The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 285: Is Jun Ning Feeling Guilty?

Jing Shu was so scared that she cried: "........."

"Why are you crying? Shut up." The Crown Princess Consort said fiercely, "Answer your mother consort’s question."

Jing Shu dared not cry anymore. She forcibly shut her mouth and didn’t make a single sound.

Seeing her not speak for a long time, all those manners, demeanor, and decency were set aside by the Crown Princess Consort. She was so angry she almost exploded, "Answer, little ancestor?"

Jing Shu thought to herself, "Mother consort, didn’t you tell me to shut up?"

Looking at Jing Shu’s resentful eyes and her deliberate mouth-shutting gesture, the Crown Princess Consort belatedly realized why Jing Shu wasn’t responding.

She told her to shut up, so she did, and now she doesn’t answer. How obedient she is!

The Crown Princess Consort was nearly driven to her wit’s end.

She wondered how she and the Crown Prince, both so intelligent, could have given birth to such a dull child.

So dull, she might be sold and still count money for them.

"Jing Shu, you see if I don’t give you a good lesson today." The Crown Princess Consort could no longer bear it and finally snapped.

Jing Shu was scared and wanted to run but then saw the Crown Prince.

She breathed a sigh of relief; no need to run now, her father had come, she was saved.

The Crown Prince had already appeared beside the mother and daughter, and he had heard everything they just said. He understood the Crown Princess Consort’s distress.

He patted the Crown Princess Consort on the back, saying, "Qing Er, being too intelligent isn’t always a good thing." Pausing, he added, "Everyone wishes for a bright child, but I have been misguided by intelligence for a lifetime. I only wish my child to be simple and naive, and reach dukedom without disaster or difficulty."

Qi Qin’s death greatly impacted the Crown Prince. So much that his words now carried a hint of mourning.

"Your Highness... you can’t say that..." said the Crown Princess Consort, "You are the Crown Prince, many eyes are watching you, and they are watching Jing Shu and Song Er too. If they are not well-educated, those ministers will surely take the opportunity to make a fuss."

Since Qi Qin’s death, many inexplicably blamed the Crown Prince and even obstructed him at every turn. Coupled with neighboring countries frequently provoking us in recent years, the ministers have even more reasons to be angry at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s residence has had a rough few years.

But the Crown Princess Consort had never complained. She only wanted to do what she could as best as she could, to avoid leaving any talking points for others to exploit, so that no one would give the Crown Prince a hard time anymore.

The Crown Prince understood her feelings. However, everything shouldn’t be rushed.

"Qing Er, don’t be so impatient." The Crown Prince said, "As you just said, neither of us is lacking, so naturally the children we raise aren’t lacking either. If they’re lacking in some way now, if they’re not living up to your expectations, it must be because they’re still young."

"Your Highness, you always speak on their behalf." The Crown Princess Consort was very frustrated, "Do you know what bet Jing Shu has made this time?"

The Crown Prince nodded, "The Duke’s grandson has spread this matter all over the palace, it’s been said all over, you know even in the Crown Prince’s residence, could I not know?"

"What should we do then?" The Crown Princess Consort was anxious, very anxious. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The bet has been set, and many people in the palace know about it; it can’t be denied, but they certainly can’t let Jing Shu lose face for the Crown Prince’s residence!

If not handled well, those officials might seize the opportunity to criticize.

Now the only solution is to have Jun Ning recite the Three Character Classic completely. As long as Jun Ning can recite it, Jing Shu wins.

But, the little sister-in-law is eight years old and has never studied, can she really recite it?

The Crown Princess Consort doubted Jun Ning’s ability.

"Qing Er, you don’t need to worry, nor hurry." The Crown Prince said, "I will take Jing Shu to the Weiyang Palace. If Ah Ning can’t recite the Three Character Classic, I will personally supervise her to recite it. No matter what, I will ensure Ah Ning recites the Three Character Classic completely, I certainly won’t let Jing Shu lose."

The Crown Princess Consort sighed, "It’s the only way."

Saying this, the Crown Princess Consort quickly ordered the warehouse to search out a pile of good things, and had them all brought to the Weiyang Palace by the Crown Prince. She hoped that Princess Anle, upon seeing these gifts, would be motivated to recite the Three Character Classic and not let Jing Shu lose.

The Crown Prince understood the Crown Princess Consort’s intention.

He took Jing Shu by the hand, gave the Crown Princess Consort a reassuring look, and went to the Weiyang Palace.

Upon arriving at the Weiyang Palace, before the Crown Prince could present the gifts he brought and lay them out in front of Jun Ning, Jun Ning excitedly came up to him, saying, "Crown Prince, I know why you are here, you needn’t worry, Ah Ning can recite the complete Three Character Classic, Jing Shu won’t lose."

Jun Ning patted her chest, "And as her little aunt, I won’t let her lose and have to run around without her top on." It’s her responsibility as an elder.

The Crown Prince was incredulous, "Really? You can truly recite the complete Three Character Classic?"

"Really! Truer than pure gold!" Jun Ning made a funny face at the Crown Prince, "If I’m lying, I’m a puppy."

The Crown Prince was still somewhat uneasy, "A Ning, you say you can recite it, can you recite it once for your elder brother?"

"Nope." Jun Ning said mysteriously, "If I recite it now, and it gets passed around, it wouldn’t be good. What if that Duke’s grandson finds out I can recite the Three Character Classic and changes the topic at the last minute?"

After all, everyone knows that the Duke’s grandson isn’t trustworthy in gambling.

Jun Ning’s concern was not without reason.

However, the Crown Prince still wanted a bit of peace of mind, "Ah Ning, could you quietly recite it once for your elder brother, please?"

"No."

No matter how much the Crown Prince said, Jun Ning wouldn’t recite it, even when the Crown Prince took out the gifts to tempt Jun Ning to relent, she still wouldn’t budge, the little girl was tight-lipped.

The Crown Prince originally had great faith that Jun Ning could recite the Three Character Classic completely. Because Jun Ning was displaying such confidence, he had no choice but to believe. But now, seeing Jun Ning so unwilling to recite, he suddenly had some doubts.

Is it possible that she isn’t reciting because she’s afraid she can’t recite it?

If so, Jing Shu is sure to lose tomorrow.

What to do? What to do?

The Crown Prince exhaled heavily several times and, without a choice, found Imperial Concubine Hua, explained the situation to her, and hoped she could help persuade Jun Ning to recite the Three Character Classic.

If others couldn’t convince her, Imperial Concubine Hua’s words surely would.

Imperial Concubine Hua was naturally reasonable. After hearing the Crown Prince’s analysis of the situation’s significance, she immediately agreed to the Crown Prince’s request and prepared to personally persuade Jun Ning.

However... when she found Jun Ning, Jun Ning was actually asleep.

It wasn’t even time for dinner yet. What kind of nap was she taking?

Imperial Concubine Hua approached and patted Jun Ning’s face, "Ah Ning, get up and recite the Three Character Classic for your mother consort? If you don’t recite it completely, you won’t be allowed to eat dinner or sleep."