xymnovel Chapter 2: The Lockdown Point is Finally Full
Chapter 2: The Lockdown Point is Finally Full
Xia Chengkun was the sixth son in his family, and two of his sons, born out of wedlock, died young.
Xia Chengzong took great care of his younger siblings, although he couldn't actually help much and even caused some trouble.
But it still made the princess very happy.
Princess's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
The following year, Consort Mei gave birth to a son, named Xia Chengzhi, who was the eighth child in the family.
That year, Xia Chengzong took the initiative to ask to study and learn to read with his five-year-old brother, Xia Chengqian.
Because of the ban, there were no learned teachers in the Prince's Palace to enlighten them.
The person who taught them their studies was Xia Shouzhong, the chief eunuch of the mansion.
Although Xia Shouzhong was a eunuch, he was extremely learned and more than qualified to be an enlightening teacher.
Xia Shouzhong was not originally surnamed Xia; he was given the surname Xia by imperial decree and was extremely loyal to the Prince's Palace.
Now that he was asked to teach the young master of the manor, he naturally dared not neglect his duties.
Within a few days, Xia Shouzhong discovered that the third young master, Xia Chengzong, was very intelligent and could learn quickly.
In contrast, the eldest son, Xia Chengqian, was much clumsy and often couldn't remember something even after learning it three or five times.
In fact, this is the normal learning speed for children.
But everything is subject to comparison. Compared to Xia Chengzong, the eldest brother appeared quite foolish.
Teachers always favor bright and studious students, and Xia Shouzhong was no exception.
Although his attitude was generally respectful to the two students, he was even more respectful to the eldest, Xia Chengqian.
but--
Xia Shouzhong's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
This shows that Xia Shouzhong still favored him more.
Xia Chengzong also greatly admired his elder brother Xia Chengqian, because even though he always outshone his brother in every way, he still admired him greatly.
However, his elder brother contributed the most positive emotions to him, and very little negative emotions.
It must be said that although the eldest brother is young, he already has the demeanor of a kind and honest elder.
However, Xia Chengzong was still the most favored at home.
Gradually, he became the leader of the children, taking on the important responsibility of disciplining the three little ones.
The rewards were also very encouraging, bringing him a lot of positive emotions.
The three little ones both respected and feared him, though their hatred probably outweighed their respect.
Because the Prince's residence was sealed off, he never knew if it would ever be unsealed.
Therefore, no melodramatic palace intrigues or other such dramas occurred within the inner quarters.
Everyone was just lying around, passing the days in a very harmonious way.
In this way, Xia Chengzong appears out of place.
Throughout the entire household, he was the only one who remained consistently positive and diligent, paying meticulous attention to etiquette, filial piety, studies, and daily life.
He was strict with himself and equally strict with his younger siblings.
Such energy inspires respect even in adults, and may even evoke a sense of shame.
They, as adults, are not even as good as a child.
When the twins Xia Caiwei and Xia Chengkun were three years old, Xia Chengzong would take them to read together.
He personally assigned homework and supervised them every day.
If homework is not completed, the punishment ranges from standing as punishment to being slapped on the palm and denied food.
The two little ones also protested, complaining to Prince Chung-jang and his wife.
Unfortunately, the prince and princess not only failed to stand up for them, but also aided and abetted the evildoers, and punished them several more times.
This finally made the two little ones completely obedient, and they had no choice but to listen.
The youngest, Xia Chengzhi, was gloating on the sidelines, making the two little guys grit their teeth in hatred.
However, this happy period did not last long. The following year, when the eighth son, Xia Chengzhi, turned three, he was also asked by Xia Chengzong to study together.
Unfortunately, he was not good at studying and was very playful, so he was punished by having his hands slapped every day.
The emotional value he brings is almost on par with that of the twins Xia Caiwei and Xia Chengkun.
This kid hates me to the core! Looks like I wasn't lenient with him!
The three little ones bring him a steady stream of emotional points every day. Although the numbers are small, they add up over time.
Therefore, the time until the jade is unsealed is getting closer and closer.
In the blink of an eye, another year has passed.
Xia Chengzong had already begun reading the Four Books and Five Classics and had learned to compose poetry.
He wrote a short poem:
Where the sun never shines, youth still arrives.
Moss flowers, as small as grains of rice, also learn to bloom like peonies.
This poem was originally written by Yuan Mei of the Qing Dynasty. It uses concise and vivid language to metaphorically represent people through objects.
Through the description of moss, the author praises the spirit of striving upwards and persevering despite adversity.
Ironically, Xia Chengzong's own situation was not much different from that of the moss.
Although he was confined to the palace and never saw the light of day, he still tried his best to shine.
Because of its fresh and serene style, even though it was written by a six-year-old child, it is not considered a monster, despite its astonishing nature.
This poem deeply moved Xia Shouzhong, Prince Zhongzheng and his wife, as well as several concubines.
This child is truly remarkable for being able to write such poetry at such a young age.
Unfortunately, the sealing of the Prince's Mansion buried his talent.
Xia Chengzong had his own purpose in bringing out this poem.
As Eileen Chang once said, one should become famous as early as possible.
For Xia Chengzong, seizing the throne should be done as early as possible.
Only he himself knows that his father, Prince Zhongzheng, will one day ascend the throne as emperor.
Therefore, he naturally wanted to appear as intelligent as possible, and his current behavior was not taboo.
Sure enough, just one poem was enough to make all the officials in the mansion look at him with new respect.
In fact, in his calculations, the current benefits were secondary; the greater benefits would come after the Prince's Palace was reopened.
As for the suspicion and underhanded attacks that the precocious society might bring, he had already anticipated them.
The struggle for the throne is not a dinner party; it is a path fraught with danger, no less perilous than wingsuit flying.
If you are afraid of danger, don't choose this path in the first place.
……
Another year passed in the blink of an eye, and Xia Chengzong was now seven years old.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, right after breakfast, Xia Chengzong called the three little ones together to check the winter vacation homework he had personally assigned.
Xia Chengkun's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but ask, "Third Brother, today is the second day of the Lunar New Year. Are you checking homework today? Or are you a person?"
Xia Caiwei pouted and muttered, "That's right, Father and Mother are too lazy to care about our studies, so what right do you have to care about us?"
Xia Chengzhi said with dissatisfaction, "We're locked up in this mansion, and we don't even know if we'll ever be able to get out. What's the use of learning all this!"
Xia Chengzong looked down at the three little ones, saying, "Why? Because I'm your third brother!"
"Stop babbling and hurry up and recite your lessons! Anyone who disobeys will receive three extra strokes of the cane!"
The three children, having long lived under the oppressive power of the authorities, dared not resist and could only stumble and stammer as they began to memorize their books.
As Xia Chengzong had predicted, they indeed failed to memorize it.
Each person received five slaps on the palm.
Xia Chengkun's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
Xia Caiwei's negative emotions +1 +1 +1
夏承志负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
Emotional value: 1000, can be unblocked.
It wasn't easy. After seven years, I finally maxed out my emotional points, and my cheat ability can finally be unlocked.
At that moment, Xia Chengzong burst into tears.