“Uh?” Abraham Lincoln was also taken aback after hearing this. He couldn’t help but look his son up and down. From earlier, he had felt that something was off about his son, and now he finally understood: Adam Thompson no longer had the same lazy and indifferent air as before. His words and actions had become polite and courteous, as if he were a different person altogether. If soul-loss syndrome could truly transform a person, then he would rather his son’s soul-loss syndrome never be cured.

The surrounding princes and princesses all looked at Edward Thompson in astonishment. Most of them had the same thought: it seems George Thompson really was beaten silly, otherwise how could he say something like that? Even Henry Thompson thought the same. Although he had visited Edward Thompson last time, his mind had been preoccupied with Louis Thompson, so he hadn’t paid much attention to what George Thompson had said.

“Good, to recognize your mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue. Forget the past if you must. It doesn’t matter if you can’t write; you’re still young. Starting tomorrow, you’ll go to the elementary school with your brothers and sisters and start learning from scratch.” Abraham Lincoln carefully observed George Thompson for a long while and found that he didn’t seem to be lying. He felt somewhat pleased, so he offered a few words of encouragement and then made arrangements for Philip Thompson’s studies. The so-called elementary school was much like the modern version, first established by Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan. It was attended by imperial clan members and the sons of meritorious officials. Generally, princes and princesses would enter elementary school at age six, graduate at ten, and then begin intermediate and advanced education. So, all the students in the elementary school were little kids under ten.

When the siblings heard that Philip Thompson was going to elementary school, they immediately burst into laughter. After all, Philip Thompson was already fourteen, and the thought of him studying every day with a bunch of little kids was just hilarious.

“Father! I’m already fourteen...” Eric Thompson tried to protest, hoping to dissuade Old Li from this irresponsible idea. But Abraham Lincoln waved his hand and interrupted George Thompson, saying, “I’ve made up my mind. You’ll go starting tomorrow!”

As one of the greatest emperors in history, his imperial aura was no joke. Harvey Thompson didn’t dare say anything more and could only nod obediently, which drew another round of snickering from behind.

Next, Victor Thompson looked around at the crowd of siblings. Among those present, aside from the two little princesses who had just turned one, only Edward Thompson was left who couldn’t write. The rest had all received strict education. Everyone’s handwriting was quite good, and not to mention the older ones—even the three-year-old Princess Jinyang could write, and her characters were neat and proper, earning high praise from Old Li.

Princess Jinyang’s given name was Mingda, and her nickname was Sizi. She was the daughter of Empress Zhangsun, very well-behaved and adorable, deeply loved by both Abraham Lincoln and Empress Zhangsun. Because she was frail and sickly from a young age, she was given the nickname Sizi, meaning “little female rhinoceros,” in hopes that she would grow strong like a rhino. Unfortunately, in history, Princess Jinyang died of illness at the age of twelve. Abraham Lincoln was so grief-stricken that he couldn’t eat for a month, his health declined, and he nearly died himself. This shows just how important this little princess was to Abraham Lincoln.

After being praised, little Sizi excitedly presented her handwriting to Walter Thompson as thanks, because it was thanks to George Thompson’s efforts that her mother’s illness had started to improve. She also innocently hoped that her sixth brother could find a few more famous doctors, so her mother would recover even faster.

Such filial piety at such a young age made Old Li’s fatherly love overflow. He hugged little Sizi and wouldn’t let go, leaving his other sons and daughters behind as he took Sizi straight to see Empress Zhangsun, probably wanting her to feel their daughter’s filial affection.

After Abraham Lincoln left, the princes and princesses also dispersed. Henry Thompson and Carl Thompson went together to visit Consort Yang. For this mother he had never met, David Thompson was very curious. Whether in official or unofficial history, there were very few records of this former dynasty princess. During his days in the Tang Dynasty, Philip Thompson had always felt a lack of maternal care. Today, he could finally meet the mysterious Consort Yang from history.

Chapter 7: Going to Elementary School

Besides the three main halls—Taiji Hall, Liangyi Hall, and Ganlu Hall—built along the central axis, Taiji Palace also had many halls on both sides. The most important among them was Lizheng Hall, where Empress Zhangsun resided, and the Wàngyún Hall, where George Thompson’s birth mother, Consort Yang, lived, was right next to Lizheng Hall. In private, Henry Thompson told Edward Thompson that Empress Zhangsun and Consort Yang had an excellent relationship. In the palace, Consort Yang was often cared for by Empress Zhangsun, and with their father’s favor, Consort Yang’s status in the palace was second only to Empress Zhangsun.

After entering Wàngyún Hall, Mark Thompson looked around and found the palace was decorated in a very simple and elegant style. The decorations were all quite ordinary, but the arrangement was very skillful, making it especially pleasing to the eye. From the surroundings, it was clear that the owner of this palace had high taste and cultivation. The rear hall of Wàngyún Hall was Consort Yang’s bedroom. Henry Thompson and Edward Thompson, being young, didn’t stand on ceremony and barged right in without waiting for an announcement.