Leng Xiaoye continued to feed the little one some fruit while Gan Yuan took out the books he had recently been reading and placed them by his pillow.
"The Bible?" Leng Xiaoye picked up the thick volume and turned to the page marked with a bookmark. "You’re reading this?"
"It’s his latest fascination," Gan Yuan explained with a smile.
Gan Tang turned to face them, "I just want to know if Moses really died or not."
Leng Xiaoye returned the smile, "Everyone dies; it’s just a matter of sooner or later."
"So... where do people go after they die?" the little one asked curiously. "Is there really a Heaven?"
Leng Xiaoye neither confirmed nor denied, "Well, I have never died myself, so... I don’t know. When I die and find out the answer, I’ll try to find a way to tell you."
True education is about maintaining a child’s curiosity, letting them seek out answers rather than telling them what those answers are.
In this respect, Leng Xiaoye’s approach to education coincided with that of Gan Yuan.
"Speaking of which, I haven’t read this book in many years. How about we read it together?"
As she spoke, she took the book and began helping the little one read.
Whenever he encountered a word he didn’t understand, they would discuss it together. The Queen, elevated above the masses, demonstrated extraordinary patience.
She wasn’t limited to the content of the book. She occasionally explained new characters emerging from the story or the historical events behind them, revealing her extensive knowledge.
Gan Yuan sat nearby, peeling fruit for them and listening attentively, gradually developing a deep respect for her.
From a young age, in addition to practicing combat skills, her father hired tutors to teach her a broad range of knowledge that was much more profound than what she learned at school, including culture, history, science... all aspects. Gan Yuan considered herself well-read, but many of the subjects Leng Xiaoye spoke of were areas she had never encountered.
The little one fell asleep to the sound of stories, and Leng Xiaoye closed the book in her hands.
"Let’s go and have some afternoon tea!"
Gan Yuan didn’t refuse.
The two of them left the hospital room and went to a lounge nearby. Soon, someone brought in a pot of steaming tea kept warm with a candle, along with a plate of exquisite snacks.
Leng Xiaoye smiled as she took the tea pot and filled Gan Yuan’s cup, speaking in a calm voice without any hint of self-mockery or smugness.
"This must be one of the privileges of power."
"Some people like to judge others based on their family background, past... There’s a saying in the East, ’You can tell an old person by the age of three,’ which I don’t really agree with." Leng Xiaoye elegantly added a bit of milk to her tea, "Buddha says, ’Lay down the butcher knife, and you can become a Buddha at once.’ I believe that people constantly change, and every moment, their mindset changes too. Therefore, the most important thing when judging a person is to look at the present."
Gan Yuan, being intelligent, guessed that Leng Xiaoye might already know her background and understood that she was hinting at her own acceptance. Seeing Leng Xiaoye extending the milk jug towards her, she hurriedly spoke.
Of course, it wasn’t just for the milk Leng Xiaoye had added for her.
Leng Xiaoye put down the milk jug, "In a couple of days, when Xiaotang is discharged from the hospital, I would like to take him to the Royal Palace to play for a few days. What do you think?"
"At that time, I’m afraid it might trouble you and Mr. King. This child has been spoiled by me since he was little and is somewhat undisciplined."
Across from her, the Queen gently lifted the corners of her lips.
"Rules are ultimately meant to be broken."
That statement, seemingly calm, was imbued with a confidence that was impressively proud.
Good afternoon, Little Princesses~!~