The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

"I haven't really observed anything, but Song Tingzhi makes me uncomfortable the moment I see him. He's arrogant and not nice to Youning. With so many talented people, why did the emperor choose someone like him as a teacher for Youning?"

Cheng Youning was raised by Yuhua. How could she bear to see Cheng Youning suffer? It was because she had no strength, otherwise she would have picked up a hoe and gone to the fields to help reclaim the wasteland.

Shang Xi sighed: "I don't want to teach Youning."

Shang Xi left early yesterday. She didn't know what Wan Lianxing said to Song Tingzhi after he entered the palace, nor did she know whether this man resigned from the position of Prince Taibao as he wished. Although she always said that reclaiming wasteland could temper Cheng Youning's will, Shang Xi, as Cheng Youning's biological mother, really felt sorry for the young Cheng Youning.

"He doesn't want to teach Youning, and Youning doesn't want him to teach. Isn't this a coincidence? Let's fire him quickly and let Youning suffer less."

"I heard he resigned."

"That's good. The weather is so hot this year. I was worried that Youning might have a heat stroke yesterday. Fortunately, he doesn't have to come today."

Before Yuhua finished speaking, she heard a familiar and impatient voice coming from the city gate, "Everyone make way, everyone make way."

Shang Xi turned around and saw that it was her son whom she had been looking for for a while.

Cheng Youning was wearing a long green gown and the same big straw hat he wore yesterday. He was pushing a cart that seemed to be full of black things. Everyone started to avoid Cheng Youning when they saw him.

Yuhua was puzzled. "What is Youning doing? Didn't you say you wouldn't come anymore? Why is he here again?"

Shang Xi couldn't answer Yu Hua's question. If she wanted to find out what was going on, she had to ask Cheng Youning in person. Shang Xi strode towards Cheng Youning, "Youning, what are you pushing?"

"Mom, don't come over here. It stinks."

"No... Youning, what are you doing?" Shang Xi took out a handkerchief and covered her nose. Sure enough, the stench was terrible. Before it even got close, Shang Xi took two steps back.

Cheng Feng on the side also shook his head and sighed, "It seems that Song Ting's resignation was not successful. Maybe he even got a promotion."

Cheng Youning said angrily, "Dad is right. Not only did Song Tingzhi not resign, he was also highly valued by my grandfather. He is now a fifth-rank official. He even attended the morning court today. He proposed a method to govern the refugees, and my grandfather was very fond of him and praised him highly."

This was within expectations. The prince's teacher could not be a seventh-rank official. Promotion was a matter of time. However, Song Tingzhi's promotion was fast and high-ranking.

Cheng Feng asked Cheng Youning: "What kind of official is a fifth-rank official?"

"The Censor-in-Chief is specifically responsible for managing refugees. His father, old man Song Ruhong, has finally gotten his act together. When he left court, he even said he was going to hold a grand banquet to entertain guests. It really made him very proud."

At this time, another small manure cart appeared behind Cheng Youning, "Your Highness, I am still here, can you stop mocking our Song family?"

Cheng Youning turned around and glared at Song Qianyuan fiercely: "So what if you are here? Your grandfather is here and I can still say whatever I want. In your Song family, even the old man and the young master are not normal."

Song Qianyuan pursed his lips and said, "Prince, our Song family hasn't offended you."

"I am the Crown Prince who reclaims the wasteland, and I am still the Crown Prince who pushes the manure. Tell me, Crown Prince, who has made me what I am today? The Emperor has instructed your father to discipline me severely. Are reclaiming the wasteland and pushing the manure the only things I can do?"

"Why are you angry? I'm helping you."

"Can your help change my fate of pushing manure? Look at what I've become now. I'm covered in manure and it stinks."

"Just wash it off."

"Song Qianyuan, stop making sarcastic remarks in front of this prince."

"I'm not being sarcastic, I'm covered in shit too. I can just go home and wash it off after I finish my work."

Cheng Youning pushed the small manure cart forward angrily, followed by Qiao Rong, who had a sullen face and was fanning himself. Song Qianyuan pushed another small manure cart laboriously and followed behind.

The kid called Big Eyes came over and offered to help Cheng Youning push the cart. Cheng Youning immediately yelled at him, "Get away from me, little brat!"

The kid named Big Eyes shuddered in fear, then retracted his hand awkwardly, "We're about the same age, I'm not a brat!"

"Stay away from me, I'm upset."

"It's just pushing manure, what's so annoying? I'll help you."

"Get out of the way, don't you understand what I'm saying?"

Cheng Feng shook his head and walked over, patting Cheng Youning on the head. "Why are you so angry so early in the morning? He's helping you out of kindness, so it's fine if you don't appreciate it, but why are you yelling at him?"

Cheng Youning was depressed and didn't say a word. It was obvious that he was angry about pushing the manure cart.

Cheng Feng rubbed Cheng Youning's head through his hat and said, "Behave yourself. If you lose your temper again, Daddy will punish you."

Cheng Youning said resentfully, "I'd rather kneel in the ancestral hall than mess around with manure."

"You want to plant plums, don't you? If you want the land to be fertile, this manure is crucial. Without manure, the land cannot be fertile. You may think it's dirty, but the things you eat all grow on it."

Seeing Cheng Youning was silent again, Cheng Feng said helplessly: "Daddy will help you."

Cheng Youning dodged his elbow, preventing Cheng Feng from helping him. "Song Tingzhi is a freak. If he sees someone helping me, my work will be in vain."

Cheng Feng pointed at Song Qianyuan behind him, "Don't you want to help? Then what's going on with him?"

"He's a scabby dog. You can't get him out of here."

Cheng Feng slapped Cheng Youning on the head again. Song Qianyuan pursed his lips completely, "Your Highness, I'm just trying to help you out of kindness. Why are you always targeting me?"

"It's your father Song Tingzhi who's targeting me. He's torturing me. Can't you see that?"

"My father is your teacher. It's fine if you don't respect him as a teacher, but how can you say he tortured you? If my father wasn't both virtuous and talented, would the emperor have promoted him?"

Although Song Qianyuan's words were quiet, he was very proud in his heart because his father had finally won the emperor's favor and was now a fifth-rank official, rising rapidly in the world. Last night, the entire Song Mansion was brightly lit all night, and in the early morning, his grandfather brought the whole family to burn incense at the ancestral tablets to thank them for their protection and blessing on the Song family.

Cheng Youning snorted lightly, "Don't talk about promotion. It won't be too late to brag about it in front of me when your father has made some achievements."

"You despise my father?"

"I despise your entire family. Your Song family's official positions are all based on recommendations. Not one of them has truly passed the imperial examination. Song Qianyuan, what are you bossing me around with? If you have the guts, send a top scholar from your Song family to show this prince."