James Johnson fell behind and quietly asked Fifth Brother, “Aren’t we going to call Seventh Brother?”

“Are you talking to me?” William Johnson pointed at himself in disbelief.

“Of course.”

“My good brother actually thinks of me.” William Johnson gripped his hand excitedly, nearly in tears. After a while, he asked, “Right, what did you ask me again?”

“Why aren’t we calling Seventh Brother?”

“Seventh Brother doesn’t need Eldest Brother to worry. He’s always the first to go to the Main Hall every day. He’s probably already started morning reading by now.”

“Uh…” James Johnson was a bit surprised—he didn’t expect Seventh Brother to be a good student? That didn’t quite match the rumors of him being a violent kid.

On second thought, it made sense. Who isn’t an actor these days?

“So, Fifth Brother, you can’t get up in the morning either?” James Johnson asked curiously. This Prince of Wu, Your Highness looked like a model student no matter how you saw him.

“Sometimes.” Fifth Brother nodded and smiled.

“Yeah, who wants to leave their warm bed on such a cold day?” James Johnson immediately felt he wasn’t alone.

“Your Fifth Brother stays up late reading by lamplight—he doesn’t sleep until after midnight every day.” Mark Johnson turned back and smiled. “And when do you go to bed?”

“I get in bed early, but I fall asleep late.” James Johnson blushed and protested loudly.

“Sixth Brother, don’t fall for it. These so-called good students are just finding new ways to make us look bad.” Edward Johnson ran back, pinched his chubby cheeks, and said, “It’ll be better when Second Brother comes back.”

“Second Brother doesn’t tease people?”

“No, when Second Brother comes back, we won’t be the worst anymore.”

“Hahaha!” The brothers doubled over with laughter, thoroughly enjoying their walk to school.

……

Once they entered the Wenhua Gate, the brothers finally quieted down.

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely attentive to his descendants’ education. In the first year of the Hongwu reign, right after founding the country, he established the Main Hall, filled it with books from ancient and modern times, and summoned renowned scholars from all over to teach the crown prince and princes.

However, after the crown prince grew up, he was moved to the Wenhua Hall across the way to receive individual imperial education.

Before entering Wenhua Hall, Crown Prince carefully straightened Edward Johnson’s dragon robe and retied the lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead.

Then, while tidying up James Johnson’s appearance, he gently said, “I reported your recovery to Father King yesterday. Father King was very pleased and encouraged you to study hard. He said he’ll check your progress in a while.”

“Wang Defa!” James Johnson sucked in a cold breath.

“What are your orders, Your Highness? This old servant can’t go in…” Outside Wenhua Gate, Wang Defa quickly responded.

“I wasn’t calling you.” James Johnson was exasperated—puns like that would get you fined.

Right, Edward Johnson?

After tidying up his two troublesome younger brothers, Crown Prince entered Wenhua Hall.

The three of them respectfully watched Crown Prince’s figure disappear, then went into the Main Hall themselves.

By now, the bright and clean classroom already had quite a few people seated.

The young men in white robes were all sons of nobles serving as study companions. Though they strutted around outside the palace, here they were just background, easily ignored.

The two children in dragon robes stood out.

James Johnson’s gaze automatically skipped over Eighth Brother, who still had a runny nose, and landed on Seventh Brother, who was sitting upright and reading aloud.

This kid had delicate features and a proud look—definitely the kind of annoying good student everyone dislikes.

Edward Johnson pouted, motioning for him to look at Seventh Brother’s dark circles. “See, this kid even studies hard at night. He’s almost taking the same courses as me now. So annoying!”

Whenever Seventh Brother got a word of praise from Father King, it was always followed by a scolding from Father King. The more praise Seventh Brother got, the more he got scolded…

“Doesn’t Fifth Brother also stay up late reading?” James Johnson said.

“I don’t read the school books. I read medical texts.” William Johnson explained softly.

As they spoke, the cloud gong sounded in the courtyard—the teacher was coming.

The three of them quickly returned to their seats.

James Johnson had already observed that each row in this classroom only had two desks.

The first two were empty—probably for Second Brother and Third Brother.

Because Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother sat in the second row.

Naturally, James Johnson sat with Seventh Brother in the third row. What a small world—they even ended up as desk mates.

When the gong sounded again, the lecturer entered.

To everyone’s surprise, today’s teacher was actually Benjamin Lee.

“The sun must be rising in the west.” Edward Johnson muttered under his breath, “I wonder what’s gotten into the old man.”

James Johnson just smiled and said nothing.

After the students and teacher bowed to each other, Benjamin Lee sat upright behind the lectern and said to Edward Johnson, “Prince of Yan, Your Highness, you first.”

Edward Johnson stood up, took his book to the front, opened it to his lesson, placed it properly on the lectern, and waited nervously for the teacher’s instruction.

It was a stark contrast to his casual attitude before class.

The others hurriedly opened their textbooks, cramming at the last minute.

James Johnson opened his book and immediately felt out of his depth.

‘Damn, there’s not even any punctuation,’ he cursed inwardly, then tilted his head to glance at Seventh Brother beside him.

Seventh Brother was so unnerved by his stare that he finally couldn’t help but whisper, “Why are you looking at me?”

“You know why.” James Johnson replied with a cold smile.

“I really don’t…” Seventh Brother said, trying to sound tough but clearly lacking confidence.