The number one rebel of the Great Wu

"That scared the hell out of me! I thought I was going to become an old lady."

The Crown Prince's Residence, West Wing.

At this moment, Chen Changgeng had already changed into a eunuch's palace uniform and was preparing to go to the study to take his duty.

Once he stepped out of that door, he was no longer Chen Changgeng, a scholar from a poor family, but a lowly eunuch in the Crown Prince's study: Xiao Gengzi!

It turns out that the Crown Princess's talk of going to the purification room was just a formality—changing clothes, registering, and then leaving.

This girl, all I said was a couple of things, and she's already holding a grudge. She's got a real cunning side!

Don't think that just because I got this out, I'm your henchman. If I get the chance, I'll make you kneel down and sing "Conquer".

"Hey, newbie? Why are you taking so long to change your clothes?"

"The Crown Prince and Crown Princess went to the study long ago. Anyone who dares to keep their masters waiting will be punished!"

A sweet voice urged from outside the door.

Stop nagging me! Are all the people in the Crown Prince's residence crazy? They just can't stand to see others having a good time!

Chen Changgeng cursed inwardly. As soon as he lifted the curtain, he saw an adorable baby face peeking inside with wide eyes.

Seeing him come out, Xiang'er quickly looked away, her lips pursed in a flustered manner.

"Here it comes! Sister, don't be angry, getting angry will cause wrinkles."

"It's rare to see a palace maid as beautiful as you, sister. If you were to become ugly, the entire Crown Prince's residence would lose its luster."

Xiang'er felt a surge of sweetness in her heart, and glared at her with a look that was both reproachful and angry.

"You're so sweet-talking! A handsome little eunuch like you has just arrived at the Crown Prince's residence; who knows how many sisters he'll ruin in the future!"

Chen Changgeng's expression immediately turned serious, and he naturally walked behind Xiang'er like a little follower, enjoying the refreshing fragrance.

"Sister Xiang'er is joking. The first person I saw upon entering the manor was Sister Xiang'er. How could anyone else possibly catch my eye?"

"From now on, in the Crown Prince's residence, Xiao Gengzi will rely entirely on Sister Xiang'er's care."

This incense was sent by Crown Princess Shen Qingci to guide her.

I heard that she grew up in the Crown Prince's residence and knows everything about the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. She is my first connection after entering the residence, so I have to coax her well.

If used properly, it can be your own eyes and ears that can see and hear everything!

"So young, and already trying to be glib and smooth-talking!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang'er's pretty face flushed slightly. She pretended to be angry and gave a soft hum, but then couldn't help but remind her.

"Since you're so well-behaved and sensible, I'll remind you one more time."

"You're going to the Crown Prince's study for your first shift, so you'd better be careful."

"Our Crown Prince is a man of principle; he can't tolerate any wrongdoing. If you make a mistake, you'll suffer the consequences, and in serious cases, you might even lose your head!"

Chen Changgeng was just wondering how to steer the conversation to something serious, so when she took the initiative to speak, he quickly picked up the thread.

"Thank you for reminding me, sister. I have something I'd like to ask you."

"What does our Crown Prince usually do in his study, and how should I serve him?"

Xiang'er glanced at Chen Changgeng, and a look of worry immediately appeared on her face.

"Haven't you ever served anyone before? When our Crown Prince goes to the study, it's because he's hired a tutor to teach him."

"Your job is to serve tea and look after seats, then wait outside the door, be alert, and only go in if the Crown Prince summons you."

"Especially, you shouldn't listen to or look at anything. However, you, a mere eunuch, probably wouldn't understand the poems, songs, and profound principles that the master speaks of."

"Just don't get sleepy listening to it, and don't fall asleep while on duty."

I don't understand?

Chen Changgeng smiled slightly, too lazy to argue with a mere maid, and simply nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Xiang'er was puzzled. Why wasn't this little eunuch afraid at all? Was he stupid? She quickly added another sentence.

"Please don't take my advice lightly."

"If you do something wrong and get punished in front of the Crown Prince later, then... I won't pay any attention to you!"

As they talked, the two of them arrived at the door of the study.

As if to confirm Xiang'er's warning, a series of shattering porcelain cups came from inside, followed by Crown Prince Xiao Lie's angry rebuke!

"Useless, all of you are useless!"

"Three days, four teachers, and not a single assignment has been completed!"

"Now that Eunuch Wang, who's collecting the homework, is at the door, what am I supposed to bring to explain myself?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang'er's face paled slightly. She then exchanged a glance with Chen Changgeng, told him to be careful in everything, and quickly walked out of the study.

"Inform His Highness the Crown Prince that the person has been brought."

The next second, a furious shout came from the study from Crown Prince Xiao Lie.

"You dog of a servant, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and come in and pack your things!"

"Do I, the Crown Prince, have to personally go and invite you?"

Seeing this, Xiang'er quickly winked at Chen Changgeng, who immediately bowed, stepped forward, and pushed open the door to enter.

At this moment, writing brushes, inkstones, and porcelain cups were scattered everywhere in the study, and the floor was covered with torn pages.

A young man in a dark brocade robe stood in the center of the room, hands on his hips, his face flushed with anger, his chest heaving violently. Without a doubt, this was Crown Prince Xiao Lie.

Four elderly gentlemen in Confucian robes knelt below him, their heads bowed, not daring to breathe.

"Last time, you presented a treatise on national policy, which finally gave me, the Crown Prince, a chance to save face in front of all the civil and military officials. Are you going to throw it all back at me today?!"

"Look at this for yourselves! What kind of nonsense is this? It's utter rubbish!"

"The four of you are all highly respected senior tutors in the court!"

"Isn't there anything else on your mind besides that piece of national policy?"

The four teachers looked at each other, not daring to speak, each trembling like a quail.

Hearing this, Chen Changgeng, who was tidying up his things on the ground, secretly chuckled.

The Great Wu Dynasty was founded on military force. Back then, it arrested Confucian scholars on a large scale, almost severing the literary lineage. These few were selected by the late emperor from among the short ones, and their actual level was probably no more than that of a village schoolteacher.

How much knowledge can we expect from them?

That policy document, whether obtained through trickery or force, is now being cleaned up by the original owner!

Just as Chen Changgeng was about to laugh at them, the teacher on the far left with the goatee suddenly raised his head tremblingly.

"Your Highness, please calm your anger. We...we have a new idea, called...called 'the ruler is porridge'!"

Xiao Lie's eyes lit up instantly, finding it somewhat novel, and his anger subsided a bit.

"Oh? So you mean porridge? Tell me about it!"

Seeing that the prince seemed interested, the goatee-bearded teacher perked up, straightened his back, and said smugly.

"The ruler is like porridge; the people are like water. Water can cook porridge, and also... well, only slow simmering over a low flame will bring it to fruition!"

"When cooking porridge, you have to pay attention to the heat. If the heat is too high, it will burn; if the heat is too low, it won't cook through! So, governing a country is like cooking porridge; you have to get the heat just right!"

"Adding rice is an art, just as governing a country is like cooking porridge. You must learn to consider the big picture; if there's too much water, add rice; if there's too much rice, add water!"

"Wow!"

"Sir, to use cooking as a metaphor for politics is truly the most extraordinary theory since the founding of our Great Wu Kingdom!"

"Such a wonderful story will surely be passed down for generations to come!"

The remaining teachers stared wide-eyed, utterly astonished, and praised him repeatedly!

Chen Changgeng stood to the side, and the more he listened, the more familiar the name became.

Wait... is the ruler a boat?

Isn't this what was written on my college entrance exam paper?!

Zhao Heng bought that exam paper. He probably only glanced at it briefly and remembered the gist of it. When he entered the government office, he probably showed off to the teachers and was immediately regarded as a sage's teaching!

Now, half-heartedly, it has been drastically altered into "The Treatise on Porridge"!

It's not the cunning of bad guys that's scary, it's the sudden inspiration of a fool!

Chen Changgeng forced a smile as he cleaned up the debris on the ground.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lie's face instantly darkened.

"Father's assignment this time is to govern the country, but you're teaching me, the Crown Prince, to cook porridge!"

"If I hand this over, do you think Father Emperor will chop off my head and use it as a bowl for porridge!"

The four teachers' faces turned pale instantly.

"Your Highness, we..."

"Get out, all of you, get out!"

Xiao Lie flew into a rage and, disregarding the advanced age of the elderly gentlemen, kicked each of them to the ground and sent them flying!

Just as the four men left, a young eunuch with his head bowed hurriedly entered.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The eunuch Wang, who was collecting the homework, can't be stopped!"

"He's already heading towards the study!"