Universal Peace Hall.
Yun Yirou's mood was just as foul. "Other children are recognizing 3,000 or even 7,000 characters at one year old," she snapped at Yang Heng. "You're already three and you still don't know even 1,000! How will you compete with the other princes when you're this stupid?"
Truthfully, being able to read 1,000 characters at three was already outstanding. But everything paled in comparison—next to Yang Cheng and Yang Xiu, Yang Heng was hopelessly inferior, driving Yun Yirou to the brink.
"Mother, I'll try my hardest," Yang Heng said, dejected.
"Starting today, your daily reading assignments are doubled," Yun Yirou ordered.
The palace maids around them looked pained. Yang Heng already spent four hours a day training in martial arts and another hour and a half reading. If his reading workload doubled, he'd have no time to rest at all except when eating or sleeping. But no one dared risk Yun Yirou's wrath.
Another month passed.
Splendid Radiance Hall was filled with joy. Yun Liyue had originally wanted to keep Yang Cheng's literacy low-key, but news that he knew over 10,000 characters at just one year and three months old shocked everyone. Every day, countless people sought entry to Splendid Radiance Hall just for a glimpse.
Eventually, Yun Liyue couldn't keep turning them away, so she decided to host a banquet. Soon, the palace's concubines and the capital's most influential noblewomen flocked to the hall.
Yang Cheng was helpless. He'd only meant to build a foundation for revealing his martial talent later, but never thought it would cause such an uproar.
"Your Majesty, might I test the crown prince?" asked a woman in a delicate brocade dress that showed off a breathtaking figure. She swayed her fan with a light smile, every movement exuding charm.
"It would be Cheng'er's honor to be tested by Lady Cheng," Yun Liyue replied courteously.
Yang Cheng was stunned. Not only was Yun Liyue respectful toward this woman, but everyone else in the room also looked at her with awe. Yet in his past life, he had never seen or heard of this Lady Cheng. It seemed his rebirth had created some butterfly effect.
Lady Cheng lifted Yang Cheng into her arms. He was speechless. Weren't they supposed to test him? Why was she hugging him instead? Worse yet, she hugged him so tightly that his face was smothered in her chest, nearly suffocating him.
"The crown prince truly is as delicate as a jade doll," Lady Cheng cooed, eyes full of affection. She casually asked him a few characters.
Yang Cheng felt sure she was only using the questions as an excuse to get a feel of him. But even his casual answers drew cheers from the crowd.
Just then, the voice of Chief Eunuch Su Jin rang out from outside: "His Majesty arrives!"
Everyone in the hall rose instantly. "Greetings to Your Majesty!"
Even Yun Liyue stood up.
Yang Yuan strode quickly into the hall. Lady Cheng began to rise, but Yang Yuan waved her down. "No need to stand, Lady Cheng. You're holding Cheng'er."
Lady Cheng smoothly sat back down, cradling Yang Cheng. His confusion only deepened—who was this woman, really?
But the thought passed quickly; he was more focused on his mission. After three long months, Yang Yuan had finally returned.
"Cheng'er, I hear you've learned quite a bit of reading?" Yang Yuan asked, gaze falling on him.
Trapped in Lady Cheng's embrace, Yang Cheng couldn't rise to salute and could only say, "Father, I know over 10,000 characters. It's not all that impressive."
The onlookers exchanged shocked looks.
"Did he just say not impressive?" someone whispered.
"Over 10,000 characters at his age—how are other children supposed to compare?" others muttered, wide-eyed.
"Hahaha! My son truly has the spirit of an ancient sage," Yang Yuan laughed heartily.
Yang Yuan burst into hearty laughter. He picked up a copy of Yang Clan's Introduction to Sword Dao from the side and handed it to Yang Cheng. "Cheng'er, are there any words here you recognize?"
Truthfully, he didn't believe Yang Cheng really knew over 10,000 characters. He figured others were exaggerating to curry favor. For him, if Yang Cheng could recognize even a thousand or so characters, he'd be more than satisfied.
Yang Cheng took the book and began reading it out loud. All the characters in Yang Clan's Introduction to Sword Dao were common words. Without hesitation, he read the entire book fluently from start to finish.
At first, the hall fell silent. Then an uproar broke out.
Previously, Yang Cheng had only been tested on individual characters by different people. But this time, he read an entire book aloud. This left no doubt—his literacy wasn't a boast from the palace servants, but a fact proven by his own ability.
Even Yang Yuan's expression shifted to shock. After a moment, he let out a heartfelt sigh. "My son far surpasses his father."
As a child, Yang Yuan had also been a prodigy, but at one year old he had only mastered a bit over a thousand characters. That Yang Cheng knew more than 10,000 was leagues beyond what he himself had achieved.
Yang Cheng didn't care about the crowd's reaction. His attention was entirely on the system panel that appeared in the air before him. When Yang Yuan uttered the words "my son far surpasses his father," the system immediately signaled mission success.
[The former Emperor was a genius known throughout the world from a young age and has always held high expectations for his children.]
[For the host to make him openly admit he is surpassed proves you have fully earned his recognition.]
[Congratulations to the host for successfully completing the mission.]
[Sword Dao Minor Achievement has been issued. Do you wish to integrate it now?]
"Yes," Yang Cheng responded inwardly.
Unlike sword intent, sword knowledge wouldn't create any external phenomena. He had nothing to worry about. A torrent of profound sword knowledge surged into his mind once more. The Sword Dao Initiation had given him foundational sword knowledge, but Sword Dao Minor Achievement took it a step further, providing deeper, more advanced applications and transformations of sword techniques.
Like before, the system's sword knowledge covered countless techniques, encompassing endless styles of swordsmanship. None of this was known to anyone in the room. By the time Yang Cheng finished reading the book, the banquet was drawing to a close and guests began to take their leave.
Lady Cheng reluctantly handed Yang Cheng back to Yun Liyue. Once the grand hall quieted down again, Yang Yuan looked at his son. "Cheng'er, have you blamed your father for not being here these past three months?"
Yang Cheng replied seriously, "Father is not only my father, but the father of 300 million people of Great Zhou. You work tirelessly for them. I only regret that I'm too young to help you. How could I blame you?"
Yang Yuan was visibly moved. "My son is so understanding. I am proud beyond words."
Then he looked to Yun Liyue. "Empress, I plan to begin Cheng'er's martial training. What do you think?"
Yun Liyue was startled. "Your Majesty, isn't it too early? According to tradition, martial instruction only begins at three."
"That applies to ordinary children," Yang Yuan said calmly. "Cheng'er, despite being just over a year old, is already more mature and wise than most three-year-olds. And now, we have an exceptional opportunity…"
He paused, but Yun Liyue understood immediately. "You mean Lady Cheng?"
"Exactly." Yang Yuan nodded. "Lady Cheng won't stay in Great Zhou for long. If we miss this chance, we may never see her again."
Yun Liyue hesitated. "But wouldn't Lady Cheng have very high standards for taking disciples?"
"For most children, yes, but I believe Cheng'er has a real chance," Yang Yuan said. "And even if we fail, there's no harm in trying."
"Alright," Yun Liyue agreed.
At that moment, Yang Cheng sensed the system's interface flicker.
[Host has the rare opportunity to meet Refining God Powerhouse Cheng Junyi. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.]
[Please do everything you can to earn Cheng Junyi's approval.]
[Note: As a Refining God Powerhouse, Cheng Junyi's standards are unimaginably high. This mission is rated as extremely difficult. A time limit of three years is granted. Failure will result in heavenly lightning punishment.]
[Mission reward: Bodhi Fruit.]