ASTRP -Chapter 19 Stayed Up All Night Reviewing Memorials

Then looking at himself…

Qing Shan was puzzled. “Hey… Your Highness, why aren’t you anxious at all?”

Xiao Jinghan replied calmly, “Even if I were anxious, what use would it be?”

“I’m in a woman’s body now.”

Qing Shan: ???

“It’s late. I should return to my room and rest.”

Xiao Jinghan closed the book in his hands, stood up, and walked out with light steps.

Qing Shan turned around, staring at his master’s departing figure, his brows tightly furrowed.

Why did he feel that his prince, regarding Feng Jinge bringing the Emperor to review memorials, was not only not anxious…but even a little pleased??

—

Meanwhile, Feng Jinge had no idea how long she had been busy. She only knew that reading memorials had made her eyes blur.

As for the young Emperor… he had already fallen asleep on the desk.

The night deepened, and the temperature dropped.

Feng Jinge originally wanted Eunuch Chen to fetch a cloak to cover the young Emperor.

But when she looked up—

In the vast palace hall, only she and the young Emperor remained.

Eunuch Chen, afraid of disturbing them while reviewing memorials, had dismissed all the attendants.

She was seated on a stool. If she stood up, she would have to move it.

The scraping noise might wake the young Emperor who had just fallen asleep.

After thinking it over, Feng Jinge’s gaze fell on her own outer robe.

Forget it—who told her she was his imperial uncle!

Feng Jinge took off her outer robe and draped it over the young Emperor.

A cold gust of wind slipped in from somewhere, making her back feel icy and sending a shiver through her whole body.

Well, great.

Now the cold had completely chased away her sleepiness.

She had finished reviewing her share of memorials, while the young Emperor still had two left.

Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, she might as well finish them.

Feng Jinge picked them up.

The first one—just greetings and well wishes.

Completely useless.

She picked up her vermilion brush and swiftly wrote two words:

“Read.”

Then set it aside.

She picked up the second one.

Opening it—

Good grief.

The memorial was filled with dense writing.

Feng Jinge immediately felt something was off. This had to be a troublesome matter.

“Phew…”

She steadied her breath and read carefully.

After the first line, her brows furrowed.

Halfway through, she was utterly confused.

What on earth was this rambling nonsense?

By the time she finished, her mind was in complete chaos. She even had the urge to drag out the official who wrote it and beat him up.

It wasn’t about state affairs at all.

To be precise, it had nothing to do with politics.

It described how the official went to another official’s residence for a banquet.

From the moment he left home, he detailed everything he saw along the way—the scenery, the people—until he arrived at the residence.

Then he went on about the mansion’s scenery, servants, and so on.

In summary: this wasn’t a memorial—it was trash.

She closed it.

On the cover, she saw the official’s name.

Feng Qianyong.

Same surname as hers.

Feng Jinge curled her lips. Fine—since you share my surname, I’ll let you off this time.

I won’t hold it against you.

But if there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being ruthless.

She picked up the brush and wrote: “Read.”

All the memorials that had piled up over two days were finally dealt with.

The only major issue was the border matter; the rest were minor disputes, mutual accusations, and petty complaints.

Nothing serious.

Feng Jinge organized the reviewed memorials.

Just as she finished, she heard a creak.

Looking up, she saw the palace doors open slightly.

The next moment, Eunuch Chen slipped in, holding a fly whisk, walking softly toward them.

When he approached, he saw the young Emperor asleep on the desk, draped in the prince’s robe.

He froze for a moment, then quickly bowed to Feng Jinge.

“This old servant greets Your Highness.”

“Mm.”

Feng Jinge responded coldly, glancing at the sleeping Emperor.

The young Emperor had stayed up half the night; faint dark circles had formed under his eyes.

Look how exhausted this child is—he’s even got dark circles.

Feng Jinge complained inwardly, but outwardly said coldly, “Carry His Majesty to the bed.”

Eunuch Chen looked troubled. “Your Highness, this servant came in to inform you—His Majesty must prepare for the morning court.”

Feng Jinge: …

She had just finished reviewing the memorials, and now it was time for court?

Being Regent really wasn’t easy.

But compared to this eight-year-old Emperor, she seemed to have it much better.

Thinking this way, Feng Jinge’s mood improved considerably.

She stood up and gently patted the young Emperor’s shoulder.

“Mmm…”

The young Emperor let out a soft murmur and opened his sleepy eyes.

Seeing Feng Jinge, his eyes widened instantly. His body stiffened as he abruptly sat upright, and the robe covering him slipped to the ground.

He looked flustered and spoke nervously: “Im… Imperial Uncle… I, I…”

“I accidentally fell asleep, I…”

Watching this scene, Eunuch Chen felt a faint sense of unease.

It wasn’t a good sign for the new Emperor to fear the Regent this much.

Feng Jinge saw the fear in the young Emperor’s eyes, and it felt as if a heavy stone pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She looked at him for a moment, pressed her lips together, then lowered her gaze and bent down to pick up the fallen robe, putting it back on.

“Your Majesty is still young. Falling asleep unintentionally is understandable. There’s no need to be nervous.”

The young Emperor froze.

His imperial uncle… didn’t scold him harshly?

Before…

Wasn’t he supposed to be punished?

And…

The robe that had fallen just now—was it placed on him by his imperial uncle?

Feng Jinge noticed his gaze shifting from fear to something more complex… and confused.

She didn’t know what had happened between Xiao Jinghan and the young Emperor, but this reaction wasn’t right.

He was the Emperor.

When he grew strong enough…

Xiao Jinghan would become—

No!

After returning from court, she had to ask Xiao Jinghan whether he had been mistreating the young Emperor.

Thinking this, Feng Jinge turned to Eunuch Chen, who stood with lowered head and eyes.

“Eunuch Chen.”

Startled at being called, Eunuch Chen quickly replied, “What are your orders, Your Highness?”

“You handle things here.”

After dropping those three words, Feng Jinge turned and walked out of the hall.

She needed some fresh air—the palace felt stifling.

When she stepped outside, it was still dark.

Outside the hall stood two rows of attendants holding trays. Upon seeing the Regent, they immediately bowed.

“We greet the Regent.”

Feng Jinge glanced over the trays and said coldly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Just as they stood up, Eunuch Chen’s voice came from inside, calling them in.

Feng Jinge watched as the attendants filed into the hall.

At that moment, Su Xiu’s voice sounded beside her.

“Well? How did it go?”

Feng Jinge turned and saw Su Xiu and Ning An standing before her.

She looked slightly surprised. “You didn’t go back?”

Ning An moved his lips, clearly about to speak, but Su Xiu beat him to it.

“We’re your personal guards. If the master hasn’t returned, how could the subordinates dare to leave?!”

As he spoke, Su Xiu couldn’t help yawning repeatedly.