Chapter 60060 I am wronged.
Wang Liulang had always indulged his son Wang Shiqiu, so how could he say "no" to Wang Shiqiu? Although he had heard various rumors, in his mind, Mingde Academy and the Imperial Academy were not much different. The Imperial Academy and the National Academy were based on family background, while Mingde Academy could even admit the sons of commoners, let alone the sons of court officials?
After Zheng Qiongyu returned from the palace, the father and son sat in the hall and discussed things for a while. They didn't notice Zheng Qiongyu's expression. Wang Liulang was talking about buying a house in Chang'an, while Wang Shiqiu couldn't wait to ask, "Mother, I want to study at Mingde Academy."
Zheng Qiongyu gave Wang Shiqiu a deep look. She already disliked this good-for-nothing son, and with suspicions growing in her heart, she disliked him even more. She said calmly, "His Majesty has already established the system for Mingde Academy, and the students have already enrolled. There are no extra places available."
"Can't we just find someone to take my place?" In Wang Shiqiu's eyes, this was no big deal. He said without thinking, "Didn't Mother want me to study before? Now I have the desire to study, but Mother can't even get a spot?"
Zheng Qiongyu frowned. Because of her suppression, Wang Shiqiu dared only express his unruly and arrogant thoughts verbally, but even those words were unpleasant to hear. Even physical punishment hadn't changed him; it must be due to Wang Liu's influence. She stared at Wang Shiqiu, her expression serious, and said, "Didn't I tell you to enroll in the Imperial Academy?"
"No one from the Imperial Academy has even passed this exam." Wang Shiqiu had a great disdain for the Imperial Academy.
“I’ve heard that His Majesty highly values Mingde Academy, and even members of the imperial family study there. His Majesty’s transfer of you to the capital is a clear indication that he intends to give you an important position, isn’t it? If you go to the palace to plead for your eldest son, His Majesty will surely be lenient,” Wang Liulang also advised. He came from the Wang family of Taiyuan, and after passing the Mingjing examination, he repeatedly failed the erudite and literary examinations, unlike Zheng Qiongyu who excelled in everything. After three years of waiting for selection, he was only offered a minor post in a remote county, so he simply gave up. He had some ambition in his youth, but now he had nothing left.
Zheng Qiongyu frowned upon hearing this. She looked at Wang Liulang and said calmly, "The Prince of Puyang failed the literary examination at Mingde Academy, and His Majesty did not make an exception. What is Dalang? Do we think our family has more face than the imperial family?"
Wang Liulang was speechless for a moment before saying, "His Majesty has entrusted important ministers with important positions, and they will surely be treated with special favor."
Zheng Qiongyu scoffed: "With Dalang's appearance, he would be expelled from the Imperial Academy in less than three months, let alone Mingde Academy?"
Puzhou is not far from Chang'an, so how could it not hear about what's happening in the capital? His Majesty and the Prime Minister are quite ambitious and are carrying out sweeping reforms. How could they possibly send an uneducated playboy to Mingde Academy? His Majesty's ambitions are far-reaching. It hasn't been long, and the discussion about the Imperial Academy has already shifted to Mingde Academy.
Traditionally, the Imperial Academy has been regarded as the orthodox institution, with Confucian classics as its guiding principle. However, once scholarship moves to the Mingde Academy, this "guiding principle" will inevitably change, as the Mingde Academy's curriculum differs from that of the Imperial Academy. The change in the imperial examination system is likely just the prelude to more significant developments. The current administration will likely be even more radical than during the reigns of Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Qizong.
This father and son were usually hopeless, and Zheng Qiongyu was too lazy to talk to them. Now, she was even less interested and didn't eat with them. Instead, she went straight to her confidant.
She wasn't in her Chang'an residence when she gave birth, which caused all the preparations to fall through, and the midwife had to be found at the last minute. At that time, she was so exhausted that she fainted and didn't even have time to see her child. She didn't have such thoughts in her mind, so naturally she didn't suspect anything. Now, looking closely, she realized that none of the servants who had accompanied her and served her during childbirth were left.
Years have passed, and finding those people from the past would require considerable effort; no one knows whether they are still alive or dead. Zheng Qiongyu, her mind filled with thoughts, recalled the conversation between the "deity" and His Majesty. This matter was inextricably linked to Wang Liulang. Furthermore, given the striking resemblance between Wang Shiqiu and Wang Liu, perhaps starting with Wang Liulang would yield some clues. After all, Wang Liulang's "son" wouldn't appear out of thin air, would he?
In the palace, Zhao Jialing was also reminiscing with the system about the "outrageous" past events. This task wasn't particularly difficult, but it wasn't easy either; after all, it involved someone's private affairs, and it was truly offensive. If handled poorly, it could incur resentment. After a moment's thought, Zhao Jialing dispatched his secret guards. One group went to investigate Zheng Qiongyu's family, and the other to investigate her talent, Ruan Sijing. Although the system hadn't mentioned her location, having a name was better than knowing nothing. If only Ruan Sijing resembled Zheng Qiongyu, then they could have a heart-wrenching mother-daughter reunion.
Outside the palace, Xie Lanzhao was also pondering those words. She certainly wouldn't interfere in Zheng Qiongyu's family affairs, but she was determined to find the talent the system had mentioned. She vaguely felt she had heard that name somewhere before. Sitting quietly, she recalled the families of officials in the capital. Although some had the surname Ruan, none were named "Ruan Sijing."
“She’s a student at Mingde Academy.” It was Gao Shao who finally untangled Xie Lanzhao’s knotted thoughts. Zhao Jialing had assigned her to Mingde Academy as a teacher, instructing the preschool students in “General Knowledge,” occasionally mentioning the category of “Natural History” to broaden their knowledge. Many things at the academy were still in their early stages, and “General Knowledge” was only a course for the preschool students, but quite a few adults still came to listen and exchange ideas with Gao Shao. That’s how Gao Shao remembered the name Ruan Sijing.
Xie Lanzhao was initially surprised, then relieved. Since he had entered Mingde Academy, he must be extremely ambitious. His Majesty had entrusted the affairs of Mingde Academy to Du Wenyu, a censor. Xie Lanzhao understood the general outline and didn't interfere with the details. After all, Du Wenyu was someone she had recommended, and she wouldn't forcefully intervene and embarrass him. After a moment's thought, Xie Lanzhao simply asked Gao Shao to inquire about Ruan Sijing.
All students admitted to Mingde Academy had their academic records kept, allowing them to trace their ancestry. The records showed that Ruan Sijing's family lived in Lantian County, Jingzhao Prefecture, and that only her mother remained in the family. Her mother came from the Ruan clan of Chenliu, a family that had held prominent positions in previous dynasties, but whose influence had waned during the Dayong era, reaching at most the rank of prefect. Ruan Sijing's mother had fled her hometown and found Ruan Sijing, raising her and teaching her to read and write. However, Ruan Sijing's interest lay not in classical texts or poetry, but in mastering craftsmanship, even improving the family's spinning machine.
“When she mentioned the past, a hint of guilt appeared on her face. She said that if it weren’t for her involvement, her mother would have been able to respond to the Xuanqi policy and enter the court as an official.” Gao Shao sighed to Xie Lanzhao, paused, and then said, “Her family was quite poor. Ruan Sijing originally did not want to go to school and wanted to stay in Lantian to take care of her mother and make a living by teaching. It was her mother who strongly persuaded her to come.”
Xie Lanzhao's eyes flickered, and she said, "A spinning machine?"
“Yes.” Gao Shao nodded, handing Xie Lanzhao the map she had gotten from Ruan Sijing. Gao Shao, who came from a prominent family, couldn’t understand these things, but her intuition told her that Xie Lanzhao might be useful.
Xie Lanzhao received the map, bowed to Gao Shao, and immediately rode into the palace.
The system's task for His Majesty ultimately boils down to finding suitable talent. Not long ago, the library opened, and His Majesty acquired cotton seeds and related textile technologies. These technologies cannot be supported by existing machinery and must be modified. At this crucial moment, Ruan Sijing appeared at just the right time.
Stuck on a task, Zhao Jialing tried to find a minister to help him, but bringing up Zheng Qiongyu's family affairs made him somewhat embarrassed. A minister's private life was not something a monarch should concern himself with, unless it violated a law. It could be illegal, but a suitable entry point was needed; otherwise, directly bringing it up would surely startle the minister.
The Wise Ruler System remained silent.
It knew its host was hesitant, but it couldn't tell the truth.
Is there anything that the court officials don't know?
It doesn't matter, Zheng Qiongyu heard it anyway, and she will push forward the progress herself. The host can complete the task even while lying down.
Just as Zhao Jialing was hesitating, Xie Lanzhao came to "recommend talent".
The name "Ruan Sijing" delighted Zhao Jialing; it was exactly what he needed.
"Such talent deserves to be rewarded." Zhao Jialing couldn't understand the structural diagrams either, but the system's optimization was always right. She looked at Xie Lanzhao with a smile, her restless heart calmed, and her expression became composed and cheerful.
They needed to use Ruan Sijing, then investigated her background and found out she was related to Zheng Qiongyu by blood. That makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
"Your Majesty is wise; Mingde Academy has already shown results," Xie Lanzhao said.
Zhao Jialing was pleased to hear Xie Lanzhao's words. In the side hall, she was less reserved and quickly walked up to Xie Lanzhao, staring straight at her, and said, "It hasn't been long. I need your advice so that I can pull back from the brink when I've gone astray."
Xie Lanzhao: "..."
Doesn't Her Majesty realize how hypocritical she is?
Judging from his radiant appearance, if she were to pour cold water on him, he would probably hold a grudge in his heart again.
"Do you understand?" Zhao Jialing continued to move forward.
If she can't hear him, then the distance is too far. So she'll just bite Xie Lanzhao's ear and speak to her. Surely that will reach her heart?
Xie Lanzhao took a step back, catching a glimpse of the restless desire in Zhao Jialing's eyes. Regardless of her true feelings, she said, "Your subject obeys the decree," not giving Zhao Jialing the opportunity to act like a frivolous scoundrel.
"This is also something you discovered." Zhao Jialing spontaneously gave Xie Lanzhao credit. He didn't manage to bite her ear, but he pulled Xie Lanzhao's hand without any difficulty. He had already hugged her, so how could he lose the courage to hold her hand?
In Xie Lanzhao's eyes, this was a spirited and arrogant look with a smug look in his eyes.
She sighed inwardly, but didn't shake off Zhao Jialing. She let her lead her to sit down on the couch and said, "I was just delivering the message to the palace."
“If it weren’t for you, I might not know anything at all,” Zhao Jialing said again.
Xie Lanzhao raised an eyebrow.
The court officials aren't mute. The head of Mingde Academy's duty is to recommend talented individuals to His Majesty. Moreover, if we're talking about the source, it's the system itself. How could His Majesty not know about it?
Zhao Jialing looked at Xie Lanzhao and said, "You did very well. I should reward you. I am a person who is fair in rewarding and punishing."
Xie Lanzhao hesitated for a moment, then defied her ominous intuition and asked, "What will Your Majesty bestow upon me?"
Zhao Jialing replied with an air of self-righteousness, "It has to be unique to match you." Her eyes then darted around, a sly look on her face. "Guess what it is?"
Upon hearing "unique," Xie Lanzhao knew what His Majesty was thinking. No matter how she answered, His Majesty would begin to boast smugly. Looking at Zhao Jialing's undisguised delight, she deliberately asked, "Then, Your Majesty, would you like to pluck the moon for me?"
Zhao Jialing was stunned.
Is Xie Lanzhao ever this unrealistic?
She patted Xie Lanzhao's lap, hesitated for a moment, and then found a suitable reason: "The moon shines brightly, which is something everyone has. Think about it carefully, what is it that others cannot possess, but only you can reach out and touch?"
Xie Lanzhao looked deep in thought.
Zhao Jialing: "..."
Is it really that hard to think about? It's so close yet so far, isn't it?
[The host is getting anxious.]
Shut up, who's getting angry?!
[It is I, the Emperor, so very powerful, can't Xie Lanzhao see me?]
"Your Majesty understands." Xie Lanzhao smiled, reaching up to adjust the jade pendant at her waist. "It is Your Majesty—"
She felt like teasing Zhao Jialing, and seeing the joy on his face, she continued in a drawn-out tone, "The jade given to me."
Zhao Jialing pursed her lips.
Didn't we already say the answer? How did we just miss it?
She glared angrily at Xie Lanzhao, when suddenly a soft laugh rang in her ears.
Zhao Jialing's face flushed instantly. She bit her lower lip, saying in embarrassment and anger, "Xie Lanzhao, you're teasing me. How dare you!"
Seeing through His Majesty's bluster at a glance, Xie Lanzhao's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she calmly said, "Your Majesty is innocent."
As the heat continued to rise, Zhao Jialing stopped being shy and impulsively pounced on Xie Lanzhao, gently biting her.
After calming down, Zhao Jialing said, "My punishment is also unique."
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