"You still remember how to come back?"
After over a decade of retirement that felt more like a futile sabbatical, Emperor Xuanwu sat behind the familiar dragon-carved desk with all the ease of old habit. Without even looking up, he picked up a memorial and hurled it at the sneaky figure slinking through the doorway.
"Between the two of us, who is the Emperor here?
If you wish to wear the crown again, just pick a proper day. Your Daughter will return the throne to you without protest."
Now that she'd been discovered, Yun Shu didn't bother hiding any longer. She stepped forward with a radiant smile, catching the flying memorial with one hand. Flipping through it casually, she replied in the same tone one might use to pacify a spoiled child.
"Father Emperor, your commentary on state affairs remains as brilliant as ever. You could easily keep this up for another twenty years."
"You unfilial child! Do you mean to make Us labor for another two decades?"
Emperor Xuanwu's eyes blazed with fury.
"Last month, We promised Nao Nao that We would visit her and Consort Liu at the estate. And now, because of you, the days have slipped by without pause. Nao Nao even wrote a letter yesterday to chastise Us for breaking Our word!"
Nao Nao, daughter of Yun Chuhuan and Cen Yiyi, had just turned six this year.
Unlike her gentle, soft-spoken mother, the little one had inherited none of that temperament.
Her restless nature had first revealed itself while still in the womb. Yun Chuhuan once pressed his ear to Cen Yiyi's belly, hoping to hear some movement. Instead, he received a well-aimed kick to the face. Since then, the signs had been clear.
At a year old, she climbed atop her father's boots to relieve herself while the nursemaid wasn't looking.
By three, she scaled a tree to steal a bird's nest, only for it to fall squarely on Yun Chuhuan's head as he passed by.
At five, she drew an elaborate flowered mustache on his face during his nap. Oblivious, Yun Chuhuan had ridden through an entire street with the doodle still proudly displayed, wondering why everyone seemed to admire his newfound handsomeness with such intensity.
In short, Nao Nao had lived up to her nickname with undeniable precision.
Aside from her energy, she also had a temper to match. If anyone made her a promise and failed to keep it, she could hold a grudge for days.
Not even Emperor Xuanwu, a grandfather no less, could escape the sting of guilt after two months of broken promises.
Naturally, Yun Shu, the true culprit behind this delay, became the prime target of his ire.
"When We go to the estate, you are coming along. And you will explain everything to her. Let her know it was your fault We could not visit."
"People always say grandparents dote on grandchildren more than their own children. Your Daughter never believed it—until now."
Yun Shu sighed dramatically.
"It seems I must accept the truth. How can your own daughter compare to your treasured little granddaughter?"
"You finally understand?"
Emperor Xuanwu gave a haughty snort.
"Nao Nao would never, unlike you, constantly find ways to make Us work."
"You are sorely mistaken."
Yun Shu's expression turned smug.
"Just the other day, Nao Nao asked when she could have you over again—to help her with homework."
"...What?"
The Emperor blinked.
So that was the real reason Nao Nao had been clamoring to see him? Not because she missed her royal grandfather, but because she wanted a tutor?
Wait. Hold on.
"You saw Nao Nao recently?"
He turned toward her, voice rising with indignation.
"You left Us here to slave over your matters, while you sneaked away to visit her?"
"Ahem."
Realizing she had let something slip, Yun Shu gave a deliberate cough and swiftly changed the subject.
"There was something to attend to nearby, so I stopped by briefly. More importantly, your Daughter has returned today bearing a surprise for you."
"A surprise?"
Emperor Xuanwu narrowed his eyes, suspicion etched into every wrinkle.
"If by 'surprise' you mean another pile of work disguised as novelty, do not think We will not—"
"No, no, nothing like that this time!"
Yun Shu clapped her hands sharply, and moments later, servants entered carrying a bizarre-looking contraption. One of them crouched on the floor, carefully guiding lengths of cord along the edge of the room.
Emperor Xuanwu watched them with growing confusion. After a while, unable to deduce what it was, he asked, frowning, "What is all this supposed to be?"
"We are assembling your surprise."
Yun Shu placed the strange device onto the dragon desk, instructing the workers to lay the cords neatly along the walls. After some time, they connected the wires to the main apparatus, then packed up their tools, bowed, and departed.
"So it is finished?"
The Emperor raised an eyebrow and gave the object a once-over. He turned the numbered dial on the front and examined the curved piece on top, but no amount of fiddling revealed its purpose.
Yun Shu, unhurried, took out a pocket watch and glanced at the time. She then retrieved the curved item from his hand and set it back on its cradle.
"Almost."
"Almost what?"
Emperor Xuanwu was thoroughly baffled.
"What are you playing at now?"
"Ten, nine, eight…"
Yun Shu calmly counted down, eyes on the watch.
"Three, two, one."
Ding-ling-ling!!
The object on the desk suddenly erupted in a rhythmic clamor.
Startled, the Emperor instinctively recoiled. After a long moment of silence, he turned to Yun Shu with a deadpan stare, as though doubting her sanity.
"All this fuss, just to build a noisemaker? At the very least, it could have played a melody."
"What kind of person do you take me for?"
Yun Shu returned his gaze with an equally pitying look.
"Your Daughter would never waste time on something useless. When it rings, you are meant to pick this up."
She lifted the curved piece again. As she did, the clanging stopped instantly.
So what? It was a device to stop noise?
Still skeptical, Emperor Xuanwu opened his mouth to question further when—
"Imperial Grandfather!"
Hmm? That voice...
He stiffened, eyes suddenly sharp.
Impossible. Could it be... Nao Nao?
"Imperial Grandfather, why aren't you saying anything?"
A cool sensation brushed his ear. Yun Shu had gently pressed the curved device to the side of his head. Nao Nao's voice rang out again, now clearer than ever.
And then, as if to add salt to his confusion, a familiar and exasperating voice chimed in beside him.
"Weren't you just lamenting how much you missed her? Now she is speaking to you, and you remain silent?"
"Nao Nao?"
The Emperor turned his head in disbelief, staring at the device as realization began to dawn. Slowly, he reached for it, handling it awkwardly.
"Is that you, Nao Nao?"
"Yes, it's me!"
From the other end came the delighted cry.
"Mother! Daddy! I really heard Imperial Grandfather's voice!"
===
闹闹 (Nàonào)
闹 (nào): means to make noise, stir up trouble, create a commotion, or be lively and spirited.