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◎ "Princess Qingyang, may you enjoy eternal bliss!"◎

After a day's rest, the next day, April 1st, was another day for the brother and sister to study.

With Crown Prince Qin Hong entering the court to serve and Second Prince Qin Bing moving out of the palace, only the Qingyang siblings and their companion Zhang Su are left in Chongwen Pavilion.

Qin Ren continued to follow the curriculum his two older brothers had studied, consistently achieving A-grades in every subject, a level of consistency so consistent that Emperor Xingwu even bothered to push him further. As for Qingyang, she neither retreated to Jiuhua Palace to be raised by the princesses of the previous dynasty, nor did she completely follow her brothers' path. Instead, she established her own academic schedule at the age of five.

Ten days make up a decade. In the morning, Qingyang, like his brothers, got up at the hour of Mao, had breakfast, and went to Chongwen Pavilion for morning reading. The whole morning was filled with literary classes.

The main difference came in the afternoons. Five-year-old Qingyang had once wanted to train as hard as her brothers, but she soon discovered she had no interest in horse stances, wrestling, boxing, or weapons like swords and spears. Not wanting to learn, but also not wanting to give up completely, the little princess asked her father, "I only want to learn horseback riding and archery. As for weapons, I only want to learn swordplay. Is that okay?"

Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, "Of course you can. Lin'er, you can learn whatever you want. I will hire a teacher named Wu to teach you."

She started riding at age nine. From five to eight, Qingyang only needed to learn the basics of archery and swordsmanship from Mr. Wu. Since these were the only two skills, and children practicing martial arts valued a balance between work and rest, the little princess only needed to attend martial arts lessons every two days. It just so happened that Qingyang couldn't let go of the joys of wandering around the former court, and she also enjoyed painting, chess, and playing the piano. As she learned, she adjusted her schedule. Now, the little princess's afternoon schedule has become:

Practice martial arts on the first, fourth and seventh days.

On the second, fifth and eighth days, go to the front court.

Learn piano, chess and painting on the third, sixth and ninth days.

As for liberal arts, because the little princess was enlightened early and very intelligent, at the age of nine she had already started reading books that her brothers had only read at the age of thirteen!

In the early morning light, on the way to Chongwen Pavilion, Qin Ren heard his sister discussing a military book with Zhang Su. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he whispered, "Luckily, I can leave the palace next year. Otherwise, if you surpass me in academics, my father will dislike me again."

Qingyang: "I won't surpass Third Brother. Mr. Guo said that the later the book, the more complex the truths it contains, and we can't just rush through it."

Qin Ren, who often doesn't seek to understand things thoroughly: "..."

When they arrived at Chongwen Pavilion, the three of them entered a morning reading room. They arranged three tables in front and back according to their height, and each read his own book.

After half an hour of morning reading, the three went to the dining hall to have breakfast together, and then went into a lecture hall separately.

During the lunch break, Qingyang went directly to her third brother's Chengming Palace for lunch, and then returned to the Jiuhua Palace next door for a rest. Every time at this time, Zhang Su would send her out of the palace, and wait until the little princess disappeared in front of the gate of Jiuhua Palace before Zhang Su went back.

Fu An once jokingly whispered to Jie Yu about this: "The Third Young Master's courtesy towards the princess is even more particular than that of us two eunuchs."

Xie Yuqian said: "It shows that what we have done is not enough."

Fuan: “…”

During the martial arts class in the afternoon, Qingyang ran laps with her third brother and Zhang Su as usual. It was precisely because she ran laps that she felt disgusted with her brother who was pretending to be sick and lazy.

At first, Qin Ren ran leisurely with his sister, watching Zhang Su's long legs running farther and farther away. Qin Ren defended himself, saying, "Zhang Su is the son of a general. He will lead troops in battle in the future, so he must study martial arts diligently. Third brother has no ambition to lead troops, so why should he be so strict with himself?"

Qingyang: "What do you want to do in the future, Third Brother?"

Qin Ren: "My idle prince, let me make up for the sleep I lost in the past ten years, drink some tea and listen to some opera, and go out to travel and enjoy the mountains and rivers when I have the chance."

Qingyang: "Then all your years of studying have been in vain?"

Qin Ren: "It wasn't all in vain. At least it taught me about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and the principles of right and wrong. But studying so hard from dawn to dusk is really unnecessary, Father..."

Qingyang didn't want to hear his third brother complain about his wise and powerful father, so he quietly quickened his pace.

Qin Ren: “…”

After running two laps and taking a rest, Qingyang went to learn sword from her Wu teacher. She used a wooden sword. The sword given by her father was hung high on the wall of the bedroom in Jiuhua Palace. She could only use it when her arm strength was sufficient and she was proficient in sword moves.

After practicing swordplay, resting, riding horses, resting, and practicing archery for another quarter of an hour, Qingyang's martial arts class was over. Covered in sweat, the little princess left the two young men who were still practicing martial arts and went back to Jiuhua Palace to take a bath.

Qingyang had dinner with his father and mother, and then went to Chengming Palace to do homework with his third brother and Zhang Su.

As he wrote, Qin Ren sighed and leaned over the desk, saying, "Why is Father becoming more and more stingy? He used to give us half a day off for my sister's birthday, but now he only holds a birthday party for my sister and we don't even have half a day off."

As for the fact that there was neither a banquet nor a holiday when they celebrated their birthdays, Qin Ren had already accepted it.

Qingyang: "Then Third Brother, please give me the gift first."

After saying that, the little princess also glanced at Zhang Su.

Zhang Su stopped writing and looked at the third prince.

Qin Ren was naturally prepared. He walked out listlessly, then brought in a box listlessly and placed it in front of his sister.

Qingyang opened it and found that there were indeed ten silver ingots worth ten taels each inside.

Qingyang was unhappy: "Can't Third Brother send something fresh?"

Qin Ren immediately complained to his sister, "My elder brother and his family gave me expensive jewelry before. I wanted to give you jewelry, but you refused. You insisted on something new. You don't like kites anymore, and grass and flower wreaths are no longer new. I don't have Zhang Su's dexterity for carving wood. I've been thinking about it for so long that my head hurts. I'd better give you some silver. You can buy whatever you like."

One hundred taels, that’s his two months’ allowance!

Qingyang looked at his third brother who looked like he had a headache, and was about to accept the gift when his third brother suddenly stretched out his right hand, revealing a small, round, yellow stone.

Qin Ren grinned. "Luckily, I left the palace yesterday. I found this in the river. How is it? Is it fresh?"

Qingyang liked such little surprises. He picked up the pebbles and played with them. They were round and smooth and could indeed be put away.

Qin Ren felt relieved and gave up his seat to Zhang Su.

Zhang Su also brought his gift. The three of them knew the little wooden man, but what was worth being curious about was the little wooden man's posture.

Qin Ren helped his sister open the box and wanted to help take out the little wooden man, but Qingyang pushed his brother's hand away in time and took it out himself.

It is still made of boxwood, and is carved with a chubby pony. A little princess with a single bun is sitting on the horse's back. The little princess is still smiling, holding the reins in her hands, and there is a small purse carved on her waist.

As Qingyang held the gift and examined it carefully, Zhang Su said with shame, "This is my first time carving a horse. I tried several times but it wasn't good enough. Later, I ran out of time, so I could only make do and give it to Your Highness."

Qingyang had noticed a long time ago that the horse was a little fat, but it was carved by Zhang Su, so it was okay as long as it was cute, it didn't need to be as good as the expensive wood carvings displayed in the store.

"It's pretty good, I like it." Qingyang tried to put the little wooden horse on the table, and the four horseshoes stood firmly.

Qin Ren lay down and took a look, then thought, "I understand. Last year, my sister learned swordsmanship, so Zhang Su gave her a sword-wielding figurine. This year, my sister learned horseback riding, so Zhang Su gave her this. So next year, whatever new thing you learn, he will definitely give you a gift."

Qingyang: “It’s not like I learn new things every year.”

Qin Ren: "Aren't you learning the piano? Those that haven't been given away are all new."

Qingyang looked at Zhang Su.

Zhang Su lowered his eyes to avoid it.

Qingyang: "I'll ask you guys to come over and watch me practice the piano later."

Qin Ren thought of the repetitive piano sounds that occasionally came from his sister's palace, and then looked at his sister happily playing with the little wooden man, and did not dare to refuse.

.

Having got half a day off, Qingyang slept half an hour longer than usual. When he washed up and was about to have breakfast, Prince Qin Hong arrived.

Qingyang ran out to greet him.

Qin Hong rubbed his sister's head: "Why be polite to big brother? Just wait inside."

Qingyang: "I miss my brother."

In the past, she met her eldest and second brothers every day, but now her eldest brother is on business and she can’t see him all day. When he comes back in the evening, she is afraid that he is tired and doesn’t dare to disturb him.

Qin Hong: "If you want, go to Big Brother's place for dinner. I was worried that you would sleep in this morning, otherwise I would have asked you to come over for breakfast."

Qingyang smiled: "Brother, have you eaten yet? Come eat with me."

Qin Hong nodded and walked in with his sister.

Jie Yu ordered someone to set out an extra set of bowls and chopsticks. After Qin Hong sat down, he took out a long, flat box from his sleeve and handed it to his sister. Inside was a golden hairpin with a peony head.

Qingyang also showed concern for his brother and said, "In the past, big brother was alone, and the monthly allowance he saved could be used to buy me valuable jewelry. This year, big sister-in-law is getting married, so big brother should give her a few more gifts. I am your sister, and I still like you even if you only accompany me for a meal."

Every time the emperor gave his mother a gift, she would be very happy, so Qingyang knew that a man should try to make his wife happy. After his third brother got married, Qingyang would no longer accept money from him.

Qin Hong was amused by his sister's serious and sophisticated tone and explained, "Big brother's monthly allowance is very high now. Giving you a birthday gift won't make you poor. Just take it with confidence."

Before he came of age, his father gave him the same monthly allowance as his younger brothers and sisters. After he came of age, his father gave him exactly the allowance of an adult prince, which was ten thousand taels a year. His second younger brother had his own mansion but was not yet crowned a king, so he received three thousand taels a year. After he came of age and was crowned a king, his allowance would increase to five thousand taels, the same as his eldest sister who moved into the princess's mansion early.

After listening to his eldest brother's explanation, Qingyang immediately stopped worrying about his eldest brother's savings and was full of anticipation for his second brother's gift this year.

Qin Bing entered the palace in the morning to celebrate his sister's birthday.

Emperor Xingwu, who received the request from his second son to enter the palace, curled his lips and agreed for the sake of his daughter's birthday.

Qin Bing knew that his father did not like him making excuses to skip classes, so he went directly to his sister's Jiuhua Palace. Qingyang also ran out happily, and saw his second brother holding a gold-painted cage with a green-feathered bird in it.

Surprised, the little princess slowed down her pace. No matter how she looked at it, the bird didn't look very valuable.

At this time, Qin Bing raised the cage and muttered something to the bird.

The green-feathered bird hopped a few times, turned its head, and suddenly cried out, "Princess Qingyang, may you enjoy eternal happiness!"

Qingyang: “…”

What an ugly sound!

【Author’s words】

Here I come [poor thing], 100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow!