Yan Changmin spun a pen in his hand mindlessly entering the imperial hall.
"Greetings, grandma, how is your day going?" He asked with a warm polite smile approaching the empress.
The empress was putting away her extravagant hair accessories one by one.
"You are late." She said.
"Grandma, are you angry with me?" Changmin responded back as he knelt down before her. He had a soft adorable expression on his face, unlike most of the times.
Yan Linqin was unable to lash out looking at her precious grandson, who was being this obedient.
"Rise, rise, the floor is cold, don't kneel." She said, helping him up.
She stared at his defined face that resembled that of his father's and felt nothing but pride in her heart.
"I heard you agreed to join the academy?" She asked.
"Yes, why does even grandmother doubt my intentions?" Changmin questioned back.
His grandmother was far more cautious than his grandfather. The best way to stop her from looking into his actions too much would be to use the strategy of guilt tripping on her. His expression resembled that of suppressed sorrow for not being trusted.
"What are you talking about? I am merely concerned." Yan Linqin said. The trace of doubt in her heart wasn't removed entirely. Even so, she decided to not interrogate him.
"So, what led you to this decision?" She asked once again trying to make it sound like a question asked out of pure curiosity.
"I want to be a proper crown prince and prepare in advance for my responsibilities. A crown prince should never evade his duties. How can I protect the people of my kingdom, if I am ignorant myself?" He answered, straightening his back. His posture made it seem like he was truly a person who was trying his best to change for better.
Even Changmin himself couldn't believe that he could make up such a speech within seconds. If he didn't know his own intentions and it was someone else who said the same words, he would also believe that person for sure.
"Good, good. Very good. I knew it, once you understand your position and duties, you will stop giving us trouble and bring us glory. I will ask the principal to properly guide you and properly arrange all your essentials."
"No need for grandma, I can take care of those on my own. After all, if I can't take care of myself…
"Then how can you take care of other people? Right?" Yan Liqin laughed out loud, finishing his sentence.
"Exactly!" Changmin said, with a huge grin.
Oof! He can finally be relieved. This old lady is way too cunning. If not for his top notch acting skills, she wouldn't be fooled this easily. He played the act of a filial grandchild just right!
Changmin patted himself on his back in his mind.
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"A proper crown prince? Evading duties? Oh and what else? Taking care of people? Pfftttt" Yan Huiqing mocked him mercilessly as she bursted into laughter.
She was passing by their grandmother's room when she happened to hear the convo. She decided to eavesdrop standing behind the curtains. She would have missed such a nice drama if she hadn't done so.
"Are you even a lady? I am afraid that a giantess has a better laugh than yours." Changmin said, rolling his eyes.
"Oh? Really? I thought you were merely disinterested in love. It turns out you just have a thing for giantesses. Heh." Huiqing argued back.
"Well done, Qing'er!" Jiyanyu, who was standing with a few guards nearby, said, showing a thumbs up to her.
Changmin gave both of them a side eye before walking away in long strides.
"Aye, walk slowly, I can't walk that fast wearing this gown. Damn you Changmin!"
Huiqing shouted from behind. She was wearing a fishtail gown. The bottom part of the gown was mopping the floor as she was walking and if she tried to walk any faster a head first fall would be inevitable.
"Oi, oi, hands off, what do you think you are doing?" She scolded loudly after being pulled by Jiaynyu.
"You think he is going to pay any attention to you? He might look for the hardest scrolls for you to copy if you continue irritating him. Be grateful that I saved you." He said, and let go of her hand.
"Also don't you want to know about what exactly happened to make your brother be so amiable about going to Brightstone?"
Jiyanyu leisurely leaned against a pillar. He looked at Huiqing, who was obviously intrigued by his words.
"I don't have an entire day. Quickly give me all the details!" She urged him out of impatience.
"You know that your brother has been looking for leads for the mysterious 7th element?"
Huiqing nodded in affirmation. She frowned.
How can this matter be related to, brother joining Brightstone? If the element had links with the academy, they wouldn't really continue taking in any more disciples.