Sun Hao, emperor of the Taijin Empire, is in his office, fascinated by the abacus on the table, when Jiangjun Han Xin enters without bothering to knock on the door.

  "What is so important that you called me when I am busy interrupting my men's training session?" he says as soon as he enters the room, looking at the emperor.

  "You know, she called me father”, Sun Hao says, continuing to play with the abacus beads.

  Han Xin stares at the Emperor for a moment, his mind completely blank, trying to comprehend that he has called him just to say such nonsense.

  "In the nearly fifty years since my first child was born, none of them has ever called me father. It must be the heavens that have made my only daughter the first to do so. I wonder if I can get her to call me daddy like she did when she was a baby”, Sun Hao continues, while stopping to play with the abacus and looking at Han Xin.

  "Please have some dignity, you are the Emperor”, Han Xin replies as he stands in the center of the office. "Now, if you called me just for that nonsense, I'm leaving, I have things to do."

  "I suppose that would be too greedy. But no, I called you for something more fun. I want you to be present when I tell Taijian Li Ming what this is”, he says with a smile as he points to the abacus on the table.

  "And what is that?" Han Xin replies without moving from the center of the office, as if ready to leave at any moment.

  "I don't want to have to repeat myself twice. You'll hear it at the same time as Taijian Li Ming, so sit down. I don't think it will be long before he arrives”, Sun Hao replies.

  Han Xin looks at him with narrowed eyes, as if thinking about leaving, but in the end he sits down in a chair and says “This better not be another piece of nonsense about your daughter."

  Sun Hao smiles at him and looks as if he is about to say something when there is a knock at the office door. He says nothing and with a wave of his hand, the door opens, revealing the lavishly dressed figure of Taijian Li Ming, the empire's chief eunuch and the emperor's right-hand man.

  Taijian Li Ming enters the office and bows before the emperor, saying “Your Majesty, I come at your call."

  "Sit down”, says the emperor, now serious and without a trace of his previous smile, as he points to a chair in front of the table.

  Taijian Li Ming straightens up and sits in the chair indicated by the emperor without even glancing at Han Xin, but unable to avoid staring at the strange device on the table.

  "I see you've noticed”, Sun Hao says when he sees his gaze fixed on the abacus. "Take a guess. What do you think this device is for?"

  "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I dare not guess its purpose just by looking at its shape”, replies Taijian Li Ming.

  "Pay attention, we'll give you a demonstration”, Sun Hao replies.

  Over the next few minutes, Sun Hao gives a brief demonstration of how to use the abacus, to the growing amazement of both Taijian Li Ming and Han Xin.

  When Sun Hao stops and leans back in his chair, Taijian Li Ming can't help but shift his gaze between Sun Hao and the abacus.

  "This is amazing! And not only that, it's also extremely simple. How did no one think of something so simple before?" Taijian Li Ming can't help but exclaim.

  "Probably because if you have cultivated enough and opened the Yin Gate, we don't need an instrument like this”, Sun Hao replies. "So it's really only useful for commoners or very low-ranking officials."

  Taijian Li Ming strokes his chin as he thinks for a moment, then says “And some don't have the time, while others usually don't have the drive to break away from convention and come up with new ideas."

  "Exactly, but... What do you think of the invention?" asks Sun Hao.

  "It is very practical, ideal, as you said before, for commoners and low-ranking officials, and above all much simpler than the current system. Especially for accounts with small numbers. The flaw I see is that for larger numbers, the height required may make it a little less manageable, Your Majesty”, replies Taijian Li Ming.

  "That is for scholars to do their work and refine this handmade invention into something more dignified”, replies Sun Hao. "But now we have another equally important question. What reward should we give to the person who devised the abacus?"

  "Nan's rank, for sure, along with some small property. Unless, of course, they are already a noble. May I ask Your Majesty who invented this... abacus?" replies Taijian Li Ming.

  "Of course, there's no need to keep it a secret. It was our daughter”, Sun Hao replies proudly.

  Taijian Li Ming suddenly goes blank and can't help but say “What daughter?"

  "Are you telling me that we have more daughters somewhere and you haven't told us?" Sun Hao replies, narrowing his eyes.

  Taijian Li Ming, still in shock from the revelation, can't help but ask “Your Majesty, are you telling me that Zhāohuán Wen, who is only four years old, invented this?"

  Han Xin, still sitting discreetly to one side, can't help but smile, knowing why Sun Hao has summoned him, especially knowing Taijian Li Ming's opinion of little Wen, so he starts looking at the table where the drinks are, regretting not having taken a glass to enjoy the show.

  Sun Hao stares at the eunuch and his face turns serious "Are you implying that we are lying, Taijian Li Ming?

  Taijian Li Ming recovers from the shock and, quickly realizing what he has said in his surprise, bows, banging his forehead against the table "No, Your Majesty, of course not. It's just that the surprise got the better of me for a moment. I beg you to forgive your humble servant for his transgression."

  Sun Hao strokes his beard as he seems to consider various options, but in the end he says to Taijian Li Ming “We will let it pass this time, but we hope that something like this will not happen again."

  "I thank Your Majesty for your infinite kindness in forgiving your humble servant”, replied Taijian Li Ming without raising his head.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "Let us continue with the matter we were discussing. What reward do you think we should give our daughter?" Sun Hao continues.

  Taijian Li Ming thinks for a moment while Sun Hao waits, and finally replies “Zhāohuán Wen does not need titles, but my reports indicate that she seems to like books very much, so I thought that rewarding her with a free pass to the Imperial Library even when she is not with her tutor might be a good reward for her."

  Sun Hao ponders the proposal for a moment and finally replies to Taijian Li Ming “We approve the proposal. Send a Nei Shi to communicate the reward."

  "Right away, Your Majesty”, replies Taijian Li Ming. "But if I may ask, how do we get the scholars to learn how to use the abacus, as Zhāohuán Wen has called it?"

  "In the Imperial Library is our daughter's tutor, who has received lessons from her on how to use it. Send someone to fetch him and have him teach the rest how to use and build them, as well as try to refine the device”, Sun Hao replies.

  Taijian Li Ming stands up and bows as he replies “I will do as you command, Your Majesty."

  Taijian Li Ming makes a move to pick up the abacus, but Sun Hao places a hand on it and says “Our daughter's tutor has one, I'll keep this one."

  "As you say, Your Majesty”, says Taijian Li Ming, after which he turns and leaves the office.

  "Do you think all this is advisable?" Han Xin suddenly says after Taijian Li Ming leaves. "You're complaining that your daughter is in danger, and this only makes her an even more tempting target."

  "Not really”, replies Sun Hao. "Everyone knows that despite her rank, Wen is not really a threat to their candidacy for Heir. But they are too complacent. Their petty conspiracies and maneuvers are becoming repetitive and frankly uninspired. The fact that their disabled four-year-old sister suddenly turns out to be brighter and smarter than them may push some of them out of their comfort zone, if only to save face."

  "I never thought you would involve your daughter in court maneuvering, especially knowing how you feel”, replies Han Xin.

  "Me neither”, replies Sun Hao, his face worn with exhaustion. "But an Emperor has to do what he has to do."

  Xueshi Wenxue stands in the imperial library, surrounded by a sea of ancient books and valuable manuscripts as he prepares to spend some of the best days of his life. Although his advice to his student was sincere, his idea that the imperial princess Zhāohuán Wen should go to the emperor to present the abacus to him in person and lock himself away to prevent information about the abacus from spreading had worked perfectly, so now he had the opportunity to read any book he wanted without interruption.

  With a satisfied smile, Xueshi Wenxue reclines in a wooden armchair, holding an ancient treatise on the fauna in the forbidden northern region. The silence and peace of the library were a rare luxury, and he planned to take advantage of every moment, savoring the tranquility and enjoying the pleasure of reading without the usual distractions of his student.

  The hours passed, and the sun began to descend, bathing the room in golden light. Xueshi Wenxue looked up from his book, contemplating the shelves filled with ancient wisdom. He knew that it would take Zhāohuán Wen at least three days to secure an audience with the emperor, more than enough time to immerse himself in his own studies.

  However, his pleasant seclusion is abruptly interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Two Jin Wei, in their gleaming armor, enter the library. Xueshi Wenxue frowns, annoyed by the interruption.

  "What is it?" he asks, his tone full of contained irritation. "I have ordered the library to be sealed until the court orders otherwise."

  "Taijian Li Ming is looking for you, Xueshi Wenxue”, one of the guards replies in a respectful but firm voice. "He is said to be carrying something called an abacus."

  Xueshi Wenxue feels a chill of concern run down his spine, but with a resigned sigh, he closes the book he is reading and stands up, picking up the abacus that had been used as a pretext for his confinement.

  He follows the guards through the palace gardens and corridors until they reach an austere but imposing office. There, waiting for him with an inscrutable expression, is Taijian Li Ming. The eunuch, always meticulous, gestures for him to approach.

  "The emperor has ordered you to meet with several of your colleagues to teach them how to make the abacus and how to use it, as well as to try to refine the invention to make it more manageable or useful”, Taijian Li Ming announces without preamble. "While you are carrying out this task, you are excused from teaching Zhāohuán Wen."

  Xueshi Wenxue feels a mixture of relief and disappointment. He had underestimated his student, assuming that it would take her longer to get the audience. He bows respectfully to Taijian Li Ming, accepting the instruction without objection. As he follows the Jin Wei to the place where his colleagues are waiting for him, he cannot help but smile wryly. His plan had worked, but his student had proven to be more astute than he had anticipated.

  Entering the room where the other scholars were waiting, Xueshi Wenxue prepared for his new task. Although he had lost his precious time for solitary reading, the situation presented a new opportunity, as a task ordered by the emperor himself could mean a new promotion for him.

  And with a higher rank, he might find more free time to read in peace.

  In the quiet courtyard of the Clouds' Fragrance Pavilion, Guifei Xiang tried to concentrate on her painting. The soft sound of the brush on silk, the distant singing of birds, and the murmur of the wind in the trees used to be a symphony that calmed her mind, allowing her to delicately capture the beauty of her surroundings. Today, however, she could not find that peace. Her thoughts revolved around the Emperor's recent visit to receive his daughter's gift.

  As she tried to capture the image of a blooming lotus on canvas, her mind betrayed her, bringing her back to recent events. She had always sensed that the Emperor favored his daughter, but his eagerness to attend only highlighted it further, without her understanding the reason. Each brushstroke she made seemed to blur, reflecting the chaos of her thoughts.

  "I should call Lingxi”, she murmurs to herself, almost without realizing it. Her faithful maid had always been a calming presence, a source of sanity in her life at court. Just as she was thinking of her, Fei Yi Lingxi appears in the doorway of the courtyard, her expression grave.

  "My lady”, Fei Yi Lingxi began, her voice heavy with formality. "A Nei Shi has arrived with a decree from the emperor."

  Guifei Xiang's heart stops for a moment, and with the painting forgotten, she gets up and heads to the room where the Nei Shi awaits her.

  She enters the room with steady steps and kneels before the Nei Shi, an imposing figure dressed in ceremonial palace robes. The Nei Shi, with an impenetrable gaze, holds a sealed scroll.

  "Before reading the decree, Zhāohuán Wen must also be present”, says the Nei Shi in a tone of voice laden with authority.

  Guifei Xiang looks at Fei Yi Lingxi and orders her in a firm voice “Go find Zhāohuán Wen."

  Fei Yi Lingxi nods and quickly leaves the room. Guifei Xiang remains kneeling, the cold floor beneath her knees, while her mind races like a horse. It is clear that the decree has to do with her daughter's gift to the emperor, but isn't it too soon for that? It has only been a few periods since she gave it to him.

  Zhāohuán Wen enters the room, her curious gaze resting on the Nei Shi. Fei Yi Lingxi helps her sit down on a chair. Guifei Xiang, still kneeling, apologizes on behalf of her daughter “Forgive me, honorable Nei Shi, but due to her condition, my daughter can only sit on a chair."

  "No problem”, replies Nei Shi as she nods slightly, then takes out a scroll and breaks its seal. The room fills with tense silence as she begins to read the imperial decree.

  Nei Shi's voice rings out clearly and solemnly as she reads the formalities of the decree, but the main subject of the decree is revealed at the end when she utters the final words “And in recognition of her brilliant invention of the abacus, Zhāohuán Wen is granted unlimited access to the Imperial Library, whenever she wishes."

  After reading the decree, the Nei Shi rises and leaves the room with the same formality with which she arrived, without anyone doing anything to stop her.

  Guifei Xiang slowly turns to look at her daughter. Wen, with an expression of pure joy, utters enthusiastic exclamations, oblivious to the protocol and seriousness that the situation demands. Her laughter and meaningless words fill the room, a sign of her innocence and happiness.

  "Mother! Did you hear that? I can go to the library whenever I want!" Wen says, her eyes shining with excitement.

  "Yes, my little Wen”, Guifei Xiang replies tenderly. "You've been very clever. I'm very proud of you."

  The sun is setting, bathing the courtyard in golden light. The day, which had begun like any other, ended with unexpected joy. Guifei Xiang looks up at the sky, grateful for the promising future that awaited her daughter.

  Life at court would remain a battlefield, full of intrigue and danger, but at that moment, in the warm glow of the sunset, Guifei Xiang allowed herself to enjoy her daughter's happiness, a happiness that lit up her heart and gave her the strength to face whatever came her way.