Chen Dianji wiped his face.
"I was overthinking it. I'm really sorry, Eunuch Lai Bao. In that case, I will teach you according to the original learning plan. Having a photographic memory has its advantages. I will do my best to pass on what I have learned to you."
Qi Qi was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Chen Dianji, I don't have a photographic memory."
Qi Qi didn't think he was smart, and it was difficult for him to memorize each word.
Chen Dianji: "..."
Chen Dianji was feeling somewhat exhausted after a morning of fluctuating emotions.
Qi Qi, who was studying diligently but felt restless and unable to concentrate, was about to ask Chen Dianji if he could take a break.
Suddenly, the sound of bells rang out from outside.
It's noon, time for get out of class to end.
Chen Dianji glanced at the young eunuch who had suddenly regained his spirits, paused for a moment, and thought to himself, "He's just a child after all; every move he makes reveals his feelings."
I wonder how much effort Master Qi put into raising such a child in the palace. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.
"Let's stop here for now and rest."
Chen Dianji said in a kind tone.
The palace has specific working hours for young eunuchs and maids, who only work about ten hours a day. Qi Qi doesn't need to clock in in the morning. Qi Defu arranged for him to study at the same time as the princes, from 8 am to 6 pm. At noon, since there are only three people in the library, including Chen Dianji, Eunuch Liu, and Qi Qi, they can rest as needed.
Lunchtime is from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The princes usually bring their own food, and the dishes are of higher quality.
As for the officials, the dynasty was too corrupt. The emperor had money in his private life, but the national treasury was empty. The civil servants who worked in the palace only had one free breakfast a day. They had to pay for their own lunch in the palace or bring their own food.
Xiao Anzi was the one who brought Qi Qi his meal. He carried the food box and took a detour to avoid the nobles and palace staff, so as not to offend them.
Despite his great power, Eunuch Qi was still considered a servant in the palace. Even when he received special treatment, he had to do it discreetly and couldn't be too open about it.
When Xiaopingzi arrived, Liu Shungonggong also brought Chen Dianji's warmed-up lunch. Chen Dianji had brought his own lunch from home that morning: a fist-sized coarse steamed bun, a sweet potato, and a dish of pickled radish.
Xiao Anzi brought four dishes, all served on small plates, which he introduced one by one.
Braised chicken breast, honey-fried pork, and the skin of the pork tenderloin looked like it was made of egg, somewhat like shumai, as well as a refreshing-looking cold shredded chicken salad.
The main dish was a small plate of cold noodles with sesame oil, mixed with finely shredded cucumber, bean sprouts, gluten, and some unidentified green vegetable shreds. The ingredients were inexpensive, and the preparation was meticulous.
Qi Qi felt a little embarrassed. All four dishes were meat, plus carbohydrates—no wonder he was gaining weight…
As summer was approaching and the weather was getting hotter, Xiao Anzi brought some sour plum juice, which was stored in a bamboo tube with fine water droplets on the outside.
Qi Qi took the drink and drank a big gulp, instantly losing all the fatigue from studying all morning.
Qi Qi still shared with Chen Dianji, but this time Chen Dianji firmly refused.
The main reason is that I really can't bring myself to eat the meals prepared by my father-in-law. He is very polite and looks like he eats a lot. If I eat, he won't have anything to eat.
Of course, Qi Qi's generosity was based on his own circumstances. Firstly, he found Chen Dianji agreeable and they could communicate well. Chen Dianji did not treat him like a child, nor did he show any unusual expression because Qi Qi was a eunuch.
Secondly, Xiaopingzi brought a lot of food, probably because he was afraid he wouldn't have enough to eat, and if he brought too much, there would be some leftovers.
Today is the first day, and Chen Dianji may be a little embarrassed. Let's talk about it in a couple of days.
After finishing his meal, Xiaopingzi left.
The voices outside were more lively than in the morning. Qi Qi was also curious about what was happening outside, but he was obedient. His godfather Defu told him to be careful, because he couldn't do anything if he offended the favored prince.
Seeing that Qi Qi yawned and started to doze off again, Chen Dianji led Qi Qi upstairs to the second floor. There were even fewer bookshelves on the second floor. Chen Dianji said that there were mostly books for young people here, as well as some better works by princes of past dynasties.
The upstairs room was very clean, as it was regularly cleaned, and the lighting was good. There was a low table and cushions by the window. Chen Dianji said, "You can rest here for a while. I'll come and call you in a quarter of an hour."
He added, "You can rest here for a while on ordinary days, but you should also be vigilant, as princes may occasionally come to look for books."
Qi Qi agreed, and after Chen Dianji left, he immediately stood on tiptoe to look out the window out of curiosity.
The door here faces the training ground located behind the Imperial Study. This place is spacious and has many facilities for practicing riding and archery, which are available for the young princes to use. There are outdoor areas and shady areas with roofs.
At this moment, the sun was hanging directly in the sky, and the air was scorching hot. After the floods in the south of the Great Xia Kingdom a few months ago, a plague broke out. Now, the entire Great Xia Kingdom has not seen rain for more than half a month. In the story, natural disasters break out in this world from time to time. It is hard to imagine how hot the weather would be if it really came to summer.
Just as he was about to look away, Qi Qi saw several people coming in from the back gate of the training ground in the distance, accompanied by a few ponies.
Horses came in chestnut, white, and black... Qi Qi couldn't help but glance at them a few more times, and then noticed another gaze coming from that direction. It was a person dressed in a short blue-black outfit. Due to the distance and the overly bright light, his face was not clearly visible, but he could sense that his body was more upright than the people around him.
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