Do You Know?: Rule the World

"You just want Mammy to see me and think I'm bullying you, so that Daddy can teach me a lesson!"

"I've experienced your tricks many times!"

Rulan stood with her hands on her hips, sparks flashing in her almond-shaped eyes.

Seeing that she was still arrogant, Molan started to threaten to kill herself by banging her head against the school.

Hua Lan slammed the silver scissors in her hand onto the table with a "snap".

Her usually dignified and gentle features now held a hint of solemnity and anger.

"How long are you going to stop making trouble?!"

"If you don't want to study with Madam Kong, I'll tell Grandmother to let you two continue to go to the private school!"

Molan raised her eyes and trembled as she said, "Big sister, it was clearly the fifth sister who spoke rudely first today."

"Why are you teaching me a lesson too? Could it be that you also look down on me because I'm a bastard?"

Hualan wouldn't be as impulsive and reckless as Rulan. She just snorted and said calmly, "When did our family ever distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children? Fourth sister, do your daily food, clothing, and other necessities resemble what a concubine's daughter should have?"

Hearing this, Molan fell silent. Nanny Kong, who had been squatting outside the house, lifted the curtain and came in without a sound.

Although this old lady, who is nearly sixty years old, has slightly gray hair, her every move and gesture still reveals the dignity and solemnity of a palace lady.

She didn't say anything, but punished the four girls to copy "Xiang Yue" fifty times.

As soon as Sheng Hong returned home, Madam Kong sent someone to bring him, Wang Ruofu and Lin Qinshuang over.

On the way here, a maid told him everything that happened in school today, no matter how big or small.

Sheng Hong cares most about his family's reputation, and Madam Kong is the madam that the wealthy families in the capital are vying to invite into their homes.

His face was gloomy and he walked to the west wing gritting his teeth.

Seeing Hualan also kneeling on the futon, he curled his lips and said, "Mammy, this matter has nothing to do with Huaer. She is a girl who is going to get married. Let her get up."

Chapter 53 The same spirit connects branches

"Yes, Mammy, Hua'er has always been dignified and well-behaved. How could she kneel with these evil creatures?"

When the word "evil" was mentioned, Wang Ruofu glared at Molan fiercely.

Nanny Kong smiled slightly and turned her head to look at Hualan.

"Don't worry, my lord and madam. Today's incident has nothing to do with the young lady."

"But as the eldest sister, she is wrong for not being able to discipline her younger sisters."

Wang Ruofu was left speechless by what Madam Kong said. She frowned and sat down on the chair.

After Sheng Hong glanced at Madam Kong out of the corner of his eye, he immediately acted like a strict father, scolding them for being ignorant of etiquette and embarrassing themselves, and even said that he would use family rules.

The shrewd Madam Kong could see what Sheng Hong was thinking. She said calmly, "My Lord, please don't rush to use family rules."

"We need to make the girls understand where they went wrong, and discuss today's events in front of you two."

"Fourth Miss, let me ask you this: Fifth Miss said that you're always striving for the top spot, stealing the limelight from your sisters and even monopolizing my teaching time. Do you agree or not?"

Molan raised her tearful eyes, twisting her handkerchief with her delicate fingers, and said in a voice that was a little sad, "It's all Mo'er's fault. I just thought that since Madam came here so rarely, I followed her to learn more things, so that I could bring honor to Daddy and bring glory to our family."

"My fifth sister thinks I'm a bastard and not worthy of learning these things."

"It's all Mo'er's fault. Please punish me, Ma'am."

As soon as these words came out, Sheng Hong immediately frowned and looked at Rulan, "You bastard, you actually brought up the issue of legitimate and illegitimate children again!"

"It seems the lessons I taught you in the past weren't enough!"

Rulan was frightened by this sudden scolding. She stiffened her neck and said defensively, "Daddy, you are biased. It's clear that Fourth Sister is also wrong!"

Wang Ruofu was so angry that she stomped her feet. If it weren't for Madam Kong being here, she would have definitely made a big fuss today.

"Fourth Miss, I don't know where you learned these flowery words and confusing right and wrong."

"You said you wanted to bring honor to the Sheng family, but are you the only girl in the Sheng family?"

"You need to learn something, but your sisters don't?"

"Besides, the eldest lady is here. Is it your turn to say the word 'long face'?"

"I..." Molan was speechless for a moment and looked at Lin Qinshuang for help.

Lin Qinshuang knew that Madam Kong was a powerful figure, and now was not a good time to speak up for Molan.

Madam Kong spoke calmly again, "Just as the eldest lady said, although you are a concubine's daughter, your food, clothing, and other expenses are not what a concubine's daughter should have."

"These days, I've noticed that whenever you're unhappy, you cry and wail, blaming yourself for not being born in the womb of the Madam."

"Acting like this not only chills your father's heart, but also hurts the bond between sisters." She suddenly emphasized, "Being arrogant due to favor is the easiest way to bring disaster. I've seen it all before!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Rulan again, seeing that she was still pouting in dissatisfaction. "Fifth Miss, you speak without restraint, always poking at people's hearts and lungs. You should know that disaster comes from the mouth. You need to work on your temper."

These words were spoken to both Rulan and Wang Ruofu.

When she looked at Hualan, Madam Kong's tone softened slightly.

"My dear, you are dignified and serious, and your behavior towards others is impeccable. I have seen it all."

"But if you can't even discipline your sisters in the boudoir, how will you cope when you get married and have to deal with three wives and four concubines, sisters-in-law, and aunts?"

"As for Sixth Miss, you were not wrong today, but you must remember that sisters in the same family are of the same blood and share the same honor and disgrace."

"If one person is honored, the whole family will be honored. If one person is lost, no one in the family can escape."

Minglan looked up at Madam Kong in a daze and said, "Madam, you are right. Minglan will keep it in mind."

"Today, I will punish each of you with ten slaps on the hand. Go back and copy the 'Incense Promise' fifty times. If anyone doesn't finish it by tomorrow, don't come to see me."

Nanny Kong stood up, her eyes fixed on the four girls.

As the candlelight flickered, the sound of the ruler falling on the palm was particularly crisp. Wang Ruofu looked at Hualan and Rulan with eyes full of heartache.

-

After all the betrothal gifts were prepared, Mother Hu found a famous fortune teller in the city.

Finally, the auspicious day for the engagement was set on the first day of the next month, which was a good day with the harmony of heaven, moon, six harmonies and good luck.

On this day, the fragrance of ink lingered in the Hanlin Academy.

Zhao Han came to the side hall and bowed respectfully, saying, "I wonder why Lord Hai has asked me to come here?"

Hai Ning smiled slightly, stroking his beard and saying, "Editor Zhao, you have always been an outstanding writer. You have been working diligently in the Hanlin Academy recently, without making any mistakes or omissions. I have seen it all."

"Teacher Wang's mother is seriously ill and has asked for a few days' leave. You will take his place at the lecture in Wenhua Hall today."

Hearing this, Zhao Han's heart tightened and he looked at him with a little surprise.

"What? Are you scared?" Haining narrowed his eyes slightly when he saw him hesitate.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you can make sense of it and gain the appreciation of the government, it will be of great benefit to your future."

Zhao Han's throat moved slightly. He was just an editor who had just entered the Hanlin Academy and had little experience. He had never thought that he would be able to step into the Wenhua Palace and face the emperor directly.

But the opportunity is fleeting.

He took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "I will do my best to live up to Lord Hai's support."

"Just prepare well and go."

After Zhao Han responded, he hurried to prepare.

The government admires the ways of governing the country of Yao, Shun and Yu, and the lectures on the classics in recent days have mainly focused on the "Book of Documents".

"Why does Lord Hai think so highly of Editor Zhao? Could it be that he wants to take him as a disciple?" After Zhao Han left, an official from the Hanlin Academy, who was nearly fifty years old, could not help but ask, twirling his gray beard.

Haining snorted lightly. He had been openly treating Zhao Han differently recently.

This is just so that when Zhao Han's identity is made public in the future, the court officials will involuntarily think of the various signs today, which will not only reduce the sense of abruptness, but also make them more identified with his identity.

Inside the Wenhua Hall, a thick stack of memorials lay on the desk, but the emperor was absent-minded, his eyes frequently looking outside the hall.

Zhang Maoze stood aside and said softly, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. When the time for the tutor comes, His Royal Highness will come naturally."

"My son is getting married and the engagement is in, but I can't even handle it myself, and I have to hide it like this. It's really ridiculous!"

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Chapter 54 This kid is slippery

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It is precisely because of your highness's noble status that you must act with caution."

"A few days ago, Your Highness purchased slaves in the palace. I was worried that the people in the market were of unknown origin."

"We have specially selected several highly skilled and loyal warriors from the Imperial City Department and sent them into the palace as menial servants to secretly protect Your Highness."

The Imperial City Office was not subject to any constraints and took orders directly from the emperor. It was responsible for enforcing palace restrictions and providing guards around the palace.

From the ministers in the imperial court to the common people in the market, everyone is under his eyes and ears.

Of course, it also includes secretly monitoring the princes and royal family members to prevent anyone from having evil intentions and plotting to usurp the throne.

Hearing this, Zhao Zhen's expression eased a little and he nodded slightly, obviously quite satisfied with this arrangement.

He pondered for a moment, then asked calmly, "Have Prince Yan and his son been behaving peacefully these days?"

"Back at the Imperial Household, I've been following the rules, except that I've been hanging out with Concubine Rong's brother a little too often."

Concubine Rong's name was Rong Feiluan, and her ancestors were bricklayers.

Because of her outstanding appearance and considerate nature, she was deeply favored by the emperor and was promoted from a beauty to a concubine in just eight or nine years.

The emperor loved her and her father as Marquis of Fuchang a few years ago. However, this title was only a nominal honor and had no actual power.

Rong Fei's brother Rong Xian is quite capable. He is currently the deputy commander of the imperial guards, and the commander is named Xu Xin.

"Keep a close eye on them. Report any unusual movements immediately." As Zhao Zhen spoke, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

The favor of a favorite concubine and the love affairs of children are nothing but passing clouds in the face of the safety of the country and the prince.

This official who ruled the country with benevolence did not lack the iron-blooded tactics that an emperor should have.

"I obey your order." Zhang Maoze responded without changing his expression.