The Grand Secretary's Child-Raising Diary

Lu Youning didn't speak, and cried for a while before stretching out her short arms to hug her adoptive father's waist. She wiped all her tears and snot on Lu Shiyan's clothes, and finally calmed down by turning her face to smell the fragrance of incense on Lu Shiyan's body.

Seeing that he had finally stopped crying, Madam Zhang handed him some warm water, saying, "Young master, drink some water to moisten your mouth."

Lu Youning had just cried so much, and while he was in a bad mood, he also felt a little ashamed, since he hadn't cried much since he was one year old.

It turned away as if trying to escape, lying face down in a different direction and refusing to drink water.

Lu Shiyan gently pushed Lu Youning away, took the warm water and held it to Lu Youning's lips, coaxing, "If you don't want to go, then don't go. But if you get upset about your health, your father will be angry."

After a good cry, Lu Youning's emotions had calmed down considerably. He wasn't some truly ignorant child; even though Lu Shiyan repeatedly assured him that he wouldn't go if he didn't want to,

In feudal dynasties, imperial power was supreme. Moreover, being admitted to the Chongwen Academy was a privilege that many people would beg for. If he didn't go, wouldn't that be disrespecting His Majesty the Emperor and creating unnecessary obstacles for his father's official career?

So what if he can't sleep in late? So what if he can't go out to play during the day? He can try his best to overcome it.

Having figured all this out, Lu Youning drank a few sips of warm water from Lu Shiyan's hand and hummed, "Go on."

He lowered his head, his voice hushed, and Lu Shiyan, not hearing him clearly, asked, "What?"

Lu Youning twisted her fingers, puffed out her cheeks, and glared at her cheap father: "I want to go to Chongwen Academy to study."

Seeing his contradictory expression, Lu Shiyan couldn't help but smile and say, "Alright, Aning is such a good child. Then go to the palace with your father first thing tomorrow morning."

The thought that she would once again become a four-year-old student without freedom tomorrow made Lu Youning lose interest in strolling in the garden. She was carried back to her own courtyard by Zhang Shi, and after washing up, she went to bed.

Children lack energy, and even Lu Youning was no exception. She thought she would have a sleepless night, but she fell asleep soon after lying down on the bed.

Zhang stayed by his side until he was sound asleep, then she lowered the bed curtains and went outside.

The thought of the young master not being home during the day tomorrow made Banxia and Rendong feel uneasy, but studying was a big deal, so they could only quickly pack his things for going to the palace.

Second day

At the fourth watch of the night, Shouyan knocked on the door of Lu Youning's courtyard. When Zhang Shi and Sun Mama came out to greet him, he whispered, "Second Master instructed that we not to wake the young master. Just wrap him up and take him to the front yard."

Zhang nodded and turned to go back.

Lu Youning usually sleeps until 8:40 AM, which is when she is in deep sleep. She was completely unaware when Zhang Shi wrapped her in a brocade quilt and picked her up.

And so, Lu Youning was escorted to the front yard, where Lu Shiyan's carriage was waiting. Upon seeing them arrive, Shouyan hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain.

It was still dark, with a lantern hanging inside the carriage. Zhang could only vaguely see a corner of Lu Shiyan's official robes before Lu Youning was steadily taken from her hands.

The carriage curtain fell, and Shouyan took Lu Youning's book bag, whispering, "Let's go."

The horses pulling the carriage snorted and set off.

The interior of the carriage was dimly lit. Lu Shiyan removed his hand from Lu Youning's eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the little one in his arms was not sleeping soundly despite the change of location.

Looking at him, I felt a pang of heartache; his son was still so young.

In fact, even he wasn't used to getting up so early to attend court.

Officials had to pass through the Zhuque Avenue of the Imperial City to attend the morning court session. They would enter the palace through the Zhuque Gate. As soon as the carriages reached the main street, the number of vehicles on the road increased, and there were also small vendors who had gotten up early to do business on the roadside. The surroundings immediately became noisy.

Seeing Lu Youning pouting impatiently, Lu Shiyan hurriedly reached out and covered his ears. Although it had little effect, at least he didn't wake him up.

Shouyan timed it perfectly; the moment the carriage arrived at the Vermilion Bird Gate, the gate slowly opened.

Lu Shiyan is now a true rising star in the court. Even in the time before the morning court session, many officials come up to chat with him. But today, just as the group of people walked over, they saw Lu Shaoqing getting off the carriage with a large red brocade quilt in his arms.

The newly appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Lu Shiyan, has been the most outstanding person in the Court of Judicial Review since he entered the Court. The dark scarlet official robe always looks very old on the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Huang, but on Lu Shiyan, it does not diminish his handsomeness in the slightest.

Having always been accustomed to his dashing and handsome appearance, even more people turned to look when they suddenly saw him getting off the carriage carrying a large red brocade quilt.

The Court of Judicial Review now relies heavily on Lu Shiyan, and Lord Huang also values ​​Lu Shiyan highly. Seeing this, he took the initiative to step forward and asked, "Songzhan, what's this?"

Afraid that the noise would disturb Lu Youning, Lu Shiyan pulled him closer to his chest and said in a low voice, "My lord, today is the day my son begins his studies at Chongwen Academy. You may go ahead, and I will return after escorting him to Chongwen Academy."

Lord Huang had heard many rumors about Lu Shiyan's doting on his youngest son, but now, seeing him like this, it was no doting, it was spoiling him. He didn't act like a father at all. There was no reason for him to be carried to Chongwen Academy.

He wanted to offer Lu Shiyan a few words of advice, but he saw that the man was already carrying his son and, under the curious gazes of the officials, heading straight towards the Chongwen Hall.

Lord Huang clicked his tongue twice, thinking to himself, "A doting father often spoils his son."

The Vermilion Bird Gate was not close to Chongwen Academy, but it wasn't far either. Lu Shiyan was fast on his feet and quickly escorted the person into the academy.

Xiao Linzi had been eagerly anticipating this for a long time. Yesterday, when Eunuch Shun asked him if he was still willing to come to Chongwen Hall to take care of Lu Youning, he agreed almost without thinking.

There was little to do at Chongwen Academy, and Lu Youning was mild-mannered and easy to serve, so he thought it was an excellent job.

Last night, I moved my things over and cleaned Lu Youning's dormitory overnight. I only slept for a little over two hours before getting up to wait for Lu Youning to arrive.

Upon seeing Lu Shiyan carrying a brocade quilt as he entered, Xiao Linzi was only slightly surprised for a moment before hurriedly leading him to the inner room of the school. Lu Shiyan did not rush to put Lu Youning down, but instead reached out and touched the bed. Seeing that the bed was warm and dry, he carefully put the person down.

There was still some time before Chongwen Academy started classes, so Lu Shiyan thanked Xiao Linzi, saying, "Thank you for taking care of my son, Father-in-law."

A high-ranking official of the fourth rank in the imperial court thanked them, a lowly eunuch. Xiao Linzi hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "I dare not. This is my duty. Please rest assured, sir."

This was the first time Lu Shiyan had taken Lu Youning to school. He had intended to give him some serious advice, but seeing how soundly he was sleeping, Lu Shiyan simply patted his son's little hand, turned around with a sad expression, and went back to the front to attend court.