Chapter 317: The Emperor's Grandson, Xiao Yan
Mr. Tong frowned: "Isn't this too harsh?"
Tang Ning said seriously, "The truth of studying is that if you don't make progress, you will regress. The academy only charges half of the tuition. If it's not strict, they will think that as long as they enter the academy, everything will be fine. How can they be diligent and motivated?"
"Besides, if the imperial court held an imperial examination next year, I'm afraid most of these people in the academy would fail. With exams every two months, if they haven't made any progress in four whole months and always place at the bottom, then even if they were given the opportunity to take the exam, it would be useless."
Seeing that Mr. Tong had doubts in his heart, Tang Ning slowed down his voice.
"I know you came to the academy to teach and educate, and I believe that education should be for all, but Rongsheng Academy is not like other academies. As long as you teach well, you don't have to worry about anything else."
"Both His Majesty and the court have their eyes on us. If we don't show them the value of the academy soon, the academy's splendor today will become a joke tomorrow. Rongsheng Academy cannot afford to lose."
"Also, you've been in the academy these past few days, so you must be aware of how many people want to enter. Because the number of places is limited, we have to select and examine them. However, among those who are eliminated, there may not be some who performed poorly at the time."
Tang Ning said softly, "I'll have someone spread the word. For every person dismissed from Rongsheng Academy, one admission spot will be released. You and the other teachers in the academy will then set up the exam questions and let all those who want to compete for the spot answer them. We'll then select the best candidates and admit them."
"This will not only encourage students to not slack off and strive to improve themselves so as not to be eliminated, but it will also give those who have temporarily failed to enter the hospital a chance. What do you think?"
Mr. Tong originally thought that Tang Ning's requirements were a bit harsh, and expelling students right after the academy opened would inevitably lead to bad words. However, if it was as she said, leaving the quota for the "substitute" person would not be a problem.
Entering school is like rowing against the current. None of the students selected in this examination are stupid. Even if you fall behind once, you can always make progress by studying hard. If you are at the bottom every time, there is really no need to waste your energy.
Mr. Tong said, "What the county lady said makes sense. I will do as you say."
Tang Ning: "Then the teacher here in the academy will inform everyone and write this rule in the academy rules."
"OK."
Mr. Tong agreed and said, "The classes will start on the ninth day of the first lunar month. Will the county lady come that day?"
Tang Ning said, "Here I am."
She only studied with her grandfather when she was young, but after her grandfather passed away, she never went to school properly. Now that she has the opportunity, she naturally will not miss it.
"I will go to school with those students, attend their classes for a period of time, and then take the exam with them one month later."
Mr. Tong was stunned for a moment: "Are you taking the exam too?"
Tang Ning smiled and said, "I want to try."
She will take over the academy in the future, and even wants to set up a girls' college and do more things. The prerequisite for all this is that she must know her own weight.
Tang Ning never thought about becoming a great scholar or having literary talent superior to others. She just wanted to give it a try.
If possible, she will do it herself. If she doesn't have the talent, she will find someone who can take her place.
Moreover, she wanted to set a precedent for boys and girls to study together, at least to let the students in the academy "adapt" to taking exams with girls. If she could be better than others, it would be the best. Even if she really couldn't, she could let the students of the academy have the impression that girls could also go to school, thus preparing for the future.
Mr. Tong didn't know what she was thinking, he just thought she was ambitious and felt even more relieved when he saw her.
The two of them talked a lot about the academy. After three rounds of tea, when someone came to the examination place ahead, Mr. Tong got up and left.
Tang Ning walked him outside Shengning Residence, and when he saw him step onto the gravel path, he suddenly spoke: "Mr. Tong."
"Um?"
"How old was the emperor's eldest grandson when the fire broke out in the Eastern Palace?"
Mr. Tong was stunned for a moment: "Looks like twelve or thirteen years old, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just curious." Seeing the people on the other side of the small bridge looking over here, Tang Ning smiled and said, "They're urging you to go over there. You can go first. I'll come back on the ninth day."
Mr. Tong didn't think much about it, nodded and left.
The figure went away, and the area in front of Shengning Residence became quiet again. Water was gurgling beside them, and the wind was rustling through the bamboo forest.
Tang Ning looked up at the three words "Shengningju" and seemed to see Xiao Yan telling her about his father and the clan as if it was a joke.
"My father was once a very wise man, highly valued by my great-grandfather. He showed his talent at a very young age and was chosen by my great-grandfather to inherit the family business..."
"...He was not favored by his grandfather, and because he was too outstanding, he was also suspected by his grandfather..."
"My father felt that there were too many termites in the clan, and if he wanted the family to be strong, he had to purge them first. He thought my grandfather supported him, but he forgot that those termites couldn't survive without nutrients. After the failure, my grandfather pushed my father out to appease the uncles in the clan..."
Tang Ning's expression kept changing and her lips pursed slightly.
"Do you know why my father was called Shang Yan? Because when my grandmother was pregnant with my father, my great-grandfather dreamed of a ferocious beast hanging from a beam. He respected both literature and martial arts, and he also believed that a gentleman of the highest rank, even if he was good, needed to be able to fight."
The best.
The king is supreme.
The grandmother in Xiao Yan's mouth, the hysterical and crazy Grand Empress Dowager in the palace, his hatred for the aristocratic families, his schemes against the royal family, and the military power in the northwest...
She had never thought about this before.
The emperor's eldest grandson.
Xiao Yan.
Tang Ning pursed her lips a little bit.
Yue Jian, who was standing aside, watched her expression change and her face became tense with nervousness. The girl just asked the old man how old the emperor's eldest grandson was at that time. Did she know it?
She didn't know how much the governor had told the girl, or whether he had revealed his identity. He just asked her to obey the girl in everything. But this was about the governor's biggest secret. If the girl asked her, how would she answer? Should she tell him, or not...
"Yue Jian." Tang Ning said, "This plaque is a little crooked. I'll straighten it up later."
"ah?"
Yue Jian was full of nervousness and looked shocked, looking at Tang Ning with her mouth wide open.
"What's wrong?" Tang Ning frowned: "Can't you get it? Then I'll ask Hang Li to come over?"
"No, no, this slave can do it!"
After Yue Jian came to his senses, he spoke quickly, heaving a sigh of relief. After giving a guilty grin, he jumped up on the stone drum beside the wall, leaped onto the top of the wall and reached out to hold the plaque.
"Girl, is this okay?"
Tang Ning looked up: "The left side is slightly higher."
"so?"
"alright."
When Yue Jian let go of the plaque and it fell to the ground, there was no trace of abnormality on Tang Ning's face. She just gently pinched the sachet around her waist, her expression extremely calm.
No matter who my brother is or what his identity is.
He was the one who pulled her out of the quagmire and gave her a new life. No matter what he wanted, she would do her best to help him, even if it was...
She raised her head and looked towards the direction of the palace, her eyes determined.
Even if it is, the world!
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