CH 1(2/2)
Linyi rushed out.
The master of the academy could not bear to see it, so he had the skinned flesh and blood collected first.
After about half an hour, the servant Linyi returned and reported that he could not find the third prince’s dog, Snow.
On the spot, third prince turned and grabbed the robes of the second prince, asking what he had done.
The academy was in chaos.
Though he was told to stop, the third prince did not. The second prince said he had not done anything, and turned pleadingly to the first prince.
The oldest prince laughed, walked over to comfort third prince, said he would tell their father, and after that they would find the murderer.
Huang Fu Jie was ignored, as usual.
Afterwards, the blame was somehow placed on him, and his mother was severely punished.
The emperor knew this was not because there was incriminating evidence, but because they had named a murderer that everyone had agreed upon. Jie just happens to fit the bill.
He just said “it wasn’t me” and never spoke again.
The prince remained in bed for more than a month after being severely punished by Yin Xian.
After his injury healed, he returned to the academy, where his third brother continued to bully him. But the beating was not very strong, as if perhaps his brother himself did not think the murderer was Huang Fu Jie.
The days passed.
At the age of 10, it was not known whether he was a genius, or whether he spent more time studying every day than the others, but he understood most of what the teacher taught in class could answer all of the test questions correctly.
Currently, their teacher had asked everyone a question at will—where did the rice come from?
The sixth brother, who eight years old, answered, “From the royal kitchen.”
The fifth son, who was nine years old, answered, “Everywhere sends their tribute.”
The twelve year old, third prince replied, “It was purchased with the money from the palace.”
The second prince, who was thirteen years old, answered, “It was planted in the ground.”
After asking four princes, the teacher asked the eldest.
“Do you know, your highness, where the rice comes from?”
Mr. Mo nodded slightly, as if pleased.
“Good, good. Your royal highness the eldest prince and your royal highness the second prince are worthy as the future pillars of the royal dynasty. Good, good.” He had asked this question to many nobles’ children before. Out of ten, eight or nine surprisingly were ignorant of where rice came from. It really made a person sigh in despair.
The first and second princes expressions showed they were very satisfied.
“The rice was planted by the people.” A dull voice sounded.
When they looked back, they found that the person who had spoken was Jie, who had never spoken in class.
“If there is only land and no people to cultivate it, grain cannot grow like weeds. But if corrupt officials run amok and the government is corrupt, the people’s lives will be miserable. After working hard in farming it, most of the rice must be turned in. In the same way, if there is a war, we also have no rice to eat. In other words, someone has to grow the food so that we can eat the rice. Therefore, the rice was planted by the people.”
Mr. Mo didn’t speak for a long time and just stared at him.
Huang Fu Jie was a little frightened at first, but then he calmed a little. He didn’t know much about it, but he had asked the eunuch who served him when he was studying, and the eunuch had told him about it.
“Well, let’s review today’s lesson.” Their teacher picked up his book and began to ask questions to the prince and his companions.
Huang Fu Jie waited a long time for praise, and could not help but be disappointed at not receiving it. But because his face was ugly, it was difficult to see his true expression.
Translator Notes: Poor Huang Fu Jie! I wish I could round up everyone who mistreated him and kick them in the teeth. *shakes fist* A big thanks to everyone who commented on the last chapter! You all really motivated me to get this out.