18. Fukang County Magistrate

For the first time, Qu Zijin's ideals began to waver.

The opportunity to fulfill his wish was within his grasp, but he just couldn't bring himself to say it.

The emperor on the high throne raised his eyes and looked at him calmly, as if he could see through the confusion in his heart: "My dear minister, the position of Grand Tutor is not something that cannot fulfill your ambitions."

He said, “I understand your thoughts, my dear minister. You feel that you are being wronged by going to teach the princess. But my dear minister, children will grow up. They are the children of the royal family. They have rights that ordinary people do not have. Therefore, they need a tutor of high moral character and profound knowledge to teach them and answer their questions.”

"The Grand Tutor is well-versed in the classics and understands that the ruler is the guide for his subjects. A hundred honest and diligent ministers cannot compensate for the losses caused by a foolish and tyrannical emperor... As the Grand Tutor, one must not only be talented, but more importantly, one must have good character to guide the princes and princesses towards goodness, to help them understand right and wrong, to guard against arrogance and indulgence, and to restrain themselves and follow the proper etiquette."

"My dear minister, this is my expectation of you."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin trembled, as if enlightened, and prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing: "Your Majesty, I understand! I was narrow-minded and did not understand Your Majesty's good intentions! Thank you, Your Majesty, for enlightening me!"

Wei Xiuming smiled. He looked at Qu Zijin, who had suddenly realized what was happening and kowtowed, then looked down and met Jin Lanyue's blank stare.

His smile widened, and he winked at her.

Jin Lanyue seemed to understand something. She straightened her small body, tried to get closer, and whispered, "Are you... lying?"

“Most of it is the truth,” Wei Xiuming added in a low voice, “but I’m about to start doing bad things.”

Indeed, most of it is true.

The only lie was that he had indeed forgotten about Qu Zijin.

But this did not prevent him from winning over Qu Zijin and continuing to serve as Grand Tutor.

"Huh? Doing...doing something bad?" The little dumpling shook its head like a rattle drum. "No, it's wrong, wrong..."

Wei Xiuming pinched her little mouth like he was pinching a duck's beak. Seeing her eyes wide open and full of accusation, he couldn't help but chuckle twice: "Shh, shh... This is a good thing for your Grand Tutor."

"Hmm?" The little dumpling's grape-like eyes were filled with great confusion.

What can be both a bad thing and a good thing?

Wei Xiuming called out, "My dear minister, please rise quickly."

Seeing Qu Zijin stand up, he continued with heartfelt sincerity: "I have already understood your heartfelt desire to serve the court. Since you are willing to take on the important responsibility of Grand Tutor, I also have an important matter to ask of you."

Upon hearing this, Qu Zijin was about to kneel again: "Your Majesty, please speak, I will gladly die for you!"

Wei Xiuming stopped him and told him about the "good and bad" matter: "My son Wei Jiayou's tutor resigned due to illness some time ago. I want you to take over his teaching. Of course, you can also continue to teach the princess and this little child."

Qu Zijin was taken aback, then a genuine expression of gratitude appeared on his face: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust! I will never fail Your Majesty's trust! I will do my utmost!"

The roles of tutor to a princess and tutor to a prince are completely different.

Especially given that His Majesty currently has only one son and one daughter, the only prince, Wei Jiayou, is practically guaranteed the position of Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince's tutor—that's a truly promising future!

Wei Xiuming just smiled and remained silent.

He wouldn't tell Qu Zijin that this was a tough job.

His unfilial son had recently angered his former tutor to the point of falling ill, and the furious old gentleman had submitted a memorial to him requesting to retire and return to his hometown, refusing to continue teaching under any circumstances.

He also said that if he continued, he would probably be so angry that he would die in a few years.

He was at his wit's end. He took care of the boy himself for two days, and that was only because the rebellious son was somewhat restrained by his intimidation. In just two days, he even considered giving the boy away.

I can't bring any, I really can't bring even a little bit.

Qu Zijin was moved to tears, while Jin Lanyue trembled.

She recalled that arrogant and domineering young prince who would resort to violence at the slightest provocation.

I recalled the scene of the little princess and the little prince fighting each other...

Soon, the two of them will be going to school together—no, no, there will be three of them, including her!

Wouldn't they be fighting every day?

It's even worse, just thinking about it is... terrifying!

At that time, Qu Zijin did not know that he was about to face not a young prince.

Instead, he's a brat.

A super mischievous child whose combined size with the little princess is greater than the sum of its parts.

The Wenhua Hall will likely never have a peaceful day again.

After thanking His Majesty, the completely unaware Qu Zijin looked up at Jin Lanyue.

Wei Xiuming had stopped pinching the little dumpling's lips, but the little dumpling was too terrified to speak when she thought about her future life as a tutor.

Qu Zijin, however, thought that since he had received a reward, he should also try to help his teacher: "Your Majesty, in the 'Returning to One's Roots' plan, Teacher Jin... also played an indispensable role. Shouldn't Your Majesty also reward Jin?"

“Okay,” Wei Xiuming agreed readily.

Perhaps to make up for the peaceful life Jin Lanyue had left behind after she grew wings and flew away, he pondered for a moment and then said, "How about bestowing upon her the title of County Princess?"

A three-year-old county princess is a very generous gift.

In some respects, it was much better than the reward given to Qu Zijin.

After all, this reward is something you can get immediately, it's real and tangible, and it has no side effects.

Wei Xiuming smiled and patted the little bean curd: "Who told me to like you, little potato?"

...Again, it's little potatoes.

The little bean pouted, but remembering his mother's teachings that he should say thank you for receiving a gift and not be picky, he still mumbled, "Thank you, fairy pearl... but I'm not a little potato."

Although she didn't know what a Celestial Pearl was, it sounded very powerful.

“It’s a county princess, I’ll have your tutor explain it to you properly later,” Wei Xiuming thought for a moment, “As for the title, let’s just call it Potato… Hahahaha, just kidding.”

Seeing the little boy puffing up his cheeks like a pufferfish, he reached out and poked his puffed-up cheeks with his finger.

The little dolphin deflated again: "The nest isn't a little potato..."

Wei Xiuming stopped teasing her and gave her a proper title: "Let's call her Fukang. It has a good meaning. Your little dumpling is healthy and looks like a blessing. I will order someone to draft the decree now."

He doesn't call himself "Little Potato" anymore.

And it looks like they're praising her.

Jin Lanyue was delighted and gave him a happy smile: "Thank you~"

"No need to thank me," Wei Xiuming put her down. "Alright, go back with your tutor. The imperial edict will arrive today."

The little boy immediately took off running to Qu Zijin's side, reaching out his little hand to take it. His unwavering attitude made Wei Xiuming click his tongue in disapproval.

She was timid and aggrieved when she was with him, but she was very proactive when she went to Qu Zijin's side.

He was treated like a monster bullying children.

However, neither of them noticed that Qu Zijin pulled Jin Lanyue to take their leave.

[Task Completed]

[You cleverly used your strategies to easily resolve the severe drought in the Northwest, relieving the Emperor of a great worry.]

The emperor was overjoyed, and Qu Zijin was able to return to his sight and to the court.

Now, Qu Zijin has firmly boarded your "pirate ship," and you have also established your own power base in the court.

[Reward Received: Panacea]

Huh?

Jin Lanyue belatedly realized that her system aunt had given her some kind of task a while ago, but she had forgotten about it.

It's actually finished now!

As Xiao Tuanzi was being pulled across the threshold by Qu Zijin, she suddenly remembered something, turned her head, waved to him, and smiled brightly: "Thank you~ Goodbye."

The little dumpling had a sweet smile, and looked like a fuzzy peach in the sunlight.

Wei Xiuming paused for a moment, then smiled and waved back at her from his seat: "Goodbye~"