Tang Guan didn’t really want to talk to Li Yuanying but ignoring others is not in line with his usual principles. He made up an excuse saying that he was the head of this dorm and so was tasked with the responsibility of the residents’ discipline. Whatever it is, chatting at night is forbidden. Yuanying saw that he brought back charcoal and nodded his head in a friendly manner: “Brother, you have worked hard!”

Tang Guan choked hearing the word “senior brother”. Thinking back on the boy’s age, it was really unreasonable for him to pick a fight with a junior. Tang Guan paused, turned around and silently hinted that he didn’t want to continue talking.

Yuanying looked at his back and stretched out his hands to pull his quilt as a sign of care.

“Brother, your back is showing, it’s cold at night!”

Tang Guan turned and stared at him.

Yuanying saw that Tang Guan had returned to his ferocious appearance. With an innocent face, he retracted his hands under the quilt and pulled it up, revealing only a pair of dark eyes.

Yuanying slept well. The next day he followed the Academy’s schedule and attended classes first before going for breakfast.

The academy only provided two meals a day which was foreign for Li Yuanying who eats whenever he likes. Fortunately, he ate well last night and  wasn’t hungry. He followed Tang Xuan enthusiastically to experience a full day of activities after washing up.

Kong Yingda has been very strict about assembly time and had set a ritual of someone beating the drums early in the morning to get students to gather. This practice has been in place ever since 2 years ago where a ruckus was almost caused during an important ceremony.    

Besides warm up exercises, today morning’s class included archery. Ever since Li Yuanying boldly confessed that he didn’t know how to use a bow when he accompanied the Emperor to a hunting trip, his Majesty had found him a private tutor who was one of the best archers among his guards. The tutor informed the Emperor that Prince Teng is talented and could shoot well since the boy had been playing with a slingshot since he was a child. All he needed now was to personally practice. But with the new year approaching, Yuanying was busy and didn’t have time to practice.

Hearing Tang Xuan mention archery, he excitedly said: “I’ve learned how to do this last year! Let’s have a competition!”

“If you had only learned it last year then it’s not fair to compete.” (Tang Xuan)

Yuanying felt that those with the surname “Tang” were all serious people. He looked left and right and didn’t see his group of friends.

“Why isn’t Zhi Nu and the rest here?”

“The venue is only this big with limited bow and arrows. We have to take turns.”

Yuanying understood. Tang Xuan didn’t want to compete with him, so he excitedly went to ask others. No matter what he does, Yuanying likes it lively. Since the people living under the same roof with him do not want to compete, he went looking for Du He and the others.

Normally Du He and his gang wouldn’t bump into Li Yuanying but they happen to have the same morning class. With a bow in hand Yuanying went asking for a duel. Du He and his gang were more than happy to reciprocate.

As a result, Li Yuanying was quickly defeated.

Li Yuanying didn’t believe in luck and compete with everyone one after another. Only after total defeat did he face reality.

Looks like he needed to practice. Can’t just stop because someone praises you saying you were talented.

After total loss, Yuanying finally stopped provoking others. He sat on the sideline quietly observing others. He observed how others practice, how they aimed, placed  their fingers, their postures and how much strength they use to shoot their arrows.

After Tang Xuan as done, he thought his little friend would be upset about being totally defeated. He put down his bow and came over to comfort him: “You’ve just started learning. It is normal to not be as good as others. Just practice more.”

Li Yuanying nodded. “I’ll go practice!”

Yuanying internalized the things he observed and picked up a bow that suited him. He tried a few rounds and felt significant improvements. He internalized what he learned again and ran to ask the tutors to teach him.

Yuanying was drenched in sweat and his cheeks flushed red despite the weather being quite chilly. He had a change of clothes and then went for breakfast. If it were other students, there would be no food left but Yuanying is an exception and food will be reserved for him.  

On the menu today – steamed cakes made according to Jiangnan’s method. The steamed cakes were soft and delicious with fillings inside. Everyone gets 2 pieces, delicious and filling. If that’s not enough to eat, there is also porridge that is  thick and fragrant to drink, no one will go hungry. There is even meat in the steamed cakes and porridge!

Yuanying ate with his gang and since there was still some free time before the next class, he curiously asked Li Zhi and Wei Shu what subject were taught during their morning class. The girls didn’t have any so it was free and easy for them. The freshmen group where Li Zhi is placed in had morning jog and team building. Although not overly rigorous, it was still tough for Li Zhi who had a smaller stature. He ate much steamed cakes and drank a big bowl of porridge before he was satisfied.

Hearing this, Yuanying said regretfully: “It’s a pity that your fourth brother is not here. Otherwise he could run too.”

Li Zhi thought about Li Tai’s figure and shook his head: “Young uncle, stop ridiculing fourth brother. He won’t be able to move!”

Yuanying replied earnestly: “I’m only looking out for his well-being!” He then told Li Zhi about his theory that obesity is bad for health. He sincerely cares for his nephews and is such a good elder!

After gossiping, it is time for class.

This morning, the lecture was on <<Spring and Autumn>> by Dr. Shen Zhong. Dr. Shen is proficient in this topic and has research much into the history of various dynasties. When he lectures, he quote from many sources, going in circles and diverging into many stories before making it to the main point. Yuanying listened with glee and thinks that Old Man Kong is great, giving him classes that he likes.

Different from the first day where everyone avoided him, Yuanying is settling in well like a fish in water. As Dr. Shen finished his lecture and left, Yuanying dragged his fellow students for a discussion and the normally quiet dining hall suddenly became lively.

Seeing that Tang Guan had a dark expression and took up and put down his book repeatedly and was hesitant to speak, Tang Xuan hinted to Yuanying to look at him.

Maybe he wants to participate in the discussion but is shy? These scholars from prominent families are usually thin-skinned and needed much coaxing. Such a pain to deal with!  Yuanying went over to drag Tang Guan over and encouraged him enthusiastically: “Brother, don’t be shy. Just say what you want to say, you learned so much, you must have a lot of insights. Tell us! “

Tang Guan: “…”

Who is shy? !

I just think you guys are really noisy!

But with so many eyes watching, Tang Guan couldn’t explode as he wishes and so he held everything in and followed Li Yuanying’s wishes to join in the discussion. Doing this, Tang Guan really did gain new insights.  At least he figured out things he didn’t understand previously and saw things he didn’t notice from other’s point of view. However, he would not admit that he liked to participate in this discussion. As soon as the teacher of the next class arrived, he was the first to return to his seat.

In the evening, Tang Guan went to the gate to get his catered food from home and hear from Du He and his gang that Li Yuanying had arranged for catering to feed the entire canteen and every meal is prepared for students. Even breakfast had meat in it!

They all sat on the porch to eat together. Du He sigh: “He really is super rich.”

Knowing that Li Yuanying was on Chengqian’s side, Du He didn’t have as much malice towards him as Fang Jun. Knowing that Yuanying and Tang Guan shared the same room and  attended similar classes he asked: “Is he getting use to life at the Academy?”

“Yes he is” (Tang Guan)

Not only is Li Yuanying settling in well, he also quickly gathered a group of people around him. Everywhere he went, it becomes lively. It is as if that boy didn’t provoke students from the whole Academy previously.

Du He didn’t like how rigid Tang Guan is so he chatted with other people. Actually the bunch of rich brats were more interested in the three new girls than Li Yuanying. Among them was Du He’s prospective future fiancee, Princess Cheng Yang. Therefore the others were weary of talking  nonsense in front of Du He and only discuss about Li Yuanying. Anyway, they didn’t believe that Li Yuanying could keep up feeding the whole school without going broke.

After nightfall, the four girls sat around a lamp playing cards and talking. Cards is a popular pastime for girls and it didn’t matter if you win or lose, as long as you have a reason to get together.

All four girls were of different ages. Mei Niang is the oldest, followed by Jin Shengman, Cheng Yang  and then Wei Shu.  They were also of different backgrounds and social status. Cheng Yang is a princess from the royal family, Mei Niang and Wei Shu were children of court officials and Jin Shengman a foreigner who traveled here to study.

Mei Niang started the topic. “How and why did everyone join the Academy? I’ll go first. I heard that the Imperial Academy is the best school in the whole of Tang and has the most complete collection of books  and the best teachers. When I heard of the chance, I grab it and came here.”   

Doesn’t matter what future use these knowledge will bring, she simply wants to learn first.

“My thoughts exactly. When I was younger, I tend to get bullied dressing up as a girl. After I decided to dress like a boy and shouted louder than others and were fiercer than others, no one dared to come forward. Boys are stronger and I may not win in a physical fight but learning requires brains. If boys can learn it, then I can too! Not only do I want to learn, I want to learn better than others so that I won’t be bullied!” (Wei Shu)

Jin Shengman clapped her hands and applauded: “That’s the reason! Her cousin sister is the Queen of Silla. When she was younger and visited the Queen, she could always see the tiredness between her brows. If a men couldn’t do the same task well no one would say anything but if her cousin didn’t do things well, someone will say “of course women can’t do it right”. Jin Shengman explained her reasoning for studying abroad: “I want to learn more from Tang and return to help my cousin manage Silla. I must not let people look down on us girls.”

Mei Niang had long heard that Silla was a country governed by women and she was fascinated by  Jin Shengman’s statement: “If you don’t understand anything, you can always tell us and we can discuss it together.”

Chengyang was the most restrained, she silently raised her hand to straighten the wick and only stopped when everyone looked at her. After being quiet, Cheng Yang finally said: “I also want to be of some use.” In terms of likability, she is not as good as Si Zi and Heng Shan. In terms of smartness, she is not as good as elder sister Chang Le, and in terms of being lively and cute, she is not as good as Gao Yang. She didn’t have as much thoughts when she took the Imperial College entrance exam, she just wanted to make herself smarter and more sensible, so that she wouldn’t be a burden if something happens in the future.

 After hearing Cheng Yang’s words, the three girls became silent.

Yeah! After having said so much, all they actually wanted was to make themselves a little bit more  useful.

Wei Shu was the first to come back to her senses:”We are much luckier than many.”

Not everyone meets such an opportunity, let alone have the chance to seize such opportunity. This world sets too many obstacles for women. Even those closest and dearest to them might not necessarily support them to do what they wanted to do.

Therefore, they are very lucky.

The four girls looked at each other and stopped talking about such a heavy topic. They started discussing their daytime homework instead. A foot may prove short, an inch may prove long. After discussing, what they have learned became clearer. They chatted until the candle burned out and went to sleep contentedly.

Back in the Palace.

The Emperor sent away his bad brother and his beloved son to the Academy. He initially thought that the stubborn rock would cause big splashes but he hadn’t heard any complaints from Kong Yingda all day and was disappointed. He asked the men serving him as he help the Emperor take off his outer robe: “Has anything happened at the Imperial College?”

“Something did happen.” His servant understood instantly and replied respectfully. “I heard FengThai Restaurant approached the College and asked that students help to try out a hundred dishes. They will prepare different dishes for a hundred days with at least two meat and two vegetables in it. The dishes sounded rich and delicious. I would want to try them too!”

Now Li Er knows why Li Yuanying made no fuss. Turns out  he bought a “hundreds of dishes” with his own money and will eat good food without repetition every day!

His Majesty still felt that it is unlike his younger brother to be so obedient so he asked persistently: “Is that all?”

“That’s about it.” “I heard from those who ran errands at the Imperial College that His Highness Prince Teng is very happy there and had many friends. They even sometimes stop the lecturers from leaving by asking lots of questions. He seems very into learning!”

Li Er stopped asking and lay down to sleep.

As a result, the Emperor dreamed that his brother, Li Yuanying set the Imperial College on fire!

Waking up and remembering his dream, Li Er felt that that was more like what his little brother would do.

Now that the Academy was at peace, Li Er stopped asking questions and went to court as usual.

After a few days of peace, when the court official’s holiday was approaching, Li Chengqian came over and said that he needed the Emperor’s opinion.

Notes from the Author:

His Majesty Li Er: My younger brother can’t be so well-behaved!

Little Prince:? ? ? ? ?

Little Prince: What kind of rubbish brother is this! (pointing)