Knowing that Xi Xizhi was also aware of her potential for causing trouble, she very tactfully said, "I understand, I definitely won't cause you any trouble."
Lynn discovered another huge problem: the little girl had always referred to herself as "I".
Although His Majesty assigned her the role of a personal maid, this girl never did anything a maid should do. Despite being labeled a maid, she lived like a mistress.
Xi Xizhi took a few pastries from the plate, and started eating as Lin En led her to the Imperial Tutor's Courtyard.
Xi Xizhi still harbored some anticipation for reading and learning to read. If she hadn't been a small animal with only claws and no hands, she would have started her literacy journey long ago.
After eating a few pastries, Xi Xizhi patted her tummy, indicating she was full.
The morning air was very fresh. Xi Xizhi took a few greedy breaths, looking very satisfied with the situation.
A grand palace appeared ahead, with three gilded characters inscribed on its plaque. Xi Xizhi had memorized the palace map, so she recognized the three characters; it was 'Grand Tutor's Academy'.
Before even entering, Xi Xizhi heard a loud reading voice. She blinked in confusion, knowing from the sound that there were quite a few people inside.
"An Honghan has children?" In Xi Xizhi's mind, the Imperial Academy was a place for the emperor's children to study, so it was no wonder she was so surprised. An Honghan was only in his twenties, in the prime of his life.
At first, Lynn didn't react, but after hearing it, she was so frightened that her lips trembled.
No wonder it sounded so awkward; this child actually called out His Majesty's name directly!
“My little ancestor, this is the palace. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. There are many people and many gossips in the palace. If you say something wrong and it gets back to others, it’s a matter of losing your head. As for whether His Majesty has any children? No, he doesn’t. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has rarely spent the night in the harem. In the last few months, he hasn’t stepped into the palace even once. Where would he have any children?” Lin En gestured for Xi Xizhi to lower her voice so that others wouldn’t hear. “As for the people in the Grand Tutor’s Office? Aren’t they just a few princesses who haven’t reached the age of marriage yet, and some children and grandchildren of ministers?”
Training the sons and grandsons of ministers was a practice that had been done throughout history. For example, the princes' study companions and personal guards had to be selected from among them.
Everyone has a different perspective on problems...
Xi Xizhi only caught one sentence from those words... An Honghan rarely spent the night in the harem.
He became even more convinced that the emperor suffered from a hidden illness, which was why he dared not spend the night in the harem. Otherwise, how could a perfectly healthy man have not had a child by this age? If it were an ordinary family, it would be understandable, but An Honghan was the emperor, and what the royal family valued most was bloodline.
In history, which emperor, before his death, didn't have a large group of sons to "see him off"?
Xi Xizhi's "I understand" expression left Lin En a little bewildered. He coughed twice to calm himself down before continuing, "Hurry up and go in, or you'll be late."
In the main hall of the Imperial Tutor's Academy, dozens of tables were set up, and behind each table sat a person. At a glance, all the people were of different ages, the youngest being only five or six years old, and the oldest being An Yunyi and her group who were about to come of age.
Xi Xizhi's appearance immediately drew everyone's attention, and the previously loud reading voices instantly fell silent.
Xi Xizhi's fair and delicate face, somewhat like a steamed bun, was so adorable that everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Especially her eyes, the color of the ocean, so clear they seemed to reveal the bottom. Apart from the black cloth on her head being a bit of a nuisance, this little girl's cute appearance was simply that of a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.
Everyone was staring at Xi Xizhi, making her feel uncomfortable standing there. But when she looked at Lin En next to her, he was very calm and composed.
Grand Tutor Zhao cleared his throat and coughed, seemingly very unhappy that someone was disturbing his teaching.
"Since you're here, why don't you sit down? The day's plan starts in the morning. If you waste this time, you won't be able to make up for it even if you want to." Zhao Taifu spoke with a refined, scholarly tone.
Upon hearing this, Xi Xizhi thought to herself, "That's exactly it! The early bird catches the worm. It would be so much better to use that time to sleep! Why do you have to rush here so early to study and practice calligraphy? You know, once you wake up, you can't make up for it no matter how hard you try."
Immediately, the glorious image of Grand Tutor Zhao continued to expand in Xi Xizhi's mind.
Lin En naturally had no idea what Xi Xizhi was thinking, otherwise he would have been so angry that he would have vomited blood.
Finding a seat for Xi Xizhi, Lin En said, "Little ancestor, after the Grand Tutor finishes his get out of class, this old servant will come to pick you up. You must stay here and behave yourself."
"Okay." Xi Xizhi nodded seriously with a straight face.
But Lynn was still worried. He thought to himself, "You even dared to hit His Majesty. If you were to hit the Grand Tutor, you probably wouldn't hold back at all."
"My little ancestor, you must listen to the Grand Tutor's words carefully," Lin En repeatedly instructed.
Xi Xizhi was getting a little annoyed. Her rosy lips parted slightly as she said, "Uncle Steward, if you're worried, there are seats over there. Why don't you sit down and listen together?"
Upon hearing this, Lynn felt a strong urge to stay and accompany Zhao Taifu, but when Zhao Taifu cast an unpleasant glance at him, he shook his head and said, "The Taifu Academy has rules that no one is allowed to sit in on classes except those who meet the requirements."
In the end, Lynn reluctantly left.
Outside the Imperial Tutor's residence, there were many people like Lynn. He stood by the corridor, looking somewhat like a servant picking up a child from school. As soon as the eunuchs saw the Grand Eunuch there, they immediately rushed over to curry favor, massaging his shoulders and back, making Lynn feel very comfortable.
Xi Xizhi's seat was located slightly to the right and back, so he had to look at Zhao Taifu from the side.
"A newcomer has arrived today. I won't introduce her to anyone else. After class, if you want to get to know her, you can go find her yourselves." Although Xi Xizhi was someone arranged by An Honghan, Zhao Taifu's tone was neither warm nor obsequious.
"Yes, Grand Tutor," all the teenagers replied in unison.
Xi Xizhi opened her mouth, but by the time she wanted to echo what others had said, they had already finished.
There were several books on the table, but Xi Xizhi couldn't read, so she didn't open them.
The others, however, held a book and read the text aloud in a very serious manner.
Feeling out of place, Xi Xizhi tried her best to integrate. No one can say that they will immediately adapt to a new environment. So, Xi Xizhi peeked out and leaned over to look at the little boy sitting next to her.
To be precise, it was the scroll the little boy was holding.
To be more precise, it's about looking at the book and which page it's turning to.
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