Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 665 Changed His Temperament

Xiao Yan watched Qing Wan's graceful figure disappear into the distance, her eyes rippled with emotion.

That last sentence truly touched the depths of her heart.

The servants around him didn't dare to breathe, feeling a sense of oppression.

After a while, Xiao Yan finally stepped back into the palace.

At this time, it was already evening.

The school in the palace had already let out for the day, and Zerui and Zeyu were having a great time playing with a group of children.

Upon seeing their mother arrive, the two little ones immediately stopped playing and ran to Xiao Yan's side to greet her.

Xiao Yan stroked Ze Rui's little head and asked, "What did you learn in class today?"

Upon hearing this, Zerui excitedly exclaimed, "I learned a lot!"

Zerui, beaming with excitement, shared many of the new things he had learned.

This was the first time Xiao Yan had ever seen Ze Rui talk about studying with such joy.

The main reason for this is the different teaching methods here, and the opportunity to learn and play with a group of children of the same age, along with all sorts of novel experiences, greatly enhances the two little ones' enthusiasm for learning.

In the past, the two little ones were either facing a strict mother or rigid teachers, so how could they find joy in learning?

Zerui chattered on and on, pulling out a small notebook. "Today I answered a few questions in class, and the teacher even gave me little red flowers as a reward! None of my classmates got as many as I did today! A little red flower means I can get an extra egg at the cafeteria..."

"It's past lunchtime today. I'll invite Mom to eat at the cafeteria first thing tomorrow morning..."

Xiao Yan watched as Ze Rui happily displayed a few ordinary little paper flowers, her expression complex and unreadable.

She used to urge her two little ones to study and give them so many rewards, but it seems that these little red flowers are not as good as the rewards she gives them?

Xiao Yan raised her hand and gently rubbed Ze Rui's little head, saying softly, "Alright. You've had enough fun, it's time to go and rest."

Zerui was still a little reluctant to leave, so he said, "Then I'll go and talk to them."

After getting Xiao Yan's permission, Ze Rui ran to say goodbye to a group of playmates, saying that he would play with them again tomorrow.

One of the children even reminded Zerui to finish his homework.

Zerui slapped his forehead, realizing he had almost forgotten about it.

Then, Zerui, holding his younger sister's hand, followed Xiao Yan away.

As Xiao Yan walked, she asked, "No one bullied you, right?"

Although she thought such a thing was unlikely, the school had all kinds of children, so she couldn't help but ask.

Ze Rui shook his head and said, "No, the gentlemen are very strict. They forbid insults and fights, and there will be punishments."

Zerui paused, then whispered, "Mommy, can we not wear this to school tomorrow...?"

Zerui wasn't completely clueless. Although no one was bullying them, some of the children looked at them strangely, and he roughly understood what was going on.

Those people looked down on him...

Ironically, Zerei had never encountered anything like this before.

As the eldest son of the King of Bai Ze, no one dared to look down on him.

But after asking Di Renyuan and other children he knew in the Di tribe, he vaguely understood what was going on.

Xiao Yan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "What's wrong?"

Zere hesitated before saying, "I don't want them to think I'm different from them..."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but glance sideways. How could her child have changed gender in such a short time? She couldn't see any magic being cast on Ze Rui.

Ze Rui said softly, "Di Renyuan said that royalty and nobles are just bloodsuckers. They can get a lot of money without doing anything. They get all that money by exploiting the people. It's all unearned income..." Xiao Yan couldn't help but say, "Don't listen to children's nonsense."

Zerui pursed his lips and said softly, "I think that's what they all think. Mother, there's no king here, but even children from poor families can read and write and live well... Many of my classmates are orphans, and I heard their families were harmed by powerful people..."

Xiao Yan quickly interrupted, "Alright, stop talking! You're still children. Some things aren't as simple as you think. You'll truly understand when you grow up."

Xiao Yan suddenly felt a pang of regret, regretting letting her two children attend those classes—what kind of lessons were they teaching?

Seeing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Ze Rui was too frightened to speak.

However, he always felt that those people were right.

Moreover, in the past, when their mother educated them, she would slowly explain various reasons, not in such a way...

After a while, Xiao Yan's expression softened, and she said softly, "You are different from them. You will be the ruler of Bai Ze Kingdom in the future, a monarch of a country. You are not an ordinary person like them. Do you want to become like them?"

Zerui thought to himself, "Grandpa Diming used to be a king, but he became a schoolteacher."

Is he really that different from ordinary people? I'm starting to have some doubts now.

Besides, his father is still alive and well, and who knows when he will be able to take that position.

For some reason, Zerek didn't seem to crave that position as much anymore.

Upon careful consideration, Zerei realized that his desire to become king was entirely due to his mother's teachings, and it didn't seem to be his own wish.

Sometimes, when studying and practicing were too tiring, he even had thoughts of giving up.

However, he dared not show it to his strict parents.

Of course, he wouldn't dare now...

Seeing the change in Ze Rui's expression, Xiao Yan sighed inwardly, knowing that Ze Rui was overthinking things.

She couldn't help but change the subject, asking, "Go back and finish the homework the teacher assigned. What kind of homework is it?"

Zerui whispered, "We have to copy poems and write our thoughts. These are poems we haven't learned before."

Xiao Yan asked, "Oh, you've learned new poems? Recite them for your mother?"

Zerui thought for a moment, then began to recite: "Sow a single grain of millet in spring, reap ten thousand grains in autumn. There is no idle land under heaven, yet farmers still starve to death."

Xiao Yan: ...

Zerui paused, then continued, "And another thing. Farmers have few idle months; May is a busy time. Last night, the south wind rose, and the wheat..."

Zerui paused, then pulled out a book. "Oh dear, this one is a bit long, I can't remember it all. I'll read it to Mother!"

Zerui started muttering to himself, shaking his head and speaking with great emotion.

"...What merit have I now possessed, having never engaged in farming? I receive a salary of three hundred bushels of grain, with surplus at year's end. Thinking of this, I feel ashamed, and cannot forget it all day long!"

"Hmm, and this one too..."

"Alright, stop reading!"

They're really getting into it...

Xiao Yan's expression stiffened slightly. Who taught her these poems? Was it intentional?

She couldn't help but suspect that someone had deliberately arranged such a course.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have let the two little ones listen in.

Not far away, atop a pavilion, Di Ming watched the sunset, stroking his beard and muttering, "Lu Zheng is right, education really must start from childhood!" (End of Chapter)