The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

"Your Grandpa Ge is also very talented and well-read. It would be a blessing for you if he could be your teacher. Don't be picky."

"Humph, Grandpa Ge is a man of some talent, but I don't think highly of him."

"Youning, it's time for you to grow up. All elders can be your teachers. You should be humble and eager to learn. Your grandfather Ge is not only a man of great talent and learning, but also well-informed. He has been an envoy to many countries over the years and has accomplished many things with his open mouth!"

"Humph, his success is due to his mouth, and his failure is also due to his mouth. I just hate his mouth."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I dislike him!"

"What did your Grandpa Ge do to you? Why do you dislike him so much?"

"He cut off this prince's source of income."

"You are just a kid, how can you make money? Tell me clearly what you have done. You are not taking advantage of your position as the crown prince to make deals with others."

"How is that possible? You're overthinking it. I lie on the bed every day. What can I do?"

"So what did you mean by the path to wealth?"

"It was my Grandpa Ge who reported the kite incident to my little grandfather."

"How did you know? It wasn't... who told you that? Youning, mother is telling you, don't frame anyone. You openly sell kites to make money, and everyone knows it. You can only hide it from these few people in your family. You should know that the truth will come out sooner or later. This matter has nothing to do with your Grandpa Ge, so don't have any hostility towards him."

"That's what my Grandpa Ge said!"

"Don't lie in bed and spread rumors."

"I have divined."

"Divination? Who did you ask for divination? Your husband Huang Chenming."

"Do I need to trouble my master with divination? I only know a thing or two." Cheng Youning took out the copper coins and turtle shells from behind the pillow and showed them to Shang Xi.

Shang Xi was stunned. He took out his purse and took away the copper coins and the turtle shell.

"Mom, what are you doing with this thing? You can't use it!"

"I'm going to cut off your path to divination. You are not allowed to play with these things in the future. All you need to do is study and practice martial arts. Don't get involved with these other useless things. Throw them all away."

Cheng Youning chuckled, "I won't tell fortunes, why should mother be angry?"

Shang Xi was not angry. She was afraid that Cheng Youning would get carried away one day and take these things to the street to make money. If that happened, the emperor would break the legs of him, the prince. Cheng Youning had no idea of his mother's good intentions.

Shang Xi became more and more worried about Cheng Youning, and said earnestly: "Youning, your kite incident will be exposed sooner or later. Bad things will not last long, especially with your status. You must not make mistakes. Those who can speak in front of the emperor are loyal ministers and good generals. You can't be jealous, you should thank those who helped you stop at the brink of disaster."

"Mom wants me to thank Grandpa Ge profusely!"

"Youning, don't hold on to your grandfather Ge. Let's not talk about who suggested this. Let's talk about the facts. The reason why your matter didn't escalate to the point where it can't be resolved is that someone suggested it in time. Otherwise, you would have made a big mistake by now. Do you know that your grandfather is upright and likes real talents and knowledge, and hates buying official positions the most? You have touched your grandfather's sore spot. More than 70 officials bribed you. If it was someone else who manipulated this matter, they would have been beheaded and their entire clan would have been implicated. Your grandfather loves you, but you should not be complacent."

"Mom, you don't read books, right? In many dynasties, people paid money to buy official positions."

"That doesn't mean we can beg like this. Those who are capable have to take the imperial examination, so the donations must not be of any real quality."

"It's just a petty official."

"Even an empty position is not acceptable. It will disrupt the government and the morale. People who want to gain something for nothing through unorthodox means should not be given important positions. People's hearts are no longer the same as they used to be. There are too many cunning people. Don't let others take advantage of you at such a young age."

"I understand. Grandpa has already taught me a lesson. I won't fall in the same place twice."

"Youning, you must learn from this incident and not fall down everywhere. When the trouble becomes too big and you can't get it over with, the ministers won't forgive you, and the people won't tolerate you. If that day comes, even your grandfather won't protect you. I still say that doing good is easy, but doing evil is hard. The people will remember you, the ministers will remember you one by one, and your grandfather will remember you too. Listen to me and don't be complacent. Dalang doesn't lack a qualified crown prince. If you are deposed, there will be a new candidate in a day. I'm not exaggerating. I'm teaching you how to be a human being."

"Please rest assured, mother. My master has already lectured me and I have learned my lesson. I will strictly abide by the palace rules and regulations and think twice before doing anything."

"Remember, you can say one thing to our faces and do another behind our backs to fool us!"

"Please rest assured, mother. I will practice what I preach and what I know."

Shang Xi then smiled and caressed Cheng Youning's head lovingly. This child understood everything, but he just had to do it.

Just when the two were enjoying the love and filial piety of the mother and son, Da Tian arrived and said, "Your Highness, there is a man outside the door who claims to be your teacher."

"Teacher? Not Mr. Huang?"

"No, Mr. Huang. We all know Mr. Huang. But I think this man looks like a liar."

"What kind of liar dares to come to my prince's mansion to commit fraud? He must be so bold. Qiao Rong, go and take a look. If he is a liar, send him directly to the government. If he is a troublemaker, chase him away." While speaking, Cheng Youning got off the bed again.

Shang Xi said: "Could it be your new teacher who has just taken up his post?"

Cheng Youning thought for a moment and asked Datian: "What do you think he is like? How can he be a liar?"

"He didn't cheat, but he's a cripple. How can a cripple be a teacher to the prince?"

Cheng Youning's expression changed.

Shang Xi asked: "Are there any lame officials in the court?"

"Of course not." Cheng Youning looked at Datian and said dissatisfiedly: "Datian, how do you do things? Why don't you ask clearly what this person's surname and name are? How can you conclude that he is my teacher and not not based on his words?"

Datian said, "Didn't the prince tell us to keep an eye on the people who come to the palace? A new teacher has come to visit your Highness these days, and when I saw that person claiming to be the prince's teacher, I hurried over to report it, fearing that I might delay the prince's business."

"You are messing up my business, if you do that again, I will punish you with a stick.

"I deserve to die. I will do my best to serve the prince in the future."

"Go away, go down and ask clearly before you tell me."

Cheng Youning waved her hand and Datian ran away in a hurry.

"Cheng Youning, you treat your servants like this."