Chapter 29 029 I am adorable.

Even if Xie Lanzhao had already agreed to this matter, he would have nodded in agreement after hearing her true feelings. In October, the candidates for the imperial examinations had been arriving in the capital to submit their family documents. At this time, traveling incognito would allow him to observe the state of people's lives and see what the candidates thought of the new examination system.

The agreed-upon date is not the date of the meeting.

After Xie Lanzhao left, Zhao Jialing maintained his excitement for a while, but his mood quickly dropped, leaving him with a vague sense of emptiness.

[If you have nothing to do, the host can practice questions on the "Heavenly Book".] The Wise Ruler System ruthlessly "whipped" Zhao Jialing, putting all its effort into pushing her to the position of "wise ruler".

With a long face, Zhao Jialing said, "I know. Isn't your system supposed to cultivate a wise ruler in every way? How come you don't care about my health at all? What good does it do you to me if I'm in a bad mood?"

The Wise Ruler System spoke in a light tone: [According to the system's scan, the host's mood isn't bad—well, he's just being sentimental.]

Zhao Jialing: "..."

She was cursing and swearing; she was angry!

"What guide is it? Let me see it."

Since we have this task, we should make good use of it and try to impress Xie Lanzhao.

She may not have the same natural advantages as her elder sister, but she can learn! Besides, does her elder sister have such good fortune? She is blessed by the gods, while her elder sister is unfortunate and has already passed away.

Zhao Jialing cursed wildly, and comforted himself several times, saying, "I absolutely cannot give up halfway."

The Imperial Academy was largely based on the setup of previous dynasties, with only minor modifications. After Zhao Jialing ascended the throne, the Imperial Academy added a "primary school class"—this primary school class had been established during the reign of Emperor Taizong to educate young members of the imperial family, and was attached to the Hongwen Academy. After students from both academies were sent to the Imperial Academy, the primary school class was also placed there.

The Imperial Academy currently comprises the Imperial College, the National Academy, the Four Gates Academy, and the Law Academy, Calligraphy Academy, and Mathematics Academy. The first three are for those preparing for the imperial examinations and the Mingjing examinations, and their courses are largely similar, differing only in the students' social status. For example, the students of the Imperial College are all sons of high-ranking officials. As for the Law Academy and the Calligraphy Academy, there are no restrictions on social background, and they are considered technical positions that were looked down upon by contemporaries. Medicine, on the other hand, is attached to the Imperial Medical Bureau and is managed separately.

Zhao Jialing couldn't figure out how to make the changes. If the Imperial Academy's studies were neglected, the only solution was to address the issues through regulations to urge the students to improve. But would such a change be deemed "difficult" by the system?

Filled with doubt, Zhao Jialing opened the "Curriculum Reform Guide" provided by the system. His gaze fell on the word "Literature," and he frowned at the following line of text: "The Imperial Academy, the Imperial University, and the Four Gates Academy are all combined into 'Literature.'" Zhao Jialing's expression changed drastically. How could this be possible! The three gates of the Imperial Academy were used to distinguish between nobles and commoners; if they were combined into one category, probably no one in the court would agree.

Zhao Jialing took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down and continue reading. Law, calligraphy, mathematics, and medicine were all as usual. She could understand military science and agriculture, and she barely understood natural history, but what were "chemistry" and "engineering"? Even after reading the introductions, she was still completely confused.

The "Curriculum Reform Guide" wasn't thick. Zhao Jialing looked at it with skepticism, flipping through it repeatedly, but quickly finished reading it. She found it hard to describe her feelings at that moment—fear, shock, excitement, even bewilderment… Her body felt like a furnace, the emotions churning within like boiling water. With a thud, Zhao Jialing slammed the "Curriculum Reform Guide" onto the table.

Her feelings were strangely complex, a mixture of fear and unease, yet also an excitement of about to create something extraordinary. "It's impossible!" she blurted out.

The attendants in the hall didn't even raise their heads, appearing completely unfazed.

Wise Ruler System: [That's why it's considered difficult.]

Zhao Jialing: [How can these be compared to the teachings of the sages?! They are all trivial skills.]

Wise Ruler System: [Host, I don't believe you have any saint in your heart.]

Caught off guard, Zhao Jialing paused for a moment, then adopted a serious demeanor: "My attitude is unimportant. Even military affairs are facing numerous obstacles; how can natural history and agriculture possibly be brought to the forefront and given equal importance to the teachings of the sages? In the eyes of scholars, even being a physician is a disgrace, let alone anything else."

Wise Ruler System: [Host, you are destined to be a wise ruler; you must have a long-term vision! You can't just focus on classical Chinese studies and Confucian scholars. Where does the food come from? Did they grow it? Did they build the waterwheels for irrigation and the machinery for weaving? Did they conceive of printing? Okay, this does have some connection to scholars. But Confucian scholars have their uses; you can't only see their uses and ignore others. Host, this is all knowledge!]

Zhao Jialing held her breath and remained silent.

Her cheeks flushed, her mind churning with turmoil.

This is far more serious than reforming the imperial examination system. The former merely aimed to eliminate cheating and bring fairness, but reforming the school system is like overturning the table—how could it not cause unrest? A slight misstep, and she might lose her throne. She was right to say those angry words a few times, but what good end can a deposed emperor have? Being confined to his residence and given the title of prince is the best outcome; many die quietly.

【San San, stop fooling around.】

Zhao Jialing took nearly fifteen minutes to calm himself down, and made a decision in an instant.

The Wise Ruler System couldn't let Zhao Jialing abandon the mission, so it continued: "School reform doesn't necessarily refer to the Imperial Academy. Besides, it doesn't mean the imperial examination system will immediately change as well."

Zhao Jialing: [Can we get results in a year?]

The Wise Ruler System was speechless for a moment before replying in a mechanical voice: [Congratulations, host, for triggering the achievement "Daydreamer."]

Zhao Jialing: "?"

What does that mean?

But achievement means reward, and the magnanimous Empress didn't argue with the system. She asked, "Where is my reward?"

The Wise Ruler System lamented that it lacked a physical form and couldn't roll its eyes: [What more do you need if you're just daydreaming?]

Zhao Jialing: [Those fields of engineering and chemistry are unheard of. Even if the Great Yong Dynasty had such talent, they might not be suitable to be teachers. As for natural history and medicine, they are mostly family-inherited.]

Although the Imperial Medical Academy has medical students, the most famous doctors are not trained by the Imperial Medical Academy or local medical schools. Instead, they are trained through family tradition and then recruited by the court to work in the Imperial Medical Academy.

Zhao Jialing shook his head and said, "Minor changes are possible, but major changes are beyond my capabilities."

Wise Ruler System: [Take it slow; the host isn't expected to achieve everything overnight.]

Zhao Jialing wasn't one to make things difficult for himself; once he put away the "Curriculum Reform Guide," he forgot all his worries.

Since things have come to this, let's go on a date!

When the emperor leaves the palace, it is naturally impossible for him to do so silently.

To avoid alarming the people of Chang'an, there would be no ceremonial procession in public, but the Imperial Guards patrolling the streets had already received orders and were ready at any time. As for the secret guards, they were hidden in the shadows, eliminating any potential dangers for the emperor.

Zhao Jialing first went to Xie's residence in Wubenfang.

The Grand Princess was aware of the situation and personally dressed solemnly to greet him. Even though the Emperor had said that the formalities between ruler and subject were unnecessary, a subject could not truly sit opposite the Emperor as if he were family.

The Grand Princess of Xiangyang was the daughter of Emperor Taizong and the younger sister of Emperor Renzong, Zhao Jialing's grandfather. Being an elder, Zhao Jialing felt slightly uncomfortable. The Grand Princess, seeing her discomfort, understood and, after completing the formalities, simply returned the space to Xie Lanzhao and Zhao Jialing.

"I want to see the flowers you grow," Zhao Jialing said.

"Chrysanthemums are in season at this time of year, and the flower varieties in my home are probably not as good as those in the palace," Xie Lanzhao said gently.

Zhao Jialing's eyes widened: "Are you going to go back on your word? Didn't you invite me to your house to see the flowers?"

Xie Lanzhao: "...I was just being polite."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jialing was relieved that she wasn't unwelcome. She put her hands behind her back and gave a light snort: "When you criticized me before, why weren't you a little more polite?" Before Xie Lanzhao could answer, she urged, "Hurry up, hurry up."

Human flowers are naturally all similar, but what pleasure is there in appreciating flowers alone in the palace? What she lacks is the ethereal and otherworldly quality of "watching people with detachment like chrysanthemums amidst the silent falling flowers."

Xie Lanzhao had told Zhao Jialing about the layout of the Xie residence before, but since she had never been there, how could she distinguish north from south, east from west, and south from north in the corridor? Zhao Jialing did not want the people from the Xie residence to lead the way, and indicated that she should stay with the servants. She stopped her hurried steps and waited for Xie Lanzhao to come forward.

However, Xie Lanzhao remembered her duty as a subject even at this insignificant moment and would not actually stand shoulder to shoulder with her. Zhao Jialing became anxious and turned around slightly, half-holding Xie Lanzhao's arm, and muttered softly, "You walk too slowly."

Xie Lanzao's eyes twitched, and she looked down at Zhao Jialing's hand: "Your Majesty."

She called out softly, offering a gentle reminder.

Zhao Jialing blinked, staring at Xie Lanzhao's profile with a puzzled look.

Was it getting in her way? Zhao Jialing looked down and realized it was indeed a bit inconvenient.

But as soon as he let go, Xie Lanzhao tried to step back. After a moment's thought, Zhao Jialing slid his hand down and, while Xie Lanzhao was still in a daze, grabbed her wrist. He then quickly changed his grip, squeezing her fingers apart and switching to a clasped hand.

“They’re just like kids,” Zhao Jialing said, laughing. Her eyes suddenly lit up. She raised their hands as if playing a game, waving them up and down.

Xie Lanzhao was familiar with Zhao Jialing's carefree demeanor.

Xie Lanzhao couldn't get her hand back anytime soon, but she didn't want to spoil the mood, so she let her hold it, waiting for her attention to shift before letting go.

When she was young and studying in the palace, the little princess would hold her hand, but when her thoughts were drawn to something interesting, she would eagerly pursue what interested her even more.

However, Zhao Jialing held Xie Lanzao's hand until they sat in the waterside pavilion for a while, and only then did he reluctantly let go.

Zhao Jialing rested his chin on his hand as he looked at Xie Lanzao and said in a drawn-out tone, "In ancient times, when people enjoyed flowers, they would be served wine in white robes. Shouldn't we also have a small drink?"

Xie Lanzhao asked in surprise, "Your Majesty is not planning to leave the palace?"

Zhao Jialing muttered, "I'm not going to get so drunk that you have to carry me."

Wise Ruler System: [The Imperial Academy is a place for studying. If the host wants to reform, he must first be strict with himself.]

Zhao Jialing: "..."

Isn't that a spoilsport? The system just had to say something superfluous.

Zhao Jialing huffed, "I'm not listening to this bastard's rambling! I'm just going to get drunk at the Xie family's house and not go back to the palace!"

Xie Lanzhao said calmly, "Unfortunately, neither my grandmother nor I are good drinkers, and we have no wine at home."

Zhao Jialing glared at her.

Who are you kidding?

Even if the host doesn't drink, they will still prepare food and drinks for the guests.

[When I'm drunk, I'm pure and adorable; Xie Lanzhao, you're not lucky enough to have me!]