Chapter 426 - 428: The Warmth of Family
Despite Feng Bailing's repeated requests, Sacrificial Officer Guo was unwilling to relent this time.
"Princess Consort Wu, Prince Wu. Xiaojin is a very bright child, but he is quite introverted and has always struggled to get along with his peers, even going so far as to publicly assault Dr. Feng. If he is not made to reflect on his behavior, I fear he will become uncontrollable in the future."
After saying this, Sacrificial Officer Guo looked meaningfully at Dugu Wu.
Sacrificial Officer Guo's words carried an implied message, reflecting on the past where like Xiaojin, Dugu Wu was exceptionally talented. However, due to the early death of Prince Shun, Dugu Wu lacked discipline, which led to his current proud and overbearing demeanor.
Sacrificial Officer Guo was worried that Xiaojin might end up similarly twisted like Dugu Wu.
"Sacrificial Officer Guo, I assure you, if you forgive Xiaojin, I will discipline him properly. He is only three years old and I'm afraid he might be scared being locked up alone."
Feng Bailing pleaded.
"You can be at ease about that. Xiaojin is staying in the room next to mine, and someone brings him meals every day; I also keep an eye on his actions. Since both you and your spouse have come, I'll make an exception. Whenever Xiaojin finishes reading 'Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn', I will let him out."
Despite everything, Sacrificial Officer Guo held a great deal of respect for Feng Bailing, and the piece 'Dedicated to Guo Jijiu' he wrote is still displayed at the main entrance of the Imperial Academy.
'Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn' is a grand work that encompasses astronomy, geography, mathematics, and other areas of knowledge from the Ten Countries, and it is also a primary curriculum in the Imperial Academy. Normally, a student studying in the Imperial Academy would take ten years to complete it.
To finish it in a month would be nearly impossible.
"No need to beg this stubborn old man."
Dugu Wu pulled Feng Bailing away.
"How can you be so unconcerned? Could it be that Xiaojin is only my son, not yours?"
Feng Bailing said discontentedly.
"Can you not see whether it is real or feigned? Sacrificial Officer Guo specifically confined Xiaojin for exactly one month, and there is also Zhanlian, who after being insignificant for so long, dared to make bold assertions in public. Who gave him the courage?"
Dugu Wu said coldly.
"Could it be the Emperor."
Feng Bailing realized.
"Xiaojin is too outstanding, making Dongfang Jin seem inferior. He is worried about his son not being as good as me and his grandson not being as good as my son. That old fox."
Dugu Wu looked grim.
"That being said, Xiaojin lost his composure this time. Knowing it was a trap, he still walked right into it. With such a temperament, if he really participated in the Competition Among Ten Countries, he would be doomed."
He thought confining his son for a month was a good thing.
"I will first send Baishan over to keep Xiaojin company. As for 'Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn'..."
Feng Bailing had an idea forming in his mind.
After Xiaojin was confined, he also felt some regret.
It was not about beating Zhanlian per se, but on reflection, he also felt something was amiss.
"I meant to help the Queen Mother and my father, but instead, I made them worry."
Dugu Xiaojin, supporting himself on a desk, sat down.
The room had doors and windows tightly closed on all sides with only one skylight open. Inside the room, there was a bed, a desk, and walls filled with books.
Meals were delivered thrice a day. Realizing he might miss the Ten Countries Competition due to the one-month confinement, Xiaojin felt very troubled; his little face scrunched up tightly.
At that moment, a white figure descended from the sky.
"Xiao Bai!"
Dugu Xiaojin was surprised to see Baishan.
Baishan's chubby neck was still wearing a basket.
"Did the Queen Mother send you here?"
Xiaojin opened the basket; inside was a letter from the Queen Mother, some paintings, and his favorite pastries.
In the letter, the Queen Mother asked Xiaojin to relax, study hard, and also informed Xiaojin that Sacrificial Officer Guo had agreed to her request that if Xiaojin could finish reading "Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn," his confinement would end early.
"The Queen Mother has a transcribed copy of 'Records of the States' and some paintings, borrowed from the head of Yuxiu Academy. These paintings possess Wen Energy, which will help you study better. You must work hard."
At the bottom of the letter, three people were drawn: the stern-faced Dugu Wu, the smiling Feng Bailing, and the adorable Feng Xiaoli.
Dugu Xiaojin felt a warmth in his heart.
The warmth of home gradually soothed his anger.
He opened the "Records of the States" and the paintings; at a glance, his eyes lit up.
The Queen Mother's book and those paintings were truly priceless.
Over the next few days, Dugu Xiaojin neglected sleep and food; the paintings from Yuxiu Academy were full of Wen Energy, allowing Xiaojin to learn much faster. The rich knowledge in the "Records of the States" enabled him to read ten lines at a glance.
In just five or six days, Dugu Xiaojin had finished reading the entire "Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn."
Late at night, Dugu Xiaojin suddenly woke up.
Outside, a figure flashed by, Xiaojin signaled Baishan to keep quiet.
"How is that little bastard inside doing?"
"Studying every day, nothing unusual so far, please rest assured, Crown Princess Consort."
The voices gradually faded away.
Dugu Xiaojin changed his mind, dispelled the idea of immediately notifying Sacrificial Officer Guo, because he also realized that someone did not want him to participate in the Competition Among Ten Countries.
If his confinement were to end so soon, the other party would undoubtedly try to set him up again.
By then, it might not be as simple as just confinement.
With a swoosh, a white shadow darted out from the Imperial Academy.
Soon after, a white "big dog" with snowy fur was seen walking the streets of Chu City.
The big dog was Baishan, who had already switched bodies with Xiaojin.
To avoid drawing attention, Xiaojin decided to stay in the Imperial Academy's confinement for the time being, waiting until the Competition Among Ten Countries was about to begin to surprise the opposing party.
But he hadn't returned to Prince Shun's Mansion for several days, and he missed his father, the Queen Mother, and Xiao Li immensely. After much thought, he had switched bodies with Baishan.
Baishan was currently locked in a small room, sprawling on a desk, sound asleep.
Just as Dugu Xiaojin was about to return to Prince Shun's Mansion, he saw his uncle Dongfang Yong walking out.
Behind him, Princess Mingxia was quickly catching up.
"Brother, listen to my explanation. It was my mother who wanted you to return the silver, not my sister-in-law, please don't hold a grudge against her."
Princess Mingxia looked distressed.
Ever since Feng Bailing discovered that Princess Mingxia had a talent for managing accounts, Princess Mingxia had started keeping the books.
Recently, after learning modern accounting methods from Feng Bailing and sorting out the expenses of the various households, she found that Dongfang Yong had run up a debt of tens of thousands of taels. Upon knowing this, Princess Consort Shun made a scene and insisted that Princess Mingxia reclaim the money.
Dongfang Yong had spent all his money on Nalan Chun's medical treatment; without any money left, he got into an argument with Princess Mingxia.
"What sister-in-law? I never acknowledged her. If she is there, I am out; I will make her and Dugu Wu leave the Prince Mansion sooner or later."
Dongfang Yong shook off Princess Mingxia's hand and quickly walked away.