Today, Songzhu Academy announced the monthly exam results, and all the princes came to Jiaofang Hall to pay their respects to the emperor and empress.
The third prince did very well in the exam this time, not only ranking first, but also ranking second overall.
Queen Yu was very happy and praised with a smile: "The third prince has been very diligent recently and has made great progress in his studies."
The third prince responded humbly: "My son's talent is mediocre, so he should be more diligent in his studies, and he would not dare to be praised by his mother."
Emperor Jianwen was also relieved and said with a smile: "You are outstanding in your studies. Not only does the queen praise you, but I also want to praise you. There is nothing I dare not do."
Then he said to the other princes: "You guys should learn more from your Third Emperor brother and put your mind and energy into your studies."
Several princes responded in unison.
The fifth prince has long been used to being overshadowed by his brothers, so he doesn't feel anything special.
His Highness, the Seventh Prince, had been recuperating from an injury for several months, and was known for his partiality in subjects. His overall score was lower, and he was not ashamed.
The fourth prince looked at the proud third prince, but felt unbearably depressed in his heart.
In the past, the fourth prince had the best academic performance and was the most popular with Emperor Jianwen. After Concubine Li was banned and the fourth prince was severely scolded and humiliated, the fourth prince became angry and unmotivated to study. In the past few months, his academic performance has really declined.
Quite a few.
This time, it was the first time that he was overwhelmed by the third prince.
Without being there, it would be difficult to understand the anger and unwillingness of the fourth prince at this time.
…
Emperor Jianwen's gaze fell on the expressionless handsome face of the fourth prince.
Emperor Jianwen frowned, with a hint of displeasure in his voice: "What have you been busy with lately? Why have your studies been declining? There are still two months until the graduation exam. How can you satisfy me and my master with your appearance?"
The fourth prince had no choice but to bow his head and apologize: "It's all my sons and ministers who failed to live up to expectations and disappointed my father. Please punish me!"
Empress Yu glanced at the fourth prince lightly, and then said to Emperor Jianwen: "The fourth prince used to do well in his studies, but he may have been emotionally unstable recently and has something on his mind. Your Majesty, please don't criticize him too harshly."
Is this a plea for mercy or eye drops?
The fourth prince sneered in his heart. His resentment and dissatisfaction with Queen Yu almost overflowed from his chest.
Emperor Jianwen snorted: "From today on, you must not slack off even a little bit. If you don't get into the top three in the final exam, I will punish you!"
The fourth prince's heart trembled and he responded in a low voice.
When it was the fifth prince's turn, Emperor Jianwen's expression became much more relaxed. He praised him a few times and said, "After the graduation exam, I will ask you three brothers to go to court to listen to the government, and each of you will get some errands to practice."
The third prince, the fourth prince, and the fifth prince agreed together.
Entering the court means that the princes have grown up and begun to study political affairs. The second prince began to attend the court and listen to politics after graduating from the academy.
However, the second prince has not yet received any actual errands.
From this it can be seen that Emperor Jianwen really didn't care much about the second prince... This is inevitable. Why put too much effort into teaching a prince who is destined to miss the throne? It's okay to be mediocre and become a leisurely and wealthy vassal king in the future.
That’s it.
It is not difficult to understand the meaning of Emperor Jianwen's words.
If you want to be a crown prince, it depends on how you handle the affairs of the court in the next few years.
The older princes were each thinking and calculating in their hearts, and their faces were all respectful.
Sheng Hong watched with cold eyes, understanding in his heart.
Emperor Jianwen obviously intended to choose the most outstanding among the three, four, and five princes as his heir apparent, and did not consider him, the seventh prince, at all.
He disguised himself as a woman and deceived the emperor for six years. Emperor Jianwen was inconvenient to punish him because of his rescue efforts, but he already had a grudge against him.
…
Emperor Jianwen looked at the Seventh Prince with a rather gentle expression: "You have been recuperating for several months and have only been admitted to Songzhu Academy for one month. It is not bad to have such a score in this monthly exam."
Sheng Hong gathered his thoughts and responded with a smile: "Thanks to Mr. Gu, who has been with me for the past few months and taught me. Otherwise, my son would not have passed the first-class exam this time."
Before Emperor Jianwen could say anything, Empress Yu smiled and joked: "In the first three years at Lianchi Academy, you could only take the A-level exam a handful of times. I didn't expect that when you arrived at Songzhu Academy, you could take the A-level exam. That's the A-level exam."
In the end, it’s amazing enough!”
The third prince and the fifth prince all laughed sullenly, and the fourth prince also twitched his lips silently.
Sheng Hong is old and thick-skinned, and is not ashamed at all: "In the past, my son was very anxious because he hid his identity. How could he study calmly? It is inevitable to take B-level exams."
"Now that I have regained my identity, I can stand upright in front of others in men's clothing. My father, the Queen, and my empress are magnanimous and let things go by the wayside. I, my son, must study diligently and not embarrass my father, the Emperor, and my empress."
Queen Yu laughed: "I used to be silent and seldom talk, but I haven't heard a word from you for several days. It turns out that I was just pretending."
Emperor Jianwen's expression remained unchanged, but the smile in his eyes lost a bit.
Queen Yu's words were definitely not unintentional.
Queen Yu wanted to promote the third prince and suppress the fourth prince from time to time. The fifth prince was quite smart and rarely stood out. Today, Queen Yu came directly to him.
Why?
He has been keeping to himself recently and hasn't done anything out of the ordinary. He only managed to get an A grade in the exam. At present, it seems that he poses no threat to the third prince. Why did Queen Yu suddenly hit him?
Sheng Hong was secretly wary, and his face showed a slight embarrassment after being teased. He handed over his hands and begged for mercy: "The queen knows what she is thinking, please spare me."
Queen Yu laughed it off and said nothing more.
…
After the princes retired, Emperor Jianwen rubbed his temples and sighed: "My sons are getting older, and each of them has more things to think about. Niang Lien, am I getting old? I'm always tired recently, and sometimes I don't have enough strength."
Can you not feel tired?
The color is like a bone-scraping steel knife!
Emperor Jianwen was addicted to the pleasures of bed, and secretly took the "Shenxian Pill" which had the effect of aphrodisiac. This pill did not harm a man's body and could make him strong and vigorous. However, the energy consumed was all Emperor Jianwen's own.
Empress Yu stretched out her hand to massage Emperor Jianwen's temples, and said warmly: "The emperor is busy with state affairs, and it is inevitable that the dragon's body will occasionally feel tired."
"Fortunately, the princes have grown up and can share the emperor's worries."
"After the New Year, let them all take some errands. The emperor can also relax."
The gentle and soothing voice greatly comforted Emperor Jianwen.
Emperor Jianwen closed his eyes and said with a smile: "What the Queen said is absolutely true. There are six errands. Let the princes each go to one to learn how to do errands."
There are six divisions of official, household, ritual, military, punishment and work, each with its own importance.
Queen Yu's eyes flashed, and she asked with a smile: "It seems that the emperor has an idea in mind."
Emperor Jianwen hummed, but did not elaborate.
Queen Yu didn't ask any more questions.
After a while, Emperor Jianwen said: "Lianniang, I know what you are thinking. However, establishing a heir apparent is not something that should be taken lightly. I cannot make a decision easily. I have to take another look." (To be continued)
