, let's first enjoy the beauty of nature this morning, hopefully your mind will be much calmer after that so you can pay attention and focus on studying later," replied the emperor happily. Then he turned around to face the garden. Qing Yang did the same.

While admiring the garden around her, she occasionally took a sip of the tea that she had been holding for a long time.

This time she admired the surrounding garden more clearly. Her eyes were constantly looking around the gardens and ponds. And without realizing it she rose and walked closer to the edge of the pavilion to take a closer look.

The sun's rays touched her face, making her mood warmer. Beautiful flowers surround the pavilion. There are roses, lilies, orchids, Florence, daisies with various colors and many other types of flowers. she was so happy to see the beauty of these flowers as if she did not want to leave this garden until late at night.

Not to mention the calmness of the pond but the occasional splash of water, the result of fish jumping out of the water and swimming fast. Whether it's because swimming with joy. Or playing with other fish.

Her heart was really very happy to see this. However, her pleasure was interrupted by the voice of the emperor behind her. "You want to feed the Fish?" the emperor asked her.

And she just realized that she had stood up leaving the emperor sitting alone at the center of table of the pavilion. Her face was momentarily worried.