Chapter 32

Zong Jincheng grumbled for a while, and all his sleepiness was gone.

Shunzi brought over a translation book, ready to start with the simplest ones. He first read the original text aloud, then the translated version, which left Zong Jincheng speechless.

If he had known he would have to memorize everything, he would have done it all at once last time. Now he had to waste time listening to the original text again.

Frustrated.

"When people are born, their natures are inherently good. Their innate qualities are quite similar, but it is the different environments and educations they receive that lead to significant differences in their habits and behaviors." Shunzi read the translation.

Since the goal was not only to memorize the translations but also to be able to write them from memory, Zong Jincheng decided not to listen to the original text a third time. Instead, he would write and memorize the translations while Shunzi read the original text for the second time.

He picked up a brush and, looking at the open book on the table, asked, "At the beginning of humanity, nature is inherently good. Is it written like this?"

He started writing on the rice paper, filling half a page with the character for "human."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Shunzi glanced at it and twitched his mouth, saying, "Young master, the characters need to be smaller. You can't take up half a sheet of paper."

Zong Wenxiu, who was about to read his own book, paused: "..."

He came over to check on his brother and heard Zong Jincheng's bold statement: "What's wrong with half a sheet of paper? Just buy more paper. Does she really begrudge spending money on me?"

Shunzi's temple twitched, but he still spoke politely: "Madam Xu hasn't restricted the use of paper. Please continue..."

Hearing this, Zong Jincheng continued writing the character for "of" on the other half of the paper. Although it looked ugly and the brush strokes were messy, at least he got it right.

"Hmm... not bad, not bad. Very talented!" The little troublemaker's self-praise mode activated.

Zong Wenxiu: "..."

He would have to get used to his brother's blind confidence.

Despite thinking this, Zong Wenxiu still dutifully taught him how to write smaller characters and explained the basic techniques of calligraphy.

Zong Jincheng was smart and caught on quickly, mastering the skill rapidly.

A sense of accomplishment was the fastest way to boost one's motivation. The little troublemaker became more and more confident, picking up the brush and writing away.

"Change the paper, grind the ink. I can write a dozen more!"

By the end of the morning, Cui Zhi came in to call the two young masters for lunch. Seeing the stack of rice papers, she was stunned.

"Goodness! These... were all written by Master Jincheng?"

Zong Jincheng was chewing on a brush, swinging his legs, with an arrogant yet proud expression, answering her, "Of course, it's me. Isn't it cool?"

"Cool! Very cool!" Cui Zhi praised without hesitation, "It's so cool that it makes the heavens and earth tremble, the sun and moon dim, and even spirits and demons pale in comparison!"

"If you keep this up, the other young masters will be too ashamed to show their faces!"

"Master Jincheng is amazing!!"

From that day on, the little troublemaker found joy in writing. He spent his days in the study, drawing away, not caring whether the characters were ugly or not, just enjoying the process!

Not content with just black ink, he had people buy red, green, and even multicolored inks, turning writing into a form of painting, exploring all the fun in it.

Zong Wenxiu was also witnessing for the first time that his brother could actually study with him for hours on end!

It will definitely succeed!

He would definitely meet Madam Xu's requirements within a month!

Meanwhile, Xu Wan began to feel anxious.

Although progress was smooth, this was still a one-time deal. Once the little troublemaker finished this phase of his studies, he would go back to his old ways.

A forward-thinking leader must plan ahead.

At this time, the Yangyuan Marquis Manor received an invitation.

Half a month later, the Crown Princess's birthday celebration would take place, inviting various noble families to the palace.

Both adults and children were invited, including Zhai Yao and others.

Xu Wan thought it was time to use him to set a trap for Zong Jincheng. But how should she plan it?

The little troublemaker, engrossed in writing, hadn't realized that his 'wicked' stepmother was plotting against him again. He was still in the study, happily switching brushes, using thick ones for simple characters and thin ones for complex ones, and changing paper whenever he made a mistake.

Days passed.

The stack of filled rice papers in the study grew taller, and the number of translations to memorize grew smaller. Zong Jincheng spent more and more time in the study.

The atmosphere in the Yangyuan Marquis Manor became increasingly harmonious.

On the day they were to enter the palace, the harmonious atmosphere in the carriage vanished instantly.

As soon as Zong Jincheng got into the carriage, he glared at her angrily: "We're going to the palace all day, and I haven't finished drawing the 'Strategies of the Warring States' yet. Kids aren't supposed to go, so why do you insist on taking me?"

Xu Wan calmly replied, "Learning should be gradual and balanced with rest. Spending so much time in the study every day is harmful to your eyes and neck. I don't want you to end up with a hunchback at a young age. I wouldn't be able to explain that to your grandmother."

"Hmph, you're afraid of grandma getting angry? If she knew how you've been bullying me these past two months, she would definitely skin you alive!"

Xu Wan chuckled, "Dream on, little brat."

Everything that happened in the manor, the old lady knew about it. She didn't want to burst the little troublemaker's bubble. His boundless optimism was almost laughable.

Zong Jincheng turned his head away, refusing to talk to her. But he was a chatterbox, and after a while, he couldn't help but start talking to Zong Wenxiu: "Once we're in the palace, stick with me and don't wander off. With me guiding you, nothing will go wrong. Someone here is also visiting the palace for the first time, and making a mistake in the royal palace is a big deal. I wonder how she'll handle it."

Zong Wenxiu nodded, "I'll follow you."

Xu Wan, with her eyes closed, ignored his veiled mockery.

Although she was the new mistress of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, she had no faction, no enemies, and no husband in the capital. The manor was wealthy, but the noble ladies looked down on the merchant-born old lady, paying little attention to them.

Even if they did, it was mostly disdain. As long as she didn't draw attention to herself or cause trouble, most noblewomen would ignore her, treating her like air.

However, before they even reached the East Palace, they were stopped.

A boy about eight or nine years old stood in front of them, glaring angrily at Zong Jincheng, shouting, "Zong Jincheng, I never expected you to be such a person!"

"Zhai Yao?" Zong Jincheng recognized him and all the bad memories came flooding back. He retorted irritably, "What's wrong with you? Why are you blocking me? Looking for trouble?"

Zhai Yao sneered, "I just didn't expect the future young marquis of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor to be so stingy. You give away things and then take them back. Is your family really so poor that you can't even afford to keep a pot on the stove?"

Zong Jincheng finally understood. It was about the Han Xue Bao Ma (Blood-Sweating Horse). He immediately got furious and retorted loudly, "The item is mine, I can give it to whoever I want and take it back if I want. The contract is in my hands. Do you want to steal it? And 'can't afford to keep a pot on the stove'... I wonder whose family can't afford it. If you're so rich, why don't you buy it yourself? Asking me for things all the time, aren't you ashamed?"

Zong Jincheng stuck out his tongue at him, provoking him with full confidence.