Rongyao sat up straight and explained, “Yaoyao has to get up before the mao hour every day—between five and seven in the morning. I never get enough sleep. The imperial physicians said that if children don’t sleep well, they won’t grow tall.”
The Emperor was taken aback. With a smile, he asked, “Did Yaoyao come up with that herself, or did the imperial physicians say it?”
Rongyao said, “I read it in a book!”
Looking at his troubled daughter, the Emperor’s heart softened. He said, “Getting up before the mao hour is indeed a little too early. Starting tomorrow, you may all get up at the mao hour exactly—six o’clock.”
Rongyao’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
The Emperor pinched his daughter’s little cheek. “Of course it’s true. We can’t let studying keep Yaoyao from growing.”
Rongyao’s eyes sparkled as she proclaimed loudly in her clear voice, “Father is the best father in the whole world!”
The Emperor’s heart grew warm, and he became even more convinced that he had made the right decision.
His oldest child was only six. How could they possibly endure getting up before the mao hour every day?
When he had been young and studying, he had not entered school until he was five. Back then, every morning when he woke up, his body felt as though it were carrying a massive stone, weighing down his chest until he could hardly breathe. Without enough sleep, he could not concentrate, and going to the Wenchang Academy had only been a waste of time.
The children were still young. He would let them suffer a little less for now. Once they grew older, they could simply start getting up earlier.
…
That day, Rongyao slept soundly and woke up full of energy. With Daoxiang accompanying her, she headed to the Wenchang Academy.
Unexpectedly, she was the last to arrive. Everyone else was already seated in their places.
That included the three new imperial younger brothers: the Third Prince, Dantai Chang; the Fourth Prince, Dantai Yi; and the Fifth Prince, Dantai You.
As soon as she walked over, the three boys rose from their seats and very properly bowed to her together.
“Greetings, Eldest Imperial Sister.”
Looking at the three little boys, Rongyao unconsciously straightened her back. Imitating the Grand Tutor’s usual manner, she said, “There is no need for such ceremony. Take your seats. You must listen carefully during the lesson later.”
The three princes replied, “Your younger brothers understand.”
Then they returned to their seats.
Rongyao also sat down. Remembering something, she straightened her back and turned to Princess Shengping, speaking with great seriousness.
“Second Imperial Sister, you must listen carefully too.”
Princess Shengping struggled to keep smiling and clenched her teeth. “Your younger sister understands.”
Before long, the Grand Tutor arrived.
He first asked the princes whether they had read any books before.
Apart from the Fourth Prince, Dantai Yi, who had studied a little, Dantai Chang and Dantai You were both completely bewildered.
Even though Dantai Yi had read some books, all he could do was recite a few poems.
Thus, the Grand Tutor treated them all equally.
Princess Shengping, Tantai Yu, had spent the entire time carefully observing the Fourth and Fifth Princes. She had even forgotten to review the lesson the Grand Tutor had assigned the day before.
Therefore, when the Grand Tutor questioned her, her answer came out haltingly. The more she spoke, the more flustered she became. In the end, she fell far short of the Grand Tutor’s expectations.
Tantai Yu sat back down with her face flushed. She lowered her head, clenched her hands, and secretly glanced around, only to realize that everyone was looking at her.
Fuxi was laughing at her. Even the three younger princes were watching her make a fool of herself.
She should not have performed like this today.
However, the three princes were not laughing at their Second Imperial Sister. Their young faces were filled only with unease and fear.
Their Second Imperial Sister had always been so capable. Everyone praised her intelligence.
If even their clever Second Imperial Sister had been punished by the Grand Tutor, then they would certainly be punished too.
The three little turnips looked terrible. They exchanged anxious glances.
When it was Rongyao’s turn to recite, the three little boys instinctively covered their ears.
Yet after the Eldest Imperial Sister stood up, she showed none of the Second Imperial Sister’s panic. She casually placed the book to one side and began reciting.
She recited for a long, long time without a single pause.
Even the Grand Tutor’s expression softened considerably, no longer as stern as before.
The three princes relaxed without realizing it. They tilted their heads up and stared blankly at Rongyao, their eyes filled with admiration and reverence.
At last, Rongyao finished reciting an entire volume and returned to her seat.
The Grand Tutor said, “Not bad.”
With that, he looked toward the three new princes and said, “From now on, if you have anything you do not understand, you may ask Princess Fuxi for guidance.”
The three princes hurriedly stood and said, “Yes.”
After sitting down, the three of them remained confused.
Wasn’t the Second Imperial Sister the most capable? How had it suddenly become the Eldest Imperial Sister?
The Eldest Imperial Sister was truly amazing. They wanted to become like her too and receive the Grand Tutor’s praise!
Unfortunately, things did not go as they wished.
On their very first day, two of the three princes ended up crying.
When the hour reached the first quarter of the si hour—around nine fifteen—the three-year-old Fourth Prince, Dantai Yi, and Fifth Prince, Dantai You, began propping up their chins and nodding off.
After the Grand Tutor caught them, he punished them by making them stand.
The two little boys immediately burst into aggrieved tears and lost all interest in studying.
The Grand Tutor was also greatly annoyed, but because they were princes, he did not truly reprimand them.
After classes ended, however, the Grand Tutor went straight to the Wenyuan Pavilion, his face cold and his hands clasped behind his back, to report the matter to the Emperor.
The Fourth and Fifth Princes clearly knew they had done something wrong. They left the Wenchang Academy with their heads lowered, uneasy and frightened.
Princess Shengping watched the backs of the Fourth and Fifth Princes with an unpleasant expression.
Why? The Fourth and Fifth Princes were nothing like the system had described. Not one of them was intelligent!
Could it be because they were still young and their talents had yet to reveal themselves?
Yes, that had to be it!
She would wait a little longer. She needed to wait a little longer…
Meanwhile, in the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Emperor looked displeased as he listened to the Grand Tutor’s complaint.
Grand Tutor Gao said, “…Today, I taught them a poem. They could not even pronounce the words clearly! They actually fell asleep while reading. This is not the children’s fault. Your Majesty was simply too eager. One cannot force seedlings to grow by pulling them upward.”
The Emperor rubbed his forehead. “From now on, let them come at the beginning of the chen hour instead. If they get enough sleep, this should not happen again.”
Grand Tutor Gao sighed and shook his head. “Very well. I only hope that the princes will grow up quickly, so that this old man may teach them something truly worthwhile.”
As he said this, Grand Tutor Gao suddenly remembered something and continued, “Your Majesty, why not find some study companions for the princes and princesses? With companions to accompany them, they can encourage one another and advance together.”
The Emperor was silent for a moment before saying, “Very well. Let their mothers choose them.”
Grand Tutor Gao said, “Everything shall be decided by Your Majesty.”
That day, the Emperor issued an edict announcing that study companions would be selected for the princes and princesses.
Cui Huaiyin naturally received the news as well. She took the matter seriously when choosing for her daughter, listing all the suitable girls from the families of the capital and carefully comparing them.
When Dantai Ji arrived, he saw Cui Huaiyin lying on a chaise longue in a thin, loosely draped robe, reading through a register.
His eyes darkened slightly as he walked over and asked, “Is it really so difficult to choose?”
“Of course,” Cui Huaiyin replied. “Her study companion will grow up alongside Rongyao, so she must be outstanding in every way.”
As she spoke, Cui Huaiyin extended her fair, lotus-white wrist and handed the register to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, which do you think would be more suitable—the granddaughter of the Minister of Works or the younger daughter of the Right Deputy Censor-in-Chief?”
Dantai Ji hesitated for a moment before answering, “I don’t know either.”
Cui Huaiyin set down the booklet and sighed. “If only Yaoyao could meet them in person. Never mind what the daughters of the various families are like—as long as Yaoyao likes them and they can play together, that would make the best study companion.”
Dantai Ji took the booklet from Cui Huaiyin’s hands. “In a few days, the Empress is preparing to hold a flower-viewing banquet and invite the wives of families in the capital who have children of the appropriate age.”
Cui Huaiyin’s eyes lit up. She sat up, her slender waist appearing and disappearing beneath the lamplight. “The Empress’s idea is excellent. This way, Yaoyao can choose from among the children herself.”
“Indeed. Let Yaoyao choose for herself. Consort, you needn’t trouble yourself over it.” With that, Dantai Ji bent down, slipped an arm around Cui Huaiyin’s waist, and lifted her effortlessly before carrying her toward the inner chamber.
…
The Duke of State Pacifying’s residence.
“Pfft—” Duke Gu Fuzhou spat out the water he had just taken into his mouth and stared at his fourth son, Gu Shen’an, in shock. “What did you say? You want to enter the palace too?”
Gu Shen’an said, “Yes. I want to enter the palace!”
