Even though Zhen Pu Ren said he only recognized a few words, but it was obviously self-effacement.
In the previous essay writing exercise, He Lang was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was young, but his essays were written quite well, it was rhythmic and flowed naturally.
What's more, Zhen Pu Ren's words expressed deep concern and pity for the common people, making one sigh with emotion upon reading it.
Looking again Zhen Pu Yang's his essay, it wasn't bad, it had brilliant literary grace, and full of artistic talent.
It was just that the message it conveyed was just like him, carrying a kind of unreasonable tyranny, saying if foreigners were to commit crimes, they deserved to be beaten back, and also to occupy their domain.
This was simply just like a despotic gang leader; He Lang could only smile helplessly. If he really were to become the Emperor, how could such impulsiveness be good?
He called Zhen Pu Yang over, putting Zhen Pu Ren's essay on the table, letting him look it over, asking him what he felt, seeing if he could gain some enlightenment from it.
Although these were two different paths, in his eyes there was no right and wrong, but He Lang wanted still wanted them to learn from each other.
Unexpectedly, Zhen Pu Yang seemed to have misunderstood is intentions, pulling the paper on the desk over to read it, cursorily looking it over, disdainfully throwing down his essay: "Simply a woman's charity!" (1)
Seeing that Zhen Pu Ren's essay had been wrinkled greatly by his crude actions.
He Lang started, immediately taking it back, pressing on the paper to smooth it out.
But this view of He Lang's attentive actions completely annoyed Zhen Pu Yang.
Ever since the writing exam (2), Zhen Pu Yang had enjoyed the benefits and thought that reading books was interesting.
He was happy to receive the praises of everybody because of his studies and therefore spent great effort on learning, thinking that the Imperial Younger Brother who had only studied for a while and didn't know many words; and would encounter many problems (3).
"Teacher, are you praising him for writing better than This Highness?!" Zhen Pu Yang was eager to outdo others, facing this kind of situation, how could he not be angry.
He Lang patted him, eyes unsurprised, saying honestly: "Your Highness writes well, but lacks the care for commoners that a monarch should have."
Zhen Pu Yang shot a glance at him, "I think a monarch should rule, and not pity."
Fine, this child is this stubborn, He Lang rubbed his forehead.
"Teacher –"
A shout came from outside the door, not seeing another person but hearing them first, and then opening the door, it was Zhen Pu Ren who came to find He Lang.
At a glance, he was carefully hugging a scroll, it could be seen that with a delicate ribbon tying it, it was meant to be a gift.
It's this person again... Zhen Pu Yang sneered, in a terrible mood, not wanting to see the scene of these two getting along, flinging the door and walking.
"You. Two. Talk. Slowly!"
The two looked at each other, but knowing that Zhen Pu Yang's personality was like this, there was a tacit understanding between the two to ignore it.
On the desk there was still Zhen Pu Ren's essay, so Zhen Pu Ren saw it in a glance.
At the same time, he was eagle-eyed and saw that the paper had obvious marks of being rubbed, and a feeling of loss flashed across his eyes for an unfathomable reason.
He Lang followed his gaze, and was very awkward, but he didn't want the two children to become enemies and explained that it was him who accidentally wrinkled it.
Zhen Pu Ren shook his head magnanimously, showing a relieved smile, expressing that he didn't care. He Lang was his Teacher, if he felt that he wrote badly, tearing it was reasonable, and there was no explanation necessary.
He Lang nodded, not knowing what to say, he patted the caressed the well-behaved child's head.
Zhen Pu Ren lowered his eyes, feeling He Lang's stroking motions, his heart softened.
However, he could remember that his 9th Imperial Brother was just here, and his essay was most likely messed with by him.
The small tricks played by Zhen Pu Yang today were still considered mild, but the future days would hurt He Lang's head.
Once Zhen Pu Ren recited the book, Zhen Pu Yan would turn the page using great strength, and the pages made loud brushing noises as they turned.
As long as Pu Zhen Ren hesitated for a moment, or had a moment of consideration, Pu Zhen Yang would interrupt, ridiculing: "This Highness can also recite."
As long as he had lessons together with Zhen Pu Ren, he would not pay attention, but he had an intelligent mind, and could remember things with a single glance, which is why he would disdain him, what was the point of trying so seriously?
He Lang raised an eyebrow, "Then would Your Highness display your talents for us?"
Zhen Pu Yang didn't stand, leaning on the cushion, raising his head, reciting the passage measuredly:
"The Tao of the lord of men regards tranquility and humility as treasures. Without handling anything himself, he can tell skillfulness from unskillfulness; without his own concerns of mind, he can tell good from bad luck. Therefore, without uttering any word himself, he finds a good reply given; without exerting his own effort, he finds his task accomplished. Whenever a reply is given to his question, he holds to its covenant –" (4)
"Your Highness is indeed clever." Knowing that Zhen Pu Yang enjoyed showing off, if he didn't let him ease his heart, he would only put himself in a spot, He Lang specifically let him finish reciting, and gave him a word of praise; but in his heart he couldn't help but question what allowed His Highness to want to maintain a secure bearing, but was also like a competitive child at this time.
A single word of praise was not enough to satisfy Zhen Pu Yang. He narrowed his eyes, was Teacher just going through the motions with him? Thinking that he was coaxing a child who was seeking validation from others?
He perceived that he was unwilling, on one hand thinking about his own agitation, on the other hand thinking that he wanted to disparage his Imperial Younger Brother even more, letting Teacher know that he (12th prince) was mud that couldn't support a wall, no longer paying attention to him.
Footnotes
(1) This meant to be an insult to ZPR's manliness I guess... but its good being kind though!
(2) Remember when ZPY won and gave the horse to He Lang?
(3) 自认为学识文笔上甩那个不识几个字的皇弟几条长安街 – I don't know the meaning of this sentence...
(4) The text recited is by Han Fei Zi who was a political philosopher. This paragraph is found in Chapter 5: "The Tao of the Sovereign" – translated by W. K. Liao; which can be found online with some effort. I have not enough brains to translate philosophy...
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T/N: I've decided to have a release schedule because I can't sustain updating every day qAq
Mon: Half a chapter
Weds: Remaining half
Fri: One whole chapter (bc TGIF!!)
Since I released one today, I won't be releasing another on Monday. The next update will be on Wednesday, 20th of May.
Like this, we'll be done by the end of June, which is also when my summer hols end.
YOU ARE READING
Slag Shou Cultivating Manual
RomanceTHIS IS A TRANSLATION! The author is 顾耳 on jjwxc. He Lang died by his own hands for the sake of his imperial younger brother's ambition, whom he loved. He was offered to be reborn in exchange for giving up his past romantic feelings. Reborn without...
