chapter 21

Chapter 21: The First Day of School

The ministers attended the early court sessions, often departing before dawn.

They rarely had time for a meal and would often nibble on snacks stashed in their sleeves en route to the Golden Luandian Hall.

For the sake of decorum, many wouldn't eat after entering the palace gates.

They had to wait until the morning session was over to have breakfast.

Shen He always felt this rule was quite inhumane.

However, now, thanks to this inhumane regulation, his opportunity to curry favor had arrived!

The food box Lianqiao gave him was a smaller size.

It wasn't too heavy for Shen He, so he dashed along briskly.

His small figure looked so cheerful, hopping every few steps.

The eunuch following behind cautioned, "Young master, please slow down. Be careful not to trip!"

But the child was in no mood to heed the warning, fearing that if he slowed down, he'd miss his chance to bribe.

He had to be the first to hand the buns to Tutor Song!

There couldn't be a second!

Otherwise, it won't work!

Seeing the child's urgency, the eunuch contemplated offering him a piggyback ride to perhaps speed things up.

However, at just over four years old, the young prince already had his pride. He didn't need to be carried or coddled!

Shen He, having run to the rear, was gasping for breath.

In reality, he hadn't gotten very far from the Eastern Palace.

His face flushed from the exertion, beads of sweat covered his forehead. He placed the food box on the ground.

The food box, which previously felt lightweight, now felt as heavy as a ton.

Honestly, Shen He felt that he had never exerted himself this much, not even during his past 1000-meter runs.

Feelings of resignation began to creep in.

Maybe he should stop running and just walk?

Taking two more steps, even if he was the second to offer his buns, it would still be a sincere gesture, right?

Could Tutor Song really resist the genuine intentions of a cute child?

Probably not.

And if not, then he'd have to accept and eat it. After doing so, how could he, in good conscience, assign extra lessons?

With a serious expression on his cherubic face, the child nodded confidently to himself.

Right, walking it is.

He picked up the food box and began strolling forward.

The eunuch: ...

Okay, it's clear the young master is tired.

He was about to offer to carry the food box for him.

But then, a group appeared from around the corner.

It was the Crown Prince and Tutor Song, returning from the morning session.

The two were in conversation, but stopped upon spotting the child.

Tutor Song was on the outside, and Shen He first caught sight of him. Eagerly, he raised the food box, about to announce that he had brought breakfast.

However, upon seeing the main male figure standing next to Song Lin'an, he froze.

...He brought it for Tutor Song, not for the main male lead...

That might not be a good idea, right?

Holding up the food box, the child nearly obscured his own face.

He was in a dilemma: neither handing it over nor putting it down seemed right. The youngster's hesitation was palpable.

Qi Zhuoyun took the food box from his hand and gently wiped the sweat from the child's brow before inquiring, "What brings you here, Hehe?"

I came to... um, well, how should I put it...

The child awkwardly scratched his face.

Then, tilting his head up, he mustered the words: "To deliver buns."

His big eyes shifted nervously from Qi Zhuoyun to Song Lin'an before he added, "...for Tutor Song."

But Qi Zhuoyun apparently misunderstood his intention.

He chuckled, "Delivering buns for both your brother and Tutor Song?"

Ruffling the child's hair, he thanked, "Much appreciated, Hehe."

Shen He thought to himself, well, that interpretation works too.

The youngster earnestly pointed at the food box, emphasizing, "Eat."

Please eat. Only after seeing you eat can I be at ease.

Zhonghong, smiling, took the food box from the young prince and presented it to both him and Tutor Song.

Inside, several buns were arranged on a plate. Due to the child's frenzied running, the placement of the buns was quite chaotic.

Qi Zhuoyun picked one and then encouraged Tutor Song to partake as well.

He bent down, scooping Shen He into his arms.

The buns were small, consumed in just a couple of bites. Shen He watched intently as Qi Zhuoyun ate, nervously fidgeting with his chubby fingers, his eyes fixed on Tutor Song.

In his mind, he willed: Eat quickly, please eat.

Fortunately, Tutor Song did not disappoint Shen He.

He accepted and indulged in the bribe!

He even had two!

The child was immediately elated, and couldn't help but giggle, revealing a row of tiny teeth.

He wanted to conceal it a bit longer, to avoid revealing himself so soon. He quickly turned and buried his face in Qi Zhuoyun's shoulder.

His small frame shook with laughter.

Qi Zhuoyun, with a hint of realization, asked, "Is this for Young Master Song?"

He lowered his head, gazing at the child.

Shen He remarked, "At times like this, you don't need to be so clever, Young Master."

Shen He became anxious!

With wide eyes, he gripped Qi Zhuoyun's clothes, half-hiding in his embrace, and with a pitiable expression asked Young Master Song, "Am I to go to the academy? Are you not teaching me anymore, big brother?"

He turned to face Qi Zhuoyun, holding his face with his chubby warm hands, and pleaded with his large, earnest eyes.

The child moved closer, wrapping his arms around Qi Zhuoyun's neck. His round face, reminiscent of a baby's softness, touched Qi Zhuoyun's. He rubbed against him like a small animal, holding that pose as he looked at Song Lin'an.

His big, shiny eyes were full of hope, and his pursed lips made one reluctant to disappoint him.

He blinked and in a babyish tone urged, "Young Master, eat the bun quickly."

It's as if he wanted everyone to know that his bun was a bribe.

Song Lin'an said nothing, still holding the third bun in his hand.

To eat or not to eat, that was the dilemma.

"Young Master Shen, are you heading to the children's quarters?" Song Lin'an inquired.

The crown prince hadn't mentioned this to him yet.

Qi Zhuoyun suppressed a smile, holding back his laughter. Even after understanding the child's intent, he played along.

He followed Shen He's line of thought, "Yes, to the academy. You'll be taught by the scholars. Young Master Song won't oversee your studies for now, but if you have any questions, you can ask him. During breaks, he'll continue teaching you."

Young Master Song remained silent, his gaze fixed on the child, his eyes brightening.

He swallowed any words he wanted to say.

Successfully preventing any possibility of Young Master Song giving him extra lessons, Shen He was overjoyed.

As for continuing lessons during breaks, that was a matter for the future. No need to worry about it now!

Winter break seemed a long way off.

Having secured an advantage, young master Shen began to act obedient. Snuggling against Qi Zhuoyun, in a babyish tone, he said to Young Master Song, "I've finished copying my lessons, five times in total. Not one less!"

He raised his little chubby hand, as if trying to prove that copying five times was an enormous task for him.

In terms of acting pitiable, young master Shen was the best! Ever since he realized he'd be tutored by both Young Master Song and the young prince, every day he tried to suppress the intelligence and wisdom he possessed as an eighteen-year-old boy.

To avoid even more terrifying torment.

Young Master Song was unaware of the little boy's earnest plan to play dumb. Seeing him behave so obediently and cleverly, he felt somewhat reassured: "The young master has made progress recently. He must continue to work harder in the future."

Shen He nodded solemnly.

Then, from within the hall, the voices of Lianqiao and Heling could be heard.

"I wonder what the young master is going to do with the leftover buns."

"Perhaps he's giving them away. After all, they're leftovers. As long as the young master is happy, it's fine."

After Lianqiao and Heling finished speaking, they exited the hall and saw the prince holding the child.

And there was Zhonghong holding a food box, and Young Master Song with half a bun in his hand.

Lianqiao and Heling: "..."

Shen He: "..."

He hung his head, playing dead.

No need for embarrassment, no need at all. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the awkwardness was on others. After all, what does a four-year-old know about such things?

He was just in a rush.

Shen He mentally reassured himself, successfully convincing himself.

The young prince, seeing the child huddled at his neck, gently patted his bottom.

At four years old, he was already getting mischievous.

This clever demeanor didn't annoy Qi Zhuoyun. Instead, he found it delightful.

Not bad at all. The child he raised, even if he went to the academy and mingled with other noble children, wouldn't be at a disadvantage with such wit.

……

Two days later, Shen He donned new clothes.

Influenced by his parents, Shen He developed a deep-rooted habit.

On the first day of school or a new term, one must wear new clothes!

As soon as he woke up, he trailed behind Lianqiao, asking repeatedly, "Lianqiao, can I wear the new clothes? The ones you made for me, can I wear them today?"

The child's eyes sparkled. Not yet dressed, wearing only white undergarments, he followed closely behind Lianqiao.

Lianqiao, caught between laughter and tears, said, "The clothes I made aren't as good as the ones from the embroidery shop for the young master. I still need to make some adjustments."

With soft insistence, Shen He clung to her skirt, looking up with puppy eyes, saying, "Can't I? That dress is so pretty. I want to wear it to the academy for everyone to see."

He genuinely believed that the dress made by Lianqiao was beautiful.

Lianqiao had skilled hands; from his cloth tiger to various little trinkets, she made them all for him.

Facing a child with such eager eyes, praising the dress she made and wanting others to see it, who could resist?

Lianqiao instantly relented, squatting down and holding the little one's hands, "Alright, but what if someone says the dress isn't pretty and it upsets you?"

The child, seemingly never having considered this, widened his eyes, paused, and then declared, "It's beautiful! I don't care what they think!"

His voice was sharp and earnest, little hands clenched into determined fists.

Lianqiao, suppressing a smile, gently stroked his wispy hair by the temple, "Alright then, I'll fetch it for you."

Heling combed Shen He's hair.

She styled it into two little buns atop his head.

Once dressed, Zhonghong arranged for a maid and a young eunuch to accompany Shen He to the academy.

Along the way, Shen He, brimming with excitement, leaned against the carriage window. The vehicle passed several streets before stopping in front of a majestic gate.

Above it hung a plaque, adorned with the gilded, flamboyant characters: Imperial Academy.

Despite the early hour, numerous carriages were parked at the entrance, with people alighting and heading inside.

Even before his first day began, Shen He spotted a familiar face at the entrance.

He excitedly exclaimed, "Brother!"

Nine-year-old Liu Zheng, increasingly embodying the demeanor of a noble young master, turned around. On his still-boyish face, a delighted smile emerged.