After crossing, I was forced to hold on to my thighs and build a kingdom

"Brother!" Huizhen waved vigorously at the scholar with a big smile on her face and even joy in her eyes.

Seeing his sister, Wang Weiyuan nodded slightly, quickened his pace and walked straight towards Huizhen.

He first saluted the middle-aged man in the gatehouse, then pointed at Huizhen and said, "I am Wang Weiyuan, your student. This is my younger sister Huizhen. I have something to do today and need your permission."

After saying that, he took out a piece of paper similar to a modern leave application and presented it with both hands.

The middle-aged man nodded, took it and glanced at it, then reminded: "If you leave the academy, it cannot exceed one hour."

"Students save it."

The side door opened and the young man walked out in the sunshine.

Huizhen stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and said coquettishly, "Brother, you haven't been home for three months. Everyone at home misses you terribly, especially Grandpa, who has been talking about you several times. It snowed heavily a few days ago, and the roads are difficult to walk on. Mother was worried that you didn't have enough clothes, so she asked me to come and bring you some cotton clothes, shoes, and socks early this morning."

Wang Weiyuan looked at his excited sister lovingly, stretched out his free hand and gently stroked her hair, then asked, "How are the elders at home? Has Yuedi been naughty lately?"

"Grandpa's leg pain came back a while ago, but it's been much relieved since I applied the plaster you sent back. He even said that thanks to his eldest grandson, he's suffered less this winter. Mom caught a cold last month, but she's recovered now. Ah Yue has been much more well-behaved under Mom's supervision lately. He said he's almost finished reading the book 'Poetry Eclecticism' you brought home last time. As for Dad, he's still as strong as an ox!"

Knowing that her brother was concerned about the health of the elders, Huizhen described the situation of everyone in the family in detail in one breath, and shook her brother's arm as if to seek credit.

"Bad girl, how can you say that about your father!" Wang Weiyuan smiled and reached out to gently scratch his sister's pretty nose.

"Brother, you're such a fool. If you don't tell me and I don't tell you, how will Dad know what I said about him?" Huizhen pouted playfully and was about to say a few more words when her eyes suddenly swept over Jinchu, who was standing quietly and smiling at her siblings.

She slapped her head and said, "Oops!"

After saying that, he let go of his brother and strode towards Jinchu, pulling her in front of his brother. "Brother, this is our distant cousin from Aunt Sun's family in the village. Her name is Jin'er. We came to the capital together today."

Jin Chu quickly stepped forward and saluted, "Hello, Brother Wang."

"Hello, Miss Jin'er!" Wang Weiyuan took a step back, returned a salute to Jin Chu, and swept his eyes over the girl in front of him.

She is about the same age as my younger sister, but much thinner than her. It is obvious that this girl is not in good health. Her small oval face is slightly pale, and her seemingly gentle smile is actually hinted at by a hint of coldness. Her pair of clear and captivating eyes seem to be able to see through everything, and she has a cleverness, sophistication and composure that are clearly not for her age.

She is a beautiful, polite and scheming girl!

No wonder my silly sister wants to treat her as her own sister. Let’s see what this girl’s purpose is.

Wang Weiyuan thought about it in his mind, but remained expressionless. He just turned his head to look at his sister.

Meeting her brother's gaze, Huizhen couldn't wait to tell him her purpose. "Jin'er has a little brother who's six years old this year. It's time for him to start learning. But she's a girl, and this is her first time in the capital. She doesn't know what books are used for children's early education these days."

At this point, Huizhen quickly glanced at her brother, seeing the meaning in his eyes. She simply got straight to the point: "Brother, you're a scholar. I think you know better than any of us what kind of books children need to start their education. That's why I brought Jin'er to ask for your help! Your time is limited, and we both have other things to do. Let's go quickly and come back soon!"

After saying that, she pulled her brother over, winked at Jin Chu, and signaled her to follow quickly.

"Let go, you silly girl! You're so impulsive all day long, you don't look like a dignified girl at all!" Wang Weiyuan scolded his sister lightly, smoothed his wrinkled sleeves, turned to look at Jin Chu and said politely, "My little sister is so rude, I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Miss Jin'er! There are several bookstores not far from here, they might have some elementary books. If you don't mind, Miss Jin'er, would you like to go take a look together?"

"I'm overjoyed to receive your invitation, brother. Huizhen and I are of the same age. Brother Wang, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Jin'er like Huizhen does." Huizhen was still complaining about her brother, and Jinchu looked at Wang Weiyuan with admiration.

As the saying goes, "One kind of rice feeds a hundred kinds of people." Although the Wang brothers and sisters are brothers from the same mother, compared with their sister Huizhen's simple and straightforward personality, the elder brother is smart and calm, and is more understanding and considerate in dealing with people.

In modern terms, he is a person with high IQ and EQ. In time, the Wang brother will have a good future. It is indeed a blessing for Huizhen to have such a brother.

Jin Chu kept a slight distance and fell behind the Wang siblings. He looked at his brother who was leading the way in front, and turned his head to whisper to his sister beside him.

Occasionally, you can see Huizhen shrinking her neck and looking timid. Maybe she was scolded by her brother again?

She couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Such an everyday yet warm brother-sister relationship is so wonderful!

The three of them walked for about a cup of tea and arrived at a bookstore called "Moxiang Pavilion". The Wang siblings stopped and he turned around to greet Jinchu: "Miss Jin'er, this bookstore has a wide collection of books. It's also the place where my classmates and I usually go the most. Let's go in and take a look."

Jin Chu had no objection and followed the two into the store. The first thing that caught his eye was rows of neatly arranged bookshelves filled with a wide variety of ancient and new books.

Some of these books are yellowed, some are brand new, but they all exude a strong scent of ink, ranging from classics, history, and collections to poetry and songs.

The furnishings inside the shop are simple yet elegant. Several mahogany desks are decorated with the four treasures of the study for customers to use while reading. In the corners, there are also several bamboo bookshelves, on which are randomly stacked a variety of court reports and anecdotes, which appear both casual and natural.

There is a narrow passage between the bookshelves, with some famous calligraphy and paintings and couplets hanging on both sides of the passage, adding a bit of cultural atmosphere to the entire bookstore.

In another corner of the "Ink Fragrance Pavilion," two antique desks are laid out with the four treasures of the study—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Whether it's the sharpness of the brush or the thickness of the ink, they're all made of premium materials, clearly sold to the children of wealthy families.

A middle-aged man in his forties came forward and greeted him familiarly, "Young Master Wang, what would you like to choose today?"

Wang Weiyuan glanced at Jin Chu beside him and said with a smile, "Shopkeeper Zhou, today's protagonist is the girl behind me. She wants to find some books to help my younger brother get started. I remember you have some elementary school books here, right?"

"Yes, yes, but I don't know if this girl is looking for something for beginners or something more advanced?" The shopkeeper asked while leading the way.

Jin Chu replied: "It's fine for beginners, we haven't even started yet."

"These are all elementary school books. Since Young Master Wang is here, I won't show off my knowledge. You can choose the ones you like. Once you've chosen, I'll have my staff pack them for you." The shopkeeper smiled and stepped back.

Wang Weiyuan looked through them one by one, finally selecting five and whispering to Jin Chu, "I think these are pretty good. They progress from the simplest to the most complex, step by step, and are very suitable for beginners. Do you have any more to add?"

Jin Chu shook his head and said, "No need to add, Brother Wang's choice is very good."

"Then I'll ask the waiter to pack it." Wang Weiyuan picked up the book and walked towards the counter. Jin Chu hurriedly followed him to pay.

As soon as I reached the counter, I heard a sarcastic, teasing voice: "Hey! Isn't this Master Cheng's prized student, the 'diligent and inquisitive student with profound knowledge'—Prince Wang?"