Entering the Imperial College

As they neared the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Xiao Hanye tried tugging his hand free a few times. But Shen Tingjue had him in a death grip, and he could hardly use brute force to fling the boy away. He could only give up struggling and sigh soundlessly, feeling as though he no longer loved life quite so much.

Inside the hall, everyone chatted and laughed merrily. Upon hearing the eunuch announce the Crown Prince's arrival, they could not help but pause their drinking and turn their gazes toward the entrance.

The Prime Minister had poured a bellyful of wine into himself, his eyes blurred and ears burning, so he must have been seeing things. Otherwise, how could he possibly see his precious son walking in hand in hand with that dog of a Crown Prince?

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The Chenghuan Emperor spoke first, smiling broadly. "I thought the Crown Prince was not coming after all. Ah, you're holding hands so tightly. It seems the Crown Prince likes little Jue very much too."

Shen Tingjue's ears warmed. "I like Your Highness too."

Xiao Hanye smiled without any warmth in his eyes.

Will you shut up?

"..." The Prime Minister belatedly realized that he was not simply drunk and seeing double. Staring at the two clasped hands in the hall, his expression changed.

He had been careless.

This dog Crown Prince truly had terrifyingly deep cultivation.

In the brief time they had been apart, he had actually bewitched his precious son.

The Eldest Princess, however, was delighted. "It is good that Your Highness likes little Jue. Then I shall have to trouble Your Highness to look after him more in the future."

When Xiao Hanye was six, Empress Zhaoyuan died in childbirth with her second child. The Eldest Princess had pitied him for losing his mother at such a young age and often looked after him. Xiao Hanye naturally held her in great respect. Hearing this, he lifted his eyes and smiled faintly. "Naturally."

Shen Tingjue beamed and scratched Xiao Hanye's palm.

Xiao Hanye: "..."

The starlit night was bright. By the time the palace banquet ended, the moon had already climbed to the zenith.

Inside the carriage, the Eldest Princess glanced at Shen Tingjue, who was drowsing off, and said, "Little Jue, His Majesty says you appear to be about the same age as the princes. He asked whether you would like to enter the Imperial College to study?"

As the highest institution of learning in the realm, the Imperial College was not easy to enter. First, only children of officials ranked fifth grade and above were eligible for admission. Second, one could enter as a tribute student based on one's results in the imperial examinations, which selected talent once every three years.

Shen Tingjue yawned. "Is Your Highness at the Imperial College too?"

The Eldest Princess said, "His Highness is twenty-three this year. By his age and the school system, he no longer needs to attend the Imperial College."

The moment she finished speaking, she saw Shen Tingjue's lips flatten as his interest vanished. She immediately added, "However, His Highness spent many years campaigning outside and fell behind in much of his studies. Therefore, he still often goes to the Imperial College to sit in on lessons."

Shen Tingjue shifted into a more comfortable position. "His Highness is the heir apparent of a nation. Shouldn't the Grand Tutor personally teach him at the East Palace?"

The Eldest Princess thought, You certainly know quite a lot, and smiled. "His Highness was mischievous in his youth. How could he possibly stay in the East Palace? He personally submitted a memorial, saying that the way of learning lay in mutual discussion and refinement, and that only by attending lessons and exchanging ideas with the students of the Imperial College could he improve. His Majesty naturally agreed after hearing this."

Shen Tingjue tucked his hands into his sleeves, his gaze profound as if he were plotting some grand scheme. After a long while, he nodded. "All right, I'll go."

The imperial brothers were fighting tooth and nail for power. He had to work hard and become formidable, so that he could become His Highness the Crown Prince's capable helpmate as soon as possible!

Alas, his dream of being an idle rich man would have to be set aside for now.

The Eldest Princess did not know of his lofty ambitions. Smiling in satisfaction, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "Why do you like the Crown Prince so much?"

The Prime Minister, who had been dozing against the carriage wall, suddenly cracked open one eye and silently pricked up his ears.

Remembering the Crown Prince's instructions, Shen Tingjue did not speak recklessly. His face reddened with embarrassment. "He's good-looking."

The Eldest Princess laughed aloud at that and pinched his cheek. "My little Jue is good-looking too."

Shen Tingjue's eyes lit up. "Then does that mean His Highness and I are a perfect match?"

Thinking he was joking, the Eldest Princess did not dwell on it. Like she was humoring a child, she nodded repeatedly. "A perfect match, a perfect match."

The Prime Minister: "..."

No, do you people hear what you are saying?

The Chenghuan Emperor specially permitted Shen Tingjue to attend lessons at the Imperial College whenever he had free time. In simpler terms, he could go study whenever he wished, come and go as he pleased, and no one would force him if he did not want to study.

When the students of the Imperial College, who were dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn every day to suffer through their studies, heard this, they were so envious that they nearly wept.

Shen Tingjue slept until the sun was high in the sky. Steward Feng waited outside his door, and the moment he saw him emerge, he hurried forward with a face full of smiles. "Young Master is awake? Why did you rise so early? Why not sleep a little longer?"

Shen Tingjue raised his head and looked at the blazing sun.

Early?

It did seem rather early.

Shen Tingjue stretched lazily. "I'm going to the Imperial College today. I cannot sleep too late. Although His Majesty has permitted me to attend lessons in my spare time, a school is still a school. One must not forget to respect one's teachers and honor the Way."

Steward Feng grinned, deeply gratified.

What a sensible child.

Steward Feng summoned the servants and issued a string of instructions, properly preparing everything Shen Tingjue would need for the Imperial College. He then personally selected a dark blue-green robe for him and carefully pressed it, unwilling to allow even the slightest wrinkle.

To Steward Feng, dressing the young master exquisitely and beautifully every day, dazzling everyone blind, was a duty he could not shirk as a steward.

Shen Tingjue was a transfer student personally granted special permission by the Son of Heaven, so his status was anything but ordinary. When Director Zhang heard his subordinate report that Shen Tingjue had arrived, he hurriedly set aside his urgent work and went to receive him. Instead, the old steward from Shen Residence seized his hand and launched into a flood of instructions, looking exactly like Liu Bei entrusting Zhuge Liang with an orphan.

Director Zhang's expression gradually went numb. He thought, This old steward is probably sick in the head.

Your young master was merely coming to sit in on lessons when he had time. Why were they putting on such a tearful, life-and-death orphan-entrusting drama?

Shen Tingjue seemed unable to listen any longer either and interrupted, "I'm going in."

Steward Feng had not finished his instructions. Smacking his lips, he looked somewhat regretful. "All right, then this old servant will return first. Please be careful on your own. If anyone bullies you, remember to complain to His Majesty and the Eldest Princess. Add oil and vinegar to it, and cry as miserably as you can."

Shen Tingjue patted his chest and gave him a reassuring look. "I understand."

Director Zhang: "..."

Was that something one could say aloud?

The Imperial College faced south with its back to the north, stretching for ten li. On the eastern side of the front courtyard stood the Gate of Reverent Upholding, connected to the Temple of Confucius, forming the layout of "temple on the left, school on the right." Within were six halls for instruction: Rectitude, Lofty Aspirations, Broad Learning, Cultivating the Way, Sincerity, and Following One's Nature.

"Those who understand the Four Books but are unfamiliar with the classics must study in the Hall of Rectitude, Hall of Lofty Aspirations, and Hall of Broad Learning. They may then advance to the Hall of Cultivating the Way and Hall of Sincerity. After passing an assessment, they may advance to the Literary Hall of Following One's Nature."

Director Zhang led Shen Tingjue around to familiarize him with the place and gave him a general explanation. "After His Majesty ascended the throne, he implemented new policies and incorporated the Imperial Academy Hall, where imperial clansmen and the children of meritorious nobles attended lessons, into the Imperial College. The intention was to gather many minds and benefit from their ideas. Thus, the six academies now have an additional Imperial Academy. The halls ahead enroll the children of officials ranked fifth through eighth grade, as well as successful provincial examination candidates. Young Master Shen, which would you like to attend?"

Shen Tingjue looked at him and humbly sought his advice. "What does Director Zhang think?"

Director Zhang stroked his beard. "Have you read the Four Books and Five Classics?"

Shen Tingjue was exceedingly honest. "No. At home, I only read storybooks, and I do not recognize many characters. Steward Feng has to read the storybooks to me."

Director Zhang: "..."

No way?