Lord, your mask fell off

Chapter 244 The fall begins now

"However, I will test your recent homework." Emperor Xixuan touched his chin and said suddenly.

Xiao Ran nodded when he heard the words, as if he was listening attentively.

"Those who in ancient times wished to manifest their virtues in the world, what's next?"

"In ancient times, those who wished to manifest morality in the world first ruled their country; those who wanted to rule their country first ordered their families; those who wanted to order their families first cultivated their bodies; those who wanted to cultivate their bodies first rectified their minds;... When the heart is upright, then the body will be cultivated; if the body is cultivated, then the family will be in order; if the family is in order, then the country will be governed; if the country is governed, then the world will be peaceful.”

Xiao Ran recited it silently without thinking, with a loud voice, giving people a feeling of vitality.

Emperor Xixuan nodded in satisfaction while listening, and finally said, "Do you understand the meaning of this sentence?"

"I know, it means that if you want to show virtue to Tianxi people, you must first manage your own country well, and if you want to manage your own country well, you must first manage your own family well. Self. If you want to perfect yourself, you must correct your mentality. When you correct your mentality, you will be able to perfect yourself. If you perfect yourself, there will be order in your family. If you have order in your family, the country will be stable and prosperous. It's just too peaceful."

"Father, are you right?" Xiao Ran winked mischievously at Emperor Xixuan.

Emperor Xixuan couldn't help but reached out and patted his head, "Well said, but now, you have to learn to correct your mentality first, and be a wise and intelligent person in the future."

"But I know." Xiao Ran replied seriously.

"However, my father wants you to understand one thing, that is, the weak are prey to the strong in this world, and only when I have the supreme power can I do what I want."

Xiao Ran nodded, "My son, please remember."

"Okay, you go down first, Father still has to deal with state affairs." Emperor Xixuan patted his head affectionately.

Xiao Ran frowned immediately when he heard this, "Father, you should rest first, otherwise, if you continue to work like this, no matter how strong your body is, it won't be able to bear this kind of toil."

"The state affairs are busy, and it is a troubled time. If it is not dealt with in time, there may be serious troubles. Don't worry, the emperor will rest when he has time." Emperor Xixuan didn't think so.

"Yeah." Knowing that it's useless to talk too much, Xiao Ran turned his head to talk to Eunuch Cao, "Eunuch Cao, please take good care of my father, remind him to rest more often, if I know that you haven't fulfilled your duties, this prince will definitely not forgive you lightly. you."

When Eunuch Cao heard Xiao Ran's words, he said sincerely and fearfully, "I must remember the fourth prince's explanation."

Emperor Xixuan chuckled, "Okay, it's useless for you to threaten Cao Zhi. He has been with me for so many years, and he knows my temper best. You should worry about your studies!"

Xiao Ran couldn't help sighing, looking like a mature young man, "Father, you said that you are not young anymore, why are you always so worrying?"

Emperor Xixuan choked at these words, but was also amused in the end, "What a boy!"

When Xiao Ran left the imperial study room, Emperor Xixuan still had a faint smile on his face, "Cao Zhi, have you noticed that since half a year ago, Ran'er's temperament seems to have become more lively, and his speech is full of weird and annoying things?" Hi, but this change, I am very happy."

Cao Zhi thought for a while, half a year ago, wasn't it just the time when the fourth prince was the most courteous when he went to the Ying Palace?
It seems that there are vague rumors that the Fourth Prince has a close relationship with Princess Xiaoying.

But Cao Zhi felt that it was better not to talk nonsense about such pretentious things.

So he echoed, "That's right, the fourth prince is getting more and more sensible."

Emperor Xixuan said with some pride, "Concubine Yue gave birth to a good son! He is considerate, filial, progressive and intelligent. I am afraid that among these children, only Ran'er really cares about me."

Cao Zhi nodded, but another magnificent person appeared in his mind.

His Royal Highness the King of England ten years ago also fit these four words, but unfortunately, after that fire, he remained silent and exiled himself.

When Xiao Ran left the imperial study room, Yutu, the maid of the Moon Palace, was already waiting at the door, and when she saw him coming out, she went up to greet him.

"Your Highness, Concubine Yue wants you to go to the Moon Hall."

"En." Xiao Ran followed her towards the Moon Palace.

Xiao Ran entered the Moon Hall, and as soon as Concubine Yue saw him, she immediately ordered the maid to bring out the carefully prepared soup.

"Mother and concubine, don't you make people drink this every time I come here, I'm almost tired of drinking it." Although Xiao Ran said so, he still obediently drank the soup.

Concubine Yue shot him a sharp look, "Now you are growing up, it's good to make up more."

Xiao Ran smiled without saying a word.

"Did you go to the imperial study to find your father today?" The stove was lit in the hall to dissipate the severe winter cold, Concubine Yue lazily leaned on the back of the chair, seemingly inadvertently asking.

Xiao Ran nodded, and then explained to her about the matter in the imperial study, but concealed the fact that he was going to find the eldest brother.

Concubine Yue straightened her body slightly, with a proud expression on her face, "You must study hard, and don't let down your father's expectations."

"I know." Xiao Ran nodded.

Speaking of this, Concubine Yue waved to him, and Xiao Ran obediently walked over, "Concubine Mother, what's the matter?"

Concubine Yue looked into his eyes, and her usually tender eyes seemed like a mirror, reflecting his face, but she couldn't see the deep emotions inside.

Xiao Ran was a little unnatural, "Concubine Mu, do you have something you want to say to my son?"

"However, half a year has passed, do you still miss that girl from the Chu family?" Concubine Yue squinted her eyes and looked at him.

Xiao Xu categorically denied it, "Concubine Mu, you think too much."

But that clear gaze made him see nothing to hide, Xiao Ran lowered his head unnaturally.

Concubine Yue's eyes flickered with coldness, but there was still a beautiful smile on her face, "Mother is your mother, you came out of my belly, what's on your mind, will Concubine Mother not know?"

A tinge of embarrassment floated on Xiao Ran's face, "Mother Concubine, I really still can't let go of Qingyan."

It was confirmed that Concubine Yue's complexion was a little pale, but Xiao Xu, who lowered his head, didn't notice it. However, Concubine Yue thought this was actually an opportunity, and an unpredictable smile appeared on her face.

"However, you have grown up, and the mother concubine doesn't care too much about you, but there is a truth, you have to understand that if you want to get something that doesn't belong to you, you must have enough ability, and you must stand up. If you want to be higher than others, and have more control than others, then only by becoming a power that others fear, can you protect the people you want to protect."

Xiao Xu seemed to understand but half understood, "It is necessary to have a position of power that others cannot match?"

"That's right, so you have to work towards that goal now."

Xiao Ran nodded solemnly, okay, in order to show off his face, then he will try his best to fight for it.

Seeing this, Concubine Yue showed a triumphant smile.

Her son is good at everything, but he doesn't have the heart of power, it doesn't matter, if not, then let her instill it.

She didn't believe it, and the accumulation of time and time could not change his mind. Her lifelong wish was to cultivate a generation of kings.

So, in the days that followed, under Concubine Yue's unknowing indoctrination, Xiao Ran gradually grew from a loyal and bright boy to a paranoid and power-hungry person. Of course, this is an afterthought.

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(End of this chapter)