Yuelan and Guangfeng returned to Longuo the next morning. Guangfeng was thoughtful and took care with helping Yuelan go from the library to his carriage at the bottom of the mountain. Byakko didn’t even complain about it after taking a single glance at Yuelan’s pale and tired face.

“I won’t ask to go again, Yuelan,” Guangfeng promised her. “Your country is fascinating, but seeing it isn’t worth the cost to your health.”

“I’m alright; I just need rest.” Yuelan seemed to have forgiven Guangfeng and gave him a smile.

Guangfeng looked skeptical, but he didn’t argue with her. He was silent for the rest of the trip from the library to Yuelan’s Crystal Moon Residence. When they arrived, he helped her down from the carriage and let her maids help her inside to go rest. “Let me know when I can come to see you again.”

Yuelan turned her head, smiled a little, and nodded. “I will. Thank you, Guangfeng, for making this effort for me.”

The third prince smiled and bowed his head. “It was my pleasure, Yuelan.” He waited until she had gone inside before getting in his carriage and heading to his palace. Guangfeng went straight to his study to write up a report for his father on what he had seen and learned and the things he wanted to try to implement in their own country.

The report didn’t only include what he wanted to do, but the beginnings of a plan to follow through with it. To start with, Guangfeng wanted to let women take the imperial exam and become officials and scholars. He also wrote out his plans for building an aqueduct. Running water could go to every house. Most homes wouldn’t be able to afford to heat the water, since it required fire for them, but if they built bath houses that the lower classes could pay a copper or two to use it could make the people very happy.

Writing out his plans took all day and by the time he had finished Guangfeng was worn out and getting a headache. One of his servants handed him a cup of tea and started massaging his shoulders. The third prince wasn’t sure when this servant girl had come in and her sweet fragrance made him frown. He didn’t take even a sip of his tea and quickly stood up. “Shade.”

The hidden guard appeared in front of him, kneeling. “Master?”

“I don’t recognize this maid. Take her for questioning and find out how she got in.”

The servant girl’s face paled and she dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground. “Your highness, this servant is innocent! This servant saw you had been working all day and only wanted to help your highness relax!”

“Shade.” Guangfeng’s tone was full of warning. He ignored the maid and walked out of his study.

The hidden guard stood and stuffed a rag in the maid’s mouth then dragged her out of the study.

It seemed there were spies in his palace. Guangfeng was going to need to do something about that. He also made plans to send all the young women employed by his palace elsewhere. He didn’t want to risk Yuelan misunderstanding something.

***

The emperor looked over the report and the plans that Guangfeng had presented. Morning court had finished and his third son had asked for a meeting right after. “Have you considered that allowing women to become scholars and officials will make many angry?”

Guangfeng nodded. “I have, but Yuelan is very capable and there were other women I saw who seemed quite capable as well. I’d also like to allow girls to inherit. While it may upset some, there are others who will be pleased because they do not have sons.”

Xiong Lijun considered then nodded his head. “Indeed it will. And those daughters who will inherit titles and positions will need the same education that the sons receive. Alright, make the proposal tomorrow in morning court. If you can get it to pass I will formally name you crown prince. However, you will have to do this on your own without my assistance. If you cannot, you will have to wait until Priestess Yuelan marries you.”

Guangfeng smiled and bowed. “Thank you, Father Emperor, for this chance. I will do my best to prove my ability.”

The emperor nodded and waved his hand. “Good. Go. You will be busy for a while.”

The third prince bowed again and left the imperial palace to begin preparations for the next morning. The first thing he did was send word to Red Orchid Teahouse that he wanted their largest courtyard to hold a gathering that afternoon and then sent his servants to deliver invitations to the sons and daughters of the influential members of the court on his side, including Chang Biming. When all the invitations had been sent out, Guangfeng took his carriage to Yuelan’s residence. He didn’t want her to have any more misunderstandings.

***

Yuelan was resting on her favorite bench in the pagoda by her koi pond when Cheng Soo informed her that Guangfeng had arrived and wished to see her. She nodded her head. “Bring him back here to me, Cheng Soo.”

The steward bowed and hurried off to the entrance. A few minutes later he brought Guangfeng to the pagoda.

Yuelan looked up and smiled at Guangfeng. Her face was pale, but she looked a bit better than the day before. “What brings you here? I thought you were going to wait until I let you know that I was feeling better.”

Guangfeng smiled and bowed a bit to her. “I have news I want to share with you and I wanted to prevent any misunderstandings before they occur.”

The prince’s words made Yuelan curious and she sat up a little. “What news? What misunderstandings?”

“I spoke with my father after morning court and proposed a plan inspired by what I learned in Kilin. If I can get it to pass without his assistance, he will name me crown prince. In a couple of hours I will be holding a gathering at your tea house to speak with the young officials and children of influential officials and convince them. There will be some young ladies attending as well.”

Yuelan’s eyes showed understanding and she nodded her head. “What is the plan?”

“Allowing girls to inherit their family property and titles and to let them become officials and scholars themselves.”

Jade green eyes sparkled and Yuelan jumped at Guangfeng to hug him. “Thank you! I know nothing will happen right away, but it makes me happy that you’re going to start changing things and making an effort to let women show they’re just as capable.”

Surprise and joy filled Guangfeng’s heart as he wrapped his arms around Yuelan. He held her close and gently patted her back. “You’re welcome. Are you feeling up to coming with me to the gathering?”

Yuelan hesitated for a moment, then nodded her head. “I think so. It’s a gathering at my tea house, right? I can sit and drink tea just as well there as I can here.”

Guangfeng chuckled. “I’ll try to keep them from bothering you too much, then. I sent invitations to your friends, Miss Zhou and Miss Zhao, as well. And Liling may come with her husband.”

Yuelan stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss Guangfeng’s cheek. “Thank you.”

The third prince smiles and gently strokes her hair once before taking a step back. “It will benefit the people and the country. I should be thanking you.”