Chapter 233: I Am a Man
The academic workload at the Imperial College was quite heavy, with classes only ending around mid-Shen hour (around 4 PM) each day.
During this time, Yun Chu would have the kitchen prepare Yu Ge'er's favorite snacks and set them out in the flower hall.
The little one would eat some snacks, play around with Changsheng, and soon it would be time for dinner.
However, Yun Chu noticed that the boy seemed somewhat unhappy today.
She asked softly, "What's wrong? Are the snacks not tasty?"
"They're delicious, very delicious." Chu Hongyu let out a long sigh. "Mother, am I very incompetent?"
"Why would you ask that?" She lifted him onto her lap. "In Mother's eyes, you are the most capable and wonderful child. You mustn't think like this anymore."
"But they all say I'm incompetent."
"Who are 'they'?"
Chu Hongyu said with a troubled expression, "Sixth Imperial Uncle, Seventh Imperial Uncle, and their group of followers always say I'm the worst student in the Imperial College."
Yun Chu frowned slightly.
From what she knew, some nobles would study in clan schools for three to five years before entering the Imperial College, typically starting around age eight.
But Yu Ge'er was not yet five years old and had only studied the "Three Character Classic," "Hundred Family Surnames," and "Thousand Character Classic," so naturally he couldn't keep up with the older children.
She said, "The oldest child in the Imperial College is your Sixth Imperial Uncle, who's almost fourteen and still studying the same things as a young child like you. Who do you think is really more incompetent?"
Chu Hongyu's eyes lit up.
Put that way, he really was quite impressive.
"The lessons at the Imperial College are difficult for you to understand now, but that's not your fault. How about this—let's pause your studies at the Imperial College for now, and Mother will hire a tutor to teach you for two years." Yun Chu patted his head. "At home, Changsheng can study with you too."
"Little sister's health is so weak; she shouldn't have to work hard studying these things. I'll protect her when I grow up." Chu Hongyu clenched his small fist. "Besides, since I've entered the Imperial College, I absolutely cannot give up halfway. I insist on studying there and surpassing Sixth Imperial Uncle and the others. Let's see if they dare mock me again."
Yun Chu saw the fierce competitive spirit burning in his eyes.
She knew that no matter what she said now, this boy would not give up on the Imperial College.
"Mother, we still need to hire a tutor." Chu Hongyu blinked his big eyes. "I'll study at the Imperial College during the day and have the tutor teach me in the evenings. I refuse to believe I can't catch up."
Yun Chu's eyes were full of disapproval.
Although Yu Ge'er's health was slightly better than Changsheng's, it was only marginally so. A premature child with congenital deficiencies is hard to nurture fully later on.
The most important thing for Yu Ge'er was to build up his health. Studying and learning shouldn't occupy all of a five-year-old's time.
"Yu Ge'er..."
Yun Chu had just started to speak.
Her mouth was covered by a small hand.
Chu Hongyu said seriously, "I am a man. To protect my sister and protect Mother, I must learn many, many things and make myself strong!"
Chu Changsheng ran over from the side and said in her soft, sweet voice, "I... me too, with brother... study, together."
Chu Hongyu held his sister's hand and said, "Changsheng, you should say it like this: 'I also want to study with brother.' That's a complete sentence.""I want to learn with brother too." Chu Changsheng repeated the sentence perfectly like a parrot learning to speak, then paused before continuing, "I, I'm also a real man."
Chu Hongyu burst out laughing: "You're no real man, you're a little sister who needs protection."
As they were speaking, they heard servants greeting someone. Yun Chu looked up and saw a tall figure standing by the gate arch.
The man was wearing official robes, the deep purple gown accentuating his imposing presence. Embroidered at his waist was the python-cloud pattern only permitted for imperial princes. Several tokens hung from his golden belt, the entire person exuding an authoritative aura that made the maids in the courtyard lower their heads and instinctively retreat a few steps.
"Miss Yun, I brought some snacks for you and the children."
Chu Yi raised his hand, holding a greasy paper package.
Yun Chu knew he had been interrogating the bandit king Yang Hedong. She hadn't expected him to buy snacks on his way back.
She stepped forward to meet him and took the package - it contained fried crispy pork, the latest popular snack in the capital that Ting Feng had mentioned recently.
She fed some to each of the two children. Their eyes lit up as they happily ate the treats.
Yun Chu only managed to taste one piece herself before the package was nearly empty.
"The flavor is really good," she couldn't help finishing the last piece, "though it's a bit too oily. The children shouldn't eat this too often."
"As long as you like it." Chu Yi felt inside his sleeve and pulled out a box. "See if you like this?"
Yun Chu instinctively thought it was some kind of food. When she opened it, she saw a gold and jade hairpin with butterflies winding around silk threads.
The butterflies were so lifelike they seemed to tremble, as if about to take flight.
This man had given her many things.
The short sword she carried with her every day was from him.
The matching red jade pendants she and the children wore were made from the raw jade he gifted.
There was a small mirror on her dressing table, given by him.
Unopened green crystal still sat in her room, also from him.
Just then, a small white dog came running to her feet - the snow wolf puppy, also given by him.
He had given her so, so many things.
Yun Chu picked up the puppy, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "Is there anything Your Highness lacks?"
Chu Yi's heart leaped with joy.
Truthfully, he had been coveting the sachets at the children's waists for a long time.
He also wanted a red jade pendant like the identical ones the two children and she wore.
And the dolls she had personally made for each of their son and daughter - if only he could have one too.
But one shouldn't be too greedy.
His eyes swept over the children's waists as he said, "Would making a sachet be too troublesome?"
Yun Chu followed his gaze. The sachets at the children's waists had quite exquisite patterns, but they weren't her handiwork - she wasn't skilled at needlework.
Ting Xue had sewn them, drawn the patterns, and embroidered the borders. Yun Chu had only added a few stitches herself, but the children loved them.
She stroked the snow wolf puppy's head. "Ting Xue has several more. I'll have her give you one."
Chu Yi: "..."
He coughed and said shamelessly, "One made by Miss Yun would probably be better."
Yun Chu looked up: "Your Highness, are you sure about that?"
Her needlework was truly something she couldn't show off.
Chu Yi nodded repeatedly: "I'd trouble Miss Yun then."
Yun Chu: "..."Alright, it's just a sachet. It can be made in a day, no trouble at all.
A smile appeared on Chu Yi's face.
The sharp edges of his features softened.
The bleak early winter breeze brushed past him, and he seemed to transform into just one of the most ordinary men in this world.
He stood there, gazing at the woman before him, watching the laughing children.
He thought to himself, life is truly worth living.
OpenNovel