He held the pen, and as the ink fell, the pen moved like a dragon, with force penetrating through the paper, and wrote down the names of thirty-six people.

In the past, the National Elders' Council always found fault with Si Yi's calligraphy, saying that his handwriting was not smooth, his wrist was stiff, and his handwriting did not have the style of an emperor. He practiced hard in the hot summer and cold winter, hammering on the stone with his wrist. Now his handwriting is no different from that of previous emperors, and even has a bit more youthful vigor. This satisfied Eunuch Mu who was standing by, as he saw all of Si Yi's efforts.

Writing is very similar to self-cultivation, and requires rhythm. You cannot write too fast or too slow, you must master your own speed, and you cannot hesitate. If the pen is stagnant, the words you write will lack strength. If the pen is slow to end, simple problems will become complicated. It can be said that the more careful and hesitant you are, the more sloppy the words you write. Therefore, this is a taboo!

After writing for a while, when you put down the pen, the word is already completed.

Eunuch Mu held the big book in front of his chest and showed it to everyone. Xia Xiao looked at the neat and round regular script and couldn't help but admire it. With his handwriting, he would be laughed at wherever he went. But the brush was so different from the one he used before, and being able to write was a good challenge, and he didn't dare to expect it to be beautiful.

"In half a month, you will go to Ningshen Academy for four years of study. If you pass, you can freely choose to pledge allegiance between the academy and the dynasty. If you fail, the dynasty will send you away and welcome you back."

Since Ningshen College is known as a holy place of education, it is naturally strict. If you break the rules, you will be sent back to your country. It is not a good place to stay, especially in the first year. After all, the college does not accept any gold, silver or elixirs. It was founded with a sincere heart and therefore does not accommodate anyone.

The people around him saluted, and Xia Xiao followed suit. Shu Shuang looked at him, thinking that Xia Xiao was starting to be casual and perfunctory again. His mind was not here at all!

The only one who could understand so much from Xia Xiao's salute was Shu Shuang.

"Sir, we are ready to begin."

Fang Hai nodded, Chuan Lian made a seal, and there were combs, hair crowns and hairpins on each low table.

Although Xia Xiao and the other thirty-six people were wearing their own clothes, none of them had their hair done up. One reason was that they had been reminded of this in advance, and the other was that this was the content of today's event.

The emperor went up and down the steps, combing his hair and putting on his crown one by one. This was a great courtesy. Xia Xiao had not expected that the emperor would do so one by one.

A truly virtuous monarch would not be blindly arrogant, and would also know the importance of ministers and juniors. But only when these juniors grow up, can Si Yi, the Great Xia, continue to develop.

While skillfully tying her hair, Si Yi dropped her airs and said:

"When you return in four years, we will fight Nan Shang to the death. But as long as Da Xia is left, we will not be defeated. As long as Da Xia is left, we will have a chance to turn the tide of the war with the whole country."

Xia Xiao lowered his head and looked at the crown. It was custom-made, no two are alike. Shu Shuang's was small and simple, like a wider and longer bracelet, with frost covering it. Xia Xiao's was larger, with fallen leaves blowing in the wind, which looked quite desolate.

If the crown has charm, it will give people a feeling of harmony with themselves, and make them look forward to wearing it on their heads with vigor and vitality.

Soon, Si Yi walked up to Xia Xiao. He touched Xia Xiao's head and said softly:

"Your hair is too short. Tie it up later."

Xia Xiao nodded and turned to look at Shu Shuang. The latter had long hair down to her waist, which was tied up, revealing her white swan neck. She looked forward and smiled sweetly when she caught Xia Xiao's gaze. If it was Xia Xiao who tied her hair, Shu Shuang would probably be happier.

In the Great Xia, women and men tied their hair differently. The former would tie their hair into a high ponytail, while the latter would tie their hair into a crown. Shu Shuang's hairstyle was more lively and sunny than usual, which made Xia Xiao's eyes bright. It seemed that if she was given a sword and a gourd, Shu Shuang would become a female knight and roam the world.

After an hour had passed since the great task was completed, Si Yi was also tired, but he treated everyone equally and was not at all impetuous, which made people look at him with admiration. Walking back to the dragon throne, seeing Xia Xiao acting independently, Si Yi said:

"Xia Xiao, you stay later."

"yes!"

It would be nice to chat. Xia Xiao just happened to have something that he wanted to ask His Majesty for help with.

"The reason why I gave you half a month of rest is because it is a pleasant time with the spring flowers blooming. Yesterday I ordered to bring your relatives to the imperial capital and place them in the palace so that you can share this joy together."

Of the thirty-six people present, a small half were from humble backgrounds. They were all happy at this moment, and thanked His Majesty for his grace. He had done a good job on this trip, winning the hearts of the people and taking the lead in demonstrating filial piety.

"I will enter the academy in half a month and practice hard. Now go back and wait for your family to arrive."

"yes."

Everyone left, only Xia Xiao stayed. After Shu Shuang disappeared from his sight, Xia Xiao looked at the emperor in this empty hall. But why did the teacher Chuan Lian leave too? Xia Xiao still had something to ask him. This guy seemed to be avoiding him!

"Let's go, I'll take you to a good place."

Si Yi stood up, but Xia Xiao paused.

"It's not the princess, is it?"

Si Yi was stunned and said with a smile:

"no!"

That's good. Xia Xiao didn't want to make a mistake. It was great to have Shu Shuang by his side. He was too lazy to look for another woman. Xia Xiao didn't understand those people who cheated. He had enough to worry about at home. He was thinking about how to treat her well and what kind of gifts to prepare for her now that he had nothing to do. How could he care about others?

Not to mention one red apricot, even one red apricot is not enough for the house, so how can it be exposed?

"But you still have to step in when it comes to the princess's affairs."

Xia Xiao, who had just walked to Si Yi's side, looked embarrassed. After all, the princess's matter was not that simple.

"Now that the teacher is not here, and Shu Shuang and the others are not here either, let's just have a chat and don't be too restrained."

"Your Majesty is standing on the top of the mountain, and I am standing at the bottom of the mountain. We see different things, so I am afraid we cannot talk to each other."

"They are all men, no matter how old they are, they always have the same topics, such as the pursuit of women."

"Soothing the frost is the pursuit."

"What about my Ying'er? She has been waiting for you for a long time."

"The princess's situation is special, but if His Majesty insists that I go, I will go."

After leaving the hall, Xia Xiao didn't know where to go, but he followed Si Yi all the time. The latter shook his head slightly, not agreeing.

"You have to really want to go. Don't go just for the sake of going. That will hurt her and waste your time."

Xia Xiao smiled and said:

"I have plenty of time, and I would like to ask your Majesty two questions."

"Ask."

"People have a very high opinion of those who come from afar, but whose prophecy is that?"

"Why are you interested in this?"

"Others have always said that I am, but I don't quite understand, so I want to learn more."

"You have to look this up yourself. You can just go into the Imperial Study Room at the Library, but I don't think it makes sense."

Xia Xiao looked at the young emperor from behind. He was strolling in the corridor with a free and easy look and a bit of ease.

"If we trace the cause of everything, even if it is simpler in nature, it is of no use."

Xia Xiao pondered, still wanting to know, he has always been very stubborn.

After turning a corner, they arrived at the imperial study. Xia Xiao didn't expect Si Yi to bring him here, but the emperor's love for it exceeded that of the beauty pillow.

"It's quieter here than in Yangju Palace. I can ask someone to help you find relevant books first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"sit."

The two sat opposite each other in front of the desk, and Si Yi smiled friendly.

"I am going to give you some families. Do you have any special requests?"

"Yesterday outside the examination hall, a maid handed Shu Shuang a big red umbrella. Your Majesty, please send someone to find it. If she wants, she can bring her trusted sisters and come to my Xia Mansion."

"good."

Looking around the imperial study, His Majesty did not remember having any books about prophecy. Those prophecies were passed down orally and everyone knew them, but when he really thought about it, he could not remember which book recorded them. Seeing Xia Xiao's serious expression, Si Yi asked:

"Now that our problems have been resolved, you should be happy. Why are you still looking so sad?"

"Although I have many identities, they all benefited from those who came from afar. Now that I have some free time, I want to figure it out."

"Then what do you think of Daxia's country and the war between Daxia and Nanshang in two years?"

There were only two of them in the imperial study. Therefore, in front of the emperor, Xia Xiao had no pressure, but shook his head and smiled, as if denying himself. He was still a little unfamiliar with what Si Yi said. Xia Xiao was not a worried patriotic poet, and he did not even have the loyalty to the country like his father and elder brother. To put it bluntly, Xia Xiao was a little selfish, only for himself! But if a person does not care about himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth.

Xia Xiao had done so many things before just to clear the grievances of the Xia family. Now that the grievances were cleared, he no longer had any thoughts. Si Yi's words made him feel a little embarrassed.

"Your Majesty, I don't understand these things. You have to make the decision."

"It's none of your business, so you don't worry about it at all."

Xia Xiao smiled bitterly, this was all seen through.

"The east and the south are allies, and the emperor can rest assured in the north. When father and elder brother return to the imperial capital, they will definitely go to guard the city. After all, the Xia family army is still there. In other words, we only need to focus on protecting the Southern Shang Empire in the west. The rugged terrain there is beneficial to us. As long as we strengthen our defense in Longgang and start building garrisons now, it will not be difficult to resist them."

“Isn’t this quite understandable?”

"Everyone knows a little about building defenses and garrisoning troops, but if you really want to do it, you need experienced veterans to take action."

Si Yi nodded slightly. What Xia Xiao said made sense, but he had not called Xia Xiao here for these matters. Now that he had talked about other things, it was time to get down to business.