Chapter 87 Extra: The Little Prince is Clever
Inside the Wenhua Hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Today's event was not a formal lecture, but rather a gathering of several highly respected imperial tutors and grand tutors, sent by the emperor to examine the studies of the five-year-old Crown Prince Xiao Chengyu.
Crown Prince Xiao Chengyu, despite his young age, already displayed extraordinary bearing. He wore an apricot-yellow dragon robe and a small jade crown. With his exquisitely carved features and delicate eyebrows and eyes, he was a spitting image of His Majesty in his childhood, yet he also possessed a touch of the Empress's gentleness and liveliness.
He sat properly behind his specially made small desk, his back straight, his eyes clear, neither humble nor arrogant.
Grand Secretary and Crown Prince Tutor Zhang stroked his beard, looking at the handsome, adorable, calm, and composed Crown Prince before him. He felt a surge of affection for him and began asking him about the most basic Three Character Classic.
Xiao Chengyu answered fluently, with clear pronunciation and precise explanations, and could even draw in simple principles.
Next, Li Taifu, who was in charge of teaching history, asked about the "abdication of Yao and Shun," intending only to hear the children's understanding.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chengyu pondered for a moment and replied crisply, "Grand Tutor, I believe that the virtues of Yao and Shun lay in their ability to recognize and appoint capable people, and in their commitment to the common good of the nation. However, the system of abdication requires not only sages like Yao and Shun, but also virtuous ministers like Shun and Yu. If the successor is not the right person, or if there is a change in the world, forcing it would not be a blessing for the country. Therefore, my father once taught me that a ruler should strive unceasingly, select the virtuous and capable, establish stable laws and regulations, and ensure that the virtuous occupy their positions and the capable give full play to their talents. This is the way to long-term stability and peace."
His words not only revealed the essence and hidden dangers of the abdication system, but also subtly pointed out the importance of the system, and cleverly quoted the emperor's usual teachings.
The tutors exchanged shocked glances. How could a five-year-old child utter such words? His logic was clear, his insights remarkable, and he already possessed the qualities of a crown prince.
Grand Tutor Zhao, who was in charge of the classics, wanted to test the Crown Prince's quick wit, so he posed a slightly obscure question based on a classical allusion: "Does the Crown Prince know the story of 'Guan Yu and Bao Shuya dividing gold'? What is its meaning?"
Xiao Chengyu blinked his large, dark eyes and calmly said, "Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were friends in poverty and hardship. Guan Zhong took more than his share, but Bao Shuya did not consider it greedy, knowing that Guan Zhong was poor and had an elderly mother to support. This was not an ordinary sharing of profit, but a true friendship based on mutual understanding and valuing righteousness over profit. Later, Bao Shuya recommended Guan Zhong to Duke Huan of Qi, which led to the latter's rise to hegemony, further demonstrating the friendship between statesmen. I believe that in making friends, one should be like Bao Shuya, discerning and willing to recommend people; and in serving as a minister, one should be like Guan Zhong, remembering the kindness shown to him and dedicating oneself to serving the country."
After answering, he added, "However, I think that if the emperor, his subjects, and the people are all well-fed and clothed and free from poverty, there will be no need for the problem of 'dividing gold'. My father and mother often taught me to be considerate of the people's plight, and I suppose that's what they meant."
The final sentence, drawing parallels from classical allusions to the realities of people's lives, truly resonated with the Grand Tutors. This ability to draw inferences from one instance to another, and this deep concern for the common people, was simply...
After the examination was completed, the several elderly ministers, their hair and beards all white, emerged from the Wenhua Hall, their faces beaming with excitement, their beards trembling. Grand Secretary Zhang exclaimed repeatedly, "Heaven blesses Dasheng! Heaven blesses Dasheng! His Highness the Crown Prince is intelligent, benevolent, and possesses exceptional insight. Given time, he will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler! Your Majesty and the Empress are truly a blessing to the nation!"
The news spread like wildfire and quickly reached the court and the public.
The five-year-old crown prince's fluent and astonishing answers became the latest buzz in the capital.
The court officials discussed among themselves, all marveling at the Emperor's strong genes and the Empress's excellent upbringing, ensuring the succession of the Great Sheng Dynasty and promising a prosperous future.
When the news reached Zichen Palace, Xiao Jingzhan was playing chess with Su Jingyu.
Upon hearing He Yong's excited report, Xiao Jingzhan paused slightly in his chess game, his cold and stern expression softening instantly, and a clear smile and pride appeared in his eyes.
He looked at Su Jingyu across from him. She was holding a white chess piece and pondering. When she heard his words, she looked up and her eyes were full of joy and tenderness.
"It seems my Crown Prince has not disgraced me." Xiao Jingzhan placed a piece on the board, his tone revealing undisguised pleasure.
"It is thanks to His Majesty's excellent teaching and the dedication of the Grand Tutors." Su Jingyu smiled and placed her piece. "However, I did not expect Yu'er to be able to think about the hardships of the people." She remembered that her son would sometimes ask her questions when he saw her saving money and inquiring about the food and clothing of the palace servants. She would patiently explain, and it seemed that the little guy had remembered it all.
“Goodness, just like you.” Xiao Jingzhan gazed at her, his eyes deep. “Kind-hearted, always able to think of the smallest details.”
Su Jingyu blushed slightly and glared at him reproachfully: "Your Majesty is teasing me again."
That night, the side hall of Zichen Palace was specially decorated to be exceptionally warm. Xiao Jingzhan and Su Jingyu did not summon their son to the main hall, but instead went to the "Ruizhao Pavilion" where the Crown Prince lived.
Xiao Chengyu had just finished bathing and was wearing a soft nightgown. His hair was still wet, and a young eunuch was gently wiping it with a soft cloth. Seeing his parents arrive together, the little boy's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood at attention and bowed respectfully: "Your subject greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress!"
"Get up." Xiao Jingzhan reached out and touched his still damp little head. "I have heard about what happened at Wenhua Hall today. You answered well. You did not lose the dignity of the crown prince and you also know how to care for the people's livelihood. I am very pleased."
Upon receiving praise from his usually dignified father, Xiao Chengyu's face flushed with excitement, but he tried his best to restrain himself. With a serious expression, he said, "Your subject will remember the teachings of Father and Mother, and will certainly study diligently and tirelessly so that I can share Father's burdens and bring happiness to the people in the future!"
"Good ambition." Su Jingyu smiled and pulled her son to her side, taking the soft cloth and gently wiping his hair. "However, our Yu'er is still young. The most important thing right now is to eat well, sleep well, and grow up healthy. Learning can come slowly, there's no rush."
At this moment, Yun Shu came in carrying a tray with three exquisite glass cups on it. The cups were filled with uniquely colored drinks, with glistening "pearls" at the bottom, emitting a rich aroma of milk and tea.
“This is…” Xiao Chengyu stared wide-eyed with curiosity.
"This is something Mother Empress just came up with, it's called 'Pearl Milk Tea'." Su Jingyu smiled and pushed a cup in front of him, then handed one to Xiao Jingzhan. "It's made with milk, green tea, and honey. These are tapioca balls at the bottom. Try it and see if you like it?"
This is a drink that she secretly experimented with many times, combining modern memories with ancient ingredients, and she specially brought it out today as a reward for her son.
Xiao Chengyu carefully took a sip, and his eyes widened instantly: "Delicious! Sweet, fragrant, and chewy!" The little guy immediately liked the novel taste, holding the glass cup and sipping it slowly, occasionally scooping up a "pearl" with a special little spoon, his eyes crinkling with delight as he ate.
Xiao Jingzhan also took a sip. It was sweet but not cloying, with the tea and milk flavors blended perfectly, creating a unique taste. He looked at Su Jingyu, who was gazing tenderly at her son with a smile on her lips, and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
"It tastes very good." He nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on her.
Xiao Chengyu chattered on about the surprised expressions of the Grand Tutors during the day, and his own slight sense of pride at the time. The Emperor and Empress listened with smiles, offering encouragement from time to time.
After Xiao Chengyu yawned and was taken to bed by his wet nurse, Xiao Jingzhan carried Yu'er back to the main hall.
Inside the palace, Su Jingyu was removing her makeup in front of the mirror when Xiao Jingzhan embraced her from behind, burying his face in the sweet scent of her neck. He loved the smell of Yu'er the most.
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