"Your Highness, this..."
The Prince had only ordered him to supervise the little dumpling's memorization, not to take him elsewhere.
Not even to the residence of Princess Cha'an.
After a moment's hesitation, he cupped his hands again.
"To be honest with Your Highness, the Prince ordered me to take the young master to the study immediately. I'm afraid I cannot delay now."
It was almost time for dinner, and if he hadn't brought the child there before then, the Prince would likely be angered.
Yun Shu nodded upon hearing this, not intending to make things difficult for him.
"Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer."
With that, she turned to the maid beside her and instructed, "Yan'er, go fetch the pastries and let the young master have a couple of bites."
Her courtyard was just around the corner, so fetching the pastries wouldn't take much time.
Having said that, Qi Xuan had no choice but to wait by the side.
The maid was quick on her feet, returning in less than fifteen minutes.
Two plates of pastries were brought before them on a tray. Feng Jinchen's stomach rumbled again, but his small hands remained still.
He was wary of all women except his mother.
He hadn't met this woman before, but she was in the same mansion as the villainous old Prince. He recalled how the persistent Qin Rulian had been last time, and his impression of the women here was truly poor.
Sensing his wariness, Yun Shu curved her lips and reached out, picking up a pastry from the plate to offer him.
"Weren't you hungry just now? Eat quickly. Don't you have to recite your lessons after eating?"
The pastry was butterfly crisps made not long ago, with golden coconut flakes on top and a very rich aroma.
Feng Jinchen admitted he was indeed very hungry, but after a moment of hesitation, he turned to look at Qi Xuan.
His gaze was a question.
Qi Xuan nodded, "Princess Cha'an means well. It's fine for the young master to have some."
Only then did Feng Jinchen take it with ease, then looked at Yun Shu and nodded seriously.
"Thank you."
He grabbed two pastries and ate them as he walked. With something in his stomach, he finally stopped making noise when he entered the study.
Ye Tinglan was still behind the desk, perusing official documents. Seeing him enter, he raised his thin eyelids slightly.
"Have you memorized it now?"
His tone was casual, showing no intention of inquiring about his hardship!
Feng Jinchen grumbled inwardly for a moment before reluctantly nodding.
Ye Tinglan closed his eyes and shifted his gaze back to the desk.
"Then recite it. I'm listening."
A moment of silence, and soon after, the young dumpling's tender yet crisp voice filled the room.
One hundred characters, not a single mistake. He recited them clearly and fluently, a stark contrast to this morning.
Qi Xuan couldn't believe it. He quickly flipped through the book in his hands and exclaimed in surprise.
"Not a single mistake! Your Highness, he truly hasn't made a single error!"
He had seen the Prince's immense fury this morning, and he must have been completely provoked by this little dumpling.
Yet, in less than a day, he had memorized one hundred characters perfectly. Could a two-and-a-half-year-old child really achieve this?
No wonder the Prince wanted to adopt him as his godson; this little dumpling was so intelligent!
Ye Tinglan listened quietly. Although he didn't comment, the hand holding the brush visibly paused.
This morning, the dumpling had clearly not memorized a single character. He had thought it would take at least a day, but it turned out to be faster than he expected.
It seemed his potential was far greater than this.
His thin lips moved, and he offered a rare compliment.
"Good."
While these two words were indeed praise, his ink-black eyes remained fixed on the documents, making the compliment feel perfunctory.
Feng Jinchen pouted and muttered under his breath, "Reluctantly. I don't think you ever intended to praise me seriously."
"What are you muttering about?"
"Nothing, nothing! Um... Uncle Wang, I've memorized the characters. Can I leave now?"
He had worked hard and diligently; this was what he deserved!
Fortunately, Ye Tinglan was not unfair in his rewards and punishments. He nodded, but his gaze drifted to Feng Jinchen's lips.
"You may, but I did not permit you to eat privately today. Where did you eat that butterfly crisp?"
Feng Jinchen's body trembled. He instinctively raised his hand to his mouth.
It was better not to touch, but as soon as he did, his hand was covered in coconut flake crumbs. His heart tightened, and he quickly covered his mouth tighter.
Damn it, he forgot to wipe his mouth!
After two seconds of silence, he suddenly sneezed. Using this action, he swiftly brushed away the crumbs from his lips.
His acting was crude, but he could pretend to be innocent.
"Wh-what butterfly crisp! Uncle Wang, you must have been dazzled by reading. I didn't eat anything!"
"Oh?"
Ye Tinglan glanced at him, his eyes gentle, but his words were more painful than death.
"All pastries for the next few days are canceled. You are only allowed to eat in the dining hall for all three meals, and you are not allowed to buy snacks on the street. I will have Qi Xuan watch you personally."
"o(ﾟДﾟ)っ!"
This was a cruel blow, a complete heart-wrenching attack!
"It's late today. You must also review diligently after returning. I will teach you to write in a couple of days."
He said this indifferently and then swept him out of the room.
Feng Jinchen clutched the book in his hand, his small face scrunched up like a bitter melon.
He couldn't bear another day like this!
When would Mother finally return!
Ye Tinglan kept his word. The next morning, he indeed saw Qi Xuan in the courtyard.
To be precise, he saw Qi Xuan locked in a silent staring contest with Jian Ye.
As soon as he stepped out, Feng Jinchen smelled a hint of hidden tension. To prevent yesterday's battle from spilling onto him, he quietly retreated back into the room and decided to climb out through the back window.
With a "creak," the window was quietly opened.
Feng Jinchen nervously climbed onto a chair. As he lifted his leg, he misjudged the angle and, with a "bang," kicked over a vase on a shelf.
The vase hit the ground with a loud noise. Almost instantly, the door was broken open.
When Qi Xuan and Jian Ye entered, Feng Jinchen had one leg still hooked on the windowsill. Seeing this, their expressions immediately changed.
"Young master!"
With a tacit understanding they found from somewhere, they both lunged forward. One pulled him down from the window, while the other thoughtfully closed the window.
Watching his plan crumble before his eyes, Feng Jinchen kicked his little legs, feeling like crying.
"Hey, is this polite!"
He was so close to happiness!
Before he could complain further, he saw a figure flash at the doorway. The woman who had given him pastries on the road yesterday walked in, carrying a food box.
Seeing this, Qi Xuan immediately stopped. "Your Highness, why are you here?"
Yun Shu curved her lips and raised the food box in her hand.
Her gaze fell on Feng Jinchen in Qi Xuan's arms, and a hint of affection appeared in her eyes.
"I saw he liked the pastries yesterday, so I brought some over. Have I disturbed you?"