Children's Intellectual Competition
“Baby, come to bed,” Huangfu Yuchen, dressed in casual attire, lay on the dragon bed, urging Yan Ge for the third time.
“I’m coming,” Yan Ge replied while the pen in his hand continued to move swiftly.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his hand, and the pen suddenly flew out of Yan Ge’s hand. Yan Ge’s body followed suit—but he flew towards the bed.
Huangfu Yuchen opened his arms and accurately caught him, embracing him tightly. “What are you pondering again? Leave it for tomorrow. When I returned today, I happened to see Yun Xi leaving. What did he come to see you for?”
Yan Ge said, “Didn’t we agree to take him to the amusement park? He came to urge me. Tomorrow, we’ll take him there. The children’s intellectual competition we’ve been preparing for days will begin.”
“A children’s intellectual competition?”
Yan Ge accidentally caught sight of a black robe hanging on the bedside. It resembled the attire of the shadow guards, but he didn’t pay much attention. He rolled over and lay on his side. “Let’s make some extra profit from the children and then move on to other targets.”
“Do you already have a target in mind?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Yan Ge shook his head. “Not yet. I can’t think of any quick money-making ideas for now.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “…” If your speed isn’t considered fast, then no one would dare to claim they are fast.
“Yuchen, think with me. What are the things people frequently use in their daily lives and cannot do without?”
“If I come up with something, will there be a reward?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
“Definitely,” Yan Ge said.
“If I figure it out, let’s spend a day on the mountain… privately. How about that?” Huangfu Yuchen’s voice was hoarse, and the implied content was self-evident.
Yan Ge readily nodded. “Okay.”
Huangfu Yuchen then said, “There are many things people frequently use in their daily lives. Think about it. Every morning, people need to wash up. Aside from toothpaste and toothbrushes, they also use face towels and combs every day. In addition to that, men shave, and women put on makeup—”
“I’ve got it!” Yan Ge lay on top of him, continuously rubbing Huangfu Yuchen’s chin with his hand, the smile on his lips growing wider.
There were a few short stubbles on his chin that tickled when touched and Huangfu Yuchen’s heart also began to itch. He turned over and pressed Yan Ge beneath him. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow—”
In the middle of the night, a very faint sound suddenly came from outside. Although it was faint, it was clear to those with keen hearing.
Yan Ge moved slightly and Huangfu Yuchen whispered in his ear, “Baby, go back to sleep.”
He grabbed the black robe hanging on the side, put it on in an instant, and swiftly went out.
Yan Ge heard a few clashing sounds of swords and daggers outside, and after about a dozen moves, the sounds ceased. Huangfu Yuchen appeared silently.
Yan Ge opened his eyes. “Assassins? Where are the shadow guards?”
Huangfu Yuchen remained calm. “I instructed them not to appear. Whenever I fight those assassins, I make rapid progress in my martial arts.”
Poor assassins. Yan Ge patted the bed. “Go back to sleep.”
…..
After breakfast, Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, and the Crown Prince set off for the amusement park. The park was bustling with crowds, mostly children under the age of ten. Today, all the park facilities were shut down, creating a quiet environment for the children’s intellectual competition. However, the shops were still open and doing a brisk business.
“Dong, dong, dong—”
The bell rang three times, and the entire venue fell silent.
The overseer used internal force to shout, “The ‘Genius Cup Children’s Intellectual Competition’ will officially begin after a stick of incense. Those who wish to participate can still register now, as registrations will not be accepted after the deadline. Children aged six and below can participate in the six-year-old group; children aged eight and below can participate in the eight-year-old group; and children aged ten and below can participate in the ten-year-old group. The older the age group, the greater the difficulty…”
The Crown Prince said, ”Father, father, I think I can participate in the eight-year-old group.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Okay.”
Yan Ge leaned close to his ear and said, “The competition in the eight-year-old group might be a bit challenging for the Crown Prince.”
Huangfu Yuchen responded calmly, “If he loses, it will serve as a lesson for him not to overestimate his abilities.”
As strict as ever. Yan Ge respected the Crown Prince’s decision. “Little Xi, have you made up your mind?”
Huangfu Yuchen intentionally didn’t lower his voice, and the Crown Prince heard it clearly. He changed his statement, “I’ll participate in the six-year-old group.”
“Why?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
The Crown Prince replied, “If I win, it means the competition in the six-year-old group is too easy for me. I’ll participate in the eight-year-old group next time.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, indicating that the answer was somewhat satisfactory. Then he gave the Crown Prince an alias, Yang Fan, and took him to register. The four of them waited in the lounge for the competition to begin.
The bell rang once again.
The host’s voice rang out, “The competition is about to begin. To ensure fairness and impartiality, I kindly request that the adults refrain from providing any form of assistance or reminders to the young contestants. Violating this rule will not only result in disqualification from the current competition but also a six-month ban from entering the amusement park. I reiterate once again, to ensure fairness and impartiality…”
This punishment was quite severe for children who were accustomed to the amusement park. None of the parents dared to break the rules knowingly, as they won’t be able to explain it to their children.
“The first round is for the six-year-old group. Participants, please enter when your name is called… Yang Fan…”
Since children under six were too young, they were allowed to be accompanied by one parent. Huangfu Yuchen had no intention of going, nor did he let Yan Ge go.
The Crown Prince, on the other hand, showed no stage fright at all. After bowing to Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, he entered with the other contestants. He exuded an air of nobility fitting for a royal prince. In this group consisting of twenty participants, he stood the straightest and appeared the most relaxed.
“Look, the most elegant one is my little brother. Look how amazing he is!” Yan Jin boasted to the people nearby.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen pretended not to be associated with him.
An uncle actually struck up a conversation with the child. “You’re about the same age as your little brother. Why don’t you participate in the competition?”
Yan Jin showed off, “I’m too intelligent. If I participated, it would be unfair to the question-setters.”
Yan Ge rubbed his temples.
Several adults burst into laughter.
“Look, the competition is starting.”
“The first round is to assemble a square using Tangram puzzles. The ten fastest participants will advance.”
The Crown Prince was already well-acquainted with Tangram puzzles, so he quickly completed the task.
The host extended his hand to guide him down.
“No need, I will go by myself,” the young prince waved his hand and stood aside.
The host struggled to hold back his laughter.
“For the second challenge, take out the ball from the jar,” the host uncovered the cloth on the table. On the ground, there was a water jar about the same height as the children, and inside the jar was a ball made of pig bladder. The available tools were a fist-sized stone, a bamboo pole, a bucket of water, a bouquet of flowers, and even two plates of delicious snacks.
Blowing air into a cleaned pig bladder and playing with it was a common game among children. Yan Ge was a bit worried because it seemed that the young prince had never seen it before and might not even recognize it.
Two of the children were attracted by the snacks and thought they were prepared for them. They picked up a piece and started eating. Their father couldn’t remind them, so he stood aside, feeling both amused and embarrassed.
The audience burst Into laughter.
The other two children picked up the bamboo pole and played with it inside the jar. One of the children climbed on the edge of the jar, trying hard to climb up, but there was nowhere to step on, so after struggling for a while without success, they became anxious and scratched their head, looking adorable and amusing the people around them.
“Only you can come up with such creative ideas,” Huangfu Yuchen chuckled and said to Yan Ge.
The young prince picked up the stone and hit the jar a few times, but the jar remained sturdy. He stood still for a moment, then took a ladle and started scooping water into the jar. The other child seemed to understand and also grabbed a ladle. As the water level rose, the “ball” floated up as well.
Applause erupted from many parents, “Well done!”
Among the crowd, there was a young man dressed in brocade who didn’t seem like someone accompanying a child or participating in the competition. He said to another man with a black beard, “Yan Caiqing’s every move has brought enormous profits. We businessmen practically follow his lead. However, this time it’s a bit strange. Although there are many participants in this children’s intellectual competition, the tickets for children cost twenty coins, and for adults, it’s only fifty coins. The registration fee is also twenty coins. Today’s total profit is probably just average.”
The man with the black beard pondered for a moment. “Perhaps this competition is just for the sake of attracting more people to bring their children to the amusement park.”
“Is that so?” The young man in brocade neither agreed nor refuted.
Wei Jushen, who happened to overhear their conversation, had the same question. He couldn’t help but ask Wen Xian beside him, “Wen Xian, I also find it a bit strange.”
Wen Xian gestured with his eyes, and the two of them squeezed out of the crowd, walking leisurely ahead.
It was only then that Wen Xian said, “Just think about Boss Yan’s identity, and you’ll understand the reason behind it.”
“Boss Yan’s identity is naturally Yan Caiqing,” Wei Jushen didn’t understand.
Wen Xian shook his head and hinted, “Think about the rumors of the recent civil service examination reform and the recent road construction measures. If my guess is correct, this competition is not only for amusement but also for cultivating talent. If these children’s intelligence can be developed and guided through various competitions, they will undoubtedly excel in the future. Yan Caiqing, as the emperor’s consort, is not only working for the First Company but also helping the emperor develop the Great Han Kingdom. It’s truly fortunate to have such a consort for the Great Han Kingdom.” He couldn’t help but sigh.
Wei Jushen suddenly realized, “I see.”
“When it comes to national affairs, it’s best to avoid too much discussion,” Wen Xian reminded him. “Those two people just now sounded like businessmen, but I’ve never seen them before.”
Wei Jushen nodded in understanding.
In the end, the “Genius Cup” in the toddler group was won by the Crown Prince. On the way back to the palace, although he still had a serious expression on his face, both Yan Ge and Yan Jin could tell that his steps were lighter than usual. The atmosphere was filled with his suppressed joy, amusing both of them.
Acting like a loving father, Huangfu Yuchen passed by a fruit tea shop and bought two cups of watermelon iced tea, one for the young crown prince and one for Yan Jin.
“Thank you, Father,” the crown prince and Yan Jin said simultaneously.
Yan Ge gently patted their heads.
On the street, passersby couldn’t help but admire the harmony of this family of four.
The crown prince and Yan Jin walked ahead, while Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen followed behind.
“Baby, I feel that my realm has loosened a bit these days. How about you?” Huangfu Yuchen transmitted his voice.
Yan Ge replied, “I feel the same. I sensed it when I first returned to the palace, but such a thing cannot be forced. It can only be accumulated gradually. Now, it should have settled down.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “After this promotion , we will enter the stage of spiritual cultivation. Once we reach the end of that stage, it won’t be a problem for our bodies even if we don’t eat the five grains.”
Yan Ge responded, “I really can’t bear to give up so many delicious foods. Anyway , you should arrange your matters first, and we will enter seclusion as soon as possible.”
Children's Intellectual Competition
“Baby, come to bed,” Huangfu Yuchen, dressed in casual attire, lay on the dragon bed, urging Yan Ge for the third time.
“I’m coming,” Yan Ge replied while the pen in his hand continued to move swiftly.
Huangfu Yuchen raised his hand, and the pen suddenly flew out of Yan Ge’s hand. Yan Ge’s body followed suit—but he flew towards the bed.
Huangfu Yuchen opened his arms and accurately caught him, embracing him tightly. “What are you pondering again? Leave it for tomorrow. When I returned today, I happened to see Yun Xi leaving. What did he come to see you for?”
Yan Ge said, “Didn’t we agree to take him to the amusement park? He came to urge me. Tomorrow, we’ll take him there. The children’s intellectual competition we’ve been preparing for days will begin.”
“A children’s intellectual competition?”
Yan Ge accidentally caught sight of a black robe hanging on the bedside. It resembled the attire of the shadow guards, but he didn’t pay much attention. He rolled over and lay on his side. “Let’s make some extra profit from the children and then move on to other targets.”
“Do you already have a target in mind?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
Yan Ge shook his head. “Not yet. I can’t think of any quick money-making ideas for now.”
Huangfu Yuchen: “…” If your speed isn’t considered fast, then no one would dare to claim they are fast.
“Yuchen, think with me. What are the things people frequently use in their daily lives and cannot do without?”
“If I come up with something, will there be a reward?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
“Definitely,” Yan Ge said.
“If I figure it out, let’s spend a day on the mountain… privately. How about that?” Huangfu Yuchen’s voice was hoarse, and the implied content was self-evident.
Yan Ge readily nodded. “Okay.”
Huangfu Yuchen then said, “There are many things people frequently use in their daily lives. Think about it. Every morning, people need to wash up. Aside from toothpaste and toothbrushes, they also use face towels and combs every day. In addition to that, men shave, and women put on makeup—”
“I’ve got it!” Yan Ge lay on top of him, continuously rubbing Huangfu Yuchen’s chin with his hand, the smile on his lips growing wider.
There were a few short stubbles on his chin that tickled when touched and Huangfu Yuchen’s heart also began to itch. He turned over and pressed Yan Ge beneath him. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow—”
In the middle of the night, a very faint sound suddenly came from outside. Although it was faint, it was clear to those with keen hearing.
Yan Ge moved slightly and Huangfu Yuchen whispered in his ear, “Baby, go back to sleep.”
He grabbed the black robe hanging on the side, put it on in an instant, and swiftly went out.
Yan Ge heard a few clashing sounds of swords and daggers outside, and after about a dozen moves, the sounds ceased. Huangfu Yuchen appeared silently.
Yan Ge opened his eyes. “Assassins? Where are the shadow guards?”
Huangfu Yuchen remained calm. “I instructed them not to appear. Whenever I fight those assassins, I make rapid progress in my martial arts.”
Poor assassins. Yan Ge patted the bed. “Go back to sleep.”
…..
After breakfast, Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, and the Crown Prince set off for the amusement park. The park was bustling with crowds, mostly children under the age of ten. Today, all the park facilities were shut down, creating a quiet environment for the children’s intellectual competition. However, the shops were still open and doing a brisk business.
“Dong, dong, dong—”
The bell rang three times, and the entire venue fell silent.
The overseer used internal force to shout, “The ‘Genius Cup Children’s Intellectual Competition’ will officially begin after a stick of incense. Those who wish to participate can still register now, as registrations will not be accepted after the deadline. Children aged six and below can participate in the six-year-old group; children aged eight and below can participate in the eight-year-old group; and children aged ten and below can participate in the ten-year-old group. The older the age group, the greater the difficulty…”
The Crown Prince said, ”Father, father, I think I can participate in the eight-year-old group.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Okay.”
Yan Ge leaned close to his ear and said, “The competition in the eight-year-old group might be a bit challenging for the Crown Prince.”
Huangfu Yuchen responded calmly, “If he loses, it will serve as a lesson for him not to overestimate his abilities.”
As strict as ever. Yan Ge respected the Crown Prince’s decision. “Little Xi, have you made up your mind?”
Huangfu Yuchen intentionally didn’t lower his voice, and the Crown Prince heard it clearly. He changed his statement, “I’ll participate in the six-year-old group.”
“Why?” Huangfu Yuchen asked.
The Crown Prince replied, “If I win, it means the competition in the six-year-old group is too easy for me. I’ll participate in the eight-year-old group next time.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded, indicating that the answer was somewhat satisfactory. Then he gave the Crown Prince an alias, Yang Fan, and took him to register. The four of them waited in the lounge for the competition to begin.
The bell rang once again.
The host’s voice rang out, “The competition is about to begin. To ensure fairness and impartiality, I kindly request that the adults refrain from providing any form of assistance or reminders to the young contestants. Violating this rule will not only result in disqualification from the current competition but also a six-month ban from entering the amusement park. I reiterate once again, to ensure fairness and impartiality…”
This punishment was quite severe for children who were accustomed to the amusement park. None of the parents dared to break the rules knowingly, as they won’t be able to explain it to their children.
“The first round is for the six-year-old group. Participants, please enter when your name is called… Yang Fan…”
Since children under six were too young, they were allowed to be accompanied by one parent. Huangfu Yuchen had no intention of going, nor did he let Yan Ge go.
The Crown Prince, on the other hand, showed no stage fright at all. After bowing to Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen, he entered with the other contestants. He exuded an air of nobility fitting for a royal prince. In this group consisting of twenty participants, he stood the straightest and appeared the most relaxed.
“Look, the most elegant one is my little brother. Look how amazing he is!” Yan Jin boasted to the people nearby.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen pretended not to be associated with him.
An uncle actually struck up a conversation with the child. “You’re about the same age as your little brother. Why don’t you participate in the competition?”
Yan Jin showed off, “I’m too intelligent. If I participated, it would be unfair to the question-setters.”
Yan Ge rubbed his temples.
Several adults burst into laughter.
“Look, the competition is starting.”
“The first round is to assemble a square using Tangram puzzles. The ten fastest participants will advance.”
The Crown Prince was already well-acquainted with Tangram puzzles, so he quickly completed the task.
The host extended his hand to guide him down.
“No need, I will go by myself,” the young prince waved his hand and stood aside.
The host struggled to hold back his laughter.
“For the second challenge, take out the ball from the jar,” the host uncovered the cloth on the table. On the ground, there was a water jar about the same height as the children, and inside the jar was a ball made of pig bladder. The available tools were a fist-sized stone, a bamboo pole, a bucket of water, a bouquet of flowers, and even two plates of delicious snacks.
Blowing air into a cleaned pig bladder and playing with it was a common game among children. Yan Ge was a bit worried because it seemed that the young prince had never seen it before and might not even recognize it.
Two of the children were attracted by the snacks and thought they were prepared for them. They picked up a piece and started eating. Their father couldn’t remind them, so he stood aside, feeling both amused and embarrassed.
The audience burst Into laughter.
The other two children picked up the bamboo pole and played with it inside the jar. One of the children climbed on the edge of the jar, trying hard to climb up, but there was nowhere to step on, so after struggling for a while without success, they became anxious and scratched their head, looking adorable and amusing the people around them.
“Only you can come up with such creative ideas,” Huangfu Yuchen chuckled and said to Yan Ge.
The young prince picked up the stone and hit the jar a few times, but the jar remained sturdy. He stood still for a moment, then took a ladle and started scooping water into the jar. The other child seemed to understand and also grabbed a ladle. As the water level rose, the “ball” floated up as well.
Applause erupted from many parents, “Well done!”
Among the crowd, there was a young man dressed in brocade who didn’t seem like someone accompanying a child or participating in the competition. He said to another man with a black beard, “Yan Caiqing’s every move has brought enormous profits. We businessmen practically follow his lead. However, this time it’s a bit strange. Although there are many participants in this children’s intellectual competition, the tickets for children cost twenty coins, and for adults, it’s only fifty coins. The registration fee is also twenty coins. Today’s total profit is probably just average.”
The man with the black beard pondered for a moment. “Perhaps this competition is just for the sake of attracting more people to bring their children to the amusement park.”
“Is that so?” The young man in brocade neither agreed nor refuted.
Wei Jushen, who happened to overhear their conversation, had the same question. He couldn’t help but ask Wen Xian beside him, “Wen Xian, I also find it a bit strange.”
Wen Xian gestured with his eyes, and the two of them squeezed out of the crowd, walking leisurely ahead.
It was only then that Wen Xian said, “Just think about Boss Yan’s identity, and you’ll understand the reason behind it.”
“Boss Yan’s identity is naturally Yan Caiqing,” Wei Jushen didn’t understand.
Wen Xian shook his head and hinted, “Think about the rumors of the recent civil service examination reform and the recent road construction measures. If my guess is correct, this competition is not only for amusement but also for cultivating talent. If these children’s intelligence can be developed and guided through various competitions, they will undoubtedly excel in the future. Yan Caiqing, as the emperor’s consort, is not only working for the First Company but also helping the emperor develop the Great Han Kingdom. It’s truly fortunate to have such a consort for the Great Han Kingdom.” He couldn’t help but sigh.
Wei Jushen suddenly realized, “I see.”
“When it comes to national affairs, it’s best to avoid too much discussion,” Wen Xian reminded him. “Those two people just now sounded like businessmen, but I’ve never seen them before.”
Wei Jushen nodded in understanding.
In the end, the “Genius Cup” in the toddler group was won by the Crown Prince. On the way back to the palace, although he still had a serious expression on his face, both Yan Ge and Yan Jin could tell that his steps were lighter than usual. The atmosphere was filled with his suppressed joy, amusing both of them.
Acting like a loving father, Huangfu Yuchen passed by a fruit tea shop and bought two cups of watermelon iced tea, one for the young crown prince and one for Yan Jin.
“Thank you, Father,” the crown prince and Yan Jin said simultaneously.
Yan Ge gently patted their heads.
On the street, passersby couldn’t help but admire the harmony of this family of four.
The crown prince and Yan Jin walked ahead, while Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen followed behind.
“Baby, I feel that my realm has loosened a bit these days. How about you?” Huangfu Yuchen transmitted his voice.
Yan Ge replied, “I feel the same. I sensed it when I first returned to the palace, but such a thing cannot be forced. It can only be accumulated gradually. Now, it should have settled down.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “After this promotion , we will enter the stage of spiritual cultivation. Once we reach the end of that stage, it won’t be a problem for our bodies even if we don’t eat the five grains.”
Yan Ge responded, “I really can’t bear to give up so many delicious foods. Anyway , you should arrange your matters first, and we will enter seclusion as soon as possible.”
