The young servants chased after them but dared not approach—not because Old Man was holding a sword, but because Elder was the mentor of Young Lord. Besides, he was nearly seventy; what could they possibly do? Though Old Man looked elderly, his steps were quick. In just a few strides, he caught up with Henry Clark, grabbed him by the back of the neck, and Little Chubby One stumbled, nearly falling over. Old Man was panting, veins bulging on his forehead.

"What urgent matter do you have? Why aren't you studying? Speak!"

The gleaming sword in Old Man's hand terrified Little Chubby One, who wailed, "This was ordered by my mother, I don't know anything!"

When Donna Smith heard the news, she was furious, gritting her teeth as she glared at the young servants before her, cursing, "You can't even stop an old man?" The servants hung their heads in shame. She ordered, "Call some strong servants! Come with me to the East Wing!!" Instantly, a group of more than a dozen people charged grandly toward the East Wing!

Upon reaching the East Wing, they heard the sound of reading drifting out.

"What is the first year? It is the ruler's first year. What is spring? It is the beginning of the year. Who is called the king? It refers to King Wen. Why mention the king first and then the first month? Because it is the king's first month. Why mention the king's first month? It is the great unification. Why not say accession? It is the Duke's intention. What is the Duke's intention? The Duke will pacify the state and return it to Huan."

Hearing this earnest reading, Donna Smith couldn't help but slow her steps. She came to the study door, hesitated, and did not push it open. Peering in through the window, she saw Little Chubby One kneeling properly inside, holding a bamboo scroll and reading aloud, while Old Man stood beside him, brandishing a gleaming sword and pacing around.

"Why return it to Huan? Huan was young and noble, Yin was older but lowly; the distinction between noble and lowly was subtle, and the people did not know. Yin was also virtuous, and the great ministers supported Yin to enthrone him. Yin then declined the throne, so it was not yet certain that Huan would surely ascend."

Donna Smith had raised this boy for nine years and had never seen him so serious!

"Mother!" Little Chubby One suddenly noticed someone outside the window and cried out. Elder frowned, swung his sword, and with a flash of cold light, the wooden desk in front of Little Chubby One was instantly chopped in two!

Not only Little Chubby One, but even Donna Smith was startled. Little Chubby One's mouth hung open, he shivered, then hurriedly picked up the bamboo scroll from the ground and immediately resumed his studious posture, not daring to look back. Elder stormed over to the window, saw Donna Smith, and without saluting, called out angrily, "To bear a son and not teach him is a crime! Seeing as you are a woman and ignorant, I will not blame you, but leave at once!"

With that, he didn't wait for Donna Smith to reply and slammed the wooden window shut.

Donna Smith, having been scolded, could not retort and stood by the window listening.

"If Huan is enthroned, there is fear that the ministers cannot support a young ruler, so Yin's enthronement was for Huan's sake. Yin was older and virtuous, why was he not suitable to rule? The heir is chosen by seniority, not by virtue; the son is chosen by nobility, not by age. Why is Huan noble? Because his mother is noble. If the mother is noble, why is the son noble? The son is noble because of the mother, and the mother is noble because of the son."

When Allen read the last sentence, even Donna Smith was somewhat moved. It seemed the lesson would last a while longer. Helpless, she could only take the household servants and return. Though she worried about Henry Clark, the powerful sound of his reading still moved her. She couldn't help but think, how much he resembled—how much he resembled an emperor reading memorials in the imperial study! A smile crept onto Donna Smith's lips as she instructed the servants that from now on, no one was to disturb Allen's studies, nor show any disrespect to Elderly Man!

At this moment, if Little Chubby One knew what his mother was thinking, he would surely shout, "What kind of emperor is forced to read memorials at swordpoint???"

Chapter 0005 Donna Smith Teaches Her Son

Elder taught for a full two hours. During this time, Little Chubby One knelt the entire time. Whether it was out of fear or something else, he actually managed to endure it. Seeing Little Chubby One like this, Elder finally stroked his beard in satisfaction and nodded. When dusk came, Elder bent down to pick up the bamboo scroll, turned, and left without saying goodbye. Watching Old Man walk out the door, Little Chubby One remained kneeling, drenched in sweat, his face pale. Little Page ran in, grinning, and said, "Young Lord, he has left!"

"I know! Aren't you going to help me up?"

Only then did Little Page rush over to help Little Chubby One up. Little Chubby One's legs were trembling, his calves red and swollen. This Old Man insisted on the kneeling ritual, forcing Little Chubby One to kneel in the ancient manner. If this continued, he feared he would break his legs before finishing the Gongyang Commentary!

Little Chubby One gnashed his teeth. He hadn't wanted to give in, but under that sword, he had no choice. Clearly, one could skip the Gongyang Commentary, but swordsmanship was a must!

No, this can't go on. He had to find his mother and complain, have her dismiss this Old Man. He wanted to learn swordsmanship, not this wretched Gongyang! With this thought, Little Chubby One had Little Page help him to the main hall, ready to complain to his mother. As long as he cried and made a fuss, his mother would have to listen to him. Little Chubby One sneered inwardly: once you're dismissed, I'll take back all the grain and wine I gave you before—let's see if you starve, Old Man!

When he reached the main hall, he saw Old Man was still there, sternly speaking with his mother. Little Chubby One didn't show himself, but pushed aside Little Page and listened in.

"I don't wish to argue with you further. The rice wine is all forfeited. From now on, I will come four times every ten days, for three months. After that, I will have nothing more to do with your marquisate!!"

"Someone, help! Young Lord has fainted!!"