AMLFS Chapter 125

Chapter 126: Going Home

TheBangzi sounded three times, and candlelight spilled from the windows of the Longxi Palace. In a little while, it would be Mao hour, time for the emperor to attend court and for the princes in the Imperial Palace to go to school.

Ever since they found a teacher for Song Huaixi, he hadn’t slept in a single day. Zhang Wenwen had always been strict, disliking lazy students. Even though Song Huaixi was the only one studying in the palace, he strictly followed the palace’s schedule to demand things of Song Huaixi.

Outside the screen, a group of servants quietly waited, holding the items needed for washing and grooming. The Empress often liked to sleep in and would only get up after the Emperor coaxed her.

Song Huaixi’s eyes were disturbed by the candlelight, his eyebrows twitched, and he turned over, wanting to sleep a little longer. The season was getting colder, and Song Huaixi was increasingly reluctant to part with his bedding.

Even though the palace had lit the charcoal fire early, Song Huaixi was still unwilling to get out of bed.

“Aren’t you getting up?”

Prince Zhao Fangye of the Ning district, dressed in a bright yellow single layer robe, sat by the bed, finding it amusing to watch him stubbornly bury his head in the bedding. His body wriggled a few times and then stopped, with even breathing coming from inside the bedding.

Reaching out, he gently pushed him a few times, but Song Huaixi’s body under the bedding didn’t move an inch.

“Then I’ll leave?” Zhao Fangye stood up, preparing to walk out, deliberately scaring him. “If you’re late, don’t expect me to plead with Master Zhang for you.”

Hearing this, Song Huaixi, still very sleepy under the covers, opened his eyes with a whoosh. He poked his head out of the covers and grabbed his sleeve. “Don’t go, let me sleep a little longer…”

“Just… a little longer…” As he spoke, he maintained his grip on Zhao Fangye, and his dull, round eyes closed again.

This scene played out almost every morning, and Zhao Fangye was used to it. He reached out and grabbed the clothes he was supposed to wear, dug him out of the bedding, and held him in his arms.

It wasn’t yet winter, and the room wasn’t cold with the charcoal fire lit. Zhao Fangye helped the sleepy and wobbly person sit up straight and carefully dressed him.

By the time he had almost finished dressing, Song Huaixi’s sleepiness had worn off. He collapsed into Zhao Fangye’s arms and mumbled groggily, “Zhao Fangye, I’m so sleepy. Can you ask the teacher for leave for me…”

“No.” Zhao Fangye held him with one hand, placed him on a low stool to the side, and ordered someone to wash and groom him. “Master Zhang doesn’t like lazy people. You’ve only just started learning, and you’re already slacking off?”

Song Huaixi hadn’t had much hope to begin with, so he obediently let Zhao Lu wash and groom him.

Zhao Fangye put on his court attire, ready to attend court, and after stepping out the door, he turned back. The morning breeze of the capital blew on his face, carrying a hint of chill.

Seeing Song Huaixi wearing only a round-necked brocade robe, he said to Chun Hua, “Add a small jacket for him outside and prepare some snacks for him to eat on the way.”

“Yes.”

After saying that, Zhao Fangye walked over and kissed Song Huaixi’s still-sleepy face. “I’ll pick you up after school. Listen carefully in class.”

“Okay.” Song Huaixi grinned. “I know. For lunch, I want fresh bamboo shoot and dried shrimp dumplings.”

“Greedy cat. Is there anything else you want?” Zhao Fangye curved his lips. “I’ll have everything prepared for you.”

After saying a few more things, Song Huaixi watched Zhao Fangye leave. After tidying up his things, it was time for him to go as well.

Walking out the door, the sky was still pitch black, with only the palace lanterns held by the palace servants emitting bright light. The morning breeze brushed past, and Song Huaixi couldn’t help but shrink his neck and take a deep breath. The morning air in his nostrils was very clear, and his drowsy head also became clear.

After passing through a long street, Song Huaixi arrived at the academy. This used to be the place where the princes in the Imperial Palace were taught, but now there was only Song Huaixi.

After arranging his textbooks, brush, ink, and paper, Song Huaixi saw that the teacher hadn’t arrived yet and consciously began to review the Thousand Character Classic taught yesterday.

Although getting up early every day was painful, as long as he got up, it wasn’t so painful. Song Huaixi found it very interesting to learn things with the teacher.

When Zhang Wenwen arrived, he saw Song Huaixi sitting in his seat, holding a book, reciting yesterday’s lesson.

“Heaven and earth are dark and yellow, the universe is vast…”

Slowly stroking his beard, Zhang Wenwen nodded repeatedly. Although this person was inherently deficient, he was honest, simple, down-to-earth, and serious. If he was taught well, he could achieve great things in the future.

It could be considered a blessing in disguise.

On the other side, Liang Xiuzhu had insomnia for half the night and only managed to fall asleep with difficulty late at night. His dreams were also restless, and the shadow of being tricked into Qi Meng Lou was too great. When he woke up from his sleep, it was already bright.

Liang Xiuzhu lifted the quilt and got out of bed, touching his forehead and finding it covered in sweat. He looked out the window again and saw that it was already late. In another two hours, it would be noon.

Sun Shu had said yesterday that he would come to find him today, so he didn’t dare to run around. He took the silver Sun Shu had given him, asked the servant to buy him some clothes, and ordered some food.

Song Huaixi had a poor foundation, equivalent to the knowledge of a several-year-old child. Zhang Wenwen started teaching him from the basics.

When Zhao Fangye arrived after court, Song Huaixi was holding a brush, learning to write some very simple characters stroke by stroke.

Zhao Fangye had taught him calligraphy before, so writing was not very difficult for him. However, he had only been imitating before, and after studying, he knew what a character meant and how to write it.

Zhang Wenwen stood beside him, pointing out things from time to time. Seeing Zhao Fangye arrive, he respectfully bowed.

“Teacher, there’s no need to be so polite.” Zhao Fangye quickly walked over to help Zhang Wenwen up. “My wife is dull-witted, and I hope the teacher will put in more effort.”

Standing up, Zhang Wenwen remained humble. “Your Majesty is too kind. The Consort is eager to learn and has not been troublesome.”

Seeing Zhao Fangye arrive, Song Huaixi was very happy. He was about to say something but remembered that he was still in class, so he turned his attention back to diligently finishing the characters that the teacher had left for him to write.

Each stroke was very upright, and it did have some semblance of form. There was still a while before the end of class, and Zhao Fangye was in no hurry, sitting aside and waiting for him.

With Zhao Fangye by his side, Song Huaixi was a little nervous. The teacher tested his recitation, and he stumbled a few times, but he still managed to recite it smoothly.

“Yes, not bad.” Zhang Wenwen assigned him the task of practicing calligraphy and then dismissed the class.

Song Huaixi usually didn’t have many classes in the afternoon and could move freely. Zhao Fangye didn’t want to cultivate aThe top scorer, so he didn’t put too much pressure on him.

The two walked side by side towards the direction of the bedroom. As they were walking, they saw Sun Shu walking towards the palace gate in a hurried manner.

“Vice General Sun?” Song Huaixi looked at his back curiously. “Where is he going?”

Zhao Fangye also felt puzzled and was confused by Sun Shu’s unusual behavior.

“Are you hungry? Let’s eat first.” Zhao Fangye didn’t answer, but took his hand and walked towards the bedroom.

Pushing open the door, as soon as Sun Shu entered the room, Liang Xiuzhu immediately got up from the stool, his eyes flashing with joy as if he had been waiting for a long time. “You’re here?”

“Yes.” The expectation in his eyes made his heart skip a beat, and Sun Shu replied faintly, “Pack your things, I’ll send you home first.”