"Sister Honghua, Sister Dongmei, you've worked hard."
Jian Chen spoke softly to the two eighteen-year-old girls.
They were maids of Changyang Mansion, assigned specifically to attend to his daily needs. After Jian Chen had insisted on living alone, his mother Bi Yuntian had sent them to take care of him.
Hearing his words, the two maids smiled sweetly.
"You mustn't be so polite, Fourth Young Master," one said. "This is just our duty as your maids."
"Yes, you mustn't say things like that," the other added. "If the steward heard you, we would be severely punished."
Jian Chen smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I won't say this in front of others."
He understood well the strict hierarchy of Changyang Mansion. As the Fourth Young Master, words like these could get the two girls into trouble if overheard by outsiders.
After washing up, Jian Chen left his room and walked toward his mother's chamber, as usual. It was only about twenty meters away.
As soon as he entered, he saw his mother sitting at her dressing table, with two maids attending her.
"Xiang'er, you're early today."
Bi Yuntian's face softened into a gentle smile, her eyes brimming with affection.
Jian Chen's heart melted at her loving gaze. In his past life, he had lost his parents at a young age and never known a mother's love. But here, he finally felt it—and he secretly cherished this hard-won warmth.
Jian Chen walked up to her, touched his stomach, and smiled sheepishly.
"Mother, I'm hungry."
After the previous night's training, his stomach was indeed empty.
Bi Yuntian patted his head. "Then let's go to the dining hall."
"Mm." Jian Chen nodded, looking satisfied, quietly enjoying her care.
After a short pause, he called again: "Mother."
Bi Yuntian looked at him tenderly. "What is it, Xiang'er? You can tell me anything."
Jian Chen hesitated for a moment, organizing his thoughts. Then he looked up at her.
"Mother… can you tell me what the outside world is like?"
Bi Yuntian was slightly surprised. "Xiang'er, are you curious about the world beyond the mansion?"
"I'm just wondering," Jian Chen replied.
Bi Yuntian smiled. "The world outside is vast and complicated. It can't be explained in just a few words. If you really want to know, you should read books in the Library Pavilion."
She sighed helplessly. "But you can't read yet. Even if you went, you wouldn't understand a single word."
"Mother, why don't you have someone teach me?" Jian Chen asked, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.
Bi Yuntian chuckled. "Xiang'er, you're only two years old! I've never heard of a child your age learning to read. On Tianyuan Continent, even the earliest start at four or five."
Jian Chen nodded in understanding. "Mother, I want to learn now. Can you find someone to teach me?"
Bi Yuntian froze, then broke into a delighted smile.
"Xiang'er, reading is hard and boring. There are countless characters on this continent. Are you sure you want to start now?"
Jian Chen nodded firmly. "Yes."
Seeing his determination, Bi Yuntian beamed. "If you wish it, Mother fully supports you."
She turned slightly. "Xiaoliu! Go and invite the most famous scholar in Lor City to the mansion. Let him teach Xiang'er to read."
"Yes, Madam!" the maid combing Bi Yuntian's hair replied respectfully.
"Xiang'er, it's getting late. Let's go eat before you starve."
The day passed quickly.
Early the next morning, the scholar hired by Bi Yuntian arrived at the mansion and began teaching Jian Chen.
From then on, Jian Chen spent almost all his daytime hours studying characters.
Thanks to his past-life memories, his spirit was incomparably powerful. Learning the writing system of this new world was not difficult for him—especially with careful instruction. He also possessed a near-photographic memory, so his progress was astonishing.
In just three short months, he had completely mastered the common script of the continent.
His speed left the scholar dumbfounded. When Bi Yuntian heard the news, she could hardly believe it, only accepting the truth after testing him personally. Normally, mastering all common characters took at least one or two years. For Jian Chen to finish in only three months was only possible with a genius-level mind.
The news soon reached Changyang Ba.
The patriarch personally visited Jian Chen's room.
"Xiang'er, you've worked hard these days. You deserve a reward," Changyang Ba said with a warm smile. Having such a gifted son filled him with pride, and he doted on Jian Chen even more. "What would you like?"
Jian Chen's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he said:
"Father, may this child go to the Library Pavilion to read? I want to learn more about the world."
Changyang Ba's eyes brightened with approval. He laughed loudly.
"Of course! I'm delighted by your eagerness to learn. From now on, you may enter the Library Pavilion as you please."
"Thank you, Father!"
Jian Chen smiled happily. Access to the library meant a great deal to him. He had learned that entry was normally restricted to direct clan members aged six or above—unless granted permission by the patriarch.
After chatting for a while longer, Changyang Ba left.
As soon as he was gone, Jian Chen could not wait. He immediately headed for the library.
All that hard work learning to read had been for this very moment: to study detailed records about this world. He could have asked his mother, but books contained far more complete and systematic information.
Jian Chen already knew the library was located in a tall tower at the back of the mansion.
As he stepped into the rear courtyard, he immediately sensed numerous experts hidden in the surroundings, their eyes sharp as vipers, locked onto him.
Jian Chen kept his head high and acted as if he noticed nothing. If anyone learned that a two-year-old child who supposedly knew no martial arts could sense hidden guards, it would bring him endless trouble.
Although Changyang Mansion had many direct clan descendants, few visited the library. Along the way, Jian Chen saw only a few standing guards.
He soon reached the tower's entrance.
Above the gate hung a large wooden plaque, inscribed with three bold, flying characters: Library Pavilion.
Two guards stood before the door, and Jian Chen could tell at a glance that they possessed considerable strength.
Jian Chen walked straight to the gate, pushed it open, and entered.
The guards did not stop him. They stood like statues, motionless, not even greeting him.
Inside the tower was a long corridor.
Although it was bright daylight outside, the corridor was dim. Glowing night pearls, the size of fists, were embedded in the walls at intervals, providing faint light.
The corridor stretched far, apparently dividing the tower into two sections. When Jian Chen reached the end, two paths opened up.
"Fourth Young Master. By the Patriarch's order, you have permission to enter the left area."
An old, deep voice sounded. A tall figure slowly emerged from the darkness.
Jian Chen turned instinctively. Despite the dim light, he saw the man clearly: an extremely elderly man with snow-white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a worn gray robe. His eyes looked ordinary, giving him the appearance of a completely unremarkable elder.
Yet no matter how average he seemed, Jian Chen did not dare underestimate him for even a moment.
He could clearly feel that this old man was an extremely powerful expert—the strongest person he had met since coming to this world. Even his father, Changyang Ba, was far from his equal.