"This is milk tea."
Yun Shu pushed a small cup toward Cen Yiyi.
"Would you like to try it?"
"Thank you, Princess!"
The porcelain-like little girl, sweet and round-cheeked, carefully lifted the cup with both hands and took a small sip. Instantly, a light mustache of milk foam appeared on her lips.
But she was completely unaware.
Her wide, innocent eyes lit up at once, and the dimples on her cheeks bloomed like flowers alongside her smiling lips.
Clutching the cup like a precious treasure, Cen Yiyi gasped in delight.
"This is too delicious!"
Gulp.
From the other side, Liu Ziming, who had stopped talking about his myna bird at some point, let out an audible swallow as he looked their way.
Yun Shu raised her brow and turned toward the sound, locking eyes with the Sixth Prince, who had clearly been staring too.
"Have some dignity, would you?"
Caught off guard, the Sixth Prince looked irritated and slapped Liu Ziming on the back of the head. But when he turned back, the irritation on his delicate face, which already hinted at the grace he'd have in the future, shifted into a rather flattering smile.
"Fifth Sister, how is it that I have never heard of this 'milk tea' before in the palace? Has Father received some rare delicacy again and only granted it to you?"
Yun Shu: "?"
Who is this kid?
No way. Could it be? The future cold-blooded tyrant, the fearsome and ruthless male lead who eliminated five of his six brothers and only spared the youngest because the baby posed no threat—he used to act this... fawning?
That expression on his face right now, was it... actually a little coquettish?
"Maybe he hadn't turned bad yet."
With a strange sense of curiosity, Yun Shu pulled out another cup of milk tea.
"I came up with the recipe myself. Would you like one too?"
"How could I possibly refuse such kindness from Fifth Sister?"
The Sixth Prince accepted it with graceful words but even quicker hands. Taking a sip, he was instantly won over by the unfamiliar but wonderful flavor. He didn't even glance at Liu Ziming, who was still staring pitifully at him. Looking at this sister he barely remembered, the prince's smile grew ever more charming.
"Fifth Sister, your ideas are truly clever. To think you could create something so delightful!"
"This is nothing. I have even more delicious food back at my palace."
Thinking that befriending the original male lead could only bring benefits—not to mention she might get to witness some behind-the-scenes drama—Yun Shu baited the hook.
"After class today, I plan to have the kitchen make some fried chicken. Would Sixth Brother care to join me?"
"Fried chicken?"
Another dish he had never heard of.
Yun Chuhuan asked curiously, "Is it better than roast chicken?"
"Far better than roast chicken!"
Yun Shu declared confidently.
And it wasn't even just her opinion. The limited range of seasonings in this era meant even the best roast chicken couldn't compare. No refined salt, no pepper, no MSG, no chili powder... What flavor could it possibly have?
With McDonald's and Colonel Sanders in her culinary DNA, Yun Shu said with conviction:
"I guarantee you'll want a second helping after the first."
"Then I absolutely must try it today!"
Yun Chuhuan was fully intrigued now. Holding his milk tea, he leaned in to ask more—
When a figure in a violet robe strode in at the door.
Cui the Grand Preceptor had arrived, face stern, and gave a pointed cough.
"Ahem."
"Grand Preceptor Cui?"
Startled, Yun Chuhuan quickly returned to his seat.
"Why have you arrived so early today?"
"I heard there were two new students today. Naturally, I came to see for myself."
In the study hall, there were no princes or princesses—only students and teachers.
Cui the Grand Preceptor had always been strict, even with the favored Sixth Prince. He would be even less indulgent toward the unfavored Fifth Princess.
After hearing that the Emperor had entrusted him with Yun Shu's education, Cui had gone to inquire with the previous instructors.
The answers he received were troubling.
Useless, they said. Though five years older than the Sixth Prince, her learning trailed far behind the eight-year-old.
The Grand Preceptor was greatly vexed. His duty was to teach her properly, but what if she was truly hopeless?
His scowl deepened.
"Before we begin today's lessons, might Your Highness answer a few questions to help me understand your current level of study?"
Yun Shu: "..."
"So this was it. The tragic fate of a perennial academic disgrace."
A lifelong top student in science subjects back home, Yun Shu let out a silent scream.
Still, she forced a smile.
"Please, Grand Preceptor."
"First question."
The Grand Preceptor Cui clasped his hands behind his back and strolled slowly.
"'From sincerity comes enlightenment—this is nature. From enlightenment comes sincerity—this is teaching. Sincerity leads to enlightenment; enlightenment leads to sincerity.' What is the meaning of these lines?"
Yun Shu: "???"
"You do not know?"
Seeing her remain silent, Cui wasn't surprised.
He lowered the difficulty.
"Second question, then. Do you at least know where this comes from?"
Yun Shu wanted to say nothing, but it felt like the Grand Preceptor was about to blow his top. If staying silent would get her scolded, and guessing wrong would get her scolded... she might as well take a shot. Who knew, she might guess correctly.
The sentence sounded like something from the Four Books. A one-in-nine chance—better than the lottery.
Tentatively, Yun Shu offered an answer.
"Is it from... The Great Learning?"
SLAM.
The Grand Preceptor's palm hit the desk:
"It seems Her Highness not only failed to grasp The Doctrine of the Mean, but is equally clueless about The Great Learning."
Disappointment writ clear on his face, the Grand Preceptor no longer wished to continue questioning.
"How the Fifth Princess muddled through years in the study hall before is not my concern. But now that you are in my hands, you shall follow my standards.
Copy The Doctrine of the Mean ten times and memorize it thoroughly. Three days from now, I will test you."
Yun Shu: "!!!"
===
The "Four Books" (四书, Sì Shū) – Core Texts of Confucianism
The Four Books are foundational texts in Confucian philosophy, compiled and emphasized by Zhu Xi (朱熹) during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). They became the central curriculum for China's imperial civil service exams from the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) onward, shaping East Asian thought for centuries.
The Four Books were meant to provide a more accessible and structured entry point into Confucian thought than the larger and more complex Five Classics.
1.The Great Learning (大学, Dà Xué)
Attributed to: Confucius and his disciple Zengzi
Key Themes: Self-cultivation, governance, moral development
Famous concept: "Cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world"
Significance: Outlines the progression from personal virtue to social harmony. It sets up the Confucian model of leadership through moral example.
2. The Doctrine of the Mean (中庸, Zhōng Yōng)
Attributed to: Zisi (Confucius's grandson)
Key Themes: Harmony, moderation, sincerity, the moral path
Famous concept:"The Mean" refers to the ideal state of balance between extremes.
Significance: Philosophically deep, it explores how to align human nature with Heaven's way, promoting an ideal of unshakable moral equilibrium.
3. The Analects (论语, Lún Yǔ)
Attributed to: Confucius and his disciples
Key Themes: Ethics, proper conduct, filial piety, ritual, virtue
Famous quotes:
"Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned?"
"Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself."
Significance: The most accessible and widely read Confucian text, offering direct insights into Confucius's teachings through dialogues and anecdotes.
4.Mencius (孟子, Mèng Zǐ)
Attributed to: Mencius (a key Confucian thinker)
Key Themes: Human nature is inherently good, righteous governance, compassion
Famous ideas: The Four Beginnings (仁 benevolence, 义 righteousness, 礼 propriety, 智 wisdom) as innate seeds of virtue.
Significance: A more active, political interpretation of Confucianism, advocating for benevolent rule and moral courage against tyranny.
-
The question Yun Shu failed to answer comes from"中庸"(Zhōng Yōng, The Doctrine of the Mean
Original Quote:
"自诚明,谓之性;自明诚,谓之教.诚则明矣,明则诚矣."
"Zì chéng míng, wèi zhī xìng; zì míng chéng, wèi zhī jiào. Chéng zé míng yǐ, míng zé chéng yǐ."
Translation & Meaning:
"From sincerity comes enlightenment—this is nature."
A person born with innate sincerity (诚, chéng) naturally understands moral truths (明, míng). This is their heaven-endowed nature (性, xìng).
"From enlightenment comes sincerity—this is teaching."
Others must learn (教, jiào) moral principles to cultivate sincerity.
"Sincerity leads to enlightenment; enlightenment leads to sincerity."
A cyclical relationship: Sincerity and moral understanding reinforce each other.