When Xu Shida heard his lovely granddaughter say in her childish voice that she was a bandit, he was so angry that he could hardly speak. However, he could not tell the truth, so he had to keep it to himself.
It was the first time Xu Qingxue had seen her grandfather's completely bald head, and she found it very interesting. She quickly touched his scalp with her little hand and exclaimed, "Wow! Grandfather! Your scalp is so soft! It's so interesting!"
Xu Shida twitched his lips. This was another one of the most unlucky stars.
Before the grandfather and grandson could say anything more, the messenger hurriedly reported that the Third Prince had arrived with the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince.
Xu Shida was shocked.
Why did the three princes come to my residence?
What happened again?
But he had no time to think and hurried out to greet him. When Xu Qingxue saw that her grandfather, who was usually calm and collected, had changed his expression and was walking hurriedly outside, she followed him with her short legs.
"Your humble servant greets the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Sixth Prince."
Upon seeing the three familiar figures, Xu Shida was about to kneel down to pay his respects, but Hong Yan stopped him.
"Xu Anda, there's no need for such formalities. Father Emperor said that you are recuperating at your residence, so Hongmin and Hongchen will be studying here from now on."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Yan noticed with his sharp eyes that Xu Anda, who was already quite old, had a slight crack in his usually serious expression.
"This...this is an imperial edict from the Emperor?"
Xu Shida was filled with disbelief. The Emperor sent this celestial demon to his residence? Wasn't that going to create a hole in his mansion?
He glanced at Hongmin, who was standing obediently to one side, and then at Hongchen, who was grinning mischievously, and suddenly felt a blur before his eyes.
Hongyan also sympathized with this Anda, but there was nothing he could do. His father was determined to use this Anda to temper Hongchen's temperament.
Hongchen said in his childish voice, "Anda, I was wrong last time. Mother has already scolded me. I will never be naughty again."
Xu Shida chuckled dryly. If Hongchen were reliable, pigs would fly.
"Please come in, three princes." Xu Shida forced a smile and led the three into the mansion. A large contingent of over a hundred Imperial Guards stood at the entrance. He twitched his lips...
"Huh? Grandfather, who are these three older brothers?"
As the group entered the mansion, they saw a little girl with rosy lips and white teeth, as beautiful as a carved jade sculpture. She was not shy at all and circled around the three of them when she saw strangers. She was especially curious about Hongmin and Hongchen, who were about the same age as her.
This was the first time Hongchen had ever seen such a young girl. His older sister was already getting married, while his younger sister was still small and had just learned to walk.
"My name is Hongchen. What's your name?"
Xu Qingxue blinked her big eyes, looked at the little boy who was about her height, and replied, "My name is Xu Qingxue. Are you my grandfather's student?"
Hongchen nodded: "Yes, you're Xu Anda's granddaughter? That's pitiful, doesn't that mean you'll be punished every day?"
Hongchen instantly found a younger sister who was even more miserable than himself.
Hong Yan was somewhat helpless, while Xu Shida was even more exasperated. He pulled Xu Qingxue's hand and said, "Xue'er, go back to your room quickly."
"No, no, I want to come out and play, Grandfather, I won't bother you." Xu Qingxue tugged at Xu Shida's hand, pleading softly, a sound that melted anyone's heart.
In the past, Xu Shida would have definitely fallen for her cuteness, but how could he allow his granddaughter to meet the emperor? He dared not take the responsibility for that.
However, Hongchen was clearly quite interested in Xu Anda's unfortunate granddaughter and wanted to play with her: "Anda, can we let her study with us?"
"This won't do... How can my daughter study with the prince? This is against palace rules..."
Xu Shida was somewhat conflicted. In fact, Qingxue had already received her early education, which he had personally guided her through.
He also placed high hopes on his granddaughter. Now that there is a system of female officials in the palace, if he passes away, Qingxue can also become a female official based on her talent, thus ensuring his safety.
So he didn't want to delay his granddaughter's studies at all, but it wouldn't be proper for her to study with her brother.
Hongyan saw his hesitation, so he said authoritatively, "It's alright, Xu Anda. Hongchen and Hongmin will only be studying in your residence for three months. Besides, boys and girls are not allowed to sit together after the age of seven. They are still young, and it's not time for the strict separation of boys and girls yet."
Hongyan knew that what the Han people valued most was rules and etiquette. Although the Manchus came from outside the Great Wall, many of their rules had already taken on the characteristics of Han culture, and the rule that children under seven should not sit at the same table was one of them.
If it were on the grassland, where everyone was riding horses and herding livestock all day long, how could they not sit together?
Hearing the Third Prince say this, Xu Shida breathed a sigh of relief: "In that case, Qingxue, you can study with the two princes."
He stroked his beard, feeling a sense of relief. In any case, Qingxue had already achieved some success. At such a young age, she was quite knowledgeable in poetry and literature. If she could successfully inspire the Sixth Prince's enthusiasm for reading, it would be an excellent thing.
After settling things with everyone, Hongyan went out. Before leaving, he gave his two younger brothers some instructions: "Study hard here, don't disturb Xu Anda, and don't cause trouble with the Xu family's young ladies. I will come to pick you up and take you back to the palace this afternoon."
"Mmm. Don't worry, brother." Hongmin patted his chest. "I'll take care of Hongchen."
Hongchen wasn't about to be outdone: "Brother! I promise I'll be good! Remember to buy me that sweet candy figurine! I want a monkey!"
Hongyan patted each of their heads and smiled, "I know, is there anything else?"
"I want roasted corn too!"
"Alright, you can go in."
After Hong Yan finished speaking, he gestured to Xu Shida and then left.
Xu Qingxue licked her lips, leaned closer to Hongchen, and whispered, "Do you also like to eat sugar figurines? My grandfather always forbids me from eating too many, saying they'll ruin my teeth."
Hongchen thought about it and agreed: "Don't worry, if a tooth falls out, it falls out; a new one will grow in eventually."
"Fifth Prince, Sixth Prince, let's go in."
After studying intently for two hours at the Xu residence, Xu Anda specially selected two gifts for the two imperial princes.
Qingxue was so angry that she almost cried when she saw her grandfather give away the crystal paperweight that she had begged for so long.
So, Hongchen very generously picked out a purple crystal grape paperweight from his own collection and handed it to Qingxue: "Crybaby, stop crying, here you go."
Qingxue's eyes were blurry with tears: "Why...why did you give this to me? Don't you like it?"
"I like it, but who told you to cry? My mother said I'm a little man, and I should be a gentleman and know how to take care of girls."
"What's a 'divine stone'? The one that pops monkeys out of?"
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