AWB Chapter 11: The Sixth Prince Who Receives Pity
Chapter 11: The Sixth Prince Who Receives Pity
Being a prince who excels in all aspects of his studies will earn him the favor of his father, the Khan, and ensure a life of wealth and honor in the first half of his life. Being a spoiled brat and spendthrift will dispel the hostility of his brothers, and by clinging to the coattails of his future fourth brother, the emperor, he can ensure a life of comfort and ease in the second half of his life.
So Yinzhuo, who had made up his mind to be an excellent playboy, left the next day, under the incredulous gazes of his brothers, as soon as he finished school, he followed Wan Quan, the eunuch sent by Emperor Kangxi to pick him up at the Imperial Study.
"No, Sixth Brother only started studying in the Imperial Study yesterday, right? What did he do that warrants Father taking him to the Qianqing Palace for a reprimand?"
Upon hearing Yinti's words, Yinzhi felt that his elder brother must be a fool. What could Xiaoliu have done in just one day since he came to the Imperial Study? And had his elder brother become isolated from the world after returning to the Southern Third Palace? Wasn't the news that Father wanted to take Xiaoliu with him to teach him spread like wildfire yesterday?
"Brother, is it possible that Xiao Liu performed too well in class yesterday and caught the Emperor's eye, so from now on the Emperor will take him under his wing and teach him personally, which is why he went to the Qianqing Palace?"
Although Yinzhi's words had a slightly teasing tone, there was absolutely no jealousy in them. After all, while all the brothers longed to be valued by their father, none of them wanted to become a target for criticism.
Moreover, Yinzhi didn't think that his father really liked his son Yinzuo that much. Now that Yinzuo was in the Qianqing Palace and was hanging around his father every day, he was obviously a target. His father's move was probably intentional, to use Yinzuo as a target to relieve the pressure on the crown prince.
Clearly, besides Yinzhi, Yinzhen was thinking the same thing at this moment. The thought of that obedient child who would tug at his sleeve and pitifully call him Fourth Brother being abandoned by his father made him feel a little sorry for him. After all, he was his own younger brother, and he should help him out if he could in the future. It was quite pitiful.
"That sixth brother is really pitiful. The Qianqing Palace is not a good place to stay. It's so close to Father, so he'll be dragged out to check his homework every few days..."
The eldest prince, Yinqi, didn't think as much as his two younger brothers. He was simply terrified by Kangxi's surprise inspections. The thought of Yinzhu having to face Kangxi's unpredictable checks at all times made him feel that Yinzhu was in a terrible situation.
"Big brother is right..."
After listening to the eldest prince's speech, Yinzhi and Yinzhen exchanged a glance and then sighed helplessly. It was true that the sixth brother was miserable, and it was also true that the eldest brother was foolish.
It's no wonder people think this way. Kangxi's sudden move seemed too purposeful to others. Yinzhuo was only six years old. Although Kangxi liked him before, he didn't seem to care much for this son. Now, he had only been in the Imperial Study for a day when he was taken to the Qianqing Palace for personal instruction. Who would believe it wasn't intentional? Even Yinreng's first reaction after learning about this was exactly the same as his brothers'. He even felt a little guilty towards Yinzhuo for no reason.
Yinzhuo, who was being pitied by everyone, was unaware of what they were thinking. Determined to outdo everyone, he had already started to do so under Kangxi's guidance. As the saying goes, "reviewing the old helps one understand the new," as soon as he arrived at the Qianqing Palace, he first recited the Three Character Classic from beginning to end for Kangxi, then wrote down the large characters he had learned yesterday and today from memory, and finally practiced calligraphy under Kangxi's guidance.
Yinzhuo had practiced calligraphy in his previous life. While he might not have been exceptionally good at it, he was certainly far superior to the youngest child who had just started learning calligraphy. Moreover, he had always had a good memory, and his ability to get into a prestigious university like a 985 university meant that his comprehension and understanding were undoubtedly excellent. Kangxi was soon pleasantly surprised to discover that his youngest son seemed to be even smarter than he had imagined.
In fact, Kangxi did not think what Yinzhuo and the others thought. At first, he only summoned Yinzhuo to the Qianqing Palace out of curiosity after hearing Fahai talk about how intelligent he was. After testing him, he found that the boy was indeed very intelligent, and thus he felt a pang of regret for his talent. He did not expect that the boy with such talent would end up like Zhong Yong, so he thought of keeping him by his side to supervise him. In fact, after sending him away yesterday, he regretted his previous actions.
As an emperor, no one understood better than Kangxi the series of chain reactions his actions could trigger. However, once the words were spoken, a gentleman's word was as good as his bond. Moreover, as the emperor, his words were, in a sense, imperial edicts. He thought that rather than keeping everyone guessing, it would be better to let everyone know openly. That's why everyone in the palace knew that he was going to keep Yinzhuo by his side for instruction.
Everyone loves a bright child, and Kangxi found some joy in being a teacher. So, he taught without reservation, and the other learned without hiding his shortcomings. In addition, Yinzhu had some prior experience in calligraphy, and in just over ten days, Yinzhu's handwriting became quite decent.
"Good, you've mastered the technique. Now you need to practice more diligently over a long period of time. I checked your homework these past few days and found that you've also done well in your studies. If you continue to study slowly with Yinqi and the others, it will only delay your progress. So starting tomorrow, you will be in the same class as your third and fourth brothers. As for the parts you've fallen behind on, I will find you a tutor to catch up..."
Yinzhuo naturally had no objection to Kangxi's arrangement. He had been worried that he wouldn't have time to get along well with his fourth brother since they weren't studying together. But now, his wish had come true. Now that they were studying together, he could use the excuse of studying to ask his fourth brother for help.
Yinzhuo knew very well that being a younger brother who caused his older brother worry had many advantages. Firstly, it would make Yinzhen feel that Yinzhuo, as his younger brother, needed him. Secondly, it would unconsciously cultivate his sense of responsibility towards Yinzhuo. When he took it upon himself to take care of Yinzhuo, then when he made choices, Yinzhuo would no longer be the one he would abandon after weighing the pros and cons. Therefore, showing weakness was a rare kind of wisdom, and at this moment, Yinzhuo felt extremely wise.
The next day, six-year-old Yinzhuo left kindergarten and went straight to primary school, becoming classmates with eight-year-old Yinzhen and nine-year-old Yinzhi. Fahai also officially became his personal tutor.
"Good morning, Third Brother, Fourth Brother."
After these few days of intense study, Yinzhuo had fully adapted to the study pace of the Imperial Study, which was comparable to a senior high school cram school. Although he was still groggy when he woke up each day, he was fully awake by the time he sat down in the classroom.
Good morning, Sixth Brother.
Seeing their poor little brother, both Yinzhi and Yinzhen showed extraordinary kindness. After all, in their eyes, Yinzuo was suffering for them to some extent. If their father was determined to set up a target, then the candidate would definitely be one of them. Previously, they all thought that their eldest brother was the one chosen by their father to be the whetstone for the crown prince. Now it seems that they were wrong. Or perhaps their father also found that their eldest brother was too stupid and had no choice but to choose someone else. And the sixth brother was the new unlucky one.
"If you have any questions about your studies in the future, Sixth Brother, don't hesitate to ask your Third Brother. He will definitely help you."
Yinzhuo's current persona is that of an obedient and sensible younger brother, so he naturally nodded obediently upon hearing the Third Prince's words.
"Thank you, Third Brother. I'll have to rely on you for help from now on."
After thanking Yinzhi, Yinzu walked to Yinzhen's side and pitifully reached out to tug at his sleeve.
"Fourth Brother, you absolutely have to help me from now on, or I'm really doomed..."
Faced with his pitiful younger brother tugging at his sleeve for help, Yinzhen felt that his younger brother looked just like his own Laifu. Although he didn't show it on his face, his heart softened instantly.
"Don't talk nonsense about death. If you don't understand something in the future, just come to me. You're not allowed to say things like that again, understand?"
Having achieved his goal, Yinzhuo immediately transformed into the embodiment of good fortune, nodding his head rapidly.
"I understand, Fourth Brother. I promise I won't say that again."
Although Yinzhen didn't believe that he could refrain from talking nonsense in the future, he didn't say anything at the moment. He pulled him to the seat between himself and Yinzhi and made him sit down. He took his book and placed it in front of him, then read the knowledge he had learned yesterday to him word by word.