After resting for a day, the next day, the First of April (Lunar Calendar), it was once again a day for the siblings to study.
With Crown Prince Qin Hong entering court to serve and Second Prince Qin Bing having moved out of the Royal Palace, now only Qingyang siblings and Zhang Su remained at Shenwen Pavilion as study companions.
Qin Ren continued to follow the curriculum his two older brothers had studied, consistently maintaining Class B grades in every subject, stable enough that Emperor Xingwu no longer bothered to push him.
As for Qingyang, she neither secluded herself in Jiu Hua Palace to receive the education of the Previous Dynasty Princesses nor completely followed the path her imperial brothers took.
Instead, at the age of five, she had already set her own academic schedule.
A decade made up a “xun,” and every morning, just like her imperial brothers, Qingyang would rise at the Mao hour, eat breakfast, and head to Qiwen Pavilion for morning reading.
The entire morning was devoted to literary studies.
The difference lay mainly in the afternoons.
When she was five, Qingyang once wanted to endure the harsh training her imperial brothers did, but she quickly discovered she absolutely disliked Bow Stance, wrestling, boxing, and weapons like knives and spears.
The Little Princess didn’t want to learn them, but also didn’t want to completely give up.
So she asked her father: “I only want to learn riding and archery, and for weapons, only the sword. Is that alright?”
Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, “Of course. Lin’er, you can learn whatever you want. Father will personally arrange for a Martial Teacher to instruct you.”
Riding lessons began at nine years old.
From ages five to eight, Qingyang only needed to learn the basics of archery and swordsmanship from the Martial Teacher.
Since these were just two disciplines and child training balanced work and rest, the Little Princess attended martial lessons every other day.
Qingyang also couldn’t let go of the fun of roaming the Previous Dynasty, and she loved painting, chess, and zither playing.
As she learned, she adjusted her schedule, so now her afternoons were arranged as follows:
On the 1st, 4th, and 7th days: martial training.
On the 2nd, 5th, and 8th days: visits to the Previous Dynasty.
On the 3rd, 6th, and 9th days: music, chess, and painting lessons.
As for literary studies, since Qingyang began her education early and was naturally talented, at nine years old she was already reading the same books her elder brothers only started at thirteen!
At dawn, on the way to Qiwen Pavilion, Qingyang overheard her younger brother quietly discussing a military book with Zhang Su.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Qin Ren murmured, “Luckily, in two years I can leave the palace too. Otherwise, if you surpass me in studies, Father will dislike me again.”
Qingyang replied, “You won’t surpass Third Brother. Tutor Guo said the later books contain increasingly complex principles; you can’t just rush through them.”
Often not really understanding, Qin Ren went, “…”
Upon arriving at Shenwen Pavilion, the three entered a morning reading hall and chose three desks arranged from shortest to tallest, each studying their own materials.
After half an hour of morning reading, the three headed to the Dining Hall for breakfast, then each went separately to a lecture hall.
After midday rest, Qingyang went straight to Third Brother Zhang Su’s Chanyuan Palace for lunch.
Afterward, she returned next door to Jiu Hua Palace to rest.
At these times, Zhang Su always escorted her out of the palace.
Once the Little Princess’s figure disappeared past Jiu Hua Palace’s gates, Zhang Su would return.
Fuan Gonggong once quietly joked to Jie Yu, “Third Brother’s manners toward the Princess are more refined than us two Grand Eunuchs.”
Jie Yu modestly replied, “That means we still have room to improve.”
Fuan Gonggong: “…”
At afternoon martial lessons, Qingyang routinely ran laps with Third Brother and Zhang Su.
It was precisely because she ran laps herself that she despised her elder brother pretending to be ill and slacking off.
At first, Qin Ren leisurely ran alongside his sister, watching Zhang Su stride away with his long legs.
He defended himself, “Zhang Su is from a general’s family and will lead soldiers in battle someday. He must diligently learn martial arts. Third Brother has no ambition to command troops, so why be so strict with himself?”
Qingyang asked, “What does Third Brother want to do in the future?”
Qin Ren answered, “A leisurely prince, catching up on all the sleep I missed in my youth, drinking tea, watching plays, and occasionally traveling.”
Qingyang said, “Then haven’t you wasted all these years studying?”
Qin Ren said, “Not exactly wasted. At least I’ve learned propriety, integrity, and the principles of right and wrong. But waking up early to study so hard really wasn’t necessary, Father…”
Not wanting to hear Third Brother complain about their wise Emperor, Qingyang quietly quickened her pace.
“…”
After two laps and a short break, Qingyang studied swordsmanship with her Martial Teacher, practicing with a wooden sword.
The precious sword Father awarded hung high on the wall of Jiu Hua Palace’s bedchamber and could only be wielded once her arm strength and sword skills were sufficient.
Practice, rest, riding, rest, then two more quarters of archery finished Qingyang’s martial lessons for the day.
Sweaty all over, the Little Princess saw off the two young men still training and returned to Jiu Hua Palace to bathe.
For dinner, Qingyang dined with Father and her mother consort.
Afterward, she went to Chanyuan Palace to do homework with Third Brother and Zhang Su.
While writing, Qin Ren sighed and leaned over the desk, saying, “Why is Father getting stingier? In the past, on the Little Princess’s birthday, Father gave us a half-day off. Now he only holds a birthday banquet for her, and we don’t even get a half-day off.”
As for their own birthdays, which never had banquets or holidays, Qin Ren had long since accepted it.
Qingyang said, “Then Third Brother, give me your gift first.”
After speaking, the Little Princess also glanced at Zhang Su.
Zhang Su put down his brush and looked toward Third Prince.
Naturally, Qin Ren had prepared something.
With little spirit, he walked out and came back carrying a box, placing it in front of his sister.
Qingyang opened it to find ten silver sycees, each weighing ten taels.
She frowned, “Third Brother, can’t you give me something fresher?”
Qin Ren immediately vented to his sister, “The eldest brothers always gave expensive jewelry. I wanted to give you jewelry, but you refused and insisted on something fresh. You don’t like kites anymore, and wreaths aren’t fresh either. I don’t have Zhang Su’s skill at woodcarving. I thought and thought until my head hurt, so I just gave you silver so you can buy whatever you like.”
One hundred taels—two months’ allowance for him!
Qingyang looked at Third Brother’s headache expression and was about to accept the gift when he suddenly stretched out his right hand, revealing a smooth, yellowish pebble.
Qin Ren grinned, “Luckily, I went to Zhao Palace yesterday. I found this in the river. How is it? Fresh enough?”
Qingyang liked these little surprises and played with the egg stone.
Smooth and round, it was indeed a keepsake she could cherish.
Qin Ren breathed a sigh of relief and stepped aside for Zhang Su.
Zhang Su also brought his gift.
The wooden figurine was known to all three, but what piqued curiosity was its posture.
Qin Ren helped Qingyang open the box and tried to assist in taking out the figurine, but Qingyang promptly pushed his hand away and took it herself.
Made of boxwood, it was carved into a chubby little horse with a Little Princess sitting on its back, her hair tied in a single topknot.
The Little Princess still wore a smile, holding reins in her hand, with a tiny pouch carved at her waist.
As Qingyang carefully examined the gift, Zhang Su embarrassedly said, “This is my first time carving a horse. I made several attempts but none were good enough. Later I had no time, so I could only send this as is to Your Highness.”
Qingyang had long noticed the horse was somewhat plump, but since Zhang Su carved it, it was adorable and that was enough.
It didn’t need to look like expensive wooden sculptures from a shop.
“Very nice. I like it.”
Qingyang tried placing the little wooden horse on the desk; it stood firmly on its four hooves.
Qin Ren knelt down to look and mused, “I get it. Last year when you learned swordsmanship, Zhang Su gave you a little figure holding a sword. This year, since you learned riding, he gave you this. Next year, whatever you learn, he’ll definitely give you something related.”
Qingyang said, “I don’t learn something new every year.”
Qin Ren replied, “But you’re learning the zither now? He hasn’t given a gift for that yet, so it will be new.”
Qingyang glanced at Zhang Su.
Zhang Su lowered his eyes and avoided her gaze.
Qingyang said, “Next time I practice the zither, I’ll call you both over to watch.”
Thinking of the repeated zither music sometimes heard in her palace and seeing her happily playing with the little wooden figurine, Qin Ren didn’t dare refuse.
Granted a half-day holiday, Qingyang slept half an hour longer than usual.
After washing up and preparing for breakfast, Crown Prince Qin Hong arrived.
Qingyang ran out to greet him.
Qin Hong ruffled his sister’s hair, “Don’t be so formal with Big Brother. Just wait inside.”
Qingyang said, “I miss Big Brother.”
She used to see her elder brothers every day.
Now, with Big Brother serving at court, she hardly saw him all day.
When Big Brother returned in the evening, she was afraid of disturbing his rest.
Qin Hong said, “If you miss him, go have dinner with Big Brother. I was afraid you’d sleep in this morning, or else I would’ve called you over for breakfast too.”
Qingyang smiled, “Has Big Brother eaten? Come eat with me.”
Qin Hong nodded and held his sister’s hand as they walked inside.
Jie Yu ordered for an extra set of bowls and chopsticks.
Once Qin Hong was seated, he took from his sleeve a long, slender box and handed it to his sister.
Inside was a peony gold hairpin.
Qingyang, now caring about her brothers, said, “Before, Big Brother was alone and could use his allowance to buy me precious jewelry. Now that Big Sister-in-law is about to come, Big Brother should give her more gifts. I’m your sister; even if Big Brother just takes me out for a meal, I’d be happy.”
Every time Emperor Xingwu gave gifts to the mother consort, she was very pleased, so Qingyang knew the reason men had to keep their wives happy.
When Third Brother got married, Qingyang wouldn’t accept silver from him anymore.
Qin Hong was amused by his sister’s earnest worldly talk and explained, “Big Brother’s allowance is very high now. Giving you a birthday gift won’t make him poor. Just rest assured and accept it.”
Before his Jade Crown Ceremony, Emperor Xingwu gave him the same allowance as his younger siblings.
Afterward, his allowance matched that of the adult Crown Prince, totaling ten thousand taels yearly.
Second Brother’s allowance was three thousand taels yearly as he hadn’t yet been granted the title of Prince.
After his ceremony, it would rise to five thousand taels, the same as the eldest sister who had long settled in the Princess Mansion.
Hearing Big Brother’s explanation, Qingyang no longer worried about his savings and eagerly looked forward to Second Brother’s gift this year.
Qin Bing had entered the palace that morning, the reason being to celebrate his sister’s birthday.
Receiving Second Brother’s request to enter the palace, Emperor Xingwu smirked and approved it for his daughter’s birthday.
Qin Bing knew Father disliked him skipping lessons to make excuses, so he went straight to Qingyang’s Jiu Hua Palace.
Qingyang happily ran out to meet him, seeing Second Brother carrying a lacquered gold cage containing a green-feathered bird.
Suspicious, the Little Princess slowed her steps.
No matter how she looked, the bird didn’t seem very valuable.
At that moment, Qin Bing raised the cage and cooed softly to the bird.
The green-feathered bird hopped a few times, turned its head, and suddenly cried out, “Qingyang Princess, may you enjoy immortal blessings forever!”
Qingyang: “……”
What an awful voice!