Chapter 5 005 I feel wronged.

Frustrated by being ignored by Xie Lanzhao, Zhao Jialing angrily processed the memorial, grinding her teeth as if she wanted to find fault.

The memorials were submitted by officials from various departments. Emperor Zhao Jialing would only glance at them before sending them to the Council of State for the prime ministers to discuss and decide on the punishment. The prime ministers would then submit their opinions and the memorials would be submitted again. During this process, Zhao Jialing, who had already assumed power, could act willfully. However, based on her past experience, if she were to challenge the emperor's authority, it would be like asking for trouble, and the subsequent problems would give her a huge headache.

When Zhao Jialing saw the list of lecturers for the autumn lectures proposed by the prime ministers, she frowned. Despite her straightforwardness in telling Huan Qi, she actually knew nothing about the specific candidates. Now, having finally taken in the names, she wondered, "Why are they all middle-aged scholars?" Being the emperor's lecturer was no easy task, especially now that the emperor was older and had his own ideas.

The lecturers enter the palace with the intention of nurturing a wise ruler, but what if they encounter an impatient and unruly rogue? A young emperor is relatively easy to control, but an adult is different. What if the emperor refuses to listen to the lecturers' teachings and insists on indulging in frivolous pursuits? How many lecturers can outmaneuver the emperor?

Zhao Jialing understood the lecturers' predicament, but she was also at her breaking point. She really didn't want to hear a single thing—not the *Ancient Text of the Classic of Filial Piety*, *The Great Learning*, *The Study of the Classic of Filial Piety in the Book of Documents*, *Imperial Studies*, or even the sage-king Renzong's deeds. History was interesting enough, but one lecturer had just told her about the fratricidal struggle for the throne and was impeached by the censors for inciting discord among family members. Zhao Jialing was speechless. She was just listening to a story; couldn't she learn from history? What other kin did she have left to kill?

Once, she became interested in archery and hoped that the lecturer could discuss it. However, the lecturer started talking about the "Rites of Archery," which was neither virtuous nor moral, and Zhao Jialing lost all interest.

She had absolutely no desire to read those.

The officials wanted to cultivate her morality, but would reading those books really help? No, it wouldn't.

"A cautious and prudent person over forty-five years old?" Zhao Jialing scoffed and tossed the memorial aside.

She won't approve!

[Host, you still have the task of giving a lecture on the classics.] The Wise Ruler System announced.

Zhao Jialing refused with a blank expression: "I don't want to lecture an old scholar who's over fifty. Why isn't Xie Lanzhao here? Wasn't she already a scholar during the late emperor's reign?"

In the afternoon, Xie Lanzhao came to pay his respects.

Zhao Jialing sat in the bathhouse, his body radiating intense heat.

She returned the list, saying "revise it." Xie Lanzhao's arrival was also within Zhao Jialing's expectations.

She kept a stern face and tried her best to appear authoritative in front of Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzhao: "Does Your Majesty have any dissatisfaction with the lecturers?"

Her heart sank slightly. Although His Majesty had rejected the Duke of Anguo's suggestion during the morning court session, the Duke of Anguo was, after all, His Majesty's maternal uncle, and His Majesty had listened to the Duke of Anguo's bad advice in the past. Changing his mind frequently was commonplace for His Majesty; could it be that he was thinking of adding Lu Shi's name to the list? What about the discontent expressed towards the Duke of Anguo in court? Wasn't that truly His Majesty's intention?

If she could hear His Majesty's thoughts, under what circumstances would that be possible? In the bathhouse, she faced His Majesty, but had not yet heard that strange conversation.

Zhao Jialing said, "Too old."

Xie Lanzhao said, "In the prime of life."

Zhao Jialing wouldn't listen to her reasoning. She said, "I'm old now, and I'm old now." She was seething with anger and glared at Xie Lanzhao, saying, "Minister Xie, you became famous at a young age, are unparalleled in the literary world, and have always been virtuous. Why don't you personally lecture me on the classics?"

Xie Lanzhao had prepared for the worst, but Zhao Jialing hadn't mentioned Lu Shi at all. She was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered and said in a humble yet assertive manner, "In the second year of Tianfu, I lectured Your Majesty. Your Majesty said that I was young, and although my writing was renowned throughout the country, my moral character and achievements were not yet complete, and I feared that this would set a bad example of frivolity and impetuosity."

Zhao Jialing: "..." Did she really say that?

Wise Ruler System: [Host, the system's database does indeed mention this. You were initially delighted that Xie Lanzao was serving as your tutor, but you became angry upon hearing that Xie Lanzao had been working through the night to edit a book for Princess Zhongshan's only daughter in Anyang County. Furthermore, many of Xie Lanzao's poems were related to Princess Zhongshan, so you—]

Zhao Jialing was furious: "Am I that petty?! No, this happened in the second year of Tianfu, how could Xie Lanzhao still remember? Is she really that petty?"

The Wise Ruler System remained silent, fearing that the young emperor might get impatient and shout it out.

Xie Lanzhao must have heard her thoughts, but there is still a difference between the two.

Xie Lanzhao did hear it.

Her eyelids twitched, and she thought to herself, "Here we go again."

After that "system" appeared, His Majesty's true feelings had nowhere to be hidden.

From a young age, she loved following her elder sister. After her sister's death, her heart was filled with thoughts of her sister's daughter. She cared more about Anyang than about me; she sought out renowned teachers for Anyang, while I, merely copying a few of her poems, was accused of neglecting my duties!

【Host, these are two separate matters. Besides, you don't need to specifically find someone to teach you.】

Although the host is not fond of studying, he is a master calligrapher.

[I am sharp-tongued and petty, and I hold a grudge. Why did Xie Lanzao treat me like that? My heart yearns for the bright moon, but the bright moon alone does not shine upon me!]

For the umpteenth time, Zhao Jialing envied her deceased elder sister. They were about the same age, and they were childhood sweethearts, so why did Xie Lanzhao choose her elder sister? Recalling the past, Zhao Jialing felt a pang of bitterness that she couldn't express, and her eyes turned red with anger.

Xie Lanzhao was bombarded with Zhao Jialing's innermost thoughts. Although not as absurd as those expressed in court, they still left her bewildered, and even a faint sense of guilt arose from the aggrieved tone in his voice. Since ascending the throne, Zhao Jialing hadn't made any major mistakes, but he often opposed her on minor matters, and under the influence of various scheming individuals, he had done some unwise things. The past was fading into the distance, and she was looking towards the future. She assumed Zhao Jialing hated her, this minister who manipulated power; after all, throughout history, powerful ministers rarely met a good end.

In her heart, I am not as good as her elder sister.

[Hmph, so what? I'm alive, and I'm still the emperor!]

Why should I covet Xie Lanzao's beauty? She'll soon realize that I am someone she cannot have.

A moment later, Zhao Jialing's thoughts changed again.

The same scene had been rehearsed countless times in her mind, and Zhao Jialing had already mastered the secret to inner victory.

Xie Lanzhao's initial sense of guilt vanished at the sight of Zhao Jialing's outrageous words. She replied, "Your subject obeys."

"Huh?" Zhao Jialing's thoughts were interrupted. When did she issue the decree? It took her a few moments to realize that Xie Lanzhao was referring to the lectures. She was secretly pleased, but her face remained composed. "You are not allowed to lie to me."

Xie Lanzhao: "How dare I deceive the emperor?"

Zhao Jialing snorted, stood up, descended the steps, and walked towards Xie Lanzhao. She said, "What are you afraid of?"

Xie Lanzhao did not answer. When Zhao Jialing walked up to her, she slightly turned to the side, adopting a respectful posture as if asking His Majesty for clarification.

"You said you wanted to be my chief secretary when you were six, and you entered the princess's residence when you were fourteen."

"When you were eight, you said you would do my homework for me. The next day, I didn't do my homework, and you just watched as the scholar slapped my hand!"

“When you were nine, you coaxed me by saying you wouldn’t hurt me. A year later, you took advantage of my inability to understand and used classical allusions to call me stupid.”

"Twelve years old... Oh, after that you basically had no time for me."

Zhao Jialing, in a fit of emotion, brought up old grievances in front of Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzhao's face, which had remained unmoved even in the face of a collapsing mountain, finally shed its perfect mask, revealing a look of bewilderment.

These are all things from so many years ago. How does Your Majesty still remember them?

She was the daughter of a prime minister, and her grandmother was a princess. At the time, the Empress Dowager and the late emperor were both alive, so she was naturally sent to the Chongwen Academy to study with the princes and princesses. She was about the same age as Zhao Jialing, and they easily became friends.

But people eventually have to grow up.

"When I was young, I was frivolous and unruly," Xie Lanzhao apologized to Zhao Jialing.

She casually concealed the past, but those deeply buried memories unexpectedly surfaced.

Before she entered the residence of Princess Zhongshan, Zhao Jialing had requested an imperial decree from the late emperor, but she refused.

Zhao Jialing didn't ask why, nor did she give an explanation.

Xie Lanzhao added, "Years ago, I asked Your Majesty what you desired."

After the reforms, princesses of this dynasty can participate in politics. As long as Zhao Jialing is willing, she can join the struggle for the throne. She has her own advantages.

But Zhao Jialing had no dreams.

However, whether it was the deposed crown prince or Princess Zhongshan ascending the throne, Zhao Jialing, the daughter of the empress dowager, could not expect to gain freedom.

She didn't want Zhao Jialing to end up in such a situation.

However, due to a twist of fate, the deposed crown prince and Princess Zhongshan both met their deaths.

Zhao Jialing, who had no hope of seizing the throne, became the supreme ruler.

Xie Lanzhao lowered his eyes: "I have a wish."

Zhao Jialing turned his head to look at her: "Peace and tranquility?" She had seen similar words a thousand times in the memorials.

Xie Lanzhao looked at Zhao Jialing's expression, feeling somewhat weary. She pursed her lips: "The Xuanqi reforms are not yet complete, and my mother's last wish has not been fulfilled." She bore a heavy responsibility and could only continue step by step. What if Zhao Jialing came to stop her one day— Xie Lanzhao suddenly suppressed these dangerous thoughts. Unconsciously, she raised her eyes and met Zhao Jialing's gaze. The sudden flame in her eyes subsided again, and she stiffly changed the subject, "For the lectures on classical studies, does Your Majesty have any other candidates?"

Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao were very close. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so close to Xie Lanzhao. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Xie Lanzhao's profile and softening her frosty coldness. Zhao Jialing's pupils reflected Xie Lanzhao's image, and she subconsciously held her breath, her cheeks slightly flushed: "I have Xie Qing alone, and that is enough for me."

Xie Lanzhao took a step back without making a sound.

Over the years, she had grown accustomed to Zhao Jialing's arrogant, aggressive, yet ultimately weak, demeanor.

Zhao Jialing: "?"

[I confessed my love to her, why doesn't she bow her head in gratitude!]

Xie Lanzhao is beautiful, but she's a hopeless blockhead!

[Disrespect the Emperor, and you shall be slapped!]

"Your Majesty!" Xie Lanzhao could no longer contain herself.

She didn't know where the voice came from, but she instinctively ruled out the possibility of it being a demon or monster, believing it came from Zhao Jialing.

Sure enough, the inner voice stopped.

Xie Lanzhao asked calmly, "What would Your Majesty like to read?"

Let's analyze you as a person.

Zhao Jialing said solemnly, "Please, Minister Xie, explain the Book of Poetry to me."