Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Everyone present froze for a moment.

No one had expected Sheng Zhaoning to be assigned such an important task on her very first day in office.

Ordinarily, those who lectured the imperial princes on the classics were senior officials from the Guozijian or the Hanlin Academy. Failing that, they were at least Shidu Xueshi from the various ministries. There had never been a precedent for having a newly appointed Jinshi explain the classics.

Although the Fifteenth Prince’s birth mother had died young and he had no foundation to speak of, he was still the emperor’s own son. The proper formalities were still expected.

This was more than enough to show that His Majesty truly regarded Sheng Zhaoning as someone unusual.

“This official accepts the order,” Sheng Zhaoning replied.

After leaving Fang Chong’s office, Ji Ming took them around to meet their colleagues in the various sections of the Hanlin Academy, which counted as their introductions.

There were many people in the Hanlin Academy. Once Sheng Zhaoning had memorized most of them, she was assigned to an office in the northwest corner of Wenyuan Pavilion.

Aside from her, there were two other people in the room, both holding the same rank as she did. After they introduced themselves to one another, Sheng Zhaoning began familiarizing herself with her duties.

Several bookshelves stood in the office. She picked out a few historical works compiled by the Hanlin Academy over the years and patiently read through them all morning.

It was nearly noon before someone in the room called to her, “Lord Sheng, shall we go to the public kitchen for lunch?”

The so-called public kitchen was where the officials took their meals. Those of higher rank would have food delivered directly from the inner court to their offices, while those of lower rank went there themselves.

Sheng Zhaoning did not feel hungry yet, and she had little appetite at the moment, so she politely declined.

After the others in the room left, the surroundings fell quiet once more.

Once Sheng Zhaoning finished the history book, she found several classics she would be lecturing on the next day. She did not know much about the Fifteenth Prince’s temperament, nor did she know how far he had progressed in his studies, so she could only choose a few simple, accessible texts and plan to test his level first tomorrow.

She had just taken the books down and set them on the desk. When she turned around, she saw that at some point a small figure had appeared outside the window. He was gripping the window frame with both hands and staring straight at her.

Sheng Zhaoning tilted her head slightly. Looking at that tiny little bundle of a child, she asked, “Who are you looking for?”

The little boy imitated her and tilted his head as well. Propping one hand against his cheek, he said in a childish voice, “I’m here to find Master Sheng. Are you Master Sheng?”

Master Sheng…

She paused, finding the form of address both puzzling and unfamiliar.

When she looked again, she paid particular attention to the patterns on his clothing, and understood at once.

So this was the Fifteenth Prince, Wei Yu.

“How did you know it was me?” Her brows curved with a faint smile.

In truth, Sheng Zhaoning did not particularly like children. They were small and fragile, always crying and fussing, enough to irritate anyone.

Yet for some reason, she did not dislike the child before her. She was even unexpectedly patient with him, and her voice softened despite herself.

“Imperial Brother said the best-looking person in the Hanlin Academy is Master Sheng,” Wei Yu answered very seriously.

She was just wondering which “Imperial Brother” he meant when an awkward cough came from outside the courtyard.

Sheng Zhaoning looked toward the sound and abruptly met a pair of narrow phoenix eyes.

The warm sunlight of a mild day spilled across the sky. His casual robe of stone-green fabric, embroidered in dark thread with dragon patterns, stirred faintly. Wei Heng stood in the courtyard, tall and slender, looking at her with a smile in his eyes, bright as stars.

“Lord Sheng, forgive the intrusion,” he said with an apologetic smile.

Sheng Zhaoning gathered herself, adjusted her posture, and bowed to the two of them together. “This subject greets the Crown Prince and the Fifteenth Prince.”

The Fifteenth Prince ran back from the window and took Wei Heng’s hand as they walked inside.

At eight or nine years old, he was at the age when everything filled him with curiosity.

He tilted his head up to look at Sheng Zhaoning, his eyes sparkling. “You’re really pretty. As pretty as Brother Crown Prince.”

Strictly speaking, by palace rules, the Crown Prince was the noble Heir Apparent and no longer counted among the princes. Even his brothers were supposed to address him as Crown Prince.

But Wei Yu said it so naturally, without the slightest reservation.

Either he was too young to understand the rules, or Wei Heng simply did not care about such things.

Sheng Zhaoning did not know how to respond, so she could only lower her gaze and stand quietly to the side.

Wei Heng’s attention fell on the books on her desk. They were all classics and texts suited for a beginner, so he asked, “Are these prepared for Fifteenth?”

Sheng Zhaoning nodded. “Yes.”

“May I take a look?” He looked at her, asking her opinion in earnest.

Sheng Zhaoning’s expression shifted slightly. “Of course. Please, Your Highness.”

Wei Heng walked to the desk and leafed through the titles. After finishing each book, he carefully sorted it into a simple category. In just a short while, the books on the desk had been divided into three stacks.

Sheng Zhaoning stepped closer. Seeing her approach, Wei Heng pointed to the stacks and explained, “Fifteenth has already studied these. In the future, he only needs to review them.”

Then he pointed to the remaining two stacks. “These are suitable for his current progress. These should be read only after he finishes the earlier material.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Sheng Zhaoning’s eyes.

She had just been worrying over which books she should lecture on for the Fifteenth Prince, yet he had already arranged everything in perfect order, resolving her most urgent problem in one stroke.

Sheng Zhaoning thanked him sincerely. “Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness.”

Wei Heng’s gaze was gentle. “There is no need to be so courteous, Lord Sheng.”

At this hour, most of the people in the Hanlin Academy had gone to the public kitchen for their meal, leaving the surroundings quiet and still, with few people passing by.

Wei Heng looked at her thin shoulders and back, hidden beneath her loose official robes, and could not help feeling that she seemed far too frail.

“Lord Sheng did not go to the public kitchen for lunch?” he asked.

Hearing this, Sheng Zhaoning lifted her head slightly and said, “I ate this morning. I do not feel hungry yet, so I did not go.”

In truth, she did not much like going to crowded places. They were noisy and chaotic.

Wei Heng did not know this. Thinking only that she had no appetite, he said, “In the future, when Lord Sheng comes to Wenhua Hall to lecture on the classics, you may dine there.”

Wenhua Hall had fewer people and was quiet, and the dishes served there were more refined as well.

Only then did Sheng Zhaoning learn that Wenhua Hall beside the Hanlin Academy was where the Crown Prince usually handled official duties. There was also a side hall reserved specifically for the princes’ studies.

Because the Fifteenth Prince was the youngest, he could not keep up with the progress of the other princes. With no consort mother to protect him, he was often suppressed and ostracized in the palace. Wei Heng had therefore kept him by his side and personally guided his lessons, which was why he understood his studies so well.

Sheng Zhaoning could not help wondering just how much partiality and protection it took to raise someone with such a clean, gentle nature, someone who could care so deeply even for a younger brother born of a different mother.

Without fratricide, without a throne piled high on blood and bone, he could sit securely in the position of Heir Apparent with effortless ease, his hands untouched by even the slightest shadow.

He and she stood at two utterly opposite extremes.