Xuanming raised his hand to signal Muzhi to stop massaging his shoulders.

He stood up, pulled Mu Zhi to sit at a table nearby, and his expression became more serious.

"Was this your own idea? Or was it the Grand Tutor's?" Xuanming asked seriously.

Mu Zhi wondered why he asked that, but she answered him honestly, "This was my own idea. You and Father are so busy, how could he have time to see me? Besides, I've entered the palace now, and my father is very particular about etiquette, so it's not so easy for us to meet."

Xuanming's eyes lit up when he heard the first half of Mu Zhi's sentence, but a slight pang of pain flashed through his heart when he heard the second half.

The palace, in the end, bound her.

"Oh dear, that's not what I meant, Xuanming. Please don't take everything on yourself. Entering the palace is what I truly desire, and it's something I love to do, so please don't act like this, okay?" Mu Zhi tugged at Xuanming's sleeve and pleaded.

Xuanming felt a warmth in his heart.

Mu Zhi was never one to express her love verbally, but for him, she always took the initiative.

"Alright, once I'm done with my work, I'll go with you to see the Grand Tutor." A genuine smile appeared on Xuanming's lips.

Mu Zhi's eyes immediately lit up. "You said it yourself, so you can't say I forced you when you see Father."

Xuan Ming hummed in agreement, and seeing Mu Zhi's expression, he felt pleased as well.

He then asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to build a girls' academy?"

When Mu Zhi heard him ask that question, the smile on her face gradually disappeared, replaced by a serious expression.

"People always say that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent, but is that really true? Talented women are liked no matter where they are, while those without talent can only become appendages of men. Is that fair?"

If all women in the world could receive an education, they would no longer be bound by so-called social norms and could freely pursue the life they wanted.

As she spoke, Mu Zhi's eyes were filled with longing and anticipation, as if she could already see that bright future.

Xuan Ming, who was standing to the side, was also shocked by her words.

He never imagined that there would be women in this world who had such thoughts, and were even willing to make efforts for them.

At this moment, Xuanming's impression of Muzhi underwent a complete change. He felt that the woman in front of him was no longer a little girl who could only act cute and charming, but a person with lofty ideals and ambitions.

At the same time, he realized that his previous view of Mu Zhi was too superficial, and that there might be many unknown aspects of her waiting to be discovered.

Actually, to be fair, Mu Zhi also had her own selfish motives.

From the time she could remember, her father began to teach her personally. Later, he invited many famous scholars to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette, and even horseback riding and archery.

She comes from a prestigious family and is virtuous and talented, but even so, she still feels inferior when she meets someone she likes.

She couldn't help but think that if it were women who had never been to school, wouldn't their situation be even more difficult?

This world is inherently full of hardships, especially for women.

But she saw another possibility for women in Yun Qingluo.

It turns out that women can also become famous throughout the world with a skill;

It turns out that women can also go to the battlefield to fight the enemy and defend their country;

It turns out that women can also leave their homeland to see the wonderful world.

Most importantly, she saw a vibrant individual in Yun Qingluo, someone who was not born to depend on her family or to live by clinging to men, but lived independently and freely.

She firmly believes that even if Yun Qingluo leaves Mo Beichen, she can still live a good and happy life.

Thus, she conceived an idea—to establish a girls' academy so that more women like Yun Qingluo could appear in the world.

Xuanming fell silent after hearing Muzhi's words.

While pondering other matters, Mu Zhi continued:

“I do not believe that education is useless for women. Those who advocate that education is useless for women are simply trying to control women and force them to rely on power, men or family to survive.”

However, reading can enlighten women, making them realize that there are many paths to choose from in the world, not just the path of being a wife and mother.

After saying these words, Mu Zhi immediately felt relieved.

However, she then realized that Xuan Ming had remained silent.

I just talked on and on, but Xuanming didn't seem to say a word.

"Xuanming, do you also think that it's useless for women to study?" Mu Zhi asked cautiously.

Because at that moment she suddenly remembered that Xuanming was the emperor, high above all others, and not just Xuanming who belonged to her alone.

Xuanming looked up at Muzhi and gently shook his head.

He replied gently, "If it were true, as others say, that women's education is useless, then why would I be so fond of a quick-witted woman like you?"

Mu Zhi was startled, then overjoyed.

He said he liked her.

Ah, my heart is suddenly beating so fast.

But Xuanming's next words made Muzhi even more excited.

Xuanming looked at Muzhi with tender and affectionate eyes, as if they contained endless emotions.

He said softly, "When my mother was alive, she wrote me a letter before I was born. In the letter, she mentioned that if there was an opportunity, girls should be educated and made sensible, because this would be of great benefit to the country and the family."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zhi couldn't help but show a look of surprise. She asked incredulously, "Ah, does Mother Empress also have such thoughts?"

Xuanming smiled and nodded in response, "Yes, Mother Empress does indeed have this idea. Not only that, Father Emperor also agrees. However, due to various reasons, they are no longer able to realize this wish. Therefore, they have placed their hopes on me, hoping that I can complete this mission."

But for years, I failed to take action, my heart filled with fear and anxiety. I was afraid of failing, afraid of my own inadequacy, and even more afraid of letting them down.

Xuan Ming's gaze became more focused as he stared intently at Mu Zhi, then slowly said, "Mu Zhi, your appearance is undoubtedly a salvation for me."

His words were like a gentle spring breeze brushing against Mu Zhi's heart, yet also like a thunderclap booming in her ears.

It turned out that he had long been aware of her deep-seated inferiority complex, but had never pointed it out.

Instead, he quietly sought various methods to help her build confidence, like nurturing a delicate flower and hoping it would bloom with brilliant colors. This flower is called confidence.