Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 6

He Lang’s approach to educating Zhen Puyang was a natural one, thinking there was plenty of time and not rushing things. However, he hadn’t expected that he would soon receive news that the princes were to undergo a written exam.

The so-called “written exam” was an annual test held in the study rooms of the princes, designed to assess their progress.

The content varied each time but generally included the same topics: calligraphy, painting, essay writing, poetry composition, and recitation.

The Emperor would also attend to review the princes’ and princesses’ work in calligraphy and essays. The winner would receive the Emperor’s commendation. Rumor had it that this year’s prize was a king among horses, a steed presented as a tribute from the Western Regions.

He Lang naturally hoped that Zhen Puyang would take the top spot, but after some inquiries, he learned that Zhen Puyang had always ranked at the bottom in previous exams.

He was silent for a moment, feeling somewhat helpless, and lowered his expectations.

This surprised him, not because he thought Zhen Puyang was dull-witted, but because it was somewhat expected. Zhen Puyang had always taken the exams lightly—if asked to paint a lotus, he would insist on painting a bud; if asked to transcribe a passage, he would simply refuse to write.

Finally, with a lazy “I don’t know how,” no one could do anything about it.

He Lang only hoped to correct his attitude and instill a respect for learning, though his wish seemed a bit far-fetched at the moment.

To prevent Zhen Puyang from placing last in the upcoming exam, He Lang decided to invite him to his own room to study.

Zhen Puyang, still nonchalant, tilted his head when faced with He Lang’s suggestion. Suddenly, he adopted a flirtatious posture, his eyes slightly raised with an unserious expression. He blew a breath towards He Lang and teased with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, to the teacher’s boudoir?”

He Lang turned back to the mansion without expression.

He really wanted to knock on the prince’s head to see what was inside, wondering why he spoke so disrespectfully. A boy of over ten years old should know better. How could he refer to a proper man’s chamber as a boudoir?

Behind him, Zhen Puyang’s hearty laughter rang out. He Lang paused, slightly annoyed, realizing he had been teased by the prince.

But it was rare to hear the prince laugh.

Though the state affairs didn’t require his involvement, and he could play carefree, the prince was rarely happy.

Especially when alone, that melancholic and confused expression would gradually appear. He Lang guessed this was the other side of youth.

When he wasn’t vying for the position that his brothers coveted, he lacked a goal to fully strive for. The true meaning of his existence had yet to be discovered, so his sense of fulfillment was increasingly thin.

If his own predicament could amuse the prince, then so be it.

He Lang relaxed his brow, and Zhen Puyang slowly followed behind him.

He watched He Lang’s figure, stepping to follow, but He Lang didn’t stop to wait for him or walk alongside him, which inexplicably annoyed him. He was angry at He Lang’s lack of respect.

It wasn’t until He Lang slowed his pace slightly and turned to see if he was following that his anger dissipated, and he instinctively quickened his steps to catch up.

Zhen Puyang had always felt that it was only natural for everyone to cater to him. When someone didn’t, he would find it displeasing. But if that person did show a bit of unexpected kindness, it would be magnified countless times, bringing him joy.

…

This was Zhen Puyang’s second time coming to the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Compared to the last visit, when it was a quiet scholar’s room, it now had a lot more vitality.

There were many plants placed inside, a row of small, exquisite ones on the wide windowsill, and even some flower vines hung from the ceiling. The place looked full of life at a glance.

“Your taste has improved quite a bit,” Zhen Puyang complimented.

It wasn’t just the people who had changed; the details everywhere had as well.

Feeling a sense of strangeness growing in his heart, Zhen Puyang tested the waters: “Teacher, you seem to have changed quite a bit. You’ve become—”

“Become what?” He Lang quickly replied, but to hide his nervousness, he pinched the pages of the book and lowered his gaze slightly.

Zhen Puyang raised his brows. He didn’t believe in the miraculous notion of soul-swapping in this world. He wondered if He Lang had experienced something that made him change. But the life of the Grand Tutor was as dull as an old man’s, consisting of nothing but daily visits to the palace study room and researching his useless studies at the mansion.

It was hard to imagine what could have caused his transformation.

However, Zhen Puyang didn’t dwell on it, as he didn’t mind these changes.

If the Grand Tutor continued to be as annoying as before, he would soon ask his father to replace him with another teacher.

Zhen Puyang nodded and murmured in response, “Naturally, you’ve improved a bit.”

Before He Lang could smile, Zhen Puyang abruptly changed the subject, speaking bluntly, “This prince used to utterly despise your stubborn and rigid personality. You’re obviously young, yet you’re as rigid as an old man, constantly nagging with Confucian teachings. If this prince didn’t want to read those scholarly texts, you’d go and report it to Father, accusing me of being unorthodox.”

He Lang hadn’t expected such honesty from him. He said so much, as if he had been holding a grudge for a long time. He Lang didn’t even realize Zhen Puyang was complaining about him, feeling as if he was listening to complaints about another person, so he found it quite interesting.

“Your Highness is eight years younger than me, so how could you say I’m young? Doesn’t that make Your Highness even younger?”

Zhen Puyang didn’t like being told he was still young, so he immediately put on a stern face.

Seeing this, He Lang stopped teasing him and took out books and papers.

He didn’t intend to turn this mischievous prince into a saint, but he also didn’t want him to become a dandy who only knew how to read travelogues and storybooks. So, he prepared three neatly bound books, *Essentials for Governance*, *Principles of Nature*, and *Hundred Word Commentary*.

“This prince knew it.” Zhen Puyang pursed his lips, showing reluctance but still took the books. He thought, how could it be so easy to just let him read storybooks all day?

He Lang wanted to guide Zhen Puyang gradually, letting him see that reading wasn’t difficult, then slowly making him continue, embracing books and knowledge. Hopefully, he could even get him to appreciate the classics. Without the classics to enrich his inner self, it would be hard to justify.

Although the prince was clearly displeased, he still accepted the books, which could be seen as a form of accepting his guidance. He Lang smiled and patted the top of his head in encouragement, his tone gentle, “Your Highness must study hard.”

This sudden intimacy startled Zhen Puyang, who instinctively swatted his hand away.

Even his father hadn’t stroked his head so affectionately before. Was this person asking for punishment?

He was no longer a child in pigtails and didn’t need this kind of fake gentleness.

Zhen Puyang was slightly angry and stiffly turned away, leaving behind a stern warning, “Don’t touch this prince again.”

He Lang paused, holding the hand that had gone numb from the slap, and seeing the prince’s awkward demeanor, he realized that this child was saying one thing and meaning another, so he didn’t bother to argue and simply nodded obediently.

Little did he know, the prince’s mood was unpredictable, and his expression didn’t soften but instead grew more troubled, as if someone had once again defied his orders. Even the weather in June wasn’t as fickle as his temperament.

Zhen Puyang didn’t look back at him, hugging the books as he turned and left. Although the Grand Tutor had promised not to touch him again, Zhen Puyang was still dissatisfied. He didn’t even know why he was angry, only that he wanted to curse the Grand Tutor for being as stubborn as a piece of wood!

Originally, he came to the mansion to study, but after running out, he lost the mood and, seeing that the gardens were nice, decided to stroll through them to relax.

Unexpectedly, on the lush green grass, he found a snow-white rabbit hiding.

His playful spirit was piqued, and he scooped up the rabbit, only to discover that it was different from others of its kind. Its eyes were a transparent amber, and when it looked at him, it squinted its eyes as if frowning, seemingly with a human-like intelligence, conveying its emotions.

This intriguing rabbit caught his attention, but before he could play with it for long, someone came to urge him to return.

This person was none other than his tutor.

A flash of surprise crossed Zhen Puyang’s eyes, but seeing that the Grand Tutor looked displeased and seemed about to scold him, he found it hard to admit his fault for leaving without notice, so he too kept a stern face.

Moreover, the tutor had already noticed the rabbit in his arms. As the tutor was about to speak, Zhen Puyang, fearing he would be lectured, spoke first.

“Don’t try to reason with me!”

The rabbit in his arms, startled by his tone, leaped out and landed back in the grass.

He Lang looked at the small, fluffy ball in the grass, narrowed his eyes slightly, and calmly said, “I like rabbits.”

He picked up the rabbit, which then extended its two front paws and clung to his lapel. The two, man and rabbit, briefly locked eyes, and this sight made He Lang chuckle.

Shaking his head with a helpless smile, he addressed the dumbfounded Zhen Puyang, “Your Highness, go back to your room. After your studies are done, stay for dinner; the residence has prepared your favorite dishes.”

Just like how one doesn’t hit a person who’s smiling, every time the tutor spoke to him with a casual smile, Zhen Puyang found himself at a loss for words, realizing he couldn’t maintain his hard stance. Reluctantly, he followed the tutor back.

However, what he didn’t expect was that this rabbit, which usually wasn’t fond of people, became unusually obedient in He Lang’s presence and refused to leave his side.

He Lang had no choice but to bring the clingy rabbit back to the residence.

After that, Zhen Puyang’s demeanor changed drastically; he obediently listened to the lesson for an hour. As a reward for his compliance, He Lang was particularly kind to him at the dining table, frequently serving him food. Finally, Zhen Puyang left for the palace with a rare smile.

After sending off this little troublemaker, He Lang found the fluffy rabbit squeezing into his arms. It blinked its eyes, opening and closing its lips as if trying to speak.

Unexpectedly, the rabbit not only could talk but also said something that left He Lang in shock.

“Host, I am the divine spirit beast of the slag shou manual!”

Although he didn’t catch what manual it referred to, he had a rough idea that it must be related to the booklet he encountered earlier. He Lang, overwhelmed with disbelief, looked at the rabbit in his arms with a complicated expression.

**Author’s Note:**

When you’ve finished reading and fattening up the story, you can check out my other works, some of which are complete! QwQ

1. **《资政要览》 (*Essentials for Governance*)**:

   – This is likely a fictional or historical text that serves as a manual for those in positions of power, particularly for governance and administration. It would contain principles, strategies, and advice on ruling effectively, addressing both the theoretical and practical aspects of managing a state.

2. **《性理纲目》 (*Principles of Nature*)**:

   – This book probably deals with the moral and ethical principles governing human nature and behavior. It might be rooted in Confucian philosophy, focusing on the cultivation of virtue, understanding human nature, and the moral responsibilities of individuals, especially those in leadership roles.

3. **《百字注释》 (*Hundred Word Commentary*)**:

   – This book appears to be a concise text, possibly a collection of key teachings, proverbs, or philosophical sayings with annotations. The title suggests that it might offer simplified explanations or summaries of more complex ideas, making it easier to understand and apply these teachings.