Chapter 58 058 My Beauty is Unparalleled.

Zheng Shiyan, the Grand Master of the Imperial Academy, was far from being "old," and everyone knew that his decision to "retire" was coerced.

But who can blame His Majesty for being so incompetent? In the past, we could earnestly request His Majesty to prioritize education, but can we say such a thing now? Look at what His Majesty has accomplished in the past six months: spreading printing technology, proofreading and printing books, establishing academies, and building libraries—aren't these all major cultural achievements?

Immortality belongs to His Majesty; as for the Imperial Academy, let it cool off for now.

March arrived quietly.

In the past, newly appointed scholars would linger at banquets in Qujiang and Cherry Blossom Garden, compose poems at Ci'en Pagoda, and spend lavishly. However, this year, the scholars were quite calm. Firstly, most of those who passed the imperial examination were not fond of extravagance; secondly, the palace examination had not yet taken place. What if they held banquets, spent all the money on celebrations, and then failed the palace examination? How embarrassing would that be? The trend of "splurging money like water and competing to show off wealth," which the censors had previously impeached, no longer needed to be prohibited and came to an abrupt end.

The palace examination was held in the Xuanzheng Hall, largely following the system of the imperial examinations. Zhao Jialing first served food, and only after the new scholars had finished eating did he order his men to lead the fifty-four scholars to their seats. The palace examination no longer tested knowledge of the classics or poetry; instead, it tested policy essays. There were ten questions in total, all drafted by Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao after discussion, covering various aspects. The scholars chose three questions, and if they had extra time, they could answer the others.

Zhao Jialing personally graded all fifty-four papers. The provincial examination questions were similar to those of previous years, conventional and well-structured, showcasing literary talent but lacking any truly original arguments. The questions were too restrained, preventing scholars from displaying much brilliance in their writing, and even failing to weed out the stubborn and ignorant.

But the palace examination was different. It asked questions about clerks, money, women's etiquette, laws and regulations... Just from the topics chosen by the scholars, one could vaguely judge their orientation, and upon reading the content of their essays, it became even clearer.

To allow the scholars to fully express their talents, she ordered palace servants to provide candles and tea at night. After all the proposals had been submitted, Zhao Jialing ordered the Imperial Guards to escort the scholars back to their lodgings. She, however, kept Xie Lanzhao and other ministers to review the papers.

Zhao Jialing was not entirely satisfied with some of the papers, such as the one written by the clerk. Clerks were lowly in rank and rife with greed and stinginess, but to say that everything was the clerks' fault would be an oversimplification. Shouldn't the local officials, manipulated by the clerks, also reflect on their own conduct? With a stern face, she drew a line on the paper, placing the candidate at the very bottom, and decided not to admit them.

The Minister of Rites said, “Your Majesty, I fear that after failing the palace examination, one’s mood will fluctuate. If one is poor and unable to return home, I fear that one may become homeless and, in a fit of anger, drown oneself.”

Xie Lanzhao pondered for a moment and said, "The names of the Jinshi have already been submitted and posted. To dismiss them would be to disgrace the Emperor's grace. I think we should rank them by grade. The first grade should follow the system of special examinations and can become officials without having to wait for selection. As for the second grade and below, they should wait for selection in plain clothes and wait for the Ministry of Personnel to make the decision."

Zhao Jialing nodded and said, "Yes, and bestow upon him the title of 'Scholar of Mingde'."

Xie Lanzhao remained calm, while the other ministers were bewildered. Mingde Scholar? Was this a scholar from Mingde Academy? But the ministers didn't ask any further questions. These scholars were like Hanlin Academicians in the palace; they had no official rank and it was more of an honorary title than a formal official position. It wasn't their place to offer advice.

Of the fifty-four people, twelve were selected as first-class officials and appointed as proofreaders and correctors in the Secretariat. These were "popular" official positions for scholars who rose through the ranks. Zhao Jialing wanted to blur the lines between the pure and the corrupt, and logically, she should have started with them. However, after careful consideration, she felt that it was not the right time yet.

These people haven't yet been corrupted by the ways of officialdom; each one is eager to learn, and they need to be more careful when proofreading books. The Imperial Academy can't be relied upon, so the task of proofreading and printing books falls solely on their shoulders. Moreover, Chen Xiyuan needs help with his revisions of the Book of Rites, and they are more suitable. After discussing it with Xie Lanzhao, Zhao Jialing sent another imperial edict to Chen Xiyuan, also granting her the title of "Scholar of Mingde."

After the provincial and palace examinations concluded, Mingde Academy officially opened. The students majoring in law, mathematics, and calligraphy came from the Imperial Academy, while others were clerks working odd jobs in government offices, from commoner families. They had originally intended to remain in those positions until their death, but now they had seized the opportunity. As for subjects like engineering, chemistry, agriculture, and natural history, those recommended by the prefectures and counties were mainly skilled and literate; they studied on their own in the early stages.

As for literature and military science, as Zhao Jialing had predicted, the focus remained on scholars. After all, knowledge of poetry, classics, and military science depended on family background. Their stronger foundation ensured they would excel in the examinations.

However, in the preschool classes—where everyone starts on the same footing, regardless of family background, and even with special classes that don't discriminate based on age—how could ordinary families not give it a shot? Mingde Academy doesn't require tuition fees, and students receive two sets of clothing each spring and autumn. Enrolled students only need to pay for food, and those with excellent grades can even have that money waived. Who wouldn't be tempted?

On the first day of school, Zhao Jialing wanted to go in person, partly to show his emphasis on his studies, and partly to join in the fun.

Xie Lanzhao advised, "Your Majesty has already cut the ribbon for Mingde Academy. It would be better to send a minister there this time. The Imperial Academy has recently been neglected. Your Majesty's actions may thoroughly discourage people."

"That zero score is truly disheartening to me!" Zhao Jialing pouted, feeling angry just thinking about the Imperial Academy.

Xie Lanzhao stared at Zhao Jialing and asked in a deep voice, "Does Your Majesty intend to completely abolish the Imperial Academy? The academies have just opened, and the total number of students in all subjects is only a few hundred, far fewer than the Imperial Academy. Moreover, the Imperial Academy is the official school, and the schools in the prefectures and counties are treated the same as the two academies. If the Imperial Academy is completely destroyed, I'm afraid the schools in the prefectures and counties will also gradually decline."

"His Majesty has bestowed many gifts upon the opening of Mingde Academy. The Imperial Academy must be feeling resentful. Perhaps His Majesty could also bestow gifts upon the Imperial Academy as well?" Xie Lanzhao said with a slight smile.

Despite his inner resentment, Zhao Jialing understood Xie Lanzhao's words. There needed to be competition between academies. Initially, they wanted to change the curriculum of the Imperial Academy, but the conservatives disagreed. So, they set up Mingde Academy as a benchmark, forcing the Imperial Academy to actively compare and revise accordingly.

"I've heard that after the *Tongshi* was published, many students bought it," Xie Lanzhao added. "Now that printing has caught up, aside from what's used in the academy, the rest can be sold to bookstores." Mingde Academy is only making a preliminary attempt, but that knowledge cannot be confined to the academy. The *Tongshi* is the first step; a complete set of books used by Mingde Academy will circulate among the people for those with aspirations to study on their own. At that time, will the doctors and students of the Imperial Academy still remain closed-minded and deaf?

"Minister Xie is indeed very thoughtful," Zhao Jialing exclaimed. "Truly worthy of being my wise advisor."

Xie Lanzhao smiled upon hearing this.

If His Majesty continues to express his true feelings in that way, he might very well leave behind eight words in history: "seductive and treacherous" and "a faction of powerful and wicked men."

"What are you laughing at?" Zhao Jialing thought Xie Lanzhao didn't believe her, so she frowned and her thoughts raced. Suddenly, she felt a little guilty. But she wanted to be honest, and she couldn't deny what she had done. So she said, her voice sharp but her voice weak, "I have indeed spoken ill of you, but in the past six months, I've only said bad things about you. So what? Do you want me to apologize to you? But what I said is the truth."

Xie Lanzhao's smile widened, and she said, "I am not mocking Your Majesty."

"What is that?" Zhao Jialing pursed his lips, determined to get to the bottom of it.

"I only—" Xie Lanzhao hesitated for a moment, then said under Zhao Jialing's urging gaze, "I only caught a glimpse of the little cat by the window and thought it was cute."

"Aren't you going to watch me go watch the cats?" Zhao Jialing asked her, raising his voice, his tone a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. "I'm going to put up a sign outside the palace that says cats are not allowed inside."

Xie Lanzhao laughed again.

Looking at His Majesty's expression, a sense of melancholy welled up in her heart again.

She had always believed that people change, and no matter how they came to be, if their paths diverge, they can only drift further and further apart.

But after the fog cleared, she suddenly felt that His Majesty had not changed.

Her sincerity and loveliness will last a lifetime, and even power and position cannot change her, right?

So, what about herself? After peeling away all those masks, will she still be the same person?

Zhao Jialing was slightly annoyed: "You're laughing again. I'm watching and listening to everything right now, but I haven't seen the cat come."

Xie Lanzhao's smile faded, and she gazed at Zhao Jialing: "Does Your Majesty think that I shouldn't smile in front of you? Or does Your Majesty not wish to see my smiling face?"

Zhao Jialing said, "No, that's not it." She beckoned to Xie Lanzhao, "I only heard the sound, that doesn't count. Come closer so I can take a closer look."

Xie Lanzhao remained unmoved, not wanting to give Zhao Jialing any chance to push his luck.

But Zhao Jialing was never one to be reserved or arrogant. You could simply not move. If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain. She walked boldly up to Xie Lanzhao, her hand moving with lightning speed, yet her touch on Xie Lanzhao's cheek was as gentle as a spring breeze. Zhao Jialing felt a moment of pride in her strength and gentleness: "Then smile for me."

Xie Lanzhao sighed and gently tapped Zhao Jialing's wrist with her hand: "Your Majesty's treatment of me is ultimately unbecoming." She had said that His Majesty had become increasingly presumptuous and excessive since the New Year. She couldn't voice her true feelings, but his current behavior still allowed her to offer advice. Perhaps she could take this opportunity to subtly persuade His Majesty? Xie Lanzhao thought absentmindedly.

Zhao Jialing scoffed lightly: "Why didn't you say that when you were being disrespectful to me?"

The moment the word "frivolous" was uttered, Xie Lanzhao's surging thoughts came to a halt.

Zhao Jialing was good at self-consolation. If Xie Lanzhao wouldn't do it, then it would be the same if she did. Given their childhood intimacy, why make such a difference? "Fine, if you won't smile, then don't smile. Can I smile for you then?"

His radiant smile almost pressed against her face, and in a daze, she could almost feel his lips about to gently touch hers, bringing a soft, fragrant breeze. Xie Lanzhao's heart skipped a beat, and a blush instantly rose to her cheeks. But she dared not move, nor even open her mouth to speak, for fear that moving an inch would solidify her "frivolous" accusation. Her quick wit and the advice that lingered on her tongue, when faced with the unusual Emperor, finally yielded.

"How was my smile?" Zhao Jialing pushed back, rubbed her cheeks, and stared intently at Xie Lanzhao.

Xie Lanzhao: "..." Her face was stiff. Was this the time to reward him? Was it just a simple smile in His Majesty's eyes?

【San San, why is she silent again?】

[Could it be that his mind is wandering, his senses are inverted, and he has lost all understanding of the universe?]

Zhao Jialing doesn't need anyone to give her answers.

Her gaze swept over Xie Lanzhao's face, and she was overjoyed.

With her hands behind her back, she said self-satisfiedly, "Alas, the emperor's power is profound. Whether he is laughing or angry, his subjects tremble with fear as if walking on thin ice. With a leisurely smile, who can praise his beauty?"

"Xie Lanzhao, I only smile for you."

Her frozen thoughts gradually returned, and Xie Lanzhao said expressionlessly, "His Majesty has smiled at his court officials and the eunuchs beside him."

"Ahem." Zhao Jialing blushed and retorted with words she had learned from the system, "Smiling at others is work, but facing you is life."

Xie Lanzhao asked, "Is smiling at a cat part of the job?"

Zhao Jialing was speechless and could not refute.

[How wicked, Xie Lanzhao! Do you really have to undermine me?]

[I understand. She feels that I treat her no differently than others; she's not the special one.]

It turns out it was my fault.

Long passages of heartfelt words entered her ears, but Xie Lanzhao's thoughts, like ripples on a disturbed pond, were a beat slower than expected.

By the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.

She was completely embraced by Zhao Jialing, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine.

Zhao Jialing: "How about this? Isn't it unique?"