Chapter 27: Chu Xingchen thought to himself, “Is this a test of me, or is she truly sincere?”

Or perhaps it was because you are the only family in this world, yet your own biological father paid no attention, sold you off to another country to suffer hardship, toil, humiliation, and abuse for over a decade without a single word of concern or care?

Or perhaps because you are both sons of Chu Zhewu, the eldest brother was born a legitimate prince, clothed in silk and fed with delicacies, cherished by both mother and father, supported by noble families, and revered by the people.

The second brother has been carefree and indulged since childhood, adored by all, respected by palace attendants, granted lands and mansions at a young age, and exceptionally talented.

But he, aside from enduring beatings day and night, never having enough to eat or wear, lacking even a leak-proof roof to shelter from wind and rain, or a comfortable, clean bed to rest and recuperate.

Merely surviving was such a humble struggle, constantly scheming and calculating just to find a way to stay alive, sometimes even living less securely and freely than Laifu in the Eldest Princess’s palace?

This is the injustice of heaven!

Perhaps this is the tragic fate destined for Chu Xingchen in this lifetime.

Thus, from that day on, Chu Xingchen knew that in this world, only he himself could rely on his own will to carve out a bloody path for survival.

So Chu Xingchen swore to the heavens then, “In this life, this world is so unjust! Some are born with a silver spoon, clothed in silk and fed with delicacies, destined for a life of wealth; others are born like weeds, trampled and bullied at will! Heaven is unjust, the world is unkind! I will change the heavens and transform the way! If heaven is unjust, I will become the sky; if the world is unkind, I will destroy this world! And rebuild a new one!”

“I, Chu Xingchen, do not believe in heaven! I do not believe in fate! I do not believe in familial affection in this world! I do not believe in love in this world! Chu Xingchen swears here that those who humiliate, deceive, trample, or betray me—one day! I will repay them doubly!” Chu Xingchen’s eyes turned crimson, filled with obsession and stubbornness.

The past was like smoke. Chu Xingchen withdrew the unclear thoughts from his eyes. He hesitated for a moment but still spoke, “Miss Qiushuang, is Her Highness the Eldest Princess truly serious?”

Since ancient times, no one from any country has ever carefully instructed or guided a Hostage Prince from an enemy nation. Isn’t this just a joke? Chu Xingchen felt a hint of self-mockery.

“Her Highness the Eldest Princess is naturally serious.” Qiushuang thought that the Eldest Princess’s heartfelt intentions had moved Chu Xingchen somewhat, and she couldn’t help but seize the moment to encourage him further. “Her Highness said that Prince Chu is exceptionally intelligent, but it is a pity that due to a troubled fate, he missed the opportunity to study. How regrettable.”

“Her Highness also said that she believes Prince Chu is like a swan goose that has temporarily fallen from the clouds. As long as Your Highness studies diligently, given time and when the east wind rises, Your Highness will surely spread your wings like a great roc and soar freely in the blue sky.” Qiushuang thought for a moment and gently relayed Su Yingxue’s words to Chu Xingchen.

“Spread your wings like a great roc and soar freely in the blue sky.” Upon hearing this, Chu Xingchen’s eyes flickered faintly. He repeated these words silently in his heart, falling into a momentary silence as he gazed deeply at the opened writing tools before him.

After Qiushuang left, he whispered toward the direction of the Main Hall, as if asking himself, “Is this a test of me, or is she truly sincere?”

“Then, Su Yingxue, if this is the real you, which side is the true you—the irritable you or the sincere you?”

“Truly unfathomable…”

The next day, Hanmo Residence.

Su Yingxue had just handed over a large stack of assignments completed last night to Mr. Qingming. This morning’s lesson was Mr. Qingming’s policy discourse, while the afternoon session consisted of archery with Mr. Liu and equestrian training with Mr. Zheng.

Tomorrow would bring early morning music theory with the peerless fairy Wushuang, followed by sudoku and arithmetic with Mr. Yu in the afternoon. The day after would feature etiquette instruction – court protocols, gentlemanly manners, and palace regulations – from Etiquette Official Zhang in the morning, with calligraphy, painting, poetry appreciation, and prose analysis under Mr. Ximeng in the afternoon.

One had to admit, ancient education was intensely demanding. After two full months of private tutoring, Su Yingxue’s only reflection was how incredibly difficult it was to be a royal descendant of such noble status as the Eldest Princess of the Otherworld.

Last night, she had finished her final afternoon lesson at youshi (5-7 PM) and completed all assignments by zishi (11 PM-1 AM). Every day she had to rise at maoshi (5-7 AM) and begin lessons at chenshi (7-9 AM), with only one day off per month.

Su Yingxue was either on her way to class, in class, doing homework, or practicing skills – the ancient KPI system was even more insane than modern 996 work culture! At least in modern times she could rely on coffee when exhausted, but now she depended on strong tea and midnight oil-burning study sessions, essentially sleeping less than chickens and covering dark circles with rouge.

Zhang Susu sometimes couldn’t help but look skyward and lament: which brainless time-travel novel gave her the illusion that ancient times meant easy romance and relaxed living?

Clearly, ancient scholarly pursuits were even more endless. Zhang Susu frequently sighed heavenward – human calculations never match divine plans, destined as she was to struggle through lonely late nights.

However, sweat eventually brings rewards. After carefully reviewing last night’s assignments, Mr. Qingming smiled and told her:

“Your Highness has made remarkable progress these past few days. At this rate, after a few more months of study, Your Highness may propose to His Majesty again about re-entering Juxian Elegant Lodge.”

Mr. Qingming continued calmly, “Although Your Highness previously made mistakes, and memorial officials will inevitably submit petitions opposing Your Highness’s enrollment…”

“His Majesty is particularly partial to Your Highness, so he will certainly offer the opportunity to retake the Juxian Elegant Lodge entrance exam as requirement, thereby silencing public criticism.”

“Your guidance is most appreciated, Master. Therefore, this student will study diligently and certainly not bring shame upon you in the entrance examination,” Su Yingxue replied with a smile, performing a grateful bow.

Su Yingxue understood Mr. Qingming’s implied meaning – His Majesty would only provide one chance to retake the exam. If she failed to seize it, there would be no further opportunity to re-enter Juxian Elegant Lodge.

Thus, Zhang Susu determined to exhaust all efforts to pass this examination. Yesterday, Qiushuang had asked her, “Your Highness, this servant doesn’t understand why you must study so intensively for that Juxian Elegant Lodge exam?”

Seeing Her Highness’s consecutive days of arduous study, Qiushuang felt heartache. The former Eldest Princess willful and capricious, rarely cared for books yet lived freely and contentedly.

Though the current Eldest Princess had matured and stabilized, she seldom relaxed her brow or laughed heartily anymore. For a moment, Qiushuang wondered whether this version of the Eldest Princess was better or worse?

Perhaps for the treacherous palace life, greater maturity was preferable – after all, even His Majesty couldn’t protect the Eldest Princess forever.

Now the Empress regards the Princess as a thorn in her side, and the entire court’s censors have long been filled with grievances against Her Highness the Eldest Princess. In the entire court of the Da Sheng Kingdom, from high-ranking ministers and officials down to the common people in the alleys, who stands on the side of Her Highness the Eldest Princess? I fear there is no one who does not wish to see her removed and eliminated!

If she continues to be as wise and understanding as she is now, perhaps even after His Majesty is gone, Her Highness will be able to protect herself.