Chapter 31 031 I hugged him.

The attendants needed to discern the appropriate degree of respect for the emperor's words in different contexts. For instance, at this moment, the emperor might have said "beat them hard," but it was impossible to beat these little brats until they cried and screamed, filling the school with their wailing. At most, a few of the older children, over ten years old, would be tightly restrained, giving the Princess of Anyang a chance to kick them a few times.

The Imperial Academy was filled with troublesome children of powerful and wealthy families, but the most difficult to deal with were undoubtedly the elementary school students. The older ones had some understanding of propriety and morality, or perhaps they needed to consider their future. However, the younger ones wouldn't listen to anything, and when they got angry, they would either cry or hit others. The school officials were sweating profusely with worry, and they couldn't care less about the Princess of Anyang's underhanded tactics. They straightened their robes and bowed to those who had come to their aid.

But when they saw the other party's master through the somber-faced attendants, their expressions were a kaleidoscope of emotions, a mixture of black and white, as if they were on the verge of death. Lower-ranking officials might not acknowledge the emperor's face, but the Imperial Academy Doctor was a fifth-rank official qualified to attend court, and at the very least, there was a prime minister nearby! In that instant, the good and the bad, all the past events flashed through their minds. After a wailing, "My life is over," they knelt down with a thud.

Liu Yuan, still resentful from the blow, his face contorted with anger, wanted to say something, but the usually refined and polite Imperial Academy scholar shouted at him fiercely, "Shut up!" and then knelt down tremblingly. The emperor's face was calm, but the scholar had a scroll hanging from his body, and he wondered who had carelessly smashed it. The thought sent a wave of dizziness through his eyes.

As for the county princesses, although they didn't have many opportunities to meet the emperor, they had all attended his "family banquets," so they wouldn't fail to recognize him like the others. Even the most spirited county princess of Anyang turned pale, let alone the county princesses of Changle and Yongle.

"Come here." Zhao Jialing beckoned to the Princess of Anyang and the others.

The county princess of Anyang moved slowly, while Chang Le and Yong Le dawdled like snails.

Zhao Jialing wondered to himself: [I remember Chang Le was extremely arrogant and domineering when she was young, why is she so timid now?]

Xie Lanzhao glanced at Zhao Jialing after hearing her thoughts. What kind of situation could the daughter of the former crown prince possibly have? Besides, the crown princess—now the Princess of Hengshan, Li Xiang—was bedridden for many years. How could their family not keep a low profile? After experiencing such a sudden change, one naturally has to grow up.

Zhao Jialing ignored the academic officials and paid no attention to anyone secretly sending messages to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. She walked up to Princess Yongle, whose face was streaked with tears, bent down slightly, and wiped away her tears. Only a little ink had been spilled; there were no marks. The servants of the Prince's residence were watching over her; aside from initially not realizing what was happening, they had generally fulfilled their duties.

She wasn't close to her sisters, and had even less affection for her nieces, who were a generation apart. Zhao Jialing usually didn't think about them, but seeing Yongle crying like a cat, she couldn't help but soften. She said, "Send the two county princesses back to the Prince's Mansion and explain the situation to my sister-in-law." As for Anyang, before Zhao Jialing could even notice, the child hid behind Xie Lanzhao, tugging at her sleeve and peeking out.

Zhao Jialing: "..." There were no elders in Princess Zhongshan's residence who could be the Lord of Anyang, so Zhao Jialing simply ignored her. He then pointed to Liu Yuan and the others, whose faces had turned pale with fright after they realized what was happening, and said, "Invite all the parents over."

Xie Lanzhao did not interfere. The matter involved three county princesses; it could be a family matter, but it could also be a matter of state, depending on how His Majesty defined it. If it was a matter of state, could it be an opportunity to reform the Imperial Academy? Xie Lanzhao raised his hand to pat the head of Princess Anyang while calmly weighing the pros and cons.

Zhao Jialing's gaze inadvertently fell back on Xie Lanzhao.

Zhao Jialing: "?"

She thought to herself, "Even I don't receive this treatment, so why does Anyang deserve it? Just because she's seven? Why doesn't Xie Lanzhao treat me like a child now?"

Xie Lanzhao's hand froze, her thoughts paused for a moment, and she casually withdrew her hand that had been comforting An Yang.

The Imperial Academy was thrown into chaos by the arrival of Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao. Zheng Shiyan, who rushed there, nearly shoved himself in the mud. Not long ago, he had been reprimanded by the Emperor for copying books, and now he had caused another incident of improper conduct—not through the impeachment of the remonstrating officials, but witnessed by the Emperor himself. Even worse, some careless people were carelessly throwing away scrolls. Were these not just books, but Zheng Shiyan's life!

How many heads would it take to chop them all off? What about the entire family?

Meanwhile, the powerful and wealthy who learned that their children had gotten into a fight were also getting restless.

"Who dares to hit my son?"

“My granddaughter is quiet and well-mannered at home, and knows how to behave properly. How could she possibly get into a fight?”

"Is my son alright?"

The messengers all gave identical accounts, their faces bearing a bitter expression, saying, "His Majesty visited the Prime Minister's residence today. Since the Imperial Academy is located in Wubenfang, he disguised himself to observe the students' conduct. He happened to witness a fight among the students of the Imperial Academy; the teachings of the sages were scattered in the wind, and a scroll slipped from his hand and accidentally injured His Majesty—"

The powerful figures who had been so eager to seek justice for their descendants turned pale and fell silent. If someone were accidentally injured, they could say it was just a child's ignorance, but who dared to say a word about accidentally injuring the emperor? Even if a three-year-old child spilled mud on the dragon robe, it would be considered a grave act of disrespect!

Whether they were officials or idle nobles, they all felt as if they had lost their parents.

Can we pretend that child never existed in the family?

No matter how much they wailed in their hearts, they could only rush to the Imperial College to rescue the person.

Inside the Imperial College.

Zhao Jialing sat in the main seat, with Xie Lanzhao and Zheng Shiyan sitting to his left.

A group of students huddled together like quails, big and small, all squeezed together.

“Liu Yuan, son of the Marquis of Pengcheng, is fourteen years old. Has he already been taught the Analects?” Zhao Jialing singled out the troublemaker. A gentle smile graced her face, and her voice was even and clear, showing no sign of anger. She asked, “‘The Master said: There are seven authors.’ Who are these seven?” The names of these seven authors are not found in the main text of the classics, but in the commentaries. To test a student's knowledge of the classics, the commentaries were naturally included.

Although Liu Yuan was assigned to study at the Imperial Academy, he was a typical example of someone who was neither learned nor capable. If he truly possessed the talent to succeed, he wouldn't care about those rules and regulations. He dared not look directly at the Emperor's face; not only did he not know the answers, but even if he remembered the annotations, he was already panicked and his mind went blank.

He beat people in front of the emperor, and even threw books at the emperor—his father saved the late emperor, but can that save him?

Zhao Jialing glanced at Princess Anyang and said, "Anyang, you answer." Besides studying at the Imperial Academy, Xie Lanzhao also hired a tutor for Anyang. If she can't even answer this, she might make her elder sister so angry that she'll come back to life.

Although Anyang is small, she has a good memory. She said in a clear voice: "Changju, Jieni, Heshu Zhangren, Shimen, Hekui, Yifengren, Chu Kuang Jieyu".

When the powerful and influential families rushed to the Imperial Academy, the children all had long faces. The few who could answer stammered out of fear. The students were useless, and the Imperial Academy professors, naturally, were also ashen-faced, muttering incoherently.

Although Zhao Jialing ordered his men to invite the students' parents, he did not show his face in front of the officials and ministers, leaving only Zheng Shiyan to deal with them.

She and Xie Lanzhao were enjoying pastries in a small pavilion by the pond at the Imperial College.

"I was mischievous when I was young, and the late Emperor said I was stupid, but compared to these people, wasn't I much better?" Zhao Jialing stared at Xie Lanzhao, defending himself. It wasn't that she was too bad; it was that among those studying at Chongwen Academy at that time were his elder sister, elder brother, Xie Lanzhao, Gao Shao, and others... and the difference became apparent when compared.

Xie Lanzhao nodded in agreement, but instead of praising Zhao Jialing as she wished, she cautiously asked, "How does Your Majesty intend to handle this matter?" "Accidentally injuring the Emperor" is a serious matter, but the problem is that she personally witnessed His Majesty hanging the scroll on his body. To punish him for this would be turning black into white! The Emperor could do it, but Xie Lanzhao had to advise against it.

Zhao Jialing rubbed his forehead: "I have a headache." The Censorate will impeach this matter without anyone reminding them, and then the court will be in an uproar again.

Does diligence equal a miserable life? San San, maybe we should just give up?

[Does the host intend for Xie Lanzhao to suffer alone?]

Zhao Jialing's inner thoughts immediately subsided.

Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "Then please ask the Imperial Academy Doctor to take out this year's coursework for the students of the Imperial Academy, the Imperial University, and the Four Schools."

"What's the use of this?" Zhao Jialing stared wide-eyed at Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzhao calmly said, "If they insist that their disciples are exceptionally talented, then they can simply read out their essays and academic achievements in court." The students of the Imperial Academy and the National Academy come from prominent families, most with fathers or grandfathers in the court. Even if their fathers or grandfathers are prefectural governors not in Chang'an, they have relatives or friends there. She didn't believe those ministers would have the nerve to dissuade her.

Zhao Jialing was shocked.

Is it even possible to do that?

Isn't this method a bit underhanded? What's it called?

Wise Ruler System: [Public Execution.]

Zhao Jialing sighed: "That's not appropriate."

Xie Lanzhao: "Why?"

Zhao Jialing: "I mean it's inappropriate for you to do this." It would damage your reputation. While everyone is still engaged in heated debate, you'd slap someone across the face and humiliate them. How many people would resent you? A hint of worry appeared in Zhao Jialing's eyes. "I'll have a eunuch fetch the homework. Don't interfere."

[Sigh, let me go mad by myself then.]

【You, Xie Lanzhao, live a pure and innocent life in this world, remaining untainted by the mud. I will not allow anyone other than myself to slander you.】

Hearing Zhao Jialing's words, Xie Lanzhao felt a slight ripple in her heart, but the heartfelt words that echoed in her ears immediately pushed her emotions back down.

She gave Zhao Jialing a deep look and said calmly, "Your subject obeys the decree."

Zhao Jialing exclaimed "Eh!" and winked at Xie Lanzhao, looking somewhat confused.

That's it?

Xie Lanzhao feigned ignorance and continued to ask, "Does Your Majesty have any other important instructions?"

Zhao Jialing snorted and ground his back teeth.

[You foolish Xie Lanzhao, can't you even fathom the Emperor's mind? Did you suffer any loss by lying to me?]

“We’re out here to have fun.” Zhao Jialing was not happy. She glared at Xie Lanzhao, pointed casually into the pond, and said, “I want a withered lotus leaf and a carp.”

Xie Lanzhao didn't even blink: "Yes."

She made a move to leave the pavilion and wade through the water to pick the withered lotus leaves.

Zhao Jialing was startled, then suddenly stood up and put his arm around Xie Lanzhao's waist.

With a quick pull and a hug, the two were extremely close. A faint blush rose on Zhao Jialing's face, and she forgot what she was about to say.

Xie Lanzhao hadn't expected Zhao Jialing to react so strongly, and her heart skipped a beat. She calmed her breathing and said softly, "Your Majesty."

Zhao Jialing quickly let go of Xie Lanzhao's hand. The more she tried not to think about it, the more chaotic thoughts surged up, making her heart pound like a drum. Zhao Jialing turned her back to Xie Lanzhao and said in a feigned calm tone, "It's dangerous by the pond. I... I was just joking." Before Xie Lanzhao could answer, she turned back and added, "You don't need to tell me about 'a ruler's word is law.'"

Xie Lanzhao shook his head: "I have no such intention."

Zhao Jialing looked at Xie Lanzao's face, his gaze sweeping over her trembling eyelashes, and he felt a slight urge to touch her.

Her voice softened: "Hmm? So what do you want to say?"

Xie Lanzhao remained silent.

She should have advised him, saying that his behavior was frivolous and improper.

The words swirled in her mind, but when she met Zhao Jialing's bright eyes, her heart softened, and she suddenly found herself unable to say them.