Chapter 73: Outrageous
The three of them gathered together to pick and choose, and finally had a few arguments, before finally deciding on the content of the three articles.
If an unaware minister came over, he would think that the three were discussing some national affairs.
The result… was just discussing what books the children should read.
The so-called Four Books and Five Classics, according to the normal order, one should read the Four Books first, and then read the Five Classics. But unfortunately, it is about to enter summer. Spring and summer belong to Yang, and Yang is light and clear. Poetry and music are sounds, and sounds are also light and clear. According to the theory of Yin and Yang health preservation, reading poetry and scriptures in this season is also a good choice.
The crown prince standing aside was speechless when he saw that Emperor Jingwen and the two teachers had even considered these things.
How worrying must my younger brother be that my father and the teachers would treat these three articles as the only three articles they could teach him?
Since this might be the only thing his son could learn, Emperor Jingwen’s attitude naturally had to be more cautious.
Finally, the names of the three articles came out——“Book of Rites: Quli Shang”, “The Great Learning”, “The Analects of Confucius: Learning”
The Book of Rites: Quli Shang has a lot of words, so it was impossible for Ye Shuo to memorize it all. Emperor Jingwen and the three teachers even consciously deleted some of it and only selected the things they wanted Ye Shuo to learn.
It was still early, with nearly half a month left before the scheduled departure date. Assuming that he only had to take this course, Emperor Jingwen felt that his son would be able to recite these three articles.
Compared to other princes who took an average of two or three days to write an article of more than 2,000 words, Emperor Jingwen even gave him twice as much time.
But soon, Emperor Jingwen hesitated again. Just because his other sons could recite it, it didn’t mean that Xiaojiu could do it too.
The other princes were naturally intelligent, and an article of more than 2,000 words was nothing to them, but Xiaojiu…
“Well, I hope it will work.” Being able to make the emperor say the word “hope” is considered a skill.
However, even the Grand Tutor did not think there was anything wrong with what he said. Isn’t it just a hope?
There’s so much content… Never mind, let’s just give it a try, what if it works?
Seeing that the teachers and father said so but actually had no hope in their hearts, the prince couldn’t help but sigh.
Soon the three books were placed in front of Ye Shuo.
Since Xing Yucheng had already memorized these three articles, and what he memorized were not even excerpts, but the complete versions, Xing Yucheng’s first reaction was – this is too easy, there is no difficulty at all!
However, Ye Shuo was thinking, should he go to this palace or not?
The list of names of the accompanying persons has come out today, with the names of his stepfather, the crown prince, the queen, and his mother all on the list. Here, Ye Shuo has to say that his stepfather is really annoying, as he wrote his mother’s name but not his. Isn’t this clearly a trap?
As for the remaining four princes, the fifth prince, the eighth prince, there is no doubt that they will basically go as well.
In such a huge palace, he is the only one left. Isn’t this move by his stepfather too sinister?
Wouldn’t he feel guilty for treating a child like this?
But think about it the other way around. After my cheap father and the others are gone, won’t I be the only one left in this palace? ?
The Empress Dowager knew that she was not popular, so she had little presence in the palace. Even if she was not taken to the temporary palace, she would hardly go out.
In this situation, Ye Shuo is the one with the highest status in the entire palace. Can’t he do whatever he wants then?
The emperor is far away, and his stepfather can’t control him. Even the crown prince and the sixth prince are gone. He is left without anyone to restrain him. Thinking about it, he is actually quite happy.
As for the hot weather, after his stepfather and the others left, the ice in his mother’s share this year would be his, as would the ice in the Sixth Prince’s share, plus his own, the share of a royal concubine and two princes, which would be enough to surround Ye Shuo for 12 hours non-stop. This would feel all right.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to listen to music and watch plays at that time?
From mid-May to the end of October when he returned from the palace, it was a full half year. Even though Ye Shuo couldn’t leave the palace, he could still have a lot of fun in the palace.
Considering this, Ye Shuo actually tends not to go.
But he was really worried about his mother, things were different now, as the eldest prince’s prestige in the army grew, the protective umbrella of his grandfather was no longer as important as before, if something happened by accident, he would not be able to rush to the rescue in time.
So, my cheap dad is really annoying.
Ye Shuo couldn’t help but sigh.
The crown prince went to the temporary palace, and the tutor could follow him. Xing Yucheng had never seen what the temporary palace looked like. Xing Yucheng was feeling happy, but when he turned around, he met the troubled eyes of the Ninth Prince.
Xing Yucheng has a bad intuition.
Wang Ziquan, who came over to deliver a book, felt nervous when he saw this. Although he didn’t understand the Ninth Prince’s idea, no matter what, if the Ninth Prince didn’t go, wouldn’t the emperor and the others have discussed for so long in vain?
Fortunately, Ye Shuo finally took the books in front of him: “Thank you, Eunuch Wang, I understand.” His tone was a little lazy.
Wang Ziquan, however, did not show any dissatisfaction and even breathed a sigh of relief.
No matter what the Ninth Prince’s attitude is, as long as the Ninth Prince can help him complete his task smoothly, he will be happy.
Besides, His Majesty has no way to deal with the Ninth Prince, and it is already quite good that the Ninth Prince is so polite to him.
Wang Ziquan knows how to be content.
“Then I won’t bother the Ninth Prince anymore.” Nowadays, the Ninth Prince’s studies have almost become the most important thing in the palace. Wang Ziquan didn’t dare to disturb him. After getting a positive answer, he left with his people. He left so fast, as if he was afraid that Ye Shuo would go back on his word.
Xing Yucheng was simply stunned.
After flipping through the three books in front of him, Ye Shuo picked out the one with the most words in front of him, without even looking at it, as Xing Yucheng looked incredulous. He then threw it away.
Although Ye Shuo was also curious about what the palace looked like, after all, the temptation of the palace was not that great for him. He only needed to memorize two articles. It would be too much of a loss to ask him to memorize three.
Xing Yucheng was still standing there in a mess: “Your Highness, Your Highness…”
Three articles could be exchanged for nearly half a year’s trip to the palace. In Xing Yucheng’s opinion, it was too good a deal, so he didn’t understand why the Ninth Prince would do this.
You know, other princes have been memorizing books every day but have nothing!
If there were such an opportunity, the other princes would probably fight tooth and nail for it.
“You don’t understand. In fact, parents can be greedy sometimes.” Just kidding. If he really completed the requirements of his cheap dad perfectly this time and fell into his cheap dad’s trap, believe it or not, his cheap dad will dare to double the money next time. Adults are the best at taking advantage of others.
Ye Shuo’s principle is to give his cheap dad a little sweetness to make him feel that this method is useful, and then his cheap dad will throw a bigger bait and give more benefits next time.
When fishing, if you don’t make more nests and put more bait, you still expect to get a harvest? You’re dreaming!
“Just take a look. These two chapters are enough.” Ye Shuo originally wanted to just memorize the few hundred words in “The Analects of Confucius – Learning” and get it over with, but after thinking about it, it seemed a bit too drastic. If he was not careful, it would easily make his stepfather angry, and it would be bad if he really didn’t take him with him.
After thinking it over carefully, Ye Shuo decided to add the 2,000-word article “The Great Learning”.
But we can’t be too hasty about this matter. We have to delay it a bit to whet our cheap father’s appetite, so that he won’t think that what he has memorized is too easy. Next time, when the difficulty is increased, no matter how many articles there are, Ye Shuo will not be able to memorize them.
But Xing Yucheng refused to believe it.
Who is Emperor Jingwen? He is the emperor. How can the emperor go back on his word?
It can only be said that Xing Yucheng understood the emperor, but did not understand the psychology of being a father.
In terms of understanding his biological father, Ye Shuo has reached the pinnacle after two lifetimes of practice.
Sure enough, when Emperor Jingwen heard Wang Ziquan say that his son was not in a very good mood, his heart sank immediately.
You little bastard, you don’t think it’s good to stay in the palace alone, right? ? ?
Thinking about it carefully, it seems that he is indeed not afraid of being alone. The first time he left the palace, he dared to abandon his attendants and tutor and run away.
Emperor Jingwen felt that his painstaking plan was likely to go down the drain.
“How could I have forgotten this…” Emperor Jingwen held his forehead with his hand, feeling somewhat desperate.
Threats were of no use, bribes were of no use, he had been beaten and scolded, but his son was like a copper pea, which could neither be cooked nor crushed, giving him a headache.
The Grand Tutor and Lord Cen were also at a loss. Even though they were the educational experts of the dynasty, they were helpless against the Ninth Prince.
Time passed day by day, and Xing Yucheng saw it and felt anxious.
The Ninth Prince kept saying he would endorse the book, but he didn’t even read the two remaining articles!!!
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and tomorrow would be the day to set off for the temporary palace. Xing Yucheng had completely lost hope and felt that he would have to stay in the palace with the Ninth Prince for the next few months.
If possible, Xing Yucheng really wished he could endorse the Ninth Prince. It was really frustrating!
However, at noon, after finishing his lunch, Ye Shuo put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and went straight to the Qinzheng Hall.
Xing Yucheng noticed that the direction he was walking seemed to be different from before. At this time, he did not react until he saw the plaque of the Qinzheng Hall.
“Your Highness, have you finished memorizing that book???”
“Well, I’ve finished reciting it.”
Xing Yucheng was shocked: “Your Highness, w-when???”
I stay with the Ninth Prince all day long, how come I don’t know about this?
But before Xing Yucheng could investigate further, Ye Shuo had already gone in. Xing Yucheng subconsciously followed him and soon forgot about it.
At that time, Emperor Jingwen, who was reviewing memorials, had completely given up the idea. From his initial expectations, he had now given up.
It was not until lunch was over that Wang Ziquan’s voice suddenly came from outside –
“Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince requests an audience.”
Emperor Jingwen was startled at first, almost unable to react, then he thought of something, his eyes lit up, and he didn’t even bother to review the memorial: “Quick, quick, announce it!!”
After about a moment, Ye Shuo stood below with his hands behind his back, and slowly opened his mouth under the expectant gaze of Emperor Jingwen.
Xing Yucheng was very excited at first, but as he listened, he found that the Ninth Prince stumbled when reciting the two articles and often got stuck. However, Emperor Jingwen was not angry at all. Instead, he reminded him in a very good manner. Even if he missed one or two paragraphs or a few words in the middle, Emperor Jingwen barely endured it.
After a whole stick of incense had passed, Ye Shuo had just managed to memorize the two articles.
As for Xing Yucheng who was standing aside, he almost fainted from what he heard.
I thought the Ninth Prince was so confident because he recited it fluently, but in the end, this is it?
“What else? What about the Book of Rites, Part I?”
After asking again and again, the emperor really started to question!
Xing Yucheng held his breath for a moment, watching the Ninth Prince shaking his head. Just when he thought that the emperor would be angry this time, he saw Emperor Jingwen frowning first, and after a long while, his brows gradually smoothed out with great difficulty, as if he had made a very difficult decision. Emperor Jingwen’s mouth moved –
“…good.”
He has memorized it so badly, but His Majesty actually praised him? ? ?
Xing Yucheng’s jaw almost dropped to the ground.
However, this was not the most incredible thing for Xing Yucheng. What made him feel the most incredible was that soon, even Master Cen and Master Tai came…