Chapter 12: I Asked You to Teach, but You Took Them Skipping School Instead

After completing a full set of calisthenics, everyone was warmed up and ready to go. The numerous princes were eager to join Qin Feng in a grand endeavor. Yet, they were curious about what earth-shattering task Qin Feng intended to lead them into.

Zhu Biao bowed to Qin Feng and said, “Mr. Qin, the palace soldiers are waiting outside the gate.”

Qin Feng smiled and waved his hand. “Then what are we waiting for? Follow me, and let’s get to this great work now!”

“You all surely want to prove your abilities before His Majesty, don’t you?”

“Follow me, and I promise you’ll earn the Emperor’s praise.”

Spurred on by Qin Feng’s infectious enthusiasm, the princes instinctively fell in step behind him.

Clad in a long, flowing official robe that trailed on the ground, Qin Feng swaggered confidently toward the palace gates, accompanied by seven princes.

The six palace eunuchs on duty halted respectfully at the sight of Qin Feng and the princes striding out boldly, bowing before passing.

Among the eight princes, only Zhu Di remained alert and quick-witted. He hurried to Zhu Biao’s side and whispered, “Brother, where exactly does the Master plan to take us? Surely not to do something reckless?”

Zhu Di added, “Father has expressly forbidden us from leaving the palace. If the Master gets into trouble, won’t we be implicated as well?”

Zhu Biao suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. Leaving the palace was a serious matter, requiring their father’s consent at the very least. To depart so rashly might displease their father.

With this in mind, Zhu Biao hurried to Qin Feng’s side and said, “Mr. Qin, this plan seems inappropriate. Taking the younger princes outside the palace without permission—Father will surely blame you.”

Qin Feng looked him in the eye and said, “Since His Majesty entrusted you all to me, I take full responsibility for your activities. As your eldest brother, do you really want to keep them caged like canaries in gilded cages?”

“His Majesty’s old-fashioned methods of education are outdated. Since I am your tutor, I will follow my own educational philosophy from now on.”

“If His Majesty faults us, then let him blame me alone. These princes have been confined to the main hall all day, and they’re nearly losing their minds.”

“Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles! Don’t just have them sit in the main hall pretending to study. If you want them to become talented men, you must throw them into the world outside this palace to temper them.”

“Let’s see whether they are mules or horses, then teach each according to his natural gifts. Besides, after a day of study, isn’t it reasonable to let them enjoy some leisure and relaxation?”

Zhu Biao was left speechless by Qin Feng’s words. As a Confucian scholar, he momentarily found the argument deeply persuasive.

Though his brothers were princes, they were still children with natural inclinations.

They should not be subjected to harsh, uniform education just because they belonged to the royal family.

They were all unique in character and talents, and to suppress their natures so completely would be inhumane.

With that thought, Zhu Biao said, “Sir, you speak with reason. Today, I will go all out with you.”

Qin Feng patted Zhu Biao’s shoulder and smiled. “That’s the spirit! The princes are just children after all. After a day of study, they deserve to have some fun.”

With that, Qin Feng strode purposefully toward the Xuanwu Gate not far away.

Behind him, Zhu Biao and the other princes imitated his confident gait.

The guards at Xuanwu Gate blocked their way, faces stern.

Qin Feng produced a token, head held high, and declared, “By order of His Majesty, we are leaving the palace on official business!”

The guards immediately stepped aside and knelt.

Zhu Biao and the princes stood dumbfounded.

This was their father’s personal token!

Could it be that the Master was truly assisting their father with a momentous affair?

The princes, once doubtful of Qin Feng’s “great task,” now believed without question.

Zhu Di whispered in Zhu Biao’s ear, “Brother, the Master is quite skilled—he even managed to obtain the Emperor’s personal token.”

Zhu Biao furrowed his brows, silent.

He recalled that after the morning court session, their father had taken Qin Feng to the Wuying Hall for a private audience.

Perhaps the token was given then, though even as Crown Prince, Zhu Biao did not know what mission their father had entrusted to Qin Feng.

But knowing their father’s temperament, the use of such a token surely indicated a matter of great importance.

Qin Feng, seeing the palace guards kneeling obediently, beckoned to Zhu Biao and the others.

“What are you standing there for? If you want to follow me out of the palace on important business, then hurry up and come!”

Zhu Biao led the princes quickly after Qin Feng, and they all swaggered out through the Xuanwu Gate together.

Meanwhile, in the quiet main hall, Song Lian was stupefied.

Could it be that the princes had collectively skipped their lessons?

As messengers were sent searching, news suddenly came back.

“Lord Song, bad news! The princes... the princes have all been taken out of the palace by Master Qin!”

Song Lian collapsed into his chair, nearly fainting.

Princes leaving the palace—that was indeed an earth-shaking event!

The Crown Prince’s tutor, Qin Feng, appointed by the Emperor himself, had such audacity?

To secretly lead the princes out of the palace was a grave offense!

“Nonsense! Absolutely nonsense!” Song Lian stood up, stomping angrily. “This is outrageous! Report this to His Majesty at once! Tell him Master Qin has taken the princes and fled the palace!”

“Yes, my lord! I will go immediately.”

At Wuying Hall, Old Zhu was sipping tea when he suddenly heard shouting outside.

“Your Majesty! Bad news!”

Old Zhu frowned. “Who is making such a racket outside?”

“Your Majesty, bad news! Lord Song reports that the newly appointed Crown Prince’s tutor, Master Qin Feng, has taken the princes out of the palace without permission.”

Old Zhu spat out his tea in disbelief.

He sprang from his seat and said to Wang Jinghong, “What are you standing there for? Go find my sons immediately!”

“Yes... Your servant... your servant will go at once.”

Wang Jinghong trembled, nearly in tears.

Qin Feng was truly a troublemaker.

If the princes were not found, the palace would surely be thrown into chaos once again!

Old Zhu felt as if he might faint from rage.

That Qin Feng! We sent you to teach, and you lead my sons in skipping their lessons?