After the first parent-teacher meeting ended in failure, they didn’t talk about it for a few days. Qin Yuanxi wanted to set up a second meeting, but Lu Bohuan wasn’t interested. Qin Yuanxi’s solo efforts didn’t help, but he couldn’t just let it go, so he would remind Lu Bohuan about it now and then.
He didn’t say much, just dropped a few words whenever he thought of it, nagging Lu Bohuan a bit, making it clear that the matter wasn’t over.
After a few days of this, Lu Bohuan couldn’t stand it anymore. Finally, one quiet night, he sat down with Qin Yuanxi to talk about the issue.
When it came to the education of the young prince, it was a critical matter for the nation, something Lu Bohuan wouldn’t easily compromise on.
However, he was curious about Qin Yuanxi’s childhood and what life was supposed to be like in his world.
Qin Yuanxi thought Lu Bohuan was finally coming around, ready to learn modern educational ideas. He eagerly shared all his thoughts and viewpoints, hoping Lu Bohuan would learn something, even a little, to make their son’s life easier.
He didn’t want their young child to suffer a harsh life just because he was the crown prince.
“Back home, kids usually start going to kindergarten around three or four,” Qin Yuanxi explained. “Kindergarten is where kids go to school, but it’s really just a place for them to play and make new friends. It’s not about learning anything specific, just pre-education. The better kindergartens help kids develop thinking skills and good habits, but most just let kids be themselves, play around. They might memorize a couple of old poems, but there’s no pressure.”
“Starting education at three or four, isn’t that too late?” Lu Bohuan disagreed.
Qin Yuanxi thought about it and realized Lu Bohuan had a point. When Xiao Bao was just a month old, Lu Bohuan was already holding him and teaching him something. Qin Yuanxi didn’t know what it was at the time, but later Lu Bohuan mentioned he had already started enlightening Xiao Bao.
Later on, when they left the palace, they were gone for almost half a year, and Xiao Bao’s education was temporarily put on hold. Qin Yuanxi didn’t take it seriously. The kid was barely over a year old, just learning to walk. What was there to teach or enlighten at such a young age?
But Lu Bohuan took it seriously. He felt that being away for so long had hindered Xiao Bao’s learning, so he made sure to catch up afterward. By the time Xiao Bao was around one and a half to two years old, he had already started his enlightenment education. From babbling to reciting ancient poems, he followed his father’s lead.
It’s possible that in those early days, when Qin Yuanxi couldn’t understand Xiao Bao’s ‘babbling,’ there were a few lines of poems the kid had just learned.
“It’s not too late,” Qin Yuanxi didn’t dare argue. Some parents were too busy with work to take care of their kids and might send them to kindergarten when they were just over two years old.
To most people, it sounded absurd. What could a two-year-old do in kindergarten?
But that’s how it was. Parents busy with work and unable to care for their children had no choice but to send them to kindergarten. There, they could play with other kids, and the teachers could help take care of them. Modern working life was just that sad.
“A child’s cognitive development has its own pace. If you introduce things too early, they might not understand,” Qin Yuanxi continued, “And this kind of cramming education for a long time can make students feel bored. In our place, from kindergarten to taking the college entrance exam, it takes over a decade. At the beginning, kids might find school fun and interesting, but over time, they get tired of it. They don’t want to go to school, especially when they’re teenagers and rebellious. It’s like trying to control a wild horse.”
“But those later years are crucial, with various major exams, each one affecting their future. You can’t afford to be careless.”
Qin Yuanxi sighed, “Education really needs a balance between work and rest. Otherwise, who can endure years of monotony?”
“Xiao Bao won’t get bored,” Lu Bohuan countered, his lips thinning, “His daily lessons are always different, and he enjoys them.”
“That’s because he’s still young and everything’s new!” Qin Yuanxi emphasized, “Wait a bit longer. Forget about short-term, wait another ten years. Do you think he’ll still be like this then?”
“Ten years later, he’ll be fifteen. Why would he still need me to oversee him?” Lu Bohuan couldn’t agree, “By then, he can start governing, handling political affairs, maybe even taking full charge. What are you thinking? Why do you believe he’ll still be the same in ten years?”
“At fifteen, he’ll be managing state affairs?” Qin Yuanxi widened his eyes in disbelief, “Are you serious?”
Fifteen, what age is that? Isn’t that when kids are in junior high? Qin Yuanxi remembered when he was fifteen, he knew nothing, just bought a pancake in the morning, nibbled on it during early self-study, then slept or read comics during class, that’s the proper way for a teenager to behave.
How come in Lu Bohuan’s view, at fifteen, they start handling national affairs?
Seriously, are you confident enough to let a kid manage state affairs, aren’t you afraid he’ll cause trouble?
After all, teenagers in their puberty have infinite power.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit early?” Qin Yuanxi leaned on Lu Bohuan’s shoulder, “He’ll still be a child in ten years.”
“Not at all,” Lu Bohuan disagreed, “At the age of tying hair, they’re already half-adults. Isn’t it the same where you’re from?”
“Actually not.” Qin Yuanxi thought for a moment, “In our place, although eighteen is the legal age to assume responsibilities, it’s not the same in front of parents. Eighteen-year-olds typically just finished taking the college entrance exam, with four years of university ahead or even more for graduate studies. In our parents’ eyes, only when the child truly leaves the campus and starts supporting themselves can they be considered truly adults.”
Looking at Lu Bohuan with a slightly accusing gaze, “We won’t be kicking our children out at fifteen.”
Lu Bohuan paused briefly, seeming to contemplate and hesitate. After a while, he finally nodded, “Then eighteen, no later than that.”
“I think Xiao Bao’s schedule is a bit too packed, don’t you think? There’s too much. How about we remove one morning class and move it to the afternoon?” Qin Yuanxi suggested, trying to make an effort.
“No, his progress is already slow,” Lu Bohuan disagreed, pinching Qin Yuanxi’s neck and pulling him into his embrace, “You only see the present, only care about the child. The young heirs in the royal family are progressing faster than him and are more fulfilled. He’s the crown prince, of course, he needs to excel more than them. We can’t reduce his workload.”
“Hey, hey, hey,” Qin Yuanxi hurriedly tapped Lu Bohuan’s arm, “You’re squishing my hair.”
Lu Bohuan quickly shifted a bit, letting Qin Yuanxi’s hair free, “Sorry.”
“I see you’re just eager for him to succeed,” Qin Yuanxi shook his head, leaning back in, “I understand you want to raise a competent emperor, but there’s a possibility you’re falling into a trap.”
“Ah Tuo, Xiao Bao isn’t just the crown prince, he’s also your son,” Qin Yuanxi looked into Lu Bohuan’s eyes and sighed, “What if he’s just not suited to be an emperor? Or maybe he doesn’t even want to be one? Comparing him to the royal family’s children is unnecessary. If there are more suitable candidates among them, let the capable ones take the position. It shouldn’t matter if Xiao Bao becomes the crown prince.”
Qin Yuanxi felt a tightening around his waist, sensing Lu Bohuan’s big hand on his waist. After a while, Lu Bohuan gritted his teeth and said, “Forget all those strange ideas in your head. The position of the crown prince is unshakable. Do you think the court is as simple as you think? Even if there are many capable people, there’s only one crown prince, even one emperor. Throughout history, how many have fought and bled for such a position? Do you think you can control it with just a few words!”
“Naive!” Lu Bohuan said bluntly, “The position of the crown prince can only be his, and the future heir to the throne can only be him. It’s precisely because I’m his father that I must consider him and be stricter with him. What you’re talking about, whether he’s suitable or likes it, doesn’t exist. In the royal family, he has no second choice.”
Qin Yuanxi wanted to retort, but Lu Bohuan didn’t give him a chance, “With such an identity, do you think the successors will tolerate him? If it really comes to that, he won’t have a leisurely life waiting for him, only death!”
Lu Bohuan’s words were too heavy, Qin Yuanxi shrank a bit, his eyes filled with fear, “Don’t scare me.”
He viewed this matter with a modern mindset. Besides, the position of emperor wasn’t originally his; he just benefited from the previous owner’s fortune. So, he didn’t have much attachment to this position. He simply treated it as a job to be done. Naturally, he thought that if Xiao Bao didn’t like this job in the future, there was no need for him to follow in his father’s footsteps. Xiao Bao could completely rid himself of this identity and pursue what he enjoyed. Being a carefree prince wouldn’t be a bad thing.
But he forgot one thing; this wasn’t the era he lived in. The social system and traditional thinking here were different from his time. He might be able to make some changes with his abilities, but that was because he had that right. If he lost that right, he would be nothing.
It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and the basic rules of this world’s operation wouldn’t change just because of Qin Yuanxi’s efforts.
He was thinking too naively.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
