His Highness the Imperial Prince consumed three bowls of chicken soup, ate five egg-and-vegetable pies, and a large portion of white-cut chicken, spicy rabbit, and scrambled eggs with tomatoes... httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
He was so full he could barely stand.
Fortunately, everyone present knew he was the renowned Imperial Prince. Otherwise, they might have mistaken him for someone just released from a prison camp.
Lu Yu lamented that he had met his match. Fortunately, he had acted quickly, or the last egg-and-vegetable pie would have been snatched by this "Prince."
Today, A Qiu's perception was completely shattered. It was the first time he saw his Imperial Prince wolfing down food and competing with a child for snacks without any regard for his image.
His master could also be so approachable.
His master's temper could also be this good.
...
The Imperial Prince announced he wanted to go for a walk to aid digestion, and A Qiu immediately followed him.
He was beginning to understand his master less and less. At first, he had worried that his master would be critical of everything upon arriving at Red Tree Slope and embarrass Miss Bai. Unexpectedly, his master had given him a huge surprise.
As they walked, they arrived near the septic tank, or more precisely, a pungent odor piqued the Imperial Prince's curiosity.
General Fen, holding a stirring stick, approached the Imperial Prince, followed by several timid subordinates.
Seeing a group of children, A Qiu let down his guard.
"Imperial Prince, do you know who I am?" General Fen stepped forward, puffing out his chest, and asked.
The Imperial Prince looked at the little figure before him, who bore some resemblance to Lu Ye. "Are you... Lu Ye's brother?"
General Fen nodded proudly. "I am Lu Ye's brother, but I am also General Fen!"
"General Fen?" The Imperial Prince furrowed his brow, clearly perplexed, a hint of a smile involuntarily appearing at the corner of his eyes.
A Qiu was also bewildered. How were the words "shit" and "General," with their vastly different connotations, connected?
Seeing their expressions, General Fen felt it was necessary to explain his important role. He pointed to the nearby latrine and septic tank. "See? My sister-in-law appointed me General Fen, responsible for overseeing the latrine and septic tank. I must ensure everyone who defecates or urinates enters the latrine. Only then can the feces and urine be processed into the septic tank."
"This is the septic tank?" The Imperial Prince moved closer, holding his nose. "What is this septic tank for? Why collect feces instead of something else?"
"You don't even understand this?" General Fen had thought the Imperial Prince was quite capable, but he was disappointed to learn he didn't even know the purpose of a septic tank, and his opinion of him dropped.
A Qiu chuckled inwardly. Finally, there was someone who dared to speak to his master like this, even if it was just a six-year-old child.
"Tell me then, what's the use of it?" The Imperial Prince wasn't angry. This kid's temper was somewhat like his own.
General Fen puffed out his chest proudly. "My sister-in-law built this septic tank to improve the soil quality of the desert, making it fertile. Then, we'll plant trees, flowers, and crops in the desert. My sister-in-law says she will definitely turn the desert into an oasis!"
The Imperial Prince and A Qiu were stunned. A farmer's daughter had such a dream, to transform the desert into an oasis?
Even a celestial being would not dare to make such a claim lightly. Otherwise, this desert, which had existed for thousands upon tens of thousands of years, would have long ago become an oasis.
However, this spirit was truly commendable.
Upon learning that the Imperial Prince didn't even know the function of a septic tank, General Fen lost all interest in him and prepared to leave with his subordinates.
However, before leaving, he turned back and said seriously to the Imperial Prince and A Qiu, "Your Highness, Brother A Qiu, if you need to defecate or urinate, you must use the latrine. My sister-in-law said not a single drop of excrement or urine should be wasted. I will be watching you!"
With that, he left without looking back.
The Imperial Prince and A Qiu exchanged a look and then burst into laughter.
As they walked back, they encountered another little child, about three or four years old, who still bore a strong resemblance to Lu Ye.
The little one, licking a half-eaten chicken leg, looked up at the Imperial Prince with an innocent face and asked, "I have a big silver snake at home named Lightning. Do you have one?"
The Imperial Prince shook his head in bewilderment. "No."
"I also have a big white wolf at home named Typhoon. Do you have one?"
A Qiu was already laughing, and the Imperial Prince, suppressing a smile, still shook his head. "No... no."
"I also have a camel named Cloud. Do you have one?"
"No... haha..." The Imperial Prince couldn't hold back anymore.
Old Madam Zhong, standing nearby, saw Lu Yu licking a chicken leg and talking to the Imperial Prince, while the Imperial Prince and his attendant were doubled over with laughter.
Fearing that young Lu Yu might say something offensive to the Imperial Prince, she rushed over, scooped up Lu Yu, bowed profusely to the Imperial Prince, and then quickly scurried away.
The Imperial Prince still heard the childish voice fade into the distance, "I also have a pangolin named Hailstone, do you..."
The washing up in the kitchen was taken care of by Tian Guihua and a few other women. Bai Sheng retreated to the bedroom, entered her space, and swiftly used her mind to create a large new bathtub for the Imperial Prince, filled it with water, and took out several new towels. Then, Lu Ye delivered them to the Imperial Prince's room.
The Imperial Prince and his attendant stayed in the guest rooms on the outer side. A Qiu went in to help his master with his bath.
After everyone at Red Tree Slope had bathed, they all sat on the open ground in front of the houses and set up a blackboard for lessons. There were two classes in the evening. Young Tutor Lu Hua was responsible for teaching counting and arithmetic.
Tutor Ji was responsible for teaching Chinese characters. When Tutor Ji was absent, General Fen Lu Yun would fill in.
It was only today that the students at Red Tree Slope learned that Tutor Ji was actually Ji Facao from the town yamen. With Ji Facao personally teaching them, how could they not study diligently?
They had to study to their utmost!
After bathing, the Imperial Prince walked out of the room and saw everyone sitting on stools, reciting with Ji Facao, "Heaven, the 'heaven' of sky; Earth, the 'earth' of soil; Person, the 'person' of good people..."
Students of all ages shouted with passion and fervor, their voices resonating.
The clear recitation of characters cut through the vast desolation of the empty desert, appearing abrupt and peculiar.
Life was hard, yet they persisted in their studies.
At that moment, the Imperial Prince felt a surge of emotion.
He too, moved a small stool and sat beside them.
Seeing the Imperial Prince supervising their studies, the students increased their volume. They all sat upright, their gazes sharp, and their mouths wide open like basins.
Tutor Ji looked at his students. Although they weren't the brightest, their spirit was excellent, which made him quite gratified.
Bai Sheng immediately seized the opportunity to build up Ji Cheng's image.
"Your Highness, you may not know this, but Ji Facao's salary is not enough to support him and his elderly mother; they can barely afford to eat. During his days off, Ji Facao comes to Red Tree Slope to teach in exchange for some food and water to survive. Tsk, tsk, it would be great if there were more such incorruptible and dedicated officials."
The Imperial Prince also sighed. If the officials in his fief had to rely on side jobs to support their families, then he was truly a failed ruler of his fief.