sjar Chapter 25 A Monk for One Day, Ringing the Bell for One Day
Chapter 25 A Monk for One Day, Ringing the Bell for One Day
Compared to the quiet and deserted Chengqian Palace, Yonghe Palace was much more lively. Yinzhuo and his companion had just arrived at the palace gate and had not yet entered when they could hear the silvery laughter of the Fourteenth Prince coming from inside.
When Yinzhen and Yinzuo arrived at Yonghe Palace, the first thing they naturally did was to go and wish Consort De a Happy New Year. Although Consort De did not like her son Yinzhen, she would not cause trouble for the children during the New Year. She smiled and greeted the two children, then took the purse from the maid next to her and distributed lucky money to them.
"Thank you for the gift, Mother."
As soon as Yinzhuo got his hands on the purse, he couldn't wait to open it and take a look. Not only did he look at it himself, but he also urged Yinzhen, who was standing next to him, to open it and take a look as well.
"Fourth brother, you should open it and take a look too. If Mother didn't give us enough, we should ask her to make it up to us now. Otherwise, once we leave Yonghe Palace, we might not get another chance like this."
In response to Yinzhuo's shameless behavior, Consort De rolled her eyes twice. If it weren't for the fact that it's unlucky to hit a child during the New Year, she would have definitely gone up and given Yinzhuo some motherly love.
After paying their New Year's respects and receiving their rewards, Yinzhuo and Yinzhen played with the fourteenth prince for a while. When he couldn't stay awake any longer, Consort De had him taken away, leaving only the mother and her two children in the small hall.
With Yinzhuo acting as a peacemaker, Consort De and Yinzhen, though somewhat awkward with each other, were able to chat from time to time. After midnight, Yinzhuo, exhausted both mentally and physically, finally saw a glimmer of hope.
"Mother, please rest well. Fourth Brother and I will head back now."
Yinzhen was pulled by Yinzuo and ran out of Yonghe Palace. He looked back at the palace gate behind him and smiled slightly. At least it was much better than he had imagined, wasn't it?
After a short holiday, Yinzhuo and the others resumed their studies in the Imperial Study. However, on the first day of school, Yinzhuo felt a shock. Looking at the empty seat in the study room that originally belonged to Yinti, Yinzhuo sighed helplessly.
"I really envy my older brother. He's finally over his hardships and escaped his misery. When will I be able to graduate from the Imperial Study...?"
Yinzhuo's words echoed the sentiments of everyone in the study, immediately drawing a chorus of agreement. Normally, without comparison, things would have been fine, but now that comparison had been made, Yinzhuo suddenly felt that he didn't want to stay in the Imperial Study for even a day longer.
Once it happened, it happened again. Soon after the eldest prince, Yinti, the crown prince, Yinreng, also graduated from the Imperial Study. This made Yinzuo's already restless heart even more uncontrollable.
However, Yinzhuo was well aware that if he dared to tell Kangxi that he didn't want to study in the study anymore, he would be met with a furious wrath, and the lightest punishment would be a good beating. So even if he was unwilling, he still had to come to the study and read the books.
"Sigh, I might as well just take it one day at a time. I'm going crazy in this Imperial Study. Life isn't a cartoon. You tell me the prince wants me to study, but my mind just keeps going blank. I need to dream about having a vacation first..."
It's true what they say, when someone's luck is so bad, even drinking cold water can cause them to choke. In his helplessness, Yinzhu hummed a tune to pass the time, and somehow it started playing in the Imperial Study. It even made its way to the Qianqing Palace, and so the next day after school, Kangxi sent someone to bring Yinzhu to the Qianqing Palace.
"Yinzuo, I heard you don't want to study anymore and want to become a monk?"
Kangxi's question stunned Yinzhi. Where did his father hear this rumor? It was true that he didn't want to study, but he had never thought of becoming a monk.
"Father, where did you hear that? Although I've been feeling a bit restless lately because my two older brothers have graduated from the academy one after another, I've never thought about becoming a monk. After all, studying and being a monk each have their own hardships. Even if I can't endure the hardships of studying, I might not be able to endure the hardships of being a monk."
Kangxi knew, of course, that Yinzhi didn't want to become a monk. He was just teasing him. But seeing Yinzhi's helpless expression as he said that studying and becoming a monk each had their own hardships, Kangxi was intrigued.
"Then tell me, how are studying and becoming a monk both arduous?"
While Yinzhuo had never experienced the hardships of being a monk, he felt he had a lot to say about the hardships of studying.
"I haven't experienced the hardships of being a monk, so I can't really say for sure right now. But just thinking about how I'd only be able to eat tofu and vegetables every day after becoming a monk makes me feel like I'm living a life of misery. As for the hardships of studying, those are just too many to bear. Before I start, I should make it clear that you asked me to say this. If I say anything that might upset you, please don't punish me."
Upon hearing Yinzhuo's words, Kangxi knew that the boy was up to no good. However, he was also curious to hear about the hardships of studying in the Imperial Study. So he nodded in agreement and said he would not punish him no matter what he said.
"Father, let me put it this way. First, there's the issue of class time. Don't you think that from 3 AM to 5 PM is a bit too long? My brothers and I are at the age where we're still growing. Who can endure this kind of class time in the long run? Second, there's the issue of holidays. Father, don't you think that the 24/7 system of the Imperial Study is a bit too inhumane? Living under this high-pressure system all year round, I feel like I'm about to become depressed. I've completely lost my former cheerfulness. Finally, I have to talk about the 120-repetition method you invented. This kind of rigid rule is such a waste of time. It's not that your method is bad, but I think teachers should pay attention to the individual differences of each student and teach according to their aptitude, instead of trying to achieve results overnight and applying a rigid formula..."
Yinzhuo was a little nervous when he first spoke, but after saying a few words, he saw that Kangxi's expression was normal and he did not seem unhappy. He became bolder. Although he did not know whether his words would have any effect, now that he had the opportunity, Yinzhuo naturally wanted to do his best to fight for himself.
Emperor Kangxi clearly did not expect that the Shangshufang system, which he considered to be completely without problems, would be full of issues in the eyes of Yinzhuo. After listening to Yinzhuo's words, he remained silent and thought for a while before speaking.
"I understand the question you raised. I need to discuss it with the scholar in my study before making a decision. You may go back now."
Yinzhuo hadn't expected an immediate reply; as long as there wasn't a flat rejection, it meant there was still hope.
"Your Majesty, please continue with your duties. I will take my leave now."
Yinzhu didn't know what Kangxi did after he left, but a few days later he saw the changes he had fought for in the Imperial Study. First, although the class time remained the same, the start time was extended by an hour, and the end time was also extended by an hour, but as long as he didn't have to get up early, he could accept it. Second, while their original holidays remained unchanged, they received an extra day off every ten days. Finally, regarding their studies, if they could complete the tasks assigned by their teacher on the same day and pass the assessment, they would no longer have to follow the "one hundred and twenty repetitions" rule.