Chapter 200: The thing I was worried about still happened!
"Zhao Wanqing?"
The emperor was momentarily stunned, unable to recall who it was.
Empress Xue explained, "She is the legitimate daughter of Zhao Hong, the newly appointed Vice Minister of Works."
The emperor then remembered.
To ensure that the princess could also understand the people's sentiments and hardships, he specially decreed that children from officials' families of humble origins could be recommended to enter the palace for selection as her study companions.
He frowned deeply. "This is outrageous! Even if Zhao Hong came from a poor family, he served as an official for several years. Didn't he teach his children manners and etiquette?"
She actually gave someone chrysanthemum in the palace. How could she be so ruthless at such a young age? What will she be like when she grows up?
"In that case, by my decree, Zhao Wanqing shall be flogged thirty times on the palms of her hands, and shall never be allowed to..."
"His Majesty!"
Empress Xue interrupted the emperor urgently and explained in a low voice.
"Zhao Wanqing was recommended by the family of Han Zuoxiang."
"Left Prime Minister Han?"
The emperor frowned, touched the jade thumb ring on his hand, and remained silent for a moment.
Empress Xue felt somewhat guilty.
She was the one who administered the croton oil. Although she has now pushed Zhao Wanqing out and dealt with her, it is tantamount to slapping Prime Minister Han in the face.
The Han family certainly wouldn't offend the Empress for the sake of Zhao Wanqing, but they would probably feel resentful.
She didn't want to be enemies with the Han family either.
Empress Xue sighed, "In the end, it was Xue Ting's own fault for not recognizing people properly and for not being vigilant enough that she was fooled."
Zhao Wanqing probably thought that since she ranked higher, and Xue Ting had embarrassed herself, her higher ranking would make her a princess's study companion.
"They're still young, so it's possible they misunderstood something for a moment."
"Consort Shu has just been diagnosed with pregnancy and should not have any bleeding. How about we send her out of the palace later and instruct her parents to raise her properly? What does Your Majesty think?"
Upon hearing Empress Xue mention Consort Shu, the Emperor's expression softened slightly, and he readily agreed.
"Let it be as the Empress wishes."
Empress Xue secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Majesty, what do you think of Zhao Ning's companion...?"
The emperor rubbed his temples, looking somewhat tired.
"Based on the rankings from the morning's exams, let's pick two people from the remaining candidates."
Empress Xue was displeased.
The two who stood out the most in the exam were Li Nanke and Wang Tongyun, but it was understandable that Shu Fei had already chosen them.
She disliked Li Nanke, and since Wang Tongyun was Consort Wang's niece, she didn't want Zhaoning to get close to her either.
Why is it that when it comes to Zhaoning, they have to choose from the remaining people?
She gritted her teeth and whispered a reminder: "Your Majesty, you promised me that I could choose someone from the Xue family to take care of Zhaoning."
The emperor's expression darkened slightly.
"I have agreed. You are willing to let Xue Ting, who was sent by the Xue family, serve as Zhao Ning's study companion?"
Of course not!
Empress Xue's lips moved, and her face turned pale.
She lowered her head and explained with a wronged expression, "Ting'er was also harmed by someone, that's why she is like this. Not all the girls in the Xue family are like this."
My second brother's daughter, Xue Yan, is eight years old this year. She is well-behaved and obedient, and has been close to Zhao Ning since childhood.
The emperor pinched the bridge of his nose, seemingly a little impatient.
"Let's go with the Empress's wishes and choose Xue Yan. As for the other one, the Empress can choose for herself."
Empress Xue was furious, but she also knew that the emperor's agreement to let Xue Yan be Zhao Ning's study companion was already a concession.
Not daring to say anything more, she awkwardly replied, "I think the fifth young lady of the Marquis of Changping's mansion is well-educated, gentle, and performed well in the exams."
The emperor made the final decision.
"Let's choose her."
"Someone, go and draft the decree immediately."
An imperial attendant will go down to draft the decree and affix its seal.
When Li Nanke heard that the emperor had sent someone to draft an edict, his tense shoulders slumped, and he looked somewhat dejected.
Once you become the princess's study companion, you'll have to go to the palace every day to accompany her in her studies.
But she has so many things to do outside, what can we do?
As he was pondering this, he suddenly heard Shen Cong ask, "Brother, will the princesses be studying at Zishan Hall every day from now on?"
The emperor nodded.
Zishan Hall was originally a place for princes and princesses to study.
"Why is Ah Cong asking this? Do you have other suggestions?"
Shen Cong slowly sat up straight and smiled slightly.
"Didn't my elder brother say before that he hoped the princess could understand the hardships of the common people? I think we can find a house outside the palace."
The princesses could go there to study every day, and in their spare time they could also stroll around the streets. Staying in the palace all the time meant they would never see the hardships of ordinary people.
The emperor's eyes brightened slightly as he stroked the jade thumb ring, pondering the matter seriously.
“Acong’s suggestion is excellent. In that case, let Acong handle this matter. Not only the two princesses need to study, but so do you.”
He reached out and pointed at Chen Cong.
"Since you were given the job of the Imperial Guard, you haven't been to the palace to study for half a year. Scholar Wu is so bored that he can only write books himself."
Scholar Wu was originally a scholar of the Hanlin Academy who taught Shen Cong to read.
"Since it's outside the palace, you can go and study with us. Let Scholar Wu give you lectures. With your uncle looking after Zhaoning and Zhaokang, I feel more at ease."
"Your subject obeys."
Shen Cong bowed slightly and agreed to the matter.
As he straightened up, his narrow eyes swept over Li Nanke.
Li Nanke was secretly pleased that she could study outside the palace, so she wouldn't have to go to the palace every day.
Suddenly meeting Shen Cong's gaze, she blinked. Was it just her imagination?
She noticed a hint of a smile in Shen Cong's eyes.
Did Shen Cong suggest studying outside the palace because of her?
That can't be right.
That guy wouldn't be that understanding!
Empress Xue frowned, unwilling to let Zhaoning study outside the palace.
She only had one child, Zhaoning, by her side. There were many people and eyes outside the palace. Last time she went to distribute porridge, she fell into the river and almost lost her life.
Wouldn't it be more dangerous to study outside the palace?
Empress Xue knew that she had already offended the emperor multiple times today, so she dared not directly oppose the proposal.
His gaze shifted and landed on Li Nanke.
He smiled and said, "Going to study outside the palace is a good thing. As for the person to give lectures, it doesn't have to be Scholar Wu, does Your Majesty have forgotten the person you chose before?"
The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly.
You mean Zhou Huai'an?
When Li Nanke heard this name, his heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, what Shen Cong feared has happened!
Empress Xue nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I heard that the great scholar Zhou was taken back to the Marquis of Anping's residence by Miss Li. The great scholar Zhou is learned and talented, and everyone in the world knows him."
No wonder Miss Li performed so well in today's exam; it turns out she studied under a teacher like Master Zhou.
With such a great scholar by your side, why does Your Majesty still want the princess and Miss Li to study under Scholar Wu? Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?
It's worth noting that Scholar Wu was once a student of Confucian Master Zhou.
The emperor said, "Zhou Huai'an had previously refused to enter the palace. He is naturally proud and aloof, and the late emperor repeatedly invited him to serve as an official, but he refused."
Hearing that he had lost a leg and was now unable to move around easily, he was even more unwilling to become the princess's teacher.
Empress Xue covered her mouth and smiled.
"The great scholar Zhou is proud and aloof, and he has ignored His Majesty's invitations. Yet now he is willing to condescend to the Marquis's mansion for the sake of Miss Li."
Since he can accept Miss Li, he can certainly accept the princess as well. I don't think that's a problem.
These words piqued the emperor's curiosity.
"Li Nanke, how did you convince Zhou Huai'an to return to your residence with you? And how did you agree to let you take you as a student?"
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