20demayo Chapter 9: An Unexpected Joy from the Sixth Prince
Chapter 9: An Unexpected Joy from the Sixth Prince
Getting the grumpy Yinzhuo out of bed was never an easy task. Although he was sleeping in a palanquin rather than a bed at the moment, it still took Dexi quite a bit of effort to finally wake this ancestor up.
“Young master, servants cannot go into the study to serve you, as it is a very important place. You have just entered the Imperial Study and your study companion has not yet been chosen. From now on, you will have to rely on yourself.”
Compared to Dexi, who was filled with worry and anxiety, Yinzhuo, who was still half asleep, seemed perfectly fine. He was in a daze, his mind filled with nothing but sleepiness, and he had no time to worry about anything else. Besides, he was already at the entrance of the Imperial Study. Could he possibly run away if he didn't go in?
"Dexi, don't worry. Just wait outside. If anything happens, I'll send someone to find you."
When Yinzhuo staggered into the study with drowsy eyes, all the seats except his were occupied. Everyone looked up and turned to look at him. Yinti, as the eldest brother, stood up first to welcome him on behalf of his brothers.
"Eldest brother, third brother, fourth brother, fifth brother, seventh brother..."
Yinzhuo obediently greeted his brothers one by one in order. When he saw Yinzhen looking over, he even raised his hand and waved to him. Then, carrying the small bag that Dexi had prepared for him, he walked to the empty seat behind the Fifth Prince Yinqi and sat down. Ignoring the reactions of others, he stared blankly and waited for the arrival of his teacher.
Although the princes studied together, they were separated when it came to formal classes. After all, there was an age gap between them, and their learning progress was naturally different due to their different enrollment times. For example, the eldest prince, Yinti, had his own teacher in a separate room, while the third and fourth princes, being of similar age, shared the same teacher. As for the fifth prince, Yinqi, the sixth prince, Yinzuo, and the seventh prince, Yinyou, they all entered the Imperial Study this year and were naturally grouped together.
"Sixth brother, wake up, it's almost dawn, we need to go to class next door."
When Yinzhu was woken up by Yinqi, he was a little dazed. He looked up and around before realizing that this was not the South Third Palace but the Imperial Study.
"Thank you for the reminder, Fifth Brother. Then, Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother, let's go over now."
The three boys had just settled down in the next classroom when the teacher arrived. Yinzhuo looked up and was immediately amused. Although he wasn't particularly familiar with this person, he wasn't unfamiliar with him either. His name was Fahai. Of course, this Fahai was not the Fahai from the Legend of the White Snake who didn't understand love. Instead, he was the second son of Tong Guogang, Kangxi's maternal uncle, and Kangxi's cousin. According to seniority, the princes had to call him cousin.
"The student has met the gentleman."
Contrary to what is said online, Qing Dynasty princes' teachers did not need to kneel to teach them. In reality, the princes, as students, would bow to their teachers, who would simply return the gesture with folded hands.
There were only three people in the classroom. Fahai naturally saw the new student Yinzhuo, who had just arrived at the study today, as soon as he entered. Seeing the well-behaved little boy bowing and greeting him along with his older and younger brothers, Fahai nodded in satisfaction and then returned the greeting with his hands clasped.
“No need for such formalities, young princes.”
Yinqi, Yinzuo, and Yinyou all entered the Imperial Study this year. Yinzuo arrived more than half a month later than the other two due to his injury, but their learning progress was basically the same. They simply read the Three Character Classic with their teacher, and then the teacher taught a few people to recognize characters. After that, they practiced tracing characters with calligraphy templates.
"Dexi, after just one day, I feel completely drained. The thought of having to study like this year-round for who knows how many years makes my heart sink..."
Yinzhu spent most of the morning sitting still practicing calligraphy. Not only did his wrists ache, but he also felt lightheaded. The thought of having to live like this from now on made him feel like everything was going to be dark, and that his future was bleak.
“Young master, all the princes in the palace go through this. This is your first day of school, so you may not be used to it yet. But once you get used to this kind of life, you won’t find it hard.”
Although Dexi's words were meant to comfort him, they were like adding fuel to the fire for Yinzhuo, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Sigh, you can't get used to something, when will this ever end?"
While Yinzhu sighed and lamented his future, Fahai was summoned by Kangxi as soon as he finished school. Fahai not only taught Yinzhu and his three junior students, but also oversaw the Manchu language lessons for Yinzhi and Yinzhen, so he was used to Kangxi's periodic summons.
At first, everything followed the usual practice. Kangxi first inquired about the learning progress and classroom performance of his two eldest sons, and then asked the same questions about his two younger sons who had just entered the school. Of course, he did not neglect Yinzhuo, who had just entered the study today, and he did not neglect him either, so as to give equal attention to all his sons.
"Fahai, today is Yinzhuo's first day studying in the study. How did he do?"
"Your Majesty, although the Sixth Prince only started school today, I have observed that he is quite intelligent and has a very strong learning ability. In class today, I led the three princes in reciting the Three Character Classic, and after only two recitations, the Sixth Prince seemed to have memorized it. When he was practicing calligraphy, I watched him closely and found that he also seems to have a great talent for calligraphy..."
Kangxi had only asked a routine question, but he was surprised by the unexpected surprise and became interested. So, as soon as Fahai left, he immediately ordered Liang Jiugong to send someone to the Southern Third Palace to invite Yinzhuo over.
"Eunuch Wan, do you know why Father Khan summoned me to the Qianqing Palace?"
As a servant in the Qianqing Palace, Wan Quan might not be better than others in other aspects, but he was definitely better at keeping his mouth shut than anyone else in the palace. Naturally, Yinzhuo could not get anything out of him.
On the way from the South Third Palace to the Qianqing Palace, Yinzhuo was filled with apprehension. After all, he had seen that when the students left school, Mr. Fahai had followed this eunuch Wanquan. It had only been a short while before his father called him over. Could it be that he had not performed well in class today and that the teacher had complained about him?
He arrived at the entrance of Qianqing Palace with trepidation. This time, unlike last time, he wasn't made to stand at the entrance as punishment. After Wan Quan went in to report, he quickly came out and led him to the small hall where they had been last time.
"Yinzu greets Father, may Father be well."
Emperor Kangxi already liked his son Yinzhuo quite a bit. Now, looking at his son bowing respectfully to him, and recalling Fahai's praise of him earlier, his expression became even more affectionate.
"Get up, Yinzhuo, come sit here with your father."
Looking at his father, Emperor Kangxi, with his kind expression, Yinzhuo's anxiety finally subsided somewhat. It seemed that his performance in class today was fine; it was probably his first day of school, and his father was worried and called him over to check on him.
"Did Father summon his son here today for some instructions?"
"It's nothing, it's just that it's your first day in the study, and your father is a little worried. He called you over to ask what the teacher taught in class today."