Most of the teachers at the Imperial Academy held official positions and did not act as freely as teachers in private schools.
They can still distinguish between big and small matters. Even though they are crazy about the Minhui Study in Anqing Prefecture, they still have to follow the rules.
He should at least retire and return to his hometown first!
The teachers at the Imperial Academy ranged in age from sixty to thirty. The older teachers had a reason to lie and say that they were getting old and wanted to resign to retire.
The younger ones racked their brains but couldn't come up with any legitimate reason, so they could only start by mentioning that their elderly mother or father was unwell.
The following day, after the emperor finished court, he heard an attendant announce that the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy was requesting an audience.
The emperor looked at the battle reports sent back from the front lines, and without exception, they all asked him for provisions, military pay, and troop support.
He finished reading it quickly, and felt a surge of air rise in his throat. He grabbed a handkerchief and covered his mouth to cough.
The eunuch was so frightened that he was about to shout for the imperial physician, but the emperor stopped him, saying that this matter must not be known to anyone, lest the people below become unruly.
He braced himself, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and sat upright on the dragon throne.
"Go and summon the chief priest!"
The eunuch hurriedly agreed and personally went out to bring the person in.
The chief priest lowered his head, not daring to look directly at the emperor's face. Although this title of "emperor" was not orthodox, things had come to this point, and he had no choice but to accept it.
However, he probably won't be able to hold onto this position for long.
"My dear minister, what brings you here? You can handle the prince's studies yourself; there's no need to report to me on everything."
The emperor looked at the elderly man before him, feeling extremely irritated. What time was it? Why did he have to be bothered by such a trivial matter?
The chief minister trembled slightly, observing the emperor's grim expression, but he still bravely stepped forward.
The next second, he knelt down, sobbing and begging for forgiveness, tears streaming down his face, which startled the emperor.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! This old minister has come... to say goodbye. This old minister is getting old, and recently his tinnitus has become severe, and his legs are not good either. When he does official duties, he is always somewhat powerless."
"This old minister does not wish to occupy such an important position as the Grand Master of Ceremonies with this frail body, nor does he wish to draw a salary from the court for nothing. Therefore, this old minister wishes to take his leave and retire to his hometown..."
The emperor was taken aback. He looked the chief minister up and down. His hair was completely gray, and he was indeed much thinner than before.
The emperor had taught them the role of the chief priest when he was still a prince, and he still had some affection for the chief priest.
Therefore, he reluctantly tried to persuade him to stay, saying, "I am grateful to you for cultivating so many talents for the country. If you are unwell, I will have someone share your duties, and you can continue to hold the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies."
Upon hearing the emperor's plea to stay, the chief minister's inner turmoil was practically shaking his head like a die.
No, Your Majesty! I want to go and discuss scholarship with my brother Li Bai!
The chief minister secretly pinched his thigh, tears streaming down his face, and said with great emotion, "Your Majesty, this old minister is grateful for your kindness, but this old minister is not a person who values power. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to resign and give the opportunity to the next person!"
When the emperor saw that the chief priest could not be politely declined, he only expressed a slight regret, but he had already begun to look for the next chief priest in his mind.
"Since you have done so, I will not force you. Go to the Ministry of Revenue and submit your resignation. Let them leave!"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness!"
The chief priest immediately knelt down and kowtowed, revealing a slight smile. Upon seeing this, the emperor exclaimed that the chief priest was a loyal minister.
If all those old fogies in the court were like the Grand Master of Ceremonies, how easy would it be for him?
After leaving the palace, the chief minister went straight to the Ministry of Revenue, told the people there, and then left the capital with his family that same day.
They headed south, towards Anqing Prefecture.
In the five or six days following the departure of the Chancellor, people from the Imperial Academy began to resign one after another.
The emperor gradually realized something was wrong. When he ordered his men to find out the cause, he was so angry that he vomited blood again and fainted.
The eunuchs screamed through the sky, the imperial physicians cried out incessantly, and the concubines in the harem, hearing the commotion, were not worried about the emperor, but about their own future.
If the Emperor doesn't survive, then he will survive. But what will happen to the concubines when Prince Jing's army besieges the city?
The Empress sat on the phoenix throne, staring blankly at the sky outside the window.
The head palace maid approached and told the emperor that he had fainted from anger, but the empress remained unmoved.
They are husband and wife, and should be the closest and most trustworthy people to each other.
However, four years of living within the palace walls eroded their marital affection.
"Your Majesty? You should make some plans!"
The head palace maid looked at the lifeless woman before her and felt extremely distressed. She turned her head to wipe away her tears and gently reminded her.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's eyes flickered. What was she planning? What could someone of her status possibly be planning?
At worst, she could just wait for Prince Jing to storm the palace, and then end her life with a white silk ribbon.
The head palace maid, Bai Lan, was unaware that her mistress had suicidal thoughts. She checked the room and the corners of the walls, and seeing that no one was there, she gritted her teeth and made her decision.
“Miss, please listen to me. My fellow villager is from Anqing Prefecture. Her sister sent her a letter asking her to find an opportunity to apply for early departure from the palace as soon as possible. This girl came to me for help, and I asked her a question.”
"At first, that girl wouldn't talk. I had to threaten her a bit before she finally opened up! She said that Prince Jing and Princess Jing of Anqing Prefecture weren't ruthless people. They treated ordinary people like their own children, especially Princess Jing..."
Bai Lan told many stories about Zhen Wanwan, praising her as if she were a fairy descended to earth to save the world.
The Queen's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly showing great interest in Zhen Wanwan. Bai Lan pressed on.
"From these things, I can conclude that Princess Jing is the kindest person, and that the love between Prince Jing and Princess Jing is very deep and stronger than gold."
"In the future, if... I suppose someone as considerate of women as her wouldn't make things difficult for Your Highness."
Bai Lan's affection for Zhen Wanwan is 100%. She heard from a girl from her hometown that Zhen Wanwan encourages women to study and even specially established Rende Academy to improve the status of women.
Moreover, within Anqing Prefecture, women from both wealthy and ordinary families, as well as those from humble farmhouses, did not need to wear veils when going out for a stroll.
Among them, the bolder women have been studying at Rende Academy for two years, and their academic performance far surpasses that of most men, giving women a real boost.
The palace was tempted, but when she looked up, she could only see a square sky. Would she ever have the chance to see such a magnificent view as Anqing Prefecture in her lifetime?
"Bai Lan, what kind of person do you think Zhen Niangzi is?"
The Empress did not call Zhen Wanwan "Princess Jing". In her heart, no matter what title a concubine was, she was just an appendage of a man.
Calling her "Zhen Niangzi" is the best way to show respect to such an extraordinary woman.
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