The Slender Waist-Chapter 821 - 580: Crown Prince Jun_2

Such extraordinary talent, truly awe-inspiring.

Throughout history, how many child prodigies have there been? None can even compare to the Crown Prince by a fraction.

Yet Feng Yun’s heart was filled with fear.

Overly sharp brilliance can lead to calamity; with Queque’s past misfortunes as a cautionary tale, she frequently exhorted and warned Rui Bao, keeping his brilliance restrained, ensuring he did not display his edge too overtly.

Pei Jue, however, thought nothing of it. The more outstanding his son was, the more pride he felt as a father.

He even wished he could hand over the Dragon Throne to his son right now...

The couple was in the midst of discussing their child when Rui Bao happened to return from his studies.

Perhaps due to his father’s tall stature, Rui Bao grew quickly. His appearance was strikingly similar to Pei Jue in his youth; though only four years old, he looked the size of a five or six-year-old.

What intrigued Feng Yun the most was that, despite Rui Bao and Queque being brothers separated by generations, Rui Bao’s features increasingly resembled Queque as he grew older. His temperament, his movements, his manner of speaking—at times, a single glance, a single call of "Mother Empress," would send chills down her spine, making her subconsciously feel as though it were Queque calling her.

But there were some differences too.

Queque was born in Qi Palace, where the environment was overly oppressive. Without instruction, he had already restrained his disposition, ultimately leading to a somber demeanor.

Rui Bao, however, was a child cherished in the palms of his father’s hands. As the Crown Prince, who in this world could possibly restrict his nature?

Rui Bao approached and bowed his head in salute.

"Your son greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

His demeanor was proper and rigid, down to the smallest detail.

Pei Jue slightly curled his lips, asking his son, "What did you learn today?"

In front of his father, Rui Bao was upright and proper, especially when discussing serious matters. His posture was sharp and straight like a young pine; his hands naturally hung at his sides, his voice clear and steady, exuding a confidence beyond his years.

"In reply to Father Emperor, your son studied the ’Xue Er’ Chapter of The Analects today. I understand that the way of learning lies in consistency and that one must not give up halfway... However, your son already read The Analects long ago and has grasped its principles. The Preceptor still insists on teaching it, and it was rather dull."

Pei Jue laughed slightly, "And what else?"

Rui Bao replied, "The Preceptor also spoke of the governance strategies of wise sages, imparting the principle that ’the people’s sentiment brings the nation’s prosperity’..."

This four-year-old child recited eloquently.

Steady, mature.

Pei Jue and Feng Yun exchanged glances and gestured for him to come closer.

"In your view, how does Preceptor Liu compare to which prominent ministers and virtuous scholars?"

Rui Bao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sima Yi."

Feng Yun burst into laughter, "You mustn’t speak recklessly."

Sima Yi had once been a Prince’s Middle Commoner Son and a close companion to a Crown Prince. Although he was a man of extraordinary strategies and shrewdness, ultimately, the Sima Family usurped the throne... Rui Bao comparing the Preceptor to Sima Yi may be innocent as a child’s words, but should Preceptor Liu hear of it, he likely won’t sleep well tonight.

Feng Yun worried Rui Bao’s unintended remarks might bring harm to the elder official.

Pei Jue, however, found it amusing and asked him, "Why do you say so?"

Rui Bao explained, "Your son heard that Sima Yi was said to have a wolfish demeanor. Incidentally, the Preceptor has wolf-like eyes too. When angered, his eyes widen fiercely, quite frightening..."

Then, glancing at Pei Jue, he kindly defended the Preceptor.

"But in terms of virtue, the Preceptor is unmatched by Sima Yi. To compare the two would only insult Sima Yi."

Pei Jue’s lips curved wider.

A clever little rascal—able to insult someone without sounding vulgar.

If the Preceptor were to hear this himself, his beard would likely stand on end.

Rui Bao glanced at his mother’s expression and, quickly restraining his grin, asked in a small voice:

"Did your son say something wrong?"

Pei Jue shook his head and lifted him to sit on his lap.

"In front of Father Emperor and Mother Empress, you may relax and speak freely. But in the presence of outsiders, Rui Bao must remember that as the Crown Prince, every word must be thoughtful."

Rui Bao nodded, "Understood. In front of the Preceptor, I will say he has the appearance of a spring breeze, the heart of a bright moon; his conduct is upright, his words virtuous, his demeanor like that of pine and cypress—one glance and he proves to be of great utility."

Feng Yun could not help but laugh, tapping him lightly on his forehead.

"Look at you spouting nonsense."

Rui Bao chuckled, pressing his soft, tender little face into her palm.

Feng Yun’s heart melted completely against that soft, rosy skin.

"Today is the day to leave the palace and observe the people’s lives. Rui Bao, would you like to accompany Mother?"

These past few years, though Feng Yun was the Da Yong Empress, Pei Jue had given her ample freedom.

Andu City was close to Huaxi, while Pei Jue’s Imperial Harem was sparse and empty, so much so that there was no need for her to manage it, leaving plenty of time for her own affairs.

Now and then, she would sneak out.

She called it, grandly, observing the people’s lives.

At first, the court officials were worried and critical.

Using this as an excuse, they submitted memorials, claiming that the Emperor and Empress had but one royal child, which was a risk to the dynasty’s longevity. They urged the Emperor to expand the Imperial Harem and produce more heirs.