The Imperial Study was bustling with activity early in the morning, filled with people. Upon seeing the out-of-place figure at the door, the expressions on the others' faces became somewhat subtle.
Xiao Yanchen looked at the vermilion threshold of the Imperial Study, still unable to process what was happening. He tightly grasped the red string on his wrist, feeling extremely nervous.
Early this morning, a eunuch had woken him up, saying that Her Highness the Noble Consort had ordered him to study at the Imperial Study. Before he could ask any questions, the eunuch had dragged him straight to the door of the study.
But he was not close to the Noble Consort at all. Why would Her Highness treat him so well...
The gazes of all the eunuchs at the door lingered on him. Xiao Yanchen carefully stepped over the threshold, freezing completely as soon as he entered.
Several princes were sitting together, each surrounded by a few personal eunuchs. Some were holding milk, while others were washing brushes. They were being taken care of meticulously.
Xiao Yanchen stood there all alone, looking incredibly lonely.
Isn't this our Seventh Brother? a nearby prince mocked.
The Second Prince's expression was the ugliest. He had no idea why his mother had brought Xiao Yanchen in.
The Third Prince had been beaten miserably by Xiao Yanchen last time. Seeing him now, his face turned frighteningly gloomy.
An unknown prince let out a sneer at Xiao Yanchen, and the surrounding servants immediately joined in the roaring laughter, their faces full of contempt.
The tutor witnessed this scene. The Noble Consort had already spoken to him, so he naturally knew what purpose Xiao Yanchen served by coming to the Imperial Study.
He pointed to the most remote corner of the hall: Seventh Prince, you can sit over there.
That seat was near the back door, where the wind constantly seeped through the cracks. The other princes never sat in that spot.
Xiao Yanchen said nothing and simply went over to sit down obediently.
He was already very happy just to be able to come to the Imperial Study; it didn't matter where he sat. Moreover, if he encountered something he didn't understand, he could finally ask the tutor.
Even though he was surrounded by people who disliked him, Xiao Yanchen was still happy overall.
The tutor began his lecture, and Xiao Yanchen listened very attentively. He wanted to seize every opportunity to learn.
Halfway through the lesson, the Third Prince sitting in front of him suddenly turned around. He accidentally flicked the writing brush in his hand, and the ink on it splattered precisely onto Xiao Yanchen's clothes.
Xiao Yanchen had specifically changed into these clothes before leaving the house because he didn't want to leave a bad impression on the tutor.
Drip—
A large patch of his clothing was instantly stained black, and even the assignment he had been writing so earnestly was splattered with a few drops of ink.
Xiao Yanchen's eyes immediately reddened with anger. The Third Prince looked at him with malice: Oh my, I accidentally flicked it onto Seventh Brother's clothes.
Xiao Yanchen looked at the ink on his clothes, feeling extremely upset. Holding back his tears, he stood up and politely looked at the tutor lecturing at the front.
Sir, Third Brother has soiled my clothes and my assignment.
The tutor would definitely uphold justice for him, wouldn't he?
The tutor didn't even lift his head. He merely turned a page of his book and said in a cold voice: Seventh Prince, do not cause a commotion during class. Sit down and continue copying.
The Third Prince's eyes were full of smugness, and a wave of laughter echoed around them.
Xiao Yanchen forced back his tears, clenching his fists tightly. The eyes that had been filled with anticipation for the Imperial Study now completely dimmed.
Sounds of fighting were coming from the courtyard. A jackdaw perched on a branch, watching everything happening below.
If you want to climb higher, you must know how to read people's words and expressions, Eunuch Liu said slowly from his rocking chair.
He looked at Ji Zhaoxi, who was standing upright in front of him: Not only do you have to watch those consorts, but you also have to tell from their voices whether they are truly happy or faking it, and whether their words carry hidden meanings. You must figure all of this out.
Being a eunuch was not that easy.
Ji Zhaoxi listened very seriously. She furrowed her brows tightly, as if she were memorizing everything Eunuch Liu said.
But the moment Eunuch Liu saw her unfocused eyes, he knew she had zoned out again.
Blockhead!
Eunuch Liu felt a deep frustration at her failure to improve.
Ji Zhaoxi understood this phrase clearly, and a look of grievance appeared on her face.
Eunuch Liu shook his head and continued: In the palace, you have to learn to borrow a knife to kill. Don't just rush in yourself whenever something happens. You have to learn to make others do the work for you, without getting a single drop of blood on your own hands.
Eunuch Liu had previously seen Ji Zhaoxi get into a conflict with others, and the very next second, she had charged forward to grapple with them. That was the most foolish behavior!
Ji Zhaoxi nodded earnestly, but her gaze unconsciously settled on the ants on the ground.
Eunuch Liu: ...
He was going to be angered to death by her sooner or later.
Forget it, forget it.
He let out a deep sigh, looking as if he had suddenly aged decades.
I'd better teach you something a bit more direct.
When you fight someone, you have to aim specifically at their most vulnerable spots: the eyes, the throat, and the groin. Attack like this no matter who you encounter.
Ji Zhaoxi's eyes lit up. She struck a stance, ready to start sparring with Eunuch Liu right away.
Eunuch Liu pushed her away impatiently and sat back down in his rocking chair: Step aside.
How could my old bones have the energy to spar with you.
Ji Zhaoxi huffed. If Eunuch Liu wouldn't practice with her, she would find someone else to do it.
When Ji Zhaoxi ran over to Ruhui Palace, she discovered that Xiao Yanchen surprisingly wasn't there.
So she started practicing in the room by herself, muttering as she moved.
Eyes, throat, groin!
Seventeen, who was hiding on the ceiling beam, finally understood what Ji Zhaoxi's last move meant...
When Xiao Yanchen pushed open the courtyard door, he was completely distracted and crestfallen.
There was a large ink stain on his ivory-white robe, and his face looked utterly exhausted.
Those few hours in the Imperial Study had been the most agonizing hours of his entire life.
Seventh Prince, why are you only coming back now? I've been waiting for you for so long.
A crisp voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Zhaoxi was standing in the room, holding a martial arts stance. There was a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and her face was flushed pink.
The moment he saw Ji Zhaoxi, Xiao Yanchen's eyes immediately lit up: Xiao Xizi!
He instantly quickened his pace. Ji Zhaoxi, following what Eunuch Liu had taught her, put on a serious face and launched an attack at Xiao Yanchen.
Xiao Yanchen stood obediently in place, letting her hit him. He looked at her with eager eyes: Xiao Xizi, are you going to hit me?
Ji Zhaoxi shook her head, her eyes shining brightly: Seventh Prince, let me teach you how to fight. I just learned it today.
Xiao Yanchen put down the things in his hands and nodded earnestly.
Mimicking Eunuch Liu's mannerisms, Ji Zhaoxi tucked her hands into her sleeves and cleared her throat maturely: When you fight, you have to aim specifically at a person's most vulnerable spots. Eyes, throat, and groin!
Xiao Yanchen listened very attentively. Ji Zhaoxi taught him a few moves, and while learning, Xiao Yanchen accidentally bumped into Ji Zhaoxi.
Ji Zhaoxi pitched her voice high and pretended to be angry: You little rascal, you've kicked off my family jewels!
Hearing these words, a rush of heat shot straight to Xiao Yanchen's head, nearly scaring him into a faint.
Looking at Ji Zhaoxi's smiling face, his own face turned bright red, and he didn't dare to speak another word.
How could Xiao Xizi dare to say absolutely anything? It wasn't like she even had family jewels to begin with...
