Duoduo timidly glanced at the Prince of Pingyang, then looked up at the Princess Consort of Pingyang.
She revealed a smile, "I am happy!"
The Prince of Pingyang's face was cold.
Thinking that the Prince of Pingyang did not believe her, Duoduo said, "I like the Princess Consort, and I like you too. You are a good person!"
A crack seemed to appear on the Prince of Pingyang's expressionless face.
Was he just handed a 'good guy' card?
The Princess Consort of Pingyang covered her mouth, laughing so hard she trembled like a branch of blossoms in the wind.
"Your Highness, children do not lie. Duoduo truly likes you."
The Prince of Pingyang's eyes flickered.
"You should go to the nanny's place now," he reminded Duoduo.
Duoduo looked at the water clock and immediately grew anxious.
She hurriedly bowed to the two of them and ran off.
The Prince of Pingyang frowned.
Seeing his expression, the Princess Consort of Pingyang said, "Your Highness, the child is still young. Take it slowly."
"Besides, this child is innocent and lively. Isn't that wonderful?"
"I feel that ever since this child arrived, the manor has become much livelier!"
The Prince of Pingyang's face darkened.
Of course it was lively; he had already summoned a doctor several times.
"Keep this news suppressed for now. We will talk about it after a date is set."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang was surprised. "Will the child still live in her original place?"
The Prince of Pingyang turned his jade thumb ring.
"Mhm."
"By the way, Pingting, have someone clear out the east wing chamber in our courtyard."
A smile appeared on the Princess Consort of Pingyang's face.
"Does Your Highness want Duoduo to move into the east wing?"
The east wing was generally reserved for sons, while daughters usually lived in the west wing.
Yet, the Prince of Pingyang did not hesitate to place Duoduo in the east wing.
It was evident that in his heart, the Prince of Pingyang deeply valued Duoduo.
It was just that he himself did not realize it.
The Prince of Pingyang turned his jade thumb ring again.
"Yes, the lighting in the east wing is good, and that child likes to read."
The Princess Consort of Pingyang could not suppress the smile on her face.
The Prince of Pingyang was simply a man with a cold exterior and a warm heart.
Even though he spoke coldly to Duoduo, in his heart, he had already arranged everything for her future.
He even paid attention to small details like her room.
"Your Highness, just leave these matters to me. You are busy with your affairs and should not have to worry about such trivial things."
"Pingting, your health is poor, and I am currently a man of leisure. I will help you think of these things as much as I can."
"Also, handle the matter of the recognition banquet as soon as possible. Pick the nearest available date, so no one can say I am defying the imperial decree."
"Yes! I will go and handle it right away!"
The Princess Consort of Pingyang curtsied and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Duoduo ran quickly back to the Bamboo Pavilion.
Nanny Li was preparing writing materials. Seeing Duoduo run in panting, she said nothing.
When Pangya saw Duoduo, she turned her head away and pretended not to see her.
Duoduo hurriedly went to her seat.
"Today, we will continue learning brush strokes."
Nanny Li arranged the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. She picked up a brush and demonstrated as she spoke.
Duoduo listened with rapt attention, her little hand moving in tandem.
Today, Nanny Li taught four strokes in one breath, then let them practice on their own.
Duoduo picked up her brush, carefully recalling the key points Nanny Li had taught. Only when she was certain did she begin to write.
Over there, Pangya had already started practicing.
She quickly wrote out all the strokes once.
She felt she had written them quite well.
Pangya dropped her brush and ran out to play.
Duoduo looked at Pangya's retreating back with some envy.
Then, she turned her head back and continued practicing.
When Nanny Li came out again, she saw Duoduo standing there alone, practicing obediently.
She walked over and took a look. "Mhm, not bad. Keep practicing."
"Now, I will continue teaching the next strokes."
Duoduo was a little confused and pointed to Pangya's seat.
"Nanny, Pangya has not come back yet."
Nanny Li gave Duoduo a flat look. "I teach whoever is here."
Seeing that the nanny was unhappy, Duoduo closed her mouth.
Nanny Li continued teaching.
Perhaps because she had learned many characters, Duoduo found it very easy to get the hang of writing these strokes.
She could now write those strokes quickly and well.
Because Duoduo was small, she could not hold the brush for too long.
Seeing that it was about time, Nanny Li began to check her work.
"Do you still remember the characters I taught you before?"
"Mhm!" Duoduo nodded. Putting her little hands behind her back, she recited the characters Nanny Li had taught her one by one.
Nanny Li was very surprised; Duoduo had not made a single mistake.
She went into the inner room and brought out a book.
Duoduo accidentally caught a glimpse of the book's cover: Three Character Classic.
Duoduo was a bit puzzled and looked at Nanny Li.
Nanny Li opened the pages and placed the book in front of Duoduo.
"I will read, and you look. It would be best if you could memorize the whole text."
Duoduo looked up at Nanny Li, feeling a bit guilty.
"Nanny, I know how to recite this." Duoduo pointed at the book.
Disbelief flashed in Nanny Li's eyes. "You know how to read?"
Duoduo shook her head. "I didn't before, but I do now."
Nanny Li was somewhat displeased, thinking Duoduo was lying.
"Then read it for me to hear."
Duoduo held the book and began to read it word by word, until she had read the entire text.
Nanny Li's eyes were filled with disbelief.
She thought Duoduo was lying, but unexpectedly, not only could Duoduo read it, she did so without a single mistake.
"Who taught you?"
Duoduo put down the book and answered cautiously, "It was His Highness."
A strange light flashed in Nanny Li's eyes.
"Do you recognize all these characters?" the nanny asked, pointing at the words in the book.
Duoduo nodded. "I memorized them. By reading them one by one, I learned to recognize them."
Nanny Li felt somewhat astonished. "What other books did His Highness teach you?"
Duoduo picked at her palm, worried that Nanny Li would be upset.
"Besides the Three Character Classic, there is the Thousand Character Classic and the Analects."
"I just finished learning the Analects, so I haven't memorized all the characters in it yet."
Nanny Li pondered for a moment, then stood up.
"Since His Highness is teaching you how to read, I will not teach you."
Duoduo grabbed Nanny Li's sleeve. "Nanny, please don't be angry. I will learn from you!"
Nanny Li looked surprised.
"I am not angry. His Highness's talent is far above mine. Having him teach you is better than having me teach you."
"Therefore, I will only teach you handwriting and embroidery, things that I am good at."
Hearing Nanny Li say this, Duoduo let go of her sleeve shyly.
"Nanny, is Duoduo very stupid?"
Nanny Li glanced at her. "As a person, you must not belittle yourself."
Duoduo picked at her palm again.
"For the same task, Pangya does it much faster than I do."
Nanny Li looked at the haphazardly scribbled strokes on Pangya's desk and frowned.
"Doing something fast does not necessarily mean doing it well."
"It is just like building a house. The foundation must be laid firmly. If the foundation is not solid, no matter how fast it is built, it will eventually collapse one day."
As soon as Nanny Li's voice fell, Pangya appeared at the door.
