Chapter 213: Unyielding
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Master Zhu had a headache.
The youngest, most adorable, and softest Princess Sunshine seemed to be quite the little troublemaker.
The most terrifying part? She wasn’t being deliberately difficult—she was simply speaking the truth!
A direct, unrelenting headache.
The first day of school began with an enlightenment ceremony.
Master Zhu led the young children in a three-bow salute to Confucius, demonstrating their future reverence for teachers and moral principles.
Raising his hand in a respectful gesture, he recited solemnly:
“To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to set a path for the people, to inherit the wisdom of the past sages, and to bring peace to all future generations…”
The children’s voices, though tender, rang out with conviction:
“To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to set a path for the people, to inherit the wisdom of the past sages, and to bring peace to all future generations.”
The ritual was completed.
Lu Chao Chao, standing at the forefront, couldn’t help but be influenced by the atmosphere. A hint of seriousness settled on her small face.
Chief Minister Yuan nodded slightly in approval.
“Those who gave birth to us are our parents; those who educate us are our teachers. Bow to the teacher once…”
“Bow twice…”
“Bow thrice…”
“The ceremony is complete.”
A study attendant brought forward a heavy drum. Master Zhu announced, “Beating the drum awakens wisdom.”
“The louder the sound, the greater the ambition, the stronger the confidence, the clearer the sight, and the sharper the hearing. It signifies enlightenment, paving the way for great achievements.”
Master Zhu handed the drumstick to Lu Chao Chao but hesitated. “Princess, since you could pull out the Sunshine Sword, your strength is extraordinary. Perhaps… a gentler touch?” With her strength, she could easily break the drum.
Lu Chao Chao gave a soft “Oh.”
She gripped the drumstick and struck the drum with the first beat.
The other children followed in turn, their gazes growing more resolute with each strike.
Next came the cinnabar enlightenment ritual. Chief Minister Yuan dipped a brush into red cinnabar and marked a red dot at the center of Lu Chao Chao’s forehead.
“Eyes bright, heart clear—wisdom awakened. May you grasp knowledge with ease in your studies ahead.”
Each child received a similar red mark on their forehead.
By the time the enlightenment ceremony concluded, half the day had passed.
Returning to the classroom, Master Zhu began teaching the Three Character Classic.
“At birth, people are inherently good. Their natures are similar, but their habits set them apart…” Master Zhu swayed his head as he recited and then explained the meaning to the children.
The little ones listened with expressions of vague understanding.
Lu Chao Chao swayed slightly before raising her tiny hand.
Master Zhu’s head throbbed instantly.
“Princess Sunshine, do you have a question?”
Lu Chao Chao sat obediently on her stool, her voice soft and sweet, carrying a childish innocence. This eased the tension in Master Zhu’s heart slightly.
“Master…”
“It’s time for little cookies.”
Her small hands rested dutifully on the desk as she tilted her head expectantly, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Master Zhu clutched his chest sharply.
Lu Chao Chao looked at him suspiciously. “Emperor Daddy wouldn’t lie, right? He said there would be little snacks in the middle!”
Master Zhu felt his breath hitch in his throat—he couldn’t swallow nor exhale properly.
Even more terrifyingly, all the children turned to him with wide, eager eyes: “Master, where are the little snacks?”
Master Zhu took a deep breath to compose himself. “Bring out the prepared snacks.”
The study attendants nearly burst out laughing.
Lu Chao Chao happily munched on her little snack, her eyes sparkling. “Emperor Daddy didn’t lie! The Imperial Academy’s snacks are really delicious.”
She would definitely come again tomorrow!
What made her even happier was that lunch was absolutely amazing.
“Since when did the academy’s meals become so delicious?”
“I think it’s even better than the Imperial Palace’s banquets…”
The students of the Imperial Academy were all from noble or wealthy families.
Normally, their household attendants would bring their lunch, but today, they all rushed to the dining hall in droves.
Someone nudged their chin toward Lu Chao Chao. “Isn’t it because of her? The cooks were specially selected from the Imperial Kitchen, and some were even recruited from all over the land.”
Lu Chao Chao hugged her bowl and focused on eating.
Yuan Man, the grandson of Chief Minister Yuan, picked up a piece of food and placed it in Lu Chao Chao’s bowl. “Chao Chao, eat more. My grandfather didn’t scold you today, did he?”
Lu Chao Chao shook her head. “Your grandfather insists that I take a master and become some… some kind of last disciple.”
“He can’t close the door himself? Why does he need me to close it!” Lu Chao Chao huffed, her little cheeks puffed up with frustration, rice stuck to her face as she took an angry bite of her meat.
“Pfft…” Yuan Man nearly spat out his rice.
“My grandfather wants you as his last disciple? Heavens, Chao Chao, my grandfather is actually accepting you as his last disciple!!”
“Chao Chao, ‘last disciple’ doesn’t mean closing the door!” Yuan Man’s face was flushed with excitement.
The dining hall fell into stunned silence upon hearing the words ‘last disciple.’
The Chief Minister was going to take Lu Chao Chao as his last disciple?
“Has Chief Minister Yuan gone blind?”
“Even if she is a princess, accepting a two-year-old child as a last disciple is absurd!”
“So even the Chief Minister bows to power?”
“Ask yourselves honestly—are you really inferior to her? Are you worse than a two-year-old child?” A young boy pointed at Lu Chao Chao.
Silence.
Only Lu Chao Chao continued to chew on her chicken leg, her little face covered in oil.
“If anyone wants it, they can have it. I don’t care.” Lu Chao Chao’s soft voice was full of indifference.
“Hmph, ridiculous!”
“What does she have besides being Princess Sunshine? How is she worthy of being the Chief Minister’s last disciple?” The young boy was so furious he was on the verge of tears.
“If we lost to Lu Yan Shu, fine. But her? She’s only two! She probably can’t even write her name or recite the Three Character Classic! Are you all really willing to accept this?” The boy’s words stirred a sense of defiance among the students.
When news first spread that Chief Minister Yuan was seeking a last disciple, every student worked tirelessly, striving to be first in every exam, all in hopes of catching the Chief Minister’s eye.
The boy’s older brother was neck and neck with Lu Yan Shu in their studies. In the recent capital examination, Lu Yan Shu placed first, while his brother followed closely behind.
Who would have thought that the last disciple title would fall upon two-year-old Princess Sunshine?
Lu Yan Shu had entered the dining hall at some point.
“I am not as good as Chao Chao. If you are unconvinced, you may challenge her yourselves.” Lu Yan Shu’s expression was calm, his azure robe gently swaying as he turned toward Lu Chao Chao with a soft smile.
“Big Brother!”
“Big Brother, aren’t you supposed to be studying for your exam?” Lu Chao Chao threw herself into his arms, still clutching her chicken leg tightly.
“The exam is in three days. I came to check whether you’ve been skipping school.” Lu Yan Shu glanced at her.
[If it weren’t for the delicious snacks, I would have run away already.]
[Lunch is good too…]
[I don’t want to study, but I want to eat the snacks and lunches here…]
She had to admit, the Emperor knew her weakness well.
Lu Chao Chao constantly watched the time, reminding the teacher when it was time for snacks.
The students, upon seeing Lu Yan Shu, felt embarrassed and quickly stood up, greeting him in unison. “Brother Lu…”
“Brother Lu’s exam is in three days. We wish Brother Lu success in achieving top honors!” They all cupped their hands in respect.
Lu Yan Shu’s scholarly brilliance was undeniable. Everyone admired and acknowledged his talent.
Despite being bedridden for ten years and having all his books thrown away, he still managed to achieve top marks in the provincial exam.
At just eight years old, he had already demonstrated the ability to claim the top spot.
“Brother Lu, did you just say ‘challenge’?”
“You mean us? Against two-year-old Princess Sunshine?” The students pointed at themselves before turning to Lu Chao Chao.
“Isn’t that just bullying?” While they were indignant, they still had some dignity left!
Chief Minister Yuan stood outside the hall, his expression calm.
“Compete.”
“I’ll make sure you lose so thoroughly you won’t have a shred of doubt left.”
The Chief Minister did not wish to discourage his students, but since they sought humiliation themselves, they had only themselves to blame.
This would be the perfect chance to curb their arrogance.
“Summon the Dean and Vice Dean to serve as judges!”