The Sage's question eased Yu Mingyue’s mind. If he had asked about the events in the Eastern Palace that day, she wouldn't have been able to feign ignorance as she had with Xiao Che; the Sage was not easily fooled.
Yu Mingyue lowered her head and replied, "Your Majesty, when I was young, I often pestered my father to play with me. When he was busy, he would give me a book and say it was the supreme law of Da Wei. If I memorized it, he would play with me. At first, it was for play, but the more I recited, the more interested I became. Sometimes, I would ask my father for explanations. Therefore, I wish to enter the Dali Temple to promote Da Wei's laws, so that the common people will know that the law is the supreme law, and all citizens of Da Wei must abide by it."
Yu Mingyue naturally could not tell the Sage that the laws of Da Wei were as familiar to the Cui family as the Three Character Classic, and any passage could be recited backwards.
Of course, these things could not be told to the Sage.
The Sage was pleased by Yu Mingyue's words, and a rare smile appeared on his face. "Your father certainly knew how to teach his children."
Yu Mingyue, always adept at reading people and seizing opportunities, grew bolder. "Since I could understand words, my father taught me about Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teacher. At the time, I didn't understand the meaning, but later I realized my father was teaching me loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country. It is a pity that I am a woman and cannot guard the borders and protect the nation like my elder brothers. I can only contribute my own strength to Da Wei to the best of my ability."
Yu Mingyue's words were, of course, exaggerated and flattering to the Sage, but they were not lies. She genuinely wished to enter the Dali Temple to better promote the law. If the people knew and abided by the law, perhaps the Qinghe Rebellion would not have occurred.
Da Wei needed to expand its territory, but even more so, it needed internal stability. Otherwise, the people could not live and work in peace.
The Sage was greatly pleased. "If that is the case, why not go to the Ministry of Justice? The officials there are all familiar with your father and would surely take good care of you."
Yu Mingyue, however, shook her head. "It is precisely because of this that I will not go to the Ministry of Justice. I wish to rely on myself."
He had long heard that this girl was always sharp-tongued and good at pleasing others. It seemed to be true; she was very eloquent. However, it did not dampen his mood.
If the ministers in court were as eloquent as this girl, their remonstrances might be more acceptable.
However, he had not forgotten the main reason for summoning her. News had come from Jiangzhou that there seemed to be something unusual between her and Xie Jia Yan.
It was this girl's servant who had trespassed into the armory's fire camp, leading to his capture by Ye Feisheng's men. Xie Jia Yan had then single-handedly stormed the Lijing Gate, exchanging iron ore maps for a servant. Now, he had risked himself for her, helping the Cui family protect those books.
The Sage nodded and then spoke, "I recall you are to come of age this year?"
Yu Mingyue's heart skipped a beat, but she still replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, it is indeed in April of this year."
"Your betrothal to the seventh prince did not come to fruition. It was the royal family that delayed you." The Sage wore an expression of slight guilt.
Yu Mingyue thought, "Oh no, please don't feel indebted and force a marriage. I absolutely do not wish to be bestowed a marriage."
"Your Majesty is too kind. My mother always said that my daughter was like an unpolished stone, unable to grasp things. She was not worthy of the Crown Prince. It seems even Heaven felt I could not bear great responsibility and discovered our incompatible horoscopes in time. I now only wish to be a good female official who serves the sovereign and the people, and I have no interest in romantic entanglements." Yu Mingyue spoke with conviction, sounding quite heroic.
"Oh?" The Sage's "Oh?" clearly held some doubt. "I heard that your relationship with Scholar Xie is not ordinary."
The Sage emphasized the words "not ordinary," his expression unreadable. It was unclear what he meant.