She nodded.
When she saw the little Tangyuan, whose face was as fair as jade, she almost didn't recognize him. Little Tangyuan had always been good-looking since childhood, and he still was now, with features that seemed painted on. What surprised Shen Yunyun was the aura he carried. The young emperor should be just over eleven, not quite twelve, so why did he look so old and weary? His face was still youthful, with baby fat, but where did that steady, composed demeanor come from? It was too jarring. Really.
The young emperor walked with a steady gait, but as he crossed the threshold, his pace quickened slightly, and his breathing was a little uneven. When he saw Shen Yunyun, his eyes lit up, a hint of joy spreading across his brows, mixed with a touch of shyness. Yet he calmly bowed to the Empress Dowager: "Your son pays respects to Mother."
"The Emperor need not be so formal."
Only then did the young emperor clasp his hands toward Shen Yunyun: "Fairy Sister, long time no see."
Hearing him call her Fairy Sister, Shen Yunyun's mouth twitched slightly. She put on a senior's demeanor and smiled: "Ah, little Tangyuan has grown so big now?"
At these words, the young emperor pressed his lips together, his hands under his sleeves clenching slightly. Fairy Sister still saw him as a child.
Shen Yunyun noticed that little Tangyuan seemed a bit unhappy, though she didn't know what she had said wrong to upset the young emperor. But instead of sulking with her, he took the initiative to change the subject: "Mother, when I came over just now, I heard you and Fairy Sister discussing the Benevolent Children's Hall?"
"Indeed, the immortal wishes to establish more Benevolent Children's Halls specifically to take in abandoned children. I was discussing this with her."
"Why not let me handle this matter?" The young emperor stood up on his own.
Shen Yunyun was a bit surprised. Was this child so precocious? What could an eleven-year-old do? But then she thought of Kangxi ascending the throne at eight, taking personal rule at fourteen, and eliminating Oboi at sixteen, and she could accept it.
"What does the immortal think?"
"Let the Emperor handle it, then. But I wonder if it will interfere with the Emperor's daily studies?"
"No problem." Little Tangyuan waved his hand, the gesture far too mature for his age.
With the matter settled, Shen Yunyun prepared to go treasure hunting in the apocalypse. But the young emperor stood up and invited her: "Fairy Sister, why not come to my study? We can discuss the specifics together?"
"No need. Once you've drafted the specifics, I'll look them over next time I come." Shen Yunyun smiled at the young emperor warmly and kindly.
The young emperor felt a slight pang of disappointment at being turned down, but when Shen Yunyun reached out and patted his head, his mood inexplicably lifted. Shen Yunyun bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and returned to the trading center.
The young emperor watched as Shen Yunyun vanished before his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
"Your Majesty need not be discouraged. You are still young, and it's understandable that the immortal sees you as a child," the Empress Dowager teased with a smile.
The tips of the young emperor's ears turned red, and even his neck flushed.
"Mother."
"Don't rush things. Let it seep in silently, like rain."
The young emperor sighed again. How exactly was he supposed to let it seep in silently? He couldn't even see her.
He returned to his imperial desk and sat down, calming his emotions. Taking the memorials handed over by the Empress Dowager, he began to read them carefully. The local reports inquiring about his well-being had already been reviewed and approved by the Empress Dowager, but she still wanted him to look over those memorials that laid out state affairs. The young emperor, who had been feeling down just moments ago over Shen Yunyun's departure, now started reviewing the memorials like a little adult.