Chapter 226 - 193: Snacks and Test Papers

"I won’t," he said, his smile fading. He cupped her face and looked at her earnestly. "I know you’ve done so much for my children. The three Princes get along harmoniously now, and they also take good care of Taihua. This is all thanks to how you’ve raised Zhao’er. In my heart, you and Zhao’er are the ones I cherish the most."

The final list of companion readers for the Eldest Prince was something the two of them had drafted together.

She knew her own son best. Xie Zhao was a precocious child with immense self-control, so Jiang Xian wasn’t worried his companions would lead him to become obsessed with play. With his own mother watching over him daily, there was no way his character would be swayed. She whispered in the Emperor’s ear, "If you’re choosing boys of good character for the Second Prince, then I want the exceptionally clever ones. A few personality flaws won’t matter." Any child whose family dared send them into the palace wouldn’t have any major issues, as they had already been thoroughly vetted at home. The so-called ’personality flaws’ were merely being overly competitive, too boisterous, or a little aloof and arrogant. On the long list, the ones Jiang Xian wanted were those who learned faster than their peers, so as to "give Zhao’er a bit of competitive pressure."

"Aren’t you afraid of discouraging Zhao’er?"

"If he gets discouraged, he can just get back up again. If worst comes to worst and he’s discouraged in the Upper Study Room, he can come back to Bihua Palace, and I’ll help him up."

When the selection of the four companion readers was finalized, Jiang Xian noticed the list was almost completely identical to her initial choices. Only one boy, a descendant from a collateral branch of the Rong Family, had been removed and would not be by Zhao’er’s side.

Noble Princess Consort Rong’s favor and preferential treatment remained, but it seemed the Rong Family was no longer as trusted by the Emperor as before.

***

On the first day the two Princes began their studies in the Upper Study Room, Jiang Xian went to visit them with a box of snacks, making sure to bring a portion for her younger brother, Jiang Yanchuan, as well.

Her younger brother, nearly twenty years her junior, barely suppressed his excitement. Observing the bare minimum of court etiquette, he trotted up to her. "Greetings, Lady Shufei."

’This was the sister his parents told him about every day!’

’In past years at palace banquets, he could only see her from afar. He had been too shy to speak to her much, but now things were different. He was a companion reader for his Prince nephew, which meant he would have plenty of chances to see his sister.’

Because he had grown up hearing his parents praise his sister, Jiang Yanchuan was full of admiration for her.

When he had seen his sister dressed in her formal attire at palace banquets, Jiang Yanchuan already thought she was beautiful—so beautiful she didn’t seem real. He was incredibly proud to have a Fairy Sister. But seeing her now in a more casual setting, Jiang Xian wore only a touch of powder, revealing a natural beauty like a lotus flower rising from clear water. The soft, lovely smile she gave her little brother made six-year-old Jiang Yanchuan’s heart hammer in his chest—

’Damn, my sister is gorgeous.’

’He wanted to be like Brother Jiang Yi and grow into a man who could protect his sister from all harm.’

"Thanks to you, sister, everything at home is well,"

Jiang Yanchuan’s face was flushed with excitement. He took after his father in looks; Father Jiang had been a fair-skinned and refined scholar in his youth. As Jiang Xian looked down at him, it was like seeing a miniature version of her own father gazing up at her with adoration... ’Not gonna lie, it’s a pretty great feeling.’ "Ah, I should have said Lady Shufei. My apologies, this subject misspoke."

According to the rules in Yan Chi, a Prince’s companion reader did not have to refer to themselves as ’this servant,’ unlike the eunuchs.

Faced with such a well-behaved child, even Jiang Xian couldn’t bring herself to be strict with him.

"We are brother and sister by blood, so what’s wrong with calling me ’sister’? I’ll speak with the Emperor later and get his special permission for you to address me that way." She could tell Jiang Yanchuan was particularly fond of calling her ’sister,’ so she indulged him.

The other companion readers, who were also from the families of officials or the imperial clan, took in the scene and immediately understood that Lady Shufei had a very good relationship with her family. The rumors that she had been mistreated by her stepmother and disliked her younger half-brother instantly fell apart.

Hearing this, Xie Zhao, who was standing to the side, furrowed his brow.

Jiang Xian asked him what was wrong. He replied, "Yanchuan and I get along great, but if we address each other based on our family ties, wouldn’t I have to call him Uncle?" Although that was their technical relation, to suddenly be a generation lower for no reason... ’How annoying!’

"You two can just call each other by your names."

Imperial authority trumped all else. Even her own parents would have to kneel and bow to their daughter and grandson in public; such etiquette could not be disregarded. After Jiang Xian’s gentle reminder, Xie Zhao had a flash of insight, and his furrowed brow smoothed out. "Yanchuan, let me tell you, Nanny Mu in my palace is an amazing cook. You’ll know once you have a taste. Her pastries are so much better than the ones from the main kitchen."

Zhenqiu, at Jiang Xian’s side, presented an exquisite food box.

Jiang Xian had drawn up the designs for this food box herself and ordered the Manufacturing Office to have it custom-made. There was more to it than met the eye.

After handing the food box to her son, she didn’t stay long, leaving him time to spend with his companion readers—no matter how close a boy was to his mother, having a parent nearby always made things feel a little constrained.

Sure enough, as soon as Lady Shufei left, the other three companion readers dared to crowd around.

They were truly envious of Jiang Yanchuan’s family connection. Lady Shufei had even prepared a special portion of snacks just for him. They figured that from now on, any task that involved taking the fall or suffering punishment on the Prince’s behalf would land squarely on the three of them.

"Let me see what goodies Mother brought for me..."

Xie Zhao opened the food box. Inside, it was divided into four tiers.

Two tiers held incredibly fragrant pastries. The other two held test papers, personally prepared by Jiang Xian and thoughtfully labeled with the names "Xie Zhao" and "Jiang Yanchuan."

Xie Zhao: "..."

Jiang Yanchuan: "..."

Suddenly, the other three companion readers weren’t so envious of him having a favored concubine for a sister anymore.