Chu Yunyue stubbornly said, “It’s nothing.”
Tong Sui replied, “If you’re in a bad mood, speaking out helps; you don’t have to hold it in. It’s just the two of us here.”
After all, he was still a young person, and after holding back for a while, Chu Yunyue began to spill his frustrations like beans: “Today I was criticized by the Grand Tutor, you know? It’s really boring to stay in the Ministry of Personnel every day. I wish you could keep me company—”
“By the way,” Chu Yunyue’s eyes lit up, “how about you come study with me? I can teach you how to read!”
“I can’t; I don’t have the qualifications to study there.”
After these few days, Tong Sui gradually realized that he could only act within the confines of his status. If he went too far, someone could easily frame him with a charge that could lead to dire consequences.
The Ministry of Personnel was a place reserved for princes to learn.
Chu Yunyue contemplated for a moment, “Then you can be my little book attendant and grind ink for me; that way, it doesn’t count as studying.”
Tong Sui hesitated.
On one hand, he could not remain in the imperial garden forever doing menial work. However, if he got too close to Chu Yunyue, it would surely attract some people’s displeasure.
But Chu Yunyue did not give him a chance to think. “It’s decided! Tomorrow morning you will go to the Ministry of Personnel with me.”
Early the next morning,
Chu Yunyue arrived quite early and even brought a light blue outfit for a little book attendant for Tong Sui to change into.
When he put it on, Chu Yunyue’s eyes brightened.
“It looks great! Who would dare call you a little fool now?” Chu Yunyue circled around him, clearly satisfied, “Let’s go; I’ll take you to study.”
Tong Sui followed behind him as they made their way to the Ministry of Personnel.
Since it was still early, the teachers responsible for teaching had not yet arrived, and the princes were gathered together chattering and playing.
When Chu Yunyue entered, they all sat straight back in their places, but seeing Tong Sui following him, they couldn’t keep up their formal postures.
“Isn’t that the little fool?”
“He looks pretty good in that outfit, but why did Brother Yu bring him here?”
“You’re stupid! Of course, we’re going to study together.”
“No, you’re stupid! He’s not a real prince; how can he study with us? Plus, he’s wearing a servant’s outfit!”
Tong Sui caught their debate and glanced over.
The dispute had started with two chubby boys about his age, and when they noticed him looking, they flushed red. One of them angrily said, “Hey! What are you looking at? Am I wrong?”
Tong Sui replied, “Neither of you is wrong; I am indeed a little book attendant. But I would like to study together with you; is that okay?”
As princes, they were accustomed to flattering words around them, but Tong Sui spoke earnestly, with a soft and tender voice, his white, delicate face adding to his earnestness.
The two little princes were instantly rendered speechless.
Chu Yunyue shot them a glance and pulled Tong Sui down to sit.
“Don’t pay them any mind.”
A moment later, a middle-aged gentleman with an elegant demeanor walked in and stepped onto the podium.
All the princes stood up and respectfully said, “Grand Tutor Zhang.”
Tong Sui stood up as well.
He recognized this man; at the morning court meeting, he had been referred to as the head of the scholars, the head of the cabinet, Zhang Yanru.
Zhang Yanru nodded.
He glanced at the princes seated below and naturally noticed Tong Sui mixed among them.
“Yun Yue, have you forgotten the rules of the Ministry of Personnel? Only royal offspring are allowed to study here.”
Although Zhang Yanru didn’t say it outright, his intention to send Tong Sui away was clear.
The other young princes nervously snuck glances.
Initially, they would have thought Tong Sui unworthy of sitting with them for studies, but now they were captivated by this seemingly delicate, well-behaved, and pitiable little attendant.
Naturally, they did not want him to be dismissed.
Chu Yunyue had just been reprimanded by Zhang Yanru the day before, and while he wanted to argue back now, fear took precedence.
“Why must Grand Tutor Zhang be so strict?” A somewhat weak voice came from the door, “The educational principle of our dynasty has always been to teach without discrimination. Regardless of status, everyone should be treated equally.”
Zhang Yanru’s expression suddenly grew serious.
The expressions of the seated princes varied as well.
They witnessed a tall figure standing at the door, with dark hair and white clothes; even though he wore a fox fur cloak, he still needed to hold a warming stove to keep warm, his frail appearance suggesting he was quite chilled.
Beside him were several attendants, as well as a grand scholar from the cabinet.
Yong Jin said lightly, “You possess profound knowledge, so how could you not understand such a simple principle?”
Tong Sui’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
Although he had seen pictures and clips from the system’s information, the feeling of witnessing it in person was still drastically different.
The person appeared to be ill.
Why was his health so poor? Was it occasional exposure to wind and cold? Or was it a weak constitution?
Tong Sui stared unblinkingly at Yong Jin standing at the door, and his intense gaze naturally drew Yong Jin’s attention, who shot him a cold glance.
Most normal people would have nervously looked down, but Tong Sui’s gaze did not falter; instead, it intensified.
Zhang Yanru’s hand clenched into a fist beneath his long sleeves; he certainly knew that Yong Jin’s words were meant to irritate him.
He said, “Why is Supervisor Yong not properly attending to duties in the Ceremonial Office and instead coming to my Ministry of Personnel? Are you trying to overstep your bounds and interfere with the assistance I provide to the old ministers?”
“Grand Tutor Zhang, don’t misunderstand. We are merely helping the Emperor alleviate his worries and troubles, and of course, we care about the progress of the young princes,” Yong Jin said with a light smile. “If you mind, I will take my leave.”
After Yong Jin departed, Tong Sui continued to gaze in the direction he had left. A wave of bitterness filled his eyes until all that remained outside were the flowers and grass covered in wind and snow, and then he reluctantly withdrew his gaze.
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