"well--"

For what seemed like the umpteenth time, Ye Jingyu let out a long sigh.

The book was right in front of him, but he didn't want to read the words on it.

The gentleman was standing right beside him, but he didn't want to hear the gentleman's voice.

The huge school was filled with desks and chairs, but he was the only one sitting there; the room was empty.

Just a few days ago, there were at least two people sitting in this most prestigious and luxurious classroom of the Imperial Academy.

However, the second prince was lucky; he was sent to the Wenhua Hall by imperial decree from his father, leaving him all alone, miserable and heartbroken.

Although he is physically present here, his heart has already flown away.

Is there anyone who can rescue him and take him away?

"well--"

Another sigh.

"Your Highness—" His train of thought was interrupted once again by a sigh, and the teacher, unable to bear it any longer, asked him loudly, "Are you even going to listen to the lesson or not?"

"If I don't want to listen, are you just going to stop talking?" Ye Jingyu's eyes lit up as he asked excitedly.

gentlemen:……

How could he have been so bewitched back then, thinking that the Third Prince was a well-behaved child just because of his fair and tender appearance, like a glutinous rice ball?

"'At thirty, one stands firm; at forty, one is free from doubt; at fifty, one knows the mandate of Heaven; at sixty, one's ear is attuned to the truth; at seventy, one can follow one's heart's desire without transgressing the rules.' Your Highness, what is the meaning of this saying?" the teacher asked.

"Sigh, sir, you're making things difficult for me. I'm only six years old, not sixty. How can I know what it will be like at thirty, forty, fifty, or sixty? And seventy? Can people really live that long?!" Ye Jingyu asked sincerely.

"It really is—it really is—hopeless!" The gentleman pointed at Ye Jingyu, disregarding whether he was overstepping his bounds, and angrily cursed.

"If it's rotten wood that can't be carved, then don't carve it. Just plate it with gold, and it'll still be shiny and golden. Who would know it's actually rotten wood?" Ye Jingyu said dismissively.

"All that glitters is not gold; all that's inside is rotten!" The gentleman regretted not having the courage to spit on the Third Prince's face.

"It doesn't matter. Don't people like shiny things? As for what's inside? It's not important!" Ye Jingyu said indifferently.

"It seems the Third Prince doesn't need you, teacher. I'll take my leave now!" The teacher could no longer bear it, put away his textbook, and left.

"Sigh—what a grumpy old man!" Ye Jingyu sighed again.

Am I old?

Watching the man, who was at most thirty years old, leave in a huff, Ye Jingchen and his group were full of questions.

"Jingyu, little brother—" Ye Jingchen called out.

"Young Master Ye—what are you doing here? Don't you guys have classes?" Ye Jingyu's eyes reddened with envy when he saw Ye Jingchen and the string of people following behind him.

Isn't it class time now? Even in the Wenhua Hall, shouldn't it be class time?

"Yesterday we went to visit Father Emperor for a meal. Father Emperor missed you, so he granted us permission to skip class today and come visit you," Ye Jingchen said with a smile.

"Does Father really miss me?" Ye Jingyu's eyes lit up as he suppressed his excitement and asked.

"Otherwise, why would we be here?" Ye Jingchen retorted.

"Ye Jingyu, you're something else! You've even made the teacher leave. What are you planning to do next? Skip class?" Ye Jingshu leaned closer to Ye Jingyu and asked in a low voice.

Ye Jingyu looked at his elder sister, whom his mother had described as a "little rascal," and thought, "She's really beautiful!"

"I just answered his questions honestly, I don't know why he got so angry, maybe it's because he's getting old?" Ye Jingyu spread his hands innocently.

If that gentleman hadn't left yet, he'd probably be furious by now!

Beneath Ye Jingyu's exquisitely beautiful appearance lies an interesting soul, genuine and straightforward.

He has always been very straightforward, wearing his thoughts on his sleeve, and saying whatever comes to mind without beating around the bush.

For example, upon their first meeting, he directly accused Ye Jingchen, "You were trying to push me into the water that day!"

When he answered the gentleman's questions, others thought he was deliberately trying to anger the gentleman, and that the gentleman had left in anger. But in reality, these were just his true thoughts.

He's only six years old, so he really doesn't understand what people in their thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, or even seventies are like.

If rotten wood can't be carved, then don't carve it; after gilding it, people will still like it.

Everyone prefers gold and jade, but who cares about the rotten stuff inside?

"Jingyu, you're really amazing! You have a unique perspective on things. Keep it up!" Ye Jingchen praised with a smile.

I got praised by my Crown Prince brother again!

The Crown Prince really loves to praise him!

He can praise her even more than his own mother!

The Crown Prince must really like him!

Ye Jingyu couldn't help but smile with delight.

Looking at the smile on his face, Ye Jinghe felt a little irritated.

"Why are you here alone taking classes? You look so pitiful!" he said to Ye Jingyu deliberately, his words piercing to the heart.

"I am indeed pathetic! Boring! Uninteresting! Helpless! Sigh—" Ye Jingyu sighed in strong agreement.

Ye Jinghe: ...

"Then why don't you go to the Wenhua Hall? We all have classes there, it's so lively!" Ye Jingshu asked.

She had never liked her father's other children, but after hearing Ye Jingyu's entire confrontation with the teacher, she found him quite interesting.

If such an interesting person goes to the Wenhua Hall, wouldn't she be able to get him to come and make the teacher leave if she doesn't want to attend class next time?

"I want to go too, but my mother disagrees. I'm helpless!" Ye Jingyu said with a troubled expression, and then sighed deeply.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!