Hongwen Institute, Enlightenment Hall.
During the midday break, the classroom stood empty, with desks and stools haphazardly scattered about. Only one small figure remained seated by the window at the front of the lecture area.
Sui didn’t like napping, nor did he wish to disturb his fellow students resting in the dormitory, so after finishing his lunch, he returned to the classroom alone.
Lu Changze, being older, was in a different class, and with both the Third Prince and the Crown Prince still under house arrest, Sui had enjoyed an unusually peaceful stretch of time lately.
At this moment, he sat upright on the square stool, his back straight as he gripped a calligraphy brush, meticulously practicing each stroke with utmost focus.
So engrossed was he in his writing that he failed to notice the two figures lurking furtively outside the latticed window.
“That’s him?” whispered the leading young noble, dressed in fine brocade, as he pressed his face against the window to peer inside.
His companion, crouched in the same posture, nodded eagerly. “Yes, Young Master Pei, that’s him!”
The boy referred to as “Young Master Pei” craned his neck for a better look. “What’s he doing?”
The follower squinted. “Seems like he’s practicing calligraphy…”
“Tsk.”
Pei Qian sucked in a sharp breath, incredulous. “How can he be this diligent? He looks like a three-year-old toddler—does he even understand what he’s writing?”
While other children ran off to play after classes, this kid was still grinding away at his studies?
The sight left Pei Qian feeling oddly unsettled.
So he decided to confront him.
Having made up his mind, the young noble—whose lavish attire unmistakably signaled his elite status—bent down, picked up a small pebble, and tossed it inside.
Plink. The pebble landed at Sui’s feet. He paused his brush and turned toward the window.
Their eyes met. Sui blinked but, receiving no further communication, simply turned back and resumed his writing.
???
Pei Qian and his follower exchanged glances, both mirroring the same shock.
How dare someone at Hongwen Institute ignore him, Pei Qian?
Furious, Pei Qian slapped the wall with a loud smack and barked, “Hey!”
As Sui turned again, Pei Qian jutted his chin out imperiously. “Are you Lu Changsui?”
Hands on his hips, he struck a domineering pose—though the momentary wince from the sting in his palm slightly undermined the effect.
The follower eyed his reddened hand with concern. “Young Master, are you alright?”
Pei Qian shot him a glare. “Shut up! My hand’s fine!”
Sui studied the pair with puzzled curiosity.
Switching from hips to crossed arms, Pei Qian adopted an air of lofty disdain. “I heard you’re some kind of prodigy with a photographic memory?”
Sui replied evenly, “I am Lu Changsui, but I’m not a prodigy.”
Pei Qian scoffed. “Cut the act! If you’re Lu Changsui, then you’re the so-called child genius!”
“Perfect timing—let this young master test you!”
With that, he grabbed the windowsill, vaulted inside, and promptly smacked into a standing bookshelf after misjudging the landing space.
Thud!
“Young Master Pei!” yelped the follower.
Sui’s eyes widened. He pointed helpfully toward the door. “There’s an entrance over there.”
Rubbing his forehead, Pei Qian grimaced but retorted, “Enough chatter! This young master prefers climbing through windows!”
There wasn’t a single window in Hongwen Institute he couldn’t conquer!
Sui pressed his lips together, privately concluding that this person might not be very bright.
Unaware of the silent judgment, Pei Qian brushed off the mishap and plopped onto the stool opposite Sui.
Snatching a book from his follower, he cast a sidelong glance at Sui. “Studied The Doctrine of the Mean yet?”
Sui shook his head. “Not yet.”
Pei Qian’s eyes gleamed. Smack—he slapped the book onto the desk. “Even better. Read it once, then recite it to me.”
“Let’s see if you’re the real deal or just a fraud!”
Over half a month ago, after causing trouble and getting a thrashing from Duke Chengen, Pei Qian had been stuck at home recovering—only to later hear endless chatter about a four-year-old prodigy at Hongwen Institute who could memorize anything at a glance.
The more he heard, the more intrigued he became. Once he’d tracked down the boy’s routine, he’d seized the post-lunch lull to investigate.
Since the brawl incident, Sui had grown accustomed to random “pop quizzes.” Even during lectures, the instructors loved calling on him to recite passages.
Flipping open the book, Sui read each line carefully before closing it and, under Pei Qian’s skeptical gaze, began reciting flawlessly: “What Heaven confers is called nature…”
His enunciation was crisp, his delivery smooth—as if he were reading directly from the page.
The follower tugged Pei Qian’s sleeve and whispered, “Young Master, he really has a photographic memory! Not a single word wrong…”
Pei Qian’s expression cycled through doubt, shock, and dumbfoundedness before he snapped, “No kidding! This young master isn’t deaf!”
Damn it. The kid had actually nailed it word for word!
Pei Qian was crushed.
His own mother had forced him to cram for three days straight, and he’d barely managed to memorize the first three sections.
Thoroughly deflated, Pei Qian gave a grudging “Hmph!” once Sui finished. “Fine, you’re good. Let’s go!”
“Wait, please.”
Sui’s voice stopped them.
Pei Qian lifted his chin. “What now?”
Sui stood and clasped his hands in a polite bow. “Might I ask for your guidance?”
Both boys froze. “G-guidance?”
Sui nodded, eyes earnest with anticipation.
Pei Qian’s ego instantly swelled. Thumping his chest, he declared, “Go ahead! Ask this young master anything!”
Sui reopened The Doctrine of the Mean and inquired humbly, “Though I can recite this passage perfectly, I don’t truly grasp its meaning. Could you explain it to me?”
Silence.
“Uh… w-well.” The follower’s gaze darted around. Academically hopeless—he’d scored bottom-tier in every exam—he had no clue what the text meant.
Abruptly clutching his stomach, he groaned, “Young Master, I—I suddenly have terrible stomach pains! Gotta go!”
Before Pei Qian could react, the boy bolted out the door, his “agony” clearly feigned.
Pei Qian cursed inwardly.
Sui tilted his head. “You don’t know either?”
Meeting those clear, questioning eyes, Pei Qian gritted his teeth. “W-who said that? This young master is brilliant! Explaining one lousy passage is nothing!”
Clearing his throat, he racked his brain for the lecturer’s words. “It’s, uh… probably saying that… a true gentleman stays cautious even when alone… and remains vigilant even in places others can’t hear…”
After stammering through the explanation, Pei Qian slumped, drained. “G-get it?”
Sui nodded thoughtfully. “I think so. Thank you.”
Pei Qian tossed the book aside and grumbled, “Do you even know who I am?”
Sui shook his head.
Puffing up, Pei Qian announced, “I am Pei Qian, heir to Duke Chengen’s estate. Heard of it?”
Sui: “No.”
Pei Qian: “The Pei family of the capital?”
Another headshake.
Pei Qian: “Princess Yongtai, at least?”
Sui blinked innocently.
Pei Qian scoffed disdainfully, "How do you know nothing? How did you even get into the Hongwen Institute?"
Sui replied, "I'm the Third Prince's study companion."
However, since the Third Prince was still under house arrest and Sui was very young, he usually had nothing to do.
Pei Qian raised his voice and announced grandly, "I am Pei Qian, heir of Duke Chengen! Princess Yongshou is my mother, and His Majesty is my uncle! Well? Are you scared now?"
Sui rubbed his ears, making sure he hadn't misheard.
"Pei... Qian?" (Pay... Money?)
