am-books Chapter 172
Chapter 172
The Crown Princess finished speaking and immediately noticed that the hand gripping hers trembled slightly.
Just like five years ago, when she first entered the East Palace and met him, the prince who was considered invincible by the common folk, would hug himself tightly and curl up in a corner, like a prisoner awaiting the verdict of death.
"Your Highness."
"Who are you..."
"I am here to help you."
The helpless young man looked up, his trembling hand gently lifted by her, and thus they walked through the long years together.
"I do not wish to drag you down," the Crown Prince said, echoing the words he had spoken five years ago.
The Crown Princess smiled, "After five years of being husband and wife, we are already one. Your Highness, do not be afraid. No one can hurt us."
The Crown Prince held her in his arms, feeling the warmth of their bodies, and his slight tremor gradually subsided.@@@@
After a long time, he whispered, "I am preparing to do something, something that many... many people will misunderstand, even something that may tarnish our reputation."
The Crown Princess chuckled, "Just losing face? That's all?"
The Crown Prince was taken aback and laughed lightly, "Is it not serious?"
"It’s not painful or itchy, of course it’s light. I’m the Crown Princess, after all. Do you think anyone would dare to ridicule me to my face? Reputation is just a trivial matter. In a lifetime, who hasn't done something embarrassing? Besides, you’ll be losing face with me, so I’m not afraid at all."
The Crown Prince smiled softly, "Alright, then you trust me."
The Crown Princess stroked his back again and again, vowing, "I trust you, I trust you the most. No matter how others misunderstand you in the future, I will always believe in you."
Your Highness, no matter what you do.
I will stand in front of you and protect you.
No one can hurt my dearest Your Highness.
Yangyuan Marquis Manor.
After seeing off the Crown Prince, Zong Jincheng felt as if he had won five million in a lottery. He jumped up and down in place, letting out all sorts of ear-piercing, boastful noises.
Xu Wan, who was sensible, had already learned to plug her ears.
Cheng Zhidong found a table, spread out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, ready to record what Xu Wan had to say.
Xu Wan began, "Have Zong Jincheng and Zong Wenxiu learned about history and laws specifically?"
Cheng bowed, "No, the Tongzi exam doesn't include these subjects. The boys are learning Enlightenment books mostly about historical figures, interpersonal skills, and various philosophical ideas."
Xu Wan affirmed, "Include these two subjects in their curriculum."
Cheng nodded, "This makes sense; we who have taken the imperial exams know it well. However, with only half a year left, if the boys divert their focus, it may affect their Tongzi exam results..." Cheng remembered, "Especially Zong Jincheng, who is always thinking about defeating Qin Ye in the Tongzi exam."
Xu Wan proclaimed, "Qin Ye is a target, but not the primary one. The Tongzi exam results don't need to be top-tier, just passing to gain a special imperial exam entry is enough."
Cheng blinked, "Then, the pressure is relieved."
Xu Wan smiled, "Life is long; Zong Jincheng can challenge Qin Ye again in the imperial exams."
"Indeed..."
After Xu Wan left, Cheng discussed the changes in the curriculum with the other two tutors, and Pan Hongzhi and Zhao Yin adjusted their teaching strategies during their regular lessons with the boys.
For example, when Zong Jincheng suspected that Xu Wan wanted to sell him off, Pan Hongzhi educated him about Great Chu Law: Selling people off results in a hundred lashes and being exiled three thousand miles.
Zong Jincheng considered the remote Lingnan region... feeling extremely safe.
Another example was when Zong Jincheng grew weary of studying and started complaining about who invented reading, Pan then reminded him: Characters were created by Cang Jie, reading was advocated by Confucius, paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and ink was discovered by Xing Yi in the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Zong Jincheng: "......"
Knowledge was being forcefully shoved into his brain through a vengeance filter.
All memorized to spite me!!
On Zong Wenxiu's side, while not as many odd questions arose, casually listening to his brother's lessons occasionally yielded a wealth of historical anecdotes and legal knowledge.
In the following days, the two boys focused on their studies. Seeing that their grandchildren were not affected, Old Marquis and Old Marchioness decided to stay in the manor for a few days but avoided visiting the study to disturb them.
Zong Jincheng, ever since serving his grandfather's footbath that day, would, after each lesson, bring his brother to accompany the elders at mealtime. Of course, Xu Wan and Baili Weihong were also present.
Interestingly, Xu Wan noticed that Zong Jincheng no longer actively sought trouble with her. If he had magically grown up overnight, that might have been the case, but he was still as childish as ever, howling and making a ruckus. There was something inherently different about him.
For instance, now, when Old Marchioness placed a piece of meat on Xu Wan's plate but not Zong Jincheng's, instead of making a fuss about his grandmother's partiality, he refrained.
Not only did he not sulk aboutXu Wan, but he also took the initiative to pick up a piece of meat and put it into Zong Wenxiu's bowl "now between them, and not concerned with external trifles."