A simple book like the Spring and Autumn Annals can, in later generations, be turned into countless versions, with countless meanings, and countless annotations added, becoming thicker and thicker, more and more abstruse, and increasingly incomprehensible. In the end, even members of the same school or family can't understand each other's family-annotated Spring and Autumn Annals, fighting each other to the death...

Charles Carter in his previous life already absolutely hated reading comprehension, let alone now, when what he's studying is reading comprehension at hell-level difficulty.

Charles Carter has been attending classes here for some time now. During this period, big brother William Carter has come to visit him twice. Each time, he would talk about principles for over an hour. Charles Carter forced himself not to lash out—he had promised his mother not to cause trouble again, or else that spinning wheel would be gone.

As for Richard Carter, he never stopped provoking him, always watching him with a grin every day, as if to ask: Why are you chickening out? Why don't you dare to fight back anymore?

Frank Carter is still as friendly as ever, even proactively offering to tutor Charles Carter, but Charles Carter refused.

As for Henry Carter... he always has a stern face, just like Empress Lü. Charles Carter just doesn't like dealing with him. You're not the crown prince, so what's with the princely airs?

Did I forget someone? Uh, seems not.

Sitting in the Tianlu Pavilion, having endured another painful class, Charles Carter finally took advantage of the teacher's break to sidle up to Frank Carter. He asked, "Brother, I heard that Father is going to hold a banquet? Is it true?"

"I don't know..."

"There is going to be a banquet. What, are you planning to sneak over and steal some meat again?"

Richard Carter asked with a sly grin.

Charles Carter ignored him and continued speaking to Frank Carter: "Brother... I need your help with something. Can you wait for me a bit later?"

Frank Carter was a bit surprised; he had never seen Charles Carter act so respectfully before. He nodded and agreed.

Richard Carter, nearby, scooted over curiously and asked, "What is it? Call me brother and I can help you too."

"Heh."

Charles Carter shot him a glare.

"You call them all brother, but when it comes to me, it's just 'Ruyi'?"

Seeing that Charles Carter still ignored him, Richard Carter was indignant, muttering to himself about "disrespectful younger brothers" and other hard-to-understand things.

Chapter Six: Family Banquet

After making arrangements with Frank Carter, Charles Carter returned to his seat.

When the teacher finished the lesson, Charles Carter quickly got up and winked at Frank Carter. Frank Carter nodded and was the first to leave the Tianlu Pavilion. Richard Carter stretched lazily, chatting with Henry Carter as he slowly stood up. Just as he did, he saw the look of shock in Henry Carter's eyes.

At that very moment, a foot from who-knows-where landed hard on his backside. Henry Carter watched as, the moment Richard Carter stood up, their younger brother Charles Carter delivered a flying kick, sending the unsuspecting Richard Carter flying. Richard Carter landed face-first in a heavy fall.

Of course, Charles Carter couldn't stop his own momentum and also fell, but he got up quickly, springing to his feet and dashing out of the Tianlu Pavilion without looking back.

Richard Carter propped himself up with his hands, roaring in anger: "Charles Carter!!!"

Charles Carter had wanted to beat up Richard Carter for a long time. This guy was always provoking him, and just seeing that annoying expression made Charles Carter want to punch him. But Frank Carter always stopped him. Frank Carter was older and a chubby kid, and when he held Charles Carter back, Charles Carter really couldn't get at Richard Carter. Today, Frank Carter left—aha! Take my righteous flying kick!

Henry Carter reached out and pulled Richard Carter up. Richard Carter brushed the dirt off himself and said angrily, "One of these days, I'm going to teach that brat a lesson!"

"Brother, why do you always get upset with him... You're not a clueless kid anymore. There are so many more important things you could be doing. Why waste your time bickering with a little child?"

"Huh? I... well... I was just teasing him..."

Richard Carter is actually two years older than Henry Carter, but for some reason, at this moment, he was at a loss for words, his face flushed red, feeling a deep sense of shame—his younger brother, two years his junior, was calling him immature.

"Brother, as you just said, one day we'll be governing our own territories."

"The war has just ended. There's a shortage of food and farming tools everywhere. The people are not living well... How lucky we are, born into the imperial family. But outside these city walls, children our age are still working as oxen in the fields on empty stomachs... So many have starved or died from exhaustion."

Richard Carter's face turned red, and he stammered.

Henry Carter said nothing more and turned to leave.

Richard Carter gave a wry smile and said, "Is there anything more humiliating than being scolded for immaturity by your brother who's two years younger?"

"Getting your butt kicked by your brother who's five years younger."

Henry Carter replied, then left without looking back.

These brothers really aren't cute at all!

Richard Carter thought to himself, rubbing his nose.

...

"Chang, where am I supposed to find you a spinning wheel?"

Frank Carter was on the verge of tears. He never expected that Charles Carter had come to him to ask for a spinning wheel.

Charles Carter thought for a moment and said, "Then get me a knife... I'll do it myself."

"Huh? Do it yourself??"