The Emperor Xiao San's Little Concubine

Chapter 5: He Teaches Me to Read

"Prince, are you awake?" call Xixi from behind the door of the prince's room.

"Yes, I'm awake. Come in." said the prince with a feeling of pleasure.

Xixi opened the door and approached the prince. He brought a small basin to clean the prince's body along with the other palace ladies who brought breakfast for him.

"You go. Let me take care of everything." Xixi said firmly.

Xixi helps the prince sit on his bed, she helps the prince clean his body and change clothes. After he finished, he helped the prince to the dining table and fed the food into his mouth.

"No, I can't be alone, Xixi" said the prince, who tried to hold Xixi's hand, who was going to bribe her.

"Stt, shut up for a second. Let the servant serve the prince well." said Xixi softly.

The prince could not resist it anymore, all this time he did not feel the sincerity and affection of a woman even his own mother. The Empress had died since giving birth to the prince. The prince was taken care of by the palace ladies, but not a single palace lady took care of him sincerely. The prince was truly lucky to still be able to feel this extremely sincere affection.

"Hm, the prince is very clever. This food is over. If this continues, I believe the prince will grow into a gallant and great emperor." said Xixi with praise that made the prince blush in shame.

"Prince rest for a moment, servant will return in an hour" Xixi said softly.

"Where are you going? Are you going to leave me?" the prince asked a little worriedly.

"Hamba will not leave you. I just want to take something somewhere" said Xixi softly.

Xixi brought the prince back to her bed. He asked the prince to wait patiently for him. The prince complied and patiently sat on his bed.

An hour later Xixi returned to the prince's residence. He brought a book. Xixi helps the prince stand up and immediately takes him to the peach garden of the prince's favorite place.

"Sit down." said Xixi briefly.

"The prince tried to touch this book. Did the prince feel anything?" ask Xixi.

The prince touched the book and touched it thoroughly. He felt a book feel rough, but when touching repeatedly the book was like forming a certain pattern.

"What book is this, Xixi?" asked the prince curiously.

"This is the name of Braille prince's book. This book is for someone who can't see but is eager to read." Xixi tried to explain slowly.

"really? Does this book allow me to learn to read?" ask the prince excitedly.

"Hm, I will teach the prince how to read this book and when the prince has mastered it, I can even teach the prince how to make this book." whispered Xixi in the prince's ear to make his ears red.

"But the prince must promise me one thing" Xixi said a little firmly.

"Whatis that? Say it" said the prince smiling.

"The prince must not tell anyone that the servant is teaching the prince anything" Xixi said.

That day under the peach tree, Xixi taught the prince to read all day. Day by day, the prince was actively learning to read. It did not feel like 4 months and finally the prince could master his reading skills very well.

"Thank you Xixi. I'm so happy that I can finally read." said the prince who was very excited and immediately hugged Xixi tightly with warmth.

Xixi welcomed the embrace and returned the hug tightly. He said that he was very happy when he saw the prince happy.

"Xixi, can you give me a new book. I would love to read a new book." said the prince, pleading innocently like a child.

"Does the prince want to go out with the servant and buy a new book?" xixi asked teasingly.

"Yes, I would love to" said the prince who smiled broadly.

Xixi secretly takes the prince to a secret printing house. There are many forbidden books that cannot be sold by the palace office. The prince never knew that the owner of the printing press belonged to Xixi.

"Xixi, where can I get the book?" ask the impatient prince.

Xixi took the prince to a room, where there were many books that were forbidden by the palace officials. There are also many Braille books. The prince slowly fumbled to find the book he liked.

"Xixi, can I buy this book and this?" ask prince.

"Bring up as much as you can. I'll buy the book for the prince." Xixi said briefly.

"Xixi, do you have any money?" the prince asked a little worriedly.

"Just calm down, I have the prince's money bag" said Xixi, who chuckled. The prince laughed loudly listening to Xixi's words.

The prince brought all the books he bought and hid them in a place no one could find. Every night he read the books he bought. The book gave him a very broad insight. He never got any of it from inside the palace, even though inside the palace were many master teachers and great masters.

The prince diligently read all the books and asked Xixi if she did not understand the contents of the book. The prince learned many things, from war strategy, financial arrangements, royal policy to medical issues. He learned it all in just 5 months.

That very innocent prince, never suspected Xixi. How could a young girl who worked as a palace ladyboy have such vast insights. The prince was only able to think that Xixi was extremely powerful and kind. He was very happy to get a servant like Xixi.

"Xixi, thank you." said the prince briefly with his most beautiful smile.

"The prince is time to rise. Servant believes the prince can become an emperor greater than the current emperor." Xixi in a soft voice gave motivation to the prince.

"But, can I be a perfect emperor even without a vision?" the prince was a little pessimistic.

"Hamba is sure the prince can. I am sure one day the prince will see again" Xixi said, trying to evoke optimism in the prince.

A gentle swipe at the hands of the prince and words full of gentleness were already able to make the prince rise from the slump. Whatever the challenges that lie ahead, the prince is sure that as long as Xixi is by his side all can be passed well and there will be no sense of regret in his heart. For him Xixi is the best friend and teacher for him.

"Thank you again, Xixi, you have come and brought light into my dark and claustrophobic life. Thank you for giving me genuine attention. I will always carve you into my heart."