Chapter 25: With the Opportunity to Study, Chu Xingchen Is Bound to Excel with His Intelligence

Although the script of the Da Sheng Kingdom differed from the regular script she had practiced, her foundation in regular, seal, and cursive scripts allowed her to learn the new writing system relatively quickly. Soon, she had mastered an elegant style of small regular script.

Mr. Qingming, a master of calligraphy and painting himself, admired her work and often assigned her additional tasks in these arts during his free time.

He remarked that calligraphy and painting were among the Six Arts. Though they carried less weight in assessments, they were still part of the evaluation. Given Su Yingxue’s current proficiency, even if she were to enroll in the Juxian Elegant Lodge, calligraphy and painting could be considered her strengths.

“However, the other arts still require diligent effort to address your weaknesses,” Mr. Qingming commented with utmost fairness on her studies. Su Yingxue was well aware of the gap between herself and other scholars, which only fueled her determination to work harder.

After all, Zhang Susu was seizing every moment to study, racing against time to transform the current Su Yingxue into someone as charming and likable as the female protagonist, Su Liyue.

Before long, Qiushuang brought over the set of the Four Treasures of the Study for Su Yingxue to inspect. At the same time, she couldn’t help but feel indignant that Her Highness the Eldest Princess had so casually bestowed such a precious set upon the ungrateful Hostage Prince in the Side Hall, who was as untamed as a wolf cub.

With a hint of resentment, Qiushuang muttered, “Your Highness, this set was specially custom-made for you by His Majesty from Lingyun Pavilion using jade, upon hearing that you had resumed your studies. It’s the only first-class set of its kind in the entire capital.”

“Yet, just yesterday it was stored in the treasury, and today you’ve ordered me to fetch it to curry favor with that thankless Chu Huangzi.”

Gazing at Her Highness, who remained unmoved, Qiushuang’s eyes filled with distress. She said softly, “Your Highness, why go to such lengths—sending books and the Four Treasures of the Study? He won’t appreciate it. Your efforts will be in vain.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yingxue fell silent, calmly organizing the study materials before her as if she hadn’t heard Qiushuang’s complaints. After a long while, she sighed lightly and explained.

“Qiushuang, This Palace lacks neither fine writing materials nor books. But Chu Xingchen’s situation is different from mine.”

“At his age, ordinary children of officials or royal descendants would have long begun their studies in the Six Arts.”

“Yet Chu Xingchen knows neither etiquette nor writing, nor the Six Arts. Having been delayed for so long, he is bound to face extraordinary difficulties in his studies. A proper set of writing tools, coupled with guidance from a skilled teacher, would be invaluable.”

“Moreover, This Palace believes Chu Xingchen simply never had the right opportunity to learn before.”

After speaking, Su Yingxue rested her chin on her hand, her smiling gaze involuntarily drifting toward the direction of the Side Hall. She recalled her last visit when he was ill—Chu Xingchen’s jade-like complexion, sharp eyebrows, and starry eyes made him strikingly handsome even as a youth. Once he matured, wouldn’t his looks be devastating enough to bewitch nations and people?

Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder the novel later described Emperor Qi Sheng as peerlessly captivating, unrivaled in appearance. Dressed in luxurious robes, he exuded nobility. Well-versed in statecraft, his strict governance made the people fear his policies and officials dread his harsh punishments, yet the entire Qi Sheng continent was relatively well-ruled under his reign.

However, Emperor Qi Sheng’s methods were sometimes excessively cruel and bloodthirsty, which intimidated both the populace and the officials.

“Now that Chu Xingchen has the opportunity to pursue his studies, with his remarkable intelligence, he is bound to distinguish himself in the future—no ordinary talent indeed.”

Su Yingxue smiled faintly, withdrawing her wandering thoughts. Since he was destined to become the ruler of this land, rather than contemplating opposition, she might as well go with the flow and assist him in achieving his goals.

If she, Su Yingxue, were to abandon him to suffer, toil, and humiliation as in her previous life, it would be far better to help him secure everything he desired.

“Since the items have been retrieved, deliver them promptly. While you’re there, convey my regards to Chu Huangzi and inquire if his health has improved.”

“If he has recovered, in two days he may join me in the study to attend Mr. Qingming’s lectures.” Su Yingxue spoke lightly.

“Acknowledged.” Qiushuang bowed upon hearing the instructions and departed with the items. She carried the gift box and headed straight to the Side Hall to relay Su Yingxue’s message.

When Qiushuang arrived at the Side Hall, Chu Xingchen was seated upright at his desk, dressed in white brocade robes, reading the books Su Yingxue had sent.

“Your Highness, Her Highness the Eldest Princess has instructed this servant to deliver the Four Treasures of the Study for your use.”

Qiushuang considerately placed the box on Chu Xingchen’s desk. Without looking up at her, his dark eyes fixed on the case before him, he silently reached out and opened it.

Inside, arranged on crimson velvet, were three flawless white wolf-hair brushes. Their handles were carved from jade in the style of bamboo joints, and even the tassels were woven from golden threads.

The set was housed in a golden-inlaid nanmu wood box crafted from thousand-year-old timber, paired with a high-quality golden-cloud-patterned Chengni inkstone.

In the partitioned layers lined with red velvet were imperial Phoenix inksticks and bamboo paper. These three Phoenix inksticks, coated in glossy black lacquer, featured raised carvings of a phoenix on one side adorned with cloud patterns, and a phoenix on the other similarly decorated—clearly imperial tribute items. The imperial bamboo paper, thin as cicada wings and translucent, was likewise no ordinary stationery.

Though Chu Xingchen had lived a wretched existence these years, it did not mean he could not discern quality. Having been immersed in the palace environment for years, and with his circumstances now transformed, he knew better.

For a seasoned spy, identifying objects was merely the most basic skill.

Chu Xingchen gazed coldly at these precious items, a faint sneer curling his lips. Had Su Yingxue changed her tactics?

This was somewhat more pleasing than her former arrogant, domineering self who would freely reprimand and flog others. So she had started giving gifts now, and such extravagant ones at that.

Hmph.

Chu Xingchen snorted inwardly.

Since Su Yingxue wanted to perform this play of harmonious friendship and sibling affection, he, Chu Xingchen, now her nominal younger brother, would follow her lead and act out this Zhezi Xi.

Suppressing his emotions, Chu Xingchen concealed the coldness in his eyes, replacing it with a semblance of gratitude. The sharpness in his expression softened as a smile touched his lips, and he spoke gently.

“Miss Qiushuang, since this is Elder Sister’s kind intention, Chu Xingchen will gratefully accept it. Please convey my thanks to Elder Sister for her thoughtful care.”

After delivering these polite words, noticing Qiushuang staring blankly at him without speaking or taking leave, Chu Xingchen rose calmly and asked with a smile, “Does Elder Sister have any other instructions?”

Qiushuang had originally thought this Chu Huangzi was as cold as ice, keeping everyone at a distance.

But just now, it seemed as if Qiushuang was seeing Chu Huangzi for the first time as a graceful young nobleman, smiling radiantly and exuding an air of elegance. Truly, clothes make the man—dressed in a brocade robe and adorned with a jade crown, he did possess a jade-like refinement.