[1] Transmigrated Into a World of Villains

Chapter 183 : Challenge

...

At the Rong Prince's Residence.

Rong Yimeng had been thoroughly disciplined and was now acting very subdued, no longer daring to make any trouble. The mischievous child sat outside on the steps, drawing circles in the dirt.

Inside, the old Prince Rong was inquiring about something with Rong Taifei.

"Madam, I heard that recently the shrine in the capital lit up. Is that true?"

"Yes, while you were bedridden and we had just returned to the capital, I didn't mention it to you. Where did you hear about this?"

"Everyone in the capital knows about it; how could it be kept from me?" Since getting back on his feet, the old Prince Rong hadn't stayed idle. He even left the residence and went to the busiest market, drinking tea and catching up on the latest gossip.

In just half a day, he had caught up on all the news from the past six months, frequently sighing in gratitude for being able to witness the world once again.

He never forgot that his current state of health was entirely thanks to the blessings of his ancestors.

"I heard that when Ah Bao entered the shrine, it lit up..." Prince Rong mused, "She's a child with great fortune; perhaps this fortune will extend to the Tiansheng Dynasty."

A small figure at the doorway, nibbling on a melon seed, heard this and, with a shift of his eyes, slowly got up, clutching his sore bottom as he descended the steps, intending to leave the residence.

"Young Prince, the old master has ordered that you stay within the residence and reflect on your actions. You're not allowed to go anywhere," a guard advised. Having been by the young prince's side for three or four years, he genuinely cared for him and hoped he wouldn't get into trouble again.

When the old master decides to punish, he really means it.

Would the little troublemaker listen?

Of course not.

If he did, he wouldn't be the little troublemaker.

...

In the palace, Concubine De took Ah Bao to Concubine Chun's palace, where they made rice dumplings together.

Ah Bao stared at the perfectly round dumplings, drooling.

[I heard mother's dumplings are very sweet. I love hawthorn filling. Will mother make some for me?]

As soon as the thought crossed Ah Bao's mind, Concubine De brought over a bowl of hawthorn filling.

Ah Bao looked at Concubine De with stars in her eyes.

"Today, your tutor is giving a lesson to Jing'er. Since Ah Bao has nothing to do, why not join in? Consider it an early start to your education," Concubine De said with a smile.

Ah Bao's smile froze. What?

Zhilan led Ah Bao to the study next door, where Di Rongjing was already sitting obediently, listening to the tutor.

Ah Bao plopped down on the mat and immediately let out a big yawn. "Yawn... sleepy..."

Zhilan, standing at the door, thought to herself: ...

Does the little princess get sleepy as soon as she starts listening to lessons?

If this is her nature, schooling might be quite difficult in the future.

[Why does the tutor's lesson sound like chanting? The more I listen, the sleepier I get.]

[Back then, I wouldn't even let Old Hei and Old Bai get a word in edgewise during their lessons.]

Di Rongjing: ?

Curious, he wondered how his sister managed not to let "Old Hei" and "Old Bai" speak.

[As soon as they started talking, I would fall fast asleep. To prevent me from dozing off, they wouldn't dare speak at all.]

[Mainly because once I fell asleep, I'd be out for at least a year...]

Di Rongjing: ...

Soon, the sound of steady breathing could be heard from beside him.

The tutor, holding a book in one hand and pacing with the other behind his back, glanced over when he heard the sound. He saw the little girl lying spread-eagle on the ground, fast asleep, and shook his head in resignation. Oh dear, oh dear, it looks like the tenth princess is destined to be a bit of a rascal in the future.

As a tutor who had taught countless students, he could usually tell at a glance who had potential and who did not. From the tenth princess's current behavior, it was clear that she was likely to turn out a bit simple-minded.

"Little Princess." During the break, Zhilan came in, worried that the little princess might catch a chill on the cold floor during the frigid January weather.

Ah Bao was dreaming of gold and a big pork knuckle. When she opened her eyes, she rubbed them, "Sister Zhilan..."

"Little Princess, someone from outside the palace brought a letter for you." Zhilan was puzzled since the envelope had no name on it.

Ah Bao was suspicious. [I don't think I have any friends outside the palace.]

[Come to think of it, I'm not even old enough to make friends yet.]

"Let me see." Ah Bao's small hands tore open the envelope, revealing a piece of white paper with a few drawings on it.

Three little turtles were fighting, and one particularly large turtle had the character "one" written on its back.

Zhilan leaned over to take a look. "This???"

What on earth is this?

Ah Bao, however, understood it immediately. [Well, well, that brat Rong Yimeng is actually challenging me.]

[But his handwriting is terrible! That character for 'one' is all crooked and twisted. Look at Di Rongjing's handwriting instead—at the same age, his writing is so neat.]

[Looks like the brat didn'tget enough of a beating; I'll have to take matters into my own hands and teachhim what's what.]