[Master Meng of the Imperial Study appears rigid and inflexible, but he actually loves to hear compliments. However, given A-Yan's upright nature, he might suffer some losses as a result.]
As Jiang Yu packed Gu Qingyan's study bag, she was filled with worry, especially concerned that Gu Qingyan would not be able to keep up with Master Meng's progress.
"Mother, you need not worry about me." Gu Qingyan was dressed in a dark robe, with a rabbit fur collar tied around his neck by Jiang Yu. He was already as fair-skinned as Jiang Yu, and looked extremely handsome in this way.
"I read a lot of books while I was in the Prince's mansion. I will study even harder when I go to the Imperial Study. I'm sure the teacher will understand."
Jiang Yu felt at ease; such an obedient child like Ayanhe should be hers. However, the thought of having to leave early and return late to go to the study made her reluctant.
"Alright, hurry up and pack your things. Master Meng hates being late the most." Jiang Yu rubbed Gu Qingyan's head. "If you've been wronged, be sure to tell me."
To Jiang Yu's utter surprise, as soon as Gu Qingyan stepped into the study, he was tripped by a trap that Gu Qingfeng had set up in advance at the door, and he fell heavily to the ground.
"Who is the Third Prince bowing to?" Gu Qingfeng's attendant teased. "Could it be that he knows his status is far below that of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, so he's kowtowing and apologizing first?"
Gu Qingyan silently got up from the ground, dusted off his robes, and sat down in his seat as if nothing had happened. The little eunuch behind him was sweating profusely as he looked at the bloodstains on Gu Qingyan's palms.
"As expected, people of lowly status can't use anything good." Gu Qingyao also led a group of palace servants to the study, pointing to the rabbit fur necklace around Gu Qingyan's neck, "To use the same thing as a lowly commoner is an eyesore for this princess. Someone, go and throw that necklace away."
After he finished speaking, a palace maid slowly stepped forward. Gu Qingyan suddenly tore off the scarf and stuffed it into his clothes. This was personally chosen by the Empress Dowager; it couldn't be taken away...
Seeing this, Gu Qingyao was furious. Her sharp nails scratched Gu Qingyan's eyebrows and eyes, and no one in the entire study spoke up for Gu Qingyan.
"stop."
Mencius roared, "Have all the teachings on benevolence and righteousness I imparted to you been wasted?"
Master Meng was quite famous in Daqing, so Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao did not dare to offend him. Gu Qingling, on the other hand, watched Gu Qingyan being humiliated with a cold eye, feeling a bit of pleasure in her heart.
"This student pays respects to the Master." Gu Qingyan endured the pain and performed a standard apprenticeship ceremony, taking out the things that Jiang Yu had prepared in advance. "My mother said that in common society, when one becomes an apprentice, one should prepare a small gift for the master, so I have also prepared your favorite ancient books in advance."
The fact that Master Meng seemed so pleased stung Gu Qingling and the other two. Back then, Jiang Yu had also prepared a gift for them to become disciples, but Consort Rong threw them out of Lingxi Palace on the grounds that it was beneath her dignity.
Suddenly, Gu Qingfeng seemed to see something, his temples throbbed, and he kicked Gu Qingyan with a heavy gust of wind. The next second, Gu Qingfeng was lifted up like a chick.
"Second Prince, the Third Prince must have been seriously injured by your kick just now. I apologize."
After the guards from the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence uttered a single sentence, they disappeared back into the shadows. Gu Qingling's gaze suddenly turned to Gu Qingyan, and he knew clearly that in that instant, he wanted to kill Gu Qingyan.
"I have heard that you, Master, are extremely learned, and that many of your students are even in the imperial court," Gu Qingyan said without changing his expression. "It is my honor to receive your teachings."
Master Meng held the ancient book in his hand, looking at Gu Qingyan, who remained calm in the face of honor and disgrace, and his somewhat cloudy eyes shone with an amazing light.
"Very well, I will take the liberty of being the Third Prince's teacher for once."
......
As the sun began to set, Gu Qingyan, who had just finished his studies, still hadn't arrived at Zhaoning Palace.
"Granny Ling, go and see why Ayan hasn't returned yet?" Jiang Yu was worried and absent-minded all day.
"Your Highness, Yun Li, who serves the Third Prince, just sent word that Master Meng has kept the Third Prince in the Imperial Study to catch up on his missed lessons, and also said that you should have dinner first." Granny Ling coaxed Jiang Yu to eat, while only Master Meng and Gu Qingyan remained in the Imperial Study.
"Does the Third Prince not want the Empress to know what happened during the day?" Master Meng placed a white chess piece on the board.
"I don't want to cause trouble for the Empress Dowager, and I must thank you for your understanding today." Gu Qingyan made his move decisively, showing no less skill than Master Meng.
"Aren't you afraid that I won't help you?" Master Meng sneered. He even said that the third prince had fallen behind in his studies. He thought that this sickly third prince had more ambition than the crown prince.
"Of course I've inquired about it." Gu Qingyan's lips curled slightly. "Your Excellency has students all over the world, yet you have never accepted a disciple. It is clear that ordinary people cannot catch your eye. I dare to ask if I could become your disciple, Your Excellency, a great scholar who has brought peace to the world."
Master Meng was clearly flattered by Gu Qingyan's words, and even his white beard couldn't help but twitch upwards. "As long as you don't tarnish my reputation in the future, I'll be at ease."
When it was completely dark, Gu Qingyan packed his things and returned to Zhaoning Palace.
For the first time ever, half the candles in Zhaoning Palace were extinguished, and the dim light effectively concealed Gu Qingyan's injuries. "Granny Ling, where is Mother?"
"Third Prince, Her Majesty said she was a little tired today, so she went back to her room to rest after dinner."
Gu Qingyan nodded upon hearing this, "I understand. Tomorrow, I will still need to trouble the nanny to invite the imperial physician to check the Empress Dowager's pulse."
Gu Qingyan tiptoed back to the side hall, read for a while longer before turning off the light. Perhaps because he had exhausted his energy during the day, Gu Qingyan quickly fell asleep.
"Squeak—"
The door was quietly pushed open, and Jiang Yu walked to Gu Qingyan's bedside with a red candle. By the candlelight, Jiang Yu could clearly see the scars on Gu Qingyan's face.
"Your Highness, this..." Granny Ling's eyes instantly reddened, but she fell silent under Jiang Yu's gaze.
"Granny, go to my room and get some medicine for my injuries."
Jiang Yu carefully examined Gu Qingyan's injuries and silently applied medicine to them. Only after she finished did she leave the side hall.
Throughout the entire process, Jiang Yu remained silent, but Granny Ling knew that Jiang Yu was truly enraged. The Third Prince, who was perfectly fine in the morning, was covered in wounds by evening, so it was easy to guess who was responsible.
"All the guards around the Third Prince shall be punished today. Within a quarter of an hour, I shall know everything that happened today."
Jiang Yu's pretty face was icy cold. Who could Ayan, who had bullied her, stand by and watch?
Anyone who makes a move today will not escape.
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