Chapter 34: The small kitchen can be opened

No one told him what he needed to pay for those things he did; he thought there was no cost, but now he knows—these are all things others have paid for him.

"Young Master, it's good to have a bite." Shunzi still wanted to advise him.

"Go ahead." Ning Hanmo didn't speak and even waved his hand; now his every word and deed are quite different from before, as if…

Has he become a different person?

That's not right either; the Young Master is just beginning to understand things a little.

Shunzi sighed, walked out of the room, and left this quiet space for the Young Master who was trying hard to think.

"Young Master…… what's wrong?" Xiao Dengzi found it strange.

Xiao Dengzi handled the affairs inside the Ink Brush Pavilion, while Shunzi only needed to attend to the Young Master's matters; their duties were different, so he wasn't by the Young Master's side and naturally didn't know why the Young Master acted this way.

"Maybe he needs to work hard?" Shunzi replied.

The words "effort" and "struggle" were still what the Princess Consort said.

"Not eating?" Jiang Yun Chu chuckled. "Zi Su, the small kitchen of the Ink Brush Pavilion can be unlocked."

"Yes!" Zi Su also laughed happily.

Back then, they locked the small kitchen of the Ink Brush Pavilion because they feared this child would always hide from her, making it hard for her to reform him.

Another reason was that Ning Hanmo at that time didn't understand many things, and she couldn't conveniently learn his temperament, so she could only use the most foolish method—gradual probing.

"Can it be opened now?" Shunzi asked happily.

Jiang Yun Chu nodded. "The time has come."

Shunzi received the order, hurried back to the Ink Brush Pavilion, and said, "Young Master, the Princess Consort just issued an order—the small kitchen can be opened."

The Young Master now likes the food from the small kitchen, and he can also gather with other young masters.

Since the Princess Consort ordered the small kitchen locked, the Young Master has rarely brought other young masters back.

"What did you say?" Ning Hanmo was lost in thought; Shunzi's loud shout startled him, and he turned around asking.

Shunzi excitedly added, "The Princess Consort has issued an order—the small kitchen can be opened."

Unexpectedly…

Ning Hanmo furrowed his brow, showing no joy, only hesitation and doubt.

"How could it be opened?" He felt confused and puzzled.

Have things been fine lately? I never said I wanted the small kitchen—how could it suddenly be opened?

"Young Master, why aren't you happy?" Shunzi thought the Young Master would surely jump for joy, so why does he look unhappy now?

"Is she not letting me come eat anymore?" Ning Hanmo asked nervously.

Only then did Shunzi realize he had forgotten that matter.

His face suddenly turned pale, "Young Master, I'll go ask."

Just as Shunzi was about to turn around, Zi Su came over and said, "Reporting to the Young Master, the Princess Consort ordered that the small kitchen's lock has been opened."

From now on, the Young Master can entertain friends in the courtyard, and the small kitchen can also prepare his favorite foods.

However… if the Young Master wants to dine at the Rhyme Courtyard, he needs to give notice beforehand; the Princess Consort reminds him to avoid waste.

Ning Hanmo's eyes, which had been dazed just moments ago, suddenly focused.

Just a moment ago he realized, is Jiang Yun Chu no longer wanting him?

Now hearing Zi Su's words, no no no, this must be what Jiang Yun Chu said; nobody else could say such things.

It turns out she doesn't not want him.

"This Young Master understands." Ning Hanmo replied happily.

Zi Su gave a faint smile and added, "The Princess Consort says, don't forget to reply to the Imperial Consort."

"Another reply?" Ning Hanmo stared wide-eyed, looking utterly hopeless.

"I can't write characters, I…"

The key is, Jiang Yun Chu doesn't allow anyone else to write for him; if he can't write, he can draw; if he can't draw, just let him improvise.

Is this human?

Could a person have done this?

Moreover, she insists, the heir of the Regent Prince's Manor cannot be an illiterate.

Even if an illiterate is chosen, he must have problem-solving ability!

Could a person say such things?

He wrote two letters, but they were like ghostly talismans—what he drew, not only others couldn't recognize, even he himself couldn't.

Moreover, he couldn't even recognize the characters in his grandmother's reply!

Later he still had to find an outside teacher to read the letter for him… otherwise he wouldn't know what it meant at all.

"Zi Su, tell Jiang Yun Chu I want to study and learn to write characters." Ning Hanmo realized something.

After today's conversation, he repeatedly pondered Jiang Yun Chu's words, and also gained some understanding of her nature.

Since she did this, she must have her intentions.

Her intention is nothing more than to have him learn to recognize and write characters.

In the past he would have resisted strongly, but facts prove he can't do anything; every step of the way has been paved by Jiang Yun Chu for him.

At the very least, he has now learned to think.

"Yes, I will certainly bring it." Zi Su couldn't help but smile faintly.

Rhyme Courtyard.

"Was it his own request?" Jiang Yun Chu set down the book in her hands; she had finished reading all the medical books in the Wang Fu, and now she mostly reads introductory texts.

Her educational philosophy is somewhat different, but the things of this era must be learned; keeping up with the times is very important.

One cannot, just because she is a modern person, fill children with more modern ideas; one may have them, but must discard what is not suited to the times.

Zi Su made a slight bow, "Replying to the Princess Consort, the Young Master himself requested it."

Jiang Yun Chu nodded, "Never mind other things, he has actually learned to think."

The earlier reply, scratching ears and cheeks, that truly was a reply; I never considered why I would ask for this.

It appears that, just this point, today's talk has been very beneficial for Ning Hanmo.

"The Young Master has become quite excellent," Zi Su said firmly.

Before, none of them understood—wasn't the Princess Consort supposed to discipline the Young Master?

But the Princess Consort always opposes the Young Master; they bicker, and the Princess Consort has never lost.

If the Young Master is late, he truly won't get breakfast.

But...

Time will prove everything; the Young Master has truly changed, becoming a master whom everyone can trust, becoming a courteous youth.

"Indeed quite excellent," Jiang Yun Chu nodded, "She taught the child herself—how could she not know?"

"Zi Su, introduce me to the major academies in Jingdu," the child said, "Studying naturally means going to an academy."

Rote studying won't do; we should let the child interact with peers, which benefits the child's physical and mental development.

She has never objected to Ning Hanmo's companions; even though those four kids seem rather dull, at the West Village horse race, those three Young Masters unhesitatingly stood by Ning Hanmo's side.

Just this point.

Jiang Yun Chu would not restrict him from making such friends.

Every child is different, and these children are still young; being a bit simple is fine.