Chapter 8: Accompanying the Crown Prince in His Studies

After the court dispersed, the Emperor made no changes to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's appointment, keeping him as the Crown Prince's study companion.

Although the Emperor was somewhat displeased with his blunt personality, amidst the congratulations of the entire court of civil and military officials, he could only swallow his bitterness in silence and reluctantly accept it.

Three days later, before dawn, Jiang Jiang Mingyu donned his court robes and entered the palace by imperial decree.

Today was his first day serving as a study companion, accompanying the Crown Prince in his studies.

Due to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's frank and direct speech during the inquiry trial in the Taihe Hall, his fame had already spread far and wide!

Not only was he known to every official in the court, but even within the palace, there was no one who did not know him; all sorts of rumors about him had been vividly circulated into every nook and cranny of the palace.

However, within the palace, the mainstream opinion regarding Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained rather negative; this was easy to discern from the attitude of the eunuchs, who were constantly trying to make things difficult for him.

This was actually easy to understand; a person who dared to contradict the Emperor in front of the entire court of civil and military officials would certainly not receive favorable treatment from the eunuchs!

Yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu himself remained unaware, while Steward Zhang, following closely beside him, quickly noticed that the atmosphere was off; for the courtesies due to a new top scholar, such as lighting the way with lanterns, serving water, and offering tea, had almost entirely been omitted!

It was fortunate that Steward Zhang was by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side; having formerly served as a Vice Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, he was more familiar with palace protocols.

Had Steward Zhang not prepared in advance and used silver notes to grease the wheels all along, given Jiang Jiang Mingyu's personality combined with the eunuchs' petty spite, it was estimated that even by sunrise, Jiang Jiang Mingyu still would not have been able to enter the palace gates!

Accompanied by Steward Zhang, the two smoothly arrived at the place where the Crown Prince studied—the Zha Wenhua Hall.

Inside the lecture hall of Zha Wenhua Hall, a large podium stood on a two-tiered platform in the center of the hall; below the platform were two writing desks, placed side by side.

From this arrangement, it was immediately clear that in this hall, only the Crown Prince and the study companion would receive instruction together.

According to protocol, the study companion had to arrive earlier than the Crown Prince; at this moment in Zha Wenhua Hall, apart from Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Steward Zhang, only the palace eunuchs remained.

The eunuchs were busy arranging the interior of the hall.

The Shangshan Shangshan Jian, the podium, the palace lanterns, and the armchairs were all positioned one by one; nearby, another team of eunuchs was preparing the Four Treasures of the Study and various classics, histories, philosophical works, and literature.

"Oh... look who has arrived, isn't this Lord Zhang?"

Holding a horsetail whisk, Eunuch Ming greeted him with a strange, sarcastic tone.

"Eunuch, you overpraise me! I am now merely a commoner and dare no longer be addressed as 'my lord'."

Steward Zhang, being sensible, modestly replied.

Eunuch Ming said, "Oh my, who does not know that although Lord Zhang was dismissed from office, he remains a guest advisor in the mansion of Grand Secretary Weng; calling you 'my lord' is not excessive."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Steward Zhang, who had some acquaintance with Eunuch Ming, did not beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "The top scholar is new to the official world; I hope, Eunuch, that you will... offer much guidance."

While speaking, he fished a silver note from his sleeve and quietly slipped it into Eunuch Ming's palm!

"Oh my, you... look at what you are saying!"

Eunuch Ming skillfully accepted the silver note and smoothly tucked it into his waist pouch.

Then he continued, "What kind of relationship is there between us that requires such words! But tell me... what is your relationship with the top scholar that you care so much?"

"I am ashamed to say!"

Steward Zhang smiled and said shyly, "I... am currently the top scholar's private advisor!"

"A private advisor!"

After a moment of sudden realization, Eunuch Ming said, "Then it is no surprise. Hahaha... I suppose this is Grand Secretary Weng's arrangement."

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhang smiled but said nothing.

Shortly after, having instructed Jiang Jiang Mingyu on the rules and taboos of being a study companion and slightly tidying the writing desk and classics, he withdrew from the lecture hall with Eunuch Ming to wait outside.

According to protocol, to avoid disturbing the progress of the lesson, unrelated persons must stay away during instruction; unless summoned, no one was allowed to enter until the lesson concluded.

At three ke past the hour of Mao, the Crown Prince, accompanied by his attending eunuch, also arrived at the lecture hall of Zha Wenhua Hall.

Today the Crown Prince was not wearing formal court robes, but rather a white robe embroidered with golden coiled pythons.

This robe was white throughout, embroidered with layers of golden coiled pythons that were so vivid and lifelike they seemed both real and illusory; upon the bright white garment shimmered a brilliant Jin Guang, making it exceedingly beautiful.

On his head, he wore a Seven-Star Coiled Dragon Gold Hairpin Crown, atop which stood a red velvet ball that drew the eye.

This gold hairpin crown was adorned with seven golden stars, symbolizing the supremacy of imperial power.

The coiled dragons curled and twisted around it, revealing an aura of majesty.

The red velvet ball on top further marked the Crown Prince's royal status, hanging high like a blooming lacquer flower.

The Crown Prince's features were as if painted, his temperament extraordinary, making people dare not look directly at him.

With his every step, the Crown Prince's casual robes flashed with Jin Guang as he moved, attracting the gaze of everyone present.

His appearance seemed to inject light into the crowd, filling people with awe and admiration; this attire was undoubtedly the best interpretation of the Crown Prince's noble status and royal bloodline.

"Your humble servant Jiang Jiang Mingyu, also known as Jiang Jiang Xingqiu, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince." Seeing the Crown Prince arrive, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately rose and bowed according to ritual.

After the inquiry trial in the Taihe Hall, the Crown Prince had gained a preliminary understanding of Jiang Jiang Mingyu and felt great admiration for his daring to go against the Emperor's wrath!

"Lord Jiang, please rise..." The Crown Prince politely helped Jiang Jiang Mingyu up and added, "From your accent, you do not seem to be from the north..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied, "Yes, your humble servant is from Dongzhou, Nanping."

"Nanping... that is very far!" The Crown Prince then asked, "Is your family well?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu answered, "Replying to Your Highness, my family relocated to Jingcheng at the end of last month and has been properly settled."

"That is very good." The Crown Prince then asked, "Lord Jiang, how old are you this year?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied, "Twenty-seven."

"Eh... then you are three years older than me!" After examining Jiang Jiang Mingyu carefully once more, the Crown Prince commented, "No wonder Top Scholar Jiang is young and accomplished! He possesses a dignified appearance and the beauty of a talented youth."

"Your Highness overpraises me; your humble servant is merely a scholar," Jiang Jiang Mingyu modestly replied.

The Crown Prince said, "What harm is there in being a scholar? Those who become generals abroad and ministers at home, managing the world and benefiting the people, can only be men of letters; half of our Great Feng Dynasty's realm is upheld by scholars, and you are all the pillars of the nation."

In the court, not only did officials strive desperately to curry favor with the Emperor or the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince himself was also eager to befriend officials so that upon inheriting the throne in the future, he would have a group of his own followers at his disposal.

When the Crown Prince first met Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he was already impressed by his boldness in speaking frankly without hesitation; now meeting him again, his curiosity was even greater.

After several exchanges, they discovered that not only were they similar in age, but they also spoke compatibly and shared the same ideals, causing their mutual affection to surge rapidly!

Not long after, the teacher entered the hall; according to Steward Zhang's prior introduction, today's first lecturer was Ye Zonglin, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, also known as Lord Ye.

Lord Ye entered the hall wearing a bright crimson robe, with a two-foot-long black beard hanging straight down to his chest; his demeanor was elegant and his bearing dignified, the very image of a Confucian model.

After exchanging bows with the Crown Prince, he immediately walked onto the podium, opened a book, and began the lesson. Today's topic was: The Middle Way.

Regarding the Middle Way, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had heard the private school Mr. speak of it back in his hometown in the Eastern Prefecture; hearing Lord Ye review it today made it seem even more exquisite.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu listened with great interest, but the Crown Prince beside him was dozing off!

Several times, Lord Ye, having no other choice, actually stepped down from the podium himself, approached the Crown Prince, and called him to wake up with his high-pitched voice.

The first few times worked, but half a shichen later, the Crown Prince could not be roused! Lord Ye had to take a ruler and tap the desk to wake the Crown Prince!

Although Jiang Jiang Mingyu could bear to listen at the start, as time passed, even he gradually felt tired!

It must be said that Lord Ye's tone while teaching was like white noise, quickly inducing sleepiness; he was practically a hypnotism expert!

This made Jiang Jiang Mingyu admire the previous Imperial Reader even more!

He thought: What kind of iron man could endure three years without falling under such hypnotic teaching!

To be honest, if Jiang Jiang Mingyu had to listen to this kind of class, he would rather play chess and chat with the Crown Prince; at least that would yield some gain.

Had it not been for the Emperor's order, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would surely have fallen asleep too.

Turning to look at the Crown Prince again, seeing the Crown Prince's unguarded sleeping posture, Jiang Jiang Mingyu instantly felt a trace of pity for him!

As the heir apparent to the throne, listening to lectures for five shichen every day, such intense study is indeed quite tormenting!

As for the effect of Lord Ye's education of the Crown Prince, it is truly doubtful.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu estimated that if three years passed like this, he and the Crown Prince's cultural level would likely become a joke in the palace.

Lord Ye was the first lecture of today's course.

One shichen later, Prime Minister He entered the hall for the second lecture, another shichen passed; then came Prime Minister Mei and Prime Minister Tu.

The final lecture was by the Minister of Works, "Lu Lu Tanwei," Lord Lu.

Until the beginning of You hour in the Shen period, only then did the Crown Prince and Jiang Jiang Mingyu manage to endure this day and welcome the end of class.

Having completed the first day of serving as Imperial Reader, Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed inwardly: This job of Crown Prince Imperial Reader is not easy!