12dz Chapter 124 The Useless Prince's Power Seizure (2)
Chapter 124 The Useless Prince's Power Seizure (2)
Jingli observed silently the entire way from the palace to the study.
He had encountered some period drama scripts in the previous world, and with his previous experience in filming, plus the fact that this body was still young, the possibility of him being exposed was greatly reduced.
As Jingli stepped onto the stone path, she was secretly awestruck by the palace's extravagance.
Although it was in ancient times, every road in the palace was paved with large stone slabs, and its smoothness even surpassed that of some county towns in the last world.
It is now mid-spring, and the various kinds of trees and flowers, through horticultural design, give people a sense of tranquility in the mountains.
Not to mention the incense that permeates the entire palace, not only inside the palace itself, but the whole palace is filled with a faint fragrance, with wisps of smoke rising, yet it is not dazzling, like a fairyland.
Jingli had played a minor role as a perfumer in the previous world. He took a sniff and thought it smelled like money.
From this perspective, perhaps this is a golden age?
Before Jingli could think it through, he had already arrived at the Imperial Study.
The emperor currently has eight sons, the oldest being thirteen years old and the youngest still an infant. Five of the princes attend classes together.
Jingli is the most different among them.
His seat was the last row of the study, and on his table were prepared writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, as well as fruits and snacks. There was even a special box for storing some interesting little trinkets from the common people.
Other princes only had one study companion, but Jingli had two.
"Your Highness."
Upon seeing Jingli enter, the two companions stood up and bowed respectfully.
The two companions are eight and nine years old, respectively.
The eight-year-old was named Zeng Yuan, the son of a high-ranking official in the court. He was about the same height as Jing Li, chubby, and his appearance had not yet fully developed. He was very kind and cute.
The nine-year-old boy, named Yuan Lanying, appeared thin and weak, but was actually the second son of a great general. He had practiced martial arts since childhood and was much taller than Jingli and Zeng Yuan. He looked very reliable.
Jingli recalled the two names, and her heart skipped a beat.
Following the original owner's habits, he simply responded to their greetings, sat down as usual, and after the eunuch finished checking the things on the table, he casually put a piece of fruit into his mouth.
His eyes inadvertently swept over the two companions—would one of them be his lover?
Everyone took their seats, and today's lessons began.
Jingli knew from her memories that in this dynasty, princes had to take literature classes during the day. After the classes, the emperor would occasionally come to check their work, and then they would have breakfast together.
After breakfast, there was a martial arts lesson, mainly volley shooting and sword dancing. After the lesson, and after lunch, the princes could return to their palaces and arrange their own time as they pleased.
Compared to children in the last world, this arrangement is quite relaxed.
Jingli wiped her hands, didn't touch the fruit or snacks anymore, and sat quietly, listening to the teacher's lecture.
The writing system and culture of this dynasty are different from those of the previous world. Now that he is still young and has readily available teachers, he naturally needs to study hard and adapt quickly so that he can explore more in this world.
Zeng Yuan, who was standing next to her, opened the box that was used to store trinkets and handed it to Jing Li.
"Your Highness, this is a clay figurine that my father specially hired from outside. It was made by a craftsman based on the sketchbook that Your Highness liked the most recently. It has..."
Jingli lightly touched her lips with her index finger, signaling Zeng Yuan to lower her voice.
Zeng Yuan was taken aback and put the box aside: "Does Your Highness not like it? There are some other things here..."
Jingli shook her head and said to Zeng Yuan, "Attend the lecture."
A puzzled expression appeared on Zeng Yuan's face. She put the box away with a somewhat aggrieved look.
On the other side, a perfectly cut piece of pastry was placed in Jingli's mouth.
Jingli turned her head and saw that Yuan Lanying had not only brought over pastries, but also prepared tea. Once Jingli finished eating, the tea would be served.
Jingli frowned slightly. This wasn't school at all! This was more like a place to relax and enjoy herself.
He reached out and pushed away the pastries Yuan Lanying offered, and said in a deep voice, "Listen to the lesson."
Yuan Lanying took back the pastries and asked softly, "Your Highness, are the pastries not to your liking today?"
Jingli shook her head, ignoring him, and used an efficiency-doubling card from the system to start studying seriously.
Zeng Yuan and Yuan Lanying exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion on each other's faces.
Why has this spoiled third prince suddenly changed his ways today?
Jingli was completely focused, and the morning class ended quickly.
Regardless of whether the emperor tests them today, the princes still have to go to Jingxinzhai according to procedure.
I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but the emperor is actually here today.
In the Jingxinzhai, a man in a yellow robe sat in the center, flanked by palace servants standing in a row. It was an extremely solemn scene, but the colorful little bird in the man's hand added a touch of comicality.
After the princes finished their greetings, the emperor, holding the bird, stood up. He didn't mention checking their studies, but instead said with great interest:
"Come, come, today, whoever among you can make this bird speak, I will bestow this bird upon him."
[6058: Need I say more?]
Hearing the voice in the system, Jingli looked up in surprise and saw the bird proudly shaking its head, the feathers on its head swaying slightly and shimmering beautifully in the sunlight streaming in.
[6058: Little Fish, hold on! Let them see what the chosen ones are like!]
Having confirmed that the beautiful little bird was indeed 6058, Jingli smiled gently, feeling a sense of confidence in this unfamiliar world!
The princes stepped forward one by one, some trying to teach him to speak, others trying to provoke or frighten him. The youngest, the sixth prince, even began to chirp and imitate the calls of birds, trying to evoke the birds' sense of belonging to their kind.
In response, 6058 stated:
I feel like I'm the emperor. [Crowning.jpg]
Several princes took turns trying to take their turn, but the little bird seemed a bit annoyed. It turned its head away and simply stopped looking at them.
Jingli kept 6058's instructions firmly in mind, keeping it to the very end, unmoved.
Seeing that his princes had tried everything to get the bird to speak, the emperor turned his gaze to the scenery behind him:
"Why are you so downcast today? Do you not like this bird?"
Jingli stepped forward and shook her head: "It's not that I dislike this little bird, but today the teacher taught me about courtesy and deference. Since my brothers all like this little bird, I'll let them try it first."
The emperor chuckled: "Very good, very good."
Jingli didn't look the emperor directly in the eye, but she could still sense that the emperor's praise was not sincere.
"Let's try it there too, and see if this little beast will follow you."
Jingli frowned almost imperceptibly; he disliked the emperor's way of referring to 6058.
The palace maid brought the little bird to Jingli, who reached out and gently stroked the bird's fluffy head.
[Jingli: Mommy, he's talking nonsense, he's so annoying.]
[6058: Never mind him, we'll usurp his throne, seize his empire, and lock him up in jail to learn how to squawk like a bird!]
Jingli squinted.
He withdrew his hand.
Just when everyone thought Jingli had given up, the little bird dropped its previous contemptuous attitude, tilted its head slightly, opened its small beak, and uttered two words:
"Very good!"