blogombal Chapter 388 The Most Favored Prince
Chapter 388 The Most Favored Prince
Dongjun and Xihe were overjoyed that they could go to school.
Shen Shixi asked Bai Ping to make a schoolbag for the two children. It was the kind of crossbody schoolbag that would be worn in later times. It had several layers, a novel design, and excellent workmanship. It was very convenient to use and, most importantly, unique. The two children loved it and wanted to put it next to their pillows when they slept.
Li Yuanke was very uncomfortable and complained to Shen Shixi, "You little bastards, you're so happy to hear that you're going to school. I was so worried and reluctant to let you go, but you're so heartless. You didn't say you were reluctant to let me go at all."
Shen Shixi laughed heartily, "Li Yuanke, you're really starting to resemble a resentful woman more and more. Li the Resentful Woman, don't be sad too soon. Wait until tomorrow and see what happens."
In later generations, which child who went to kindergarten didn't experience a heart-wrenching farewell to their parents at the kindergarten gate? It was one thing for the child to cry, but some parents even cried along with them.
The next day, Dongjun and Xihe happily packed their books and notebooks, and went to school with their schoolbags on their backs. The two of them had attendant eunuchs. Other princes had to be carried to school by eunuchs, but Shen Shixi refused to be carried and insisted on walking by himself.
Zhaoyang Palace is on the west side of the central axis, and Chongxian Hall is on the east side of the central axis. The journey was quite long. Li Yuanke felt sorry for his son and daughter, and since it was their first day of school, he personally took them in the imperial carriage.
He held the two children in his arms, and they were very excited, chattering about topics that interested them.
Li Yuanke was overwhelmed with emotions; he was so sad!
Someone from Chongxian Hall had already come to deliver the imperial decree that the Crown Prince and Princess would be studying today.
Princesses do not study with princes, but Shen Shixi does not allow Xihe to study the Four Books for Women with the princesses. She wants Xihe to study at Chongxian Hall. As for the Crown Prince, he should receive the same education as the princes first.
Li Yuanke initially objected, arguing that the Crown Prince's education should focus on the art of rulership, but Shen Shixi mocked him.
"What do little kids know about the art of rulership? They should learn to read all the characters and read sentences fluently first, so they won't end up like some people who can't even recognize a few obscure characters in the memorials submitted by their ministers."
Li Yuanke cursed, "You bastard, are you talking about me? You know the words I don't? Who was it that cursed people when approving official documents, forbidding them from quoting classics and demanding they speak only about the facts, and forbidding them from showing off their writing skills, otherwise they might as well quit their official post?"
Shen Shixi retorted, "What's wrong with what I said? I'm not aiming to be the top scorer, why waste time on all that fancy stuff?"
The couple then proceeded to expose each other's shortcomings.
When it comes to arranging the education of children, Li Yuanke naturally has to listen to Shen Shixi; he has no choice but to listen.
Once she's made up her mind, no one can change it.
For such a momentous event as the Crown Prince's enrollment in school, officials from the Cabinet, the Six Ministries, the Imperial Academy, and the Crown Prince's maternal grandfather all came to conduct a ceremony, namely, the initiation of the writing process.
Today, the Grand Secretary and the Minister of Rites were appointed to begin writing for the Crown Prince and Princess.
Since the emperor is attending the ceremony, the event must be grand.
The princes also temporarily stopped studying and watched from the sidelines. Seeing the Crown Prince and Xihe being treated with such importance, none of them felt good.
Shen Shixi and Li Yuanke often had to review memorials and tell them stories every night. The two children were always with their parents, and through this exposure and Shen Shixi's subtle guidance, they learned to recognize many characters and even started doodling.
Therefore, at today's inaugural writing ceremony, the Crown Prince and Xihe made sure to bring honor to Li Yuanke.
The ministers could praise one point to ten, let alone say that the crown prince and princess had indeed performed very well.
After the ceremony was over and the Emperor was about to leave, the Crown Prince and Xihe sensed something was wrong. Xihe hugged her father's leg and burst into tears, "Father, aren't you going to stay here with me and my brother?"
The crown prince also tugged at his father's belt, remaining silent, tears welling up in his eyes.
Although his mother had said that boys also had the right to cry, he seemed to know from birth that it was a little shameful for a boy to cry.
But the tears just wouldn't stop!
Li Yuanke's elderly father's heart broke instantly. If it weren't for his ministers present, he would have almost burst into tears, holding his two children and trying to comfort them.
"Father has political affairs to attend to and cannot stay here with you. You are still young. If you do not want to go to school, you can come back with Father and start school in two years."
Can you do this?
The ministers and princes were all stunned.
Which one of them didn't start studying at Chongxian Hall at the age of five?
The Minister of Rites hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent..."
Li Yuanke impatiently interrupted him, "The Crown Prince is still a child! Is it necessary for him to study at such a young age?"
Most importantly, he can't live without the children.
This emperor is unacceptable!
This matter must be discussed with Her Majesty the Empress!
How can you educate a crown prince like that!
Fortunately, the Crown Prince and Xihe were both quite promising. Upon hearing this, they released their father. The Crown Prince looked at the ministers and then at his elder brothers, and said, "Father, I want to go to school."
Xihe also said, "I want to go to school too."
The crown prince even gave his father a push, saying, "Father, you should go back and look after your younger brothers."
Li Yuanke was both annoyed and amused, but at least his father's heart was somewhat soothed.
Shen Xianzhang breathed a sigh of relief, "Good, good, the Crown Prince and the Princess are both good children!"
Shen's father was somewhat moved to tears as he thought of that wretched child who absolutely refused to study when he was young. In his refusal to study, he almost tore the house apart.
If the Crown Prince and the Princess were to resemble her, what would become of them!
The Emperor has left, but Shen Xianzhang is still staying at the Chongxian Hall. If the Crown Prince and Princess don't study, he'll have to persuade them properly. There's no reason for royal children to be blind.
Shen Shixi still needs to rest for at least half a month after giving birth. Li Yuanke has a lot on his plate. He brought his twin sons to Qianyuan Palace and had to keep an eye on them when meeting with ministers.
Unlike their older siblings, Fuguang and Wangshu didn't like the sound of the rattle drum. Wangshu, in particular, was very picky. If the sound was too loud, he would get irritated and angry, kicking his legs hard without crying. He would also get angry if there was no sound and howl loudly.
Crying without shedding tears, in short, dry howling.
The goal is simply to scare his father.
You need to control your voice just right, speak slowly and gently, ideally like singing.
This is really tough on my dad.
If his ministers took too long to reply and he could no longer hear his voice, he would also get angry.
Fu Guang was easy to take care of. The two brothers slept together. Whenever Wang Shu got angry, he would turn his head and look at Wang Shu speechlessly, not understanding what he was angry about.
There was no other way, so Li Yuanke had to hold him in his arms. Sometimes he would hold him with one hand and fold paper with the other. Fu Guang would be the only baby sleeping in the cradle, and his ability to entertain himself was growing.
Mainly, he wasn't as dramatic as his younger brother. He couldn't be dramatic; it was too tiring. He preferred to lie quietly, eat and drink as usual. As for his father's dislike of him, as long as he wasn't deprived of food and drink, that was enough.
Wang Shu slept soundly as soon as he was in his father's arms. Once he got used to it, he insisted on sleeping in his father's arms and would hang on Li Yuanke's arm all day long, not even taking him off to eat.
If it were Fu Guang, even if he were the Crown Prince, Li Yuan Ke would have a temper. But seeing a face exactly like his mother's, with the same expression, Li Yuan Ke lost his temper and became incredibly tolerant.
"Trying to work your father to death, huh? You little brat, just because your father doesn't want to do anything to you, you keep acting like this. Why can't you be a princess?"
Wang Shu couldn't understand, but looked at her father with soft eyes. Li Yuanke was completely charmed and hugged his youngest son, giving him a big kiss that successfully made Wang Shu cry.
Soon, the entire harem knew that the most favored prince was no longer the crown prince, but the twelfth prince, Wangshu, who was the emperor's little moon.
The Eighth Prince then said to the Tenth Prince, "Hehe, serves you right! Father doesn't like you anymore; he likes your younger brother now. Hahaha, you, the Crown Prince, will be deposed sooner or later!"