am-books Chapter 171
Chapter 171
“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I truly dare not accept it.” She bowed her head humbly.
Little Devil King Jin Cheng's head stopped moving as he looked around. He pouted slightly, feeling a bit of disagreement, but then frowned, thinking it might also be right.
After the Crown Prince finished his question, he waved his hand toward him: “Jin Cheng, come here.”
Hearing his name being called, Jin Cheng immediately ran over with a beaming smile, happily shouting, “Your Highness, you finally noticed me!”
The Crown Prince smiled at him and said, “I have always seen you, but I was just asking your mother about your studies earlier, so I did not talk to you.”
Jin Cheng boasted proudly, “Your Highness, am I not amazing? I’ve learned so much in just half a year, I’m super super strong, right?”
The Crown Prince chuckled at him, but due to the strong emotional fluctuations, he couldn't help but cough several times. His pale knuckles curled together, pressing against his chest as he shook his head and chuckled lightly, “Don’t make me laugh.”
Jin Cheng stuck out his tongue and wouldn't dare to show off anymore.
Nevertheless, the Crown Prince still kindly praised him, “Just now, I heard Teacher Pan say that you can memorize books after a single glance and study diligently, which is why you’ve surpassed so many other scholars. But this is still far from enough. I want you to become someone as great as your father. Do you have confidence?”
Jin Cheng thought about his father and blinked, saying, “Become a top scholar in the imperial exams?”
The Crown Prince nodded with a smile.
Jin Cheng turned to look at Xu Wan, noticing her gaze was frank and fearless, as if she didn’t think it was impossible for him to become a top scholar.
The Crown Prince wanted him to become a top scholar, and Xu Wan didn’t fear it either.
So, of course, Jin Cheng wasn’t afraid either.
With a heroic spirit, he declared, "Your Highness, don't worry, I'll definitely become a top scholar!" or With a heroic spirit, he declared, "Your Highness, don't worry, I'm certain I will pass the imperial examination and become a top scholar!"
or With a heroic spirit, he declared, "Your Highness, don't worry, I will undoubtedly pass the imperial examination and become a top scholar!"
“All those from the Hanlin North Academy, the Child Prodigy Class, and Qin Ye.”
“They will all just have to wait and be crushed by me!”
“This top scholar, I, Zong Jin Cheng, will claim for sure!”
Seeing his overflowing ambition, the Crown Prince turned to Xu Wan and said, “Just now, I saw the study plan prepared by Cheng Zhidong, which is tailored for preparing for the Child Prodigy Class exams. But these things aren’t very helpful for the official exams. Do you understand?”
“I will study hard and wait for Your Highness’s inspection!” Jin Cheng declared with a beaming smile.
The Crown Prince stood up with a smile, patted his head, and said, “That’s enough for today. I have some matters to attend to. See you at the end of the month.”
“See you then. I’ll see you out, Your Highness.”
“Mm.”
Jin Cheng skipped and hopped as he followed the Crown Prince out, chatting and gesturing along the way, occasionally making the Crown Prince laugh until he almost coughed.
In the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Princess noticed that the Crown Prince’s usually pallid face had a touch of color, indicating he was in a good mood.
She stepped forward, linking arms with him and teasing, “Has Jin Cheng again managed to make Your Highness happy?”
The Crown Prince smiled and said, “Yes, this child knows how to amuse people.”
The Crown Princess nodded and said, “Other people’s children are always so delightful. In another seven months, when our own child is born, I hope Your Highness won’t worry too much.”
The smile on the Crown Prince’s face slightly faltered, as he understood her implication.
She was asking if there was any connection between him and Jin Cheng.
If she had asked a few months ago, perhaps he would have answered.
But now, he wasn’t sure.
Because he already had a plan in motion, one that he had begun implementing.
The Crown Prince didn't respond to her question but instead held her hand and asked, "Earlier today, at the Marquis Manor, I asked Xu Wan why she was willing to marry Zong Zhao, who was shēng sǐ bù zhī (his fate unknown). She said it was because she liked Zong Zhao's mother and wanted to bìng fǔ tā què shī de mǔ ài (make up for the motherly love she had been missing)."
“And you? Why did you marry me?”
The Crown Princess had originally been the only daughter of the Duke of Wei, whose ancestors were founding heroes, with subordinates and students all over the country, wielding immense power. In contrast, the Crown Prince was the son of a deposed empress, his maternal family wiped out, frail in health, and the target of many of the imperial family's plots.
When everyone believed he would either be deposed or murdered, the Crown Princess, against the Duke of Wei’s wishes, married the Crown Prince, thereby preserving his position in the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Princess smiled with pure sincerity and softly said, “I grew up with my father and have seen too many officials’ faces. Everyone fears making a mistake and always weighs the pros and cons. Only Your Highness, fearless of powerful nobles and death, maintains a kind heart and strives to give life meaning to the people. Yet, such a beloved prince was not accepted by the official circles. I hoped someone could step forward to protect Your Highness.”
“It was my great fortune to become that person.”