Study Room Q&A

  "It's all over, the Emperor has clearly decided not to let me off today. This is a test for my brother, if he does well it's only right, but if he doesn't then both sides will be offended. Sigh... this morning I was still gloating at those stubborn old men getting scolded, and now it's my turn in just one court session, indeed fortune is cyclical..."

  Ji Xiao Lan inwardly blamed Long Yintian a lot, but on the surface she still respectfully accepted the decree: "Your humble servant obeys."

  The first one asked was Fourth Brother Yongyan, because he was the oldest among all the brothers present, but this year he is only nine years old.

  When she heard that the first person to be tested was herself, Yong seemed a bit nervous, not only were her hands tightly clenched on her hem, but also her tender little face showed a look of helplessness and unease.

  After all, the oldest in the study room was Yongzhang before, so every time when asking questions, Yongying was always the second one, and the preparation time was also much more abundant, relatively speaking, it wasn't that nervous.

  Ji Xiao Lan's question was also of a high level. If he made it too difficult, Yongzheng would definitely not be able to answer it, but if he made it too easy, the Emperor would not pass it. So he asked a passage from "The Analects of Confucius": "Confucius said: 'Do not desire speed, do not see small gains. Desire for speed then you will not reach your destination, seeing small gains then big things will not be accomplished.' Please ask the Fourth Prince what his understanding of this phrase is?"

  Since ancient times, there has been a saying that "half of the Analects can understand the world", which shows that the Analects still have great inspiration and guidance in political affairs. Therefore, this question asked by Ji Xiaolan is simple but difficult, and it is flawless whether from the emperor's side or from the prince's side, and it can be said to be quite high-level.

  Long Hui Tian was even more satisfied with Ji Xiao Lan after hearing his question, in Qian Long's memory, Ji Xiao Lan was also a talented and knowledgeable person, it seemed that having him personally teach these princes to read books was quite suitable.

  Then, Long Yitian shifted his gaze onto Yong Jing, waiting for him to answer this question.

  Yongjin saw Long Yitian staring at him, and his heart became even more tense, afraid that he would answer poorly. The words that came out of his mouth were also stuttering: "R...return to the Emperor, this sentence... is saying... for those in power..."

  Before Yong'en could finish his first sentence, Long Yitian directly interrupted him with a gentle and kind tone, even with a hint of doting: "Yong'en, don't be nervous, speak slowly, even if you make a mistake, I won't punish you."

  Although his words were directed at Yongyan, he clearly felt a not-too-friendly gaze staring at Yongyan. He only needed to glance sideways to discover that the person staring at Yongyan was none other than Fifth Brother Yongqi.

  Yong Yin looked at Long Yintian with some surprise, as in his memory, Huang Ama was speaking to him in such a gentle tone for the first time. As a result, the tension in his heart dissipated greatly, and he spoke more fluently: "In response to Your Majesty's words, I believe that this sentence means that those who govern should not rush into things or seek immediate benefits. Rushing will not achieve the desired results, and seeking small gains will not accomplish great things. Instead, one should have a long-term perspective and proceed step by step. Moreover, when handling government affairs, one should be cautious, thoroughly investigate the facts, listen to many opinions, and understand the actual situation in order to avoid mistakes. As it is said, 'If you hear much but still have doubts, speak cautiously and there will be few errors; if you see much but still have suspicions, act cautiously and there will be few regrets. Speaking with few errors and acting with few regrets, fortune lies within.'"

  Long Hui nodded in satisfaction, Yong Yin not only understood the original meaning of the sentence but also associated it with other aspects, showing that he had learned well. He then lavished praise on him without hesitation: "Hmm, your answer is good, I'll reward you with a personally written calligraphy painting."

  Yong Jing was overjoyed to receive the emperor's praise for the first time, and her tender little face immediately lit up with a bright smile, her complexion also flushing noticeably. Her eyes were filled with confidence and adoration for Long Hui Tian.

  However, he did not forget his manners and immediately paid his respects: "Your son thanks you, Imperial Father."

  Yong Jing got the reward from Emperor Ama, and the jealousy in Yong Qi's eyes became even stronger. However, he himself did not realize that all his actions were being watched by Long Yitian and Ji Xiao Lan.

  Next to answer questions was Wu A Ge Yong Qi. Although he had only studied in the upper book house for a year and a half, at least he had finished learning all of "The Analects".

  It's her turn now, Yongqi immediately straightened up and raised her head, trying to show calmness and confidence, and in her heart, she was desperately trying to surpass Yonghan.

  Ji Xiao Lan didn't think much of Yong Qi's ways, but she hadn't intended to make things difficult for him. The question she asked was a relatively simple one from the Analects: "Confucius said, 'Learning without thinking is futile, thinking without learning is perilous.' What does this sentence mean, Fifth Brother?"

  Yong Qi heard this topic was very familiar to her, and she became more confident in her answer: "Replying to the Emperor, this sentence means that if one only focuses on learning without thinking, they may be misled and become confused; if one only thinks without learning, they may fall into a wrong path and suffer from fatigue and danger. I think that only by combining learning and thinking can we apply what we have learned."

  Long Hui Tian Jiang looked at Yong Qi's every move, and after hearing his answer, he only slightly nodded his head, without lavishing praise like he did with Yong Jing, but still gave a reward: "Hm, reward the fifth prince with a sword as you wish."

  Yong Qi saw that he also got a reward, and immediately happily accepted the gift. He even glanced at Yong Yan with a hint of pride as he stood up. Yong Yan just gave him a faint glance in return, then lowered his head without any extra reaction.

  Those slaves serving beside thought that Wu A Ge Yong Qi received more rewards than Si A Ge Yong Yan, where a painting can compare to the preciousness of a Ruyi Sceptre?

  But in this study, the one who truly understood Long Yitian's intention was probably only Ji Xiaolan.

  The emperor gave Yongjin a painting he had done himself, which shows how much he valued him; while to Yongqi he only gave a fancy ruyi scepter, which is essentially just a copper-smelling thing, how can it be compared with the emperor's treasure? Which one is light and which one is heavy, isn't it obvious at first glance?

  The last one to answer was Liu Gege Yong Yao, who had just entered the study room for half a year and was still in the stage of enlightenment. Therefore, Ji Xiaolan did not ask any more questions, but only let Yong Yao recite a passage from "Three Character Classic".

  Yong Yao also was a newborn calf not afraid of tigers, a pair of shiny black eyes stared at Long Yintian for a long time with great admiration, and then very reluctantly recited a passage from the "Three Character Classic" according to Ji Xiaolan's words. After finishing the recitation, he immediately said in a cheerful childlike voice: "Imperial Father, I have finished reciting, what reward will you give me?"

  Apart from Long Yintian, Yong Yu's words instantly changed the complexion of everyone in the study room. Some were worried, some were afraid, and some were gloating, unexpectedly giving Long Yintian a good show to watch.

  Yong Yin was about to anger the Emperor, and Yong Yin's anxiety didn't have any other good solution, so he immediately "thudded" and knelt down, hastily pleading for his brother: "Your Majesty, Yong Yao is still young and has no control over his words, I beg Your Majesty not to blame Yong Yao."

  Yong Ruo listened to Yong Yi's words and also realized that he had done something wrong, so he immediately walked over to Yong Yi and knelt down together, hanging his head and saying in a soft voice: "Your son knows he was wrong, please punish me, Your Majesty."

  Yong Qi stood by, watching coldly, and from start to finish did not utter a word. The slaves around her also lowered their heads, trying to minimize their presence, avoiding being affected by the emperor's anger.

  It seemed that Ji Xiaolan had something to say, but before he could take a step forward, Long Yitian shot him a warning glance and coldly warned, "Ji Xiaolan, shut your mouth for me."

  Ji Xiao Lan sighed helplessly in her heart, and had no choice but to retreat back to her own position. She couldn't help but glance at Sixth Brother with a sympathetic gaze, thinking to herself: "Alas... poor Sixth Brother, I'm not unwilling to help you, but unfortunately, this humble servant is also powerless at the moment. All I can do is continue being a background character..."

  Yong Yi saw that even Lian Ji Xiao Lan was rebuked by Long Yin Tian, and his heart became increasingly anxious and uneasy. He didn't want Yong Xiang to be abandoned by the Emperor because of this matter. Although the fraternal affection between brothers in the imperial palace was not genuine, he still had a good impression of Yong Xiang, that lovely younger brother.

  Although Wu A Ge Yong Qi and Yong Yan were of similar age, Yong Qi had always been unwilling to get close to his brothers, and seemed to be full of hostility towards Yong Zhuang and Yong Yan. Therefore, Yong Yan was actually closer to the younger Yong Huan, and Yong Zhuang had always taken good care of him. At this moment, if he didn't help Yong Huan plead for mercy, it would be unreasonable.

  Long Hanyan was very satisfied with Yongyi's performance, and regardless of how much true or false his brotherly feelings towards Yongyao were, his actions at this moment were very correct. Even if Yongyi was just pretending, it was better than being said that the brothers were like strangers, without any familial affection.

  Long Yitian had not spoken up all along, and the expression on his face was unreadable. Because Yong Yao's approach was indeed inappropriate, it would easily lead to misunderstandings from others, and might even be labeled as a fight for favoritism, which could also implicate Chun Fei in the trouble.

  Although Yongyao is only six years old now, others will not treat him as just a child, after all, his identity is there, and some people are eager for him to lose the holy favor early.

  Kneeling on the ground for a long time, his knees naturally felt uncomfortable. Yong Yin was slightly older and could still endure it, but Yong Yao couldn't. The chill from the ground made his knees ache incessantly, and he couldn't help but shift his numb legs slightly several times.

  But constrained by Long Hanyan still watching from above, he was both respectful and fearful in his heart, and didn't dare to make too big of a move. His eyes, like those of a small deer, gradually became misty.

  After a while, just as Yong Yin was about to plead again, Long Yintian finally broke the suffocating atmosphere and said in a gentle tone: "Yong Yin, Yong Yu, you two get up."

  Yong Yin immediately sensed that Long Yintian's tone didn't sound like he was angry, and the worry in his heart dissipated by half. At least Yong Yao wouldn't lose his saintly heart because of this, but punishment was probably still unavoidable.

  He stood up from the ground obediently, tightened his legs forcefully, and relieved a lot of stiffness in his legs.

  Yong Yao's heart was still uneasy and didn't know how Long Yitian would punish him later, but he still got up from the ground obediently.

  Perhaps it was because he had been kneeling on the ground for too long, but Yong Yao only felt that his legs were unable to support him, and with a sway of his body, he fell forward.

  Long Hui Tian had noticed Yong Yao's discomfort from the beginning, so he had been secretly paying attention to him. At this moment, seeing that Yong Yao seemed unstable and was about to fall, he took a swift step forward, his broad and powerful arms firmly embracing Yong Yao's chest, preventing him from getting hurt.

  Next to Yongying, although he also saw that Yongyao might fall and had already stretched out his hand to support him, but unfortunately his movements were not as fast as Long Yintian's. He only felt a flash of bright yellow in front of him, and when he looked again, Yongyao was already being held in Long Yintian's arms.

  Insert Bookmark