Chapter 499: Do you want to be the Imperial Master or not?
Along the way, Bai Qing'an looked at Zuo Jiali several times, but Zuo Jiali obviously ignored him.
Soon, the group arrived at Kunning Palace.
Bai Zhi asked them to wait outside the hall and went in herself.
Bai Qing'an coughed lightly and said tentatively, "Second Master Zuo..."
"Now I am the only one left in the Zuo family." Zuo Jiali stood straight, looking straight ahead, and interrupted Bai Qing'an coldly.
Bai Qingan frowned, clearly sensing the other party's hostility, and said with a twitch of his lips, "I'm sorry, Master Zuo, I'm being rude."
He didn't try to say anything else, and Zuo Jiali remained silent.
After a while, Bai Zhi came back and said, "Master Bai, the Queen invites you in!"
"Thank you, Miss Baizhi." Bai Qing'an walked into the hall and found that it was empty except for Shangguan Jinglan.
"Your humble servant Bai Qing'an greets Her Majesty the Queen!" He bowed respectfully.
"Qing'an, get up quickly! You are Hong'er's study partner, and I treat you like half a son."
Shangguan Jinglan actually came forward warmly, helped Bai Qing'an up, and asked with concern, "It was quite late when you got home yesterday, didn't it? Did you get a good rest?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have rested well." Bai Qing'an was unsure of Shangguan Jinglan's meaning, so he could only be careful to speak less.
"Don't be nervous." Shangguan Jinglan smiled. "I asked you to come here just to talk, there's nothing else to it."
"Yes, your majesty!" Bai Qing'an remained cautious in his words and actions.
Shangguan Jinglan twitched the corner of her mouth and asked casually, "Last night, after I left, the Crown Prince must have been furious, right?"
"Your Majesty, the prince was just too worried about Miss Fuxing at that time. He was not angry, and he would not be angry with Your Majesty." Bai Qing'an's answer was flawless.
Having spent so much time in the Imperial College, he had developed this language habit due to all the cold stares and indifference he had endured.
He has long been accustomed to turning himself into a ball of soft cotton, so that he can survive well no matter where he is or what the situation is.
Shangguan Jinglan nodded in satisfaction, "As expected, he is the person chosen by Hong'er himself. He is indeed trustworthy."
"Your Majesty, you are too kind." Bai Qing'an remained in this state.
Soon, Shangguan Jinglan finally got to the point, "Actually, the reason I asked you to come here is because I really need your help with something."
Bai Qingan immediately became alert, "Your Majesty, your words are too serious. If there is anything you need me to do, please feel free to tell me."
"You also know that the National Master... died in an accident, but the National Master's Palace is still there, and the high priest's abilities are still there..." Shangguan Jinglan said while observing Bai Qing'an's reaction.
Bai Qing'an lowered his head and said nothing.
Shangguan Jinglan continued, "I won't hide it from you. The Imperial Preceptor and the High Priest are both my people. They were and will always be. Of course, you may think that I was a little cruel for poisoning and silencing Fuxing..."
Bai Qingan immediately said, "I dare not."
"But this is also a lesson for Fuxing, a lesson for her disobedience." Shangguan Jinglan's voice was obviously threatening.
"Yes, I understand." Bai Qing'an's palms were already sweating.
"Bai Qing'an, you are a smart person. I discovered it yesterday. There are many things that I cannot explain too clearly. I will understand them at once."
"Your Majesty, I am just an ordinary person."
Shangguan Jinglan ignored Bai Qingan's modesty and said, "If the Imperial Preceptor's Palace is to continue to operate normally and serve me and the Crown Prince, a new Imperial Preceptor is needed."
New national teacher?
Bai Qing'an was slightly surprised. What did Shangguan Jinglan mean?
"Bai Qing'an, are you willing... to become the new master of the National Master's Hall?" Shangguan Jinglan asked in a deep voice.
Bai Qing'an was so frightened that he knelt down again. "Are you kidding me, Her Majesty? I know nothing about the affairs of the Imperial Preceptor. I cannot take on this position."
Shangguan Jinglan frowned, but soon continued patiently, "You don't need to do anything. You just need to sit in the position of the Imperial Master and say what I tell you to say when I need you to. That's all. What about Fuxing? You've seen that girl too. Now she's just a beautiful mute. If you don't mind, she..."
"Your Majesty, I really can't do this." Bai Qing'an didn't want to listen anymore.
He can make his appearance smooth and without any edges, but that doesn't mean he has nothing in his heart.
As a member of the Bai family, he always has a scale in his heart. On one side is his conscience, and on the other side, no matter what he puts, it must be worthy of his conscience.
Of course, Bai Qing'an knew that Fuxing might not be a good person, but Fuxing did not harm the Bai family and was even poisoned and made mute for saving Bai Yunfeng. Therefore, he agreed to let his sister help Fuxing, and he would never be the one to hurt Fuxing.
Shangguan Jinglan was clearly unhappy. "Bai Qing'an, I didn't ask you to do anything bad, did I? What do you mean by refusing so hastily?"
"Your Majesty, your affairs are all important. Bai Qing'an is just a small person who is not worth mentioning. I just don't want to delay Your Majesty."
Bai Qing'an was sweating profusely. He knew that if he had rejected Shangguan Jinglan, he would probably lose his job as the prince's tutor.
"Haha, a nobody." Shangguan Jinglan sneered, "Then do you know how many nobodys outside of Kunning Palace are willing to go through fire and water for me?"
Bai Qing'an was lying on the ground.
"Bai Qing'an, you're not the only one I've summoned today," Shangguan Jinglan spoke again slowly, "Are you sure you want to give this opportunity to someone outside?"
It’s Zuo Jiali!
Bai Qing'an understood instantly that he and Zuo Jiali were the new swords selected by Shangguan Jinglan. What would Zuo Jiali choose?
Shangguan Jinglan smiled contemptuously, "You know better than me the grievances between the Zuo family and your Bai family. You also know better than me what Zuo Jiali is thinking of your Bai family..."
She paused and continued, "Do you think that if Zuo Jiali entered the Imperial Preceptor's Palace and became the new Imperial Preceptor, would he... seek revenge on your Bai family?"
Bai Qing'an was so frightened that his face turned pale. Thinking of Zuo Jiali's attitude towards him just now, he had almost no doubt that Zuo Jiali hated him and the Bai family.
He knew that if Zuo Jiali became the imperial teacher, then... the Bai family might not have a good time again.
Shangguan Jinglan looked down at Bai Qing'an, watching his expression change constantly.
She sneered, "Bai Qing'an, I asked you to come in first because I value your Bai family more. So, I will pretend I didn't hear your refusal just now."
"I'll give you another chance, Bai Qing'an. Do you want to be the Imperial Master? Or not?"
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