Chapter 291 Tang Ning's mouth is almost as poisonous as Xiao Yan's
Cui Lin's words were too harsh. All the court officials looked over and many of them couldn't help but frown.
Qian Baokun looked at Tang Ning with some worry, afraid that she would not be able to cope with the difficulties posed by the aristocratic family, but he did not expect that the petite-looking girl was not angry at all.
"Minister Cui is right. Rongsheng Academy certainly can't compare to the Cui family's luxurious residence. When my brother and I planned to build the academy, we didn't intend for it to be overly luxurious. We simply wanted to provide a place for those students from poor families to study. We hoped to open the academy early and benefit the world, but we didn't worry too much."
Tang Ning said this with some embarrassment: "I didn't have much money when I left the Song family, and my brother invested most of his fortune here. If it weren't for the grace of His Majesty, who allowed the Jingzaosi to help, this academy would probably not be what it is today."
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes sadly, her tone full of apology.
"If the academy is too shabby, I'll use the money I earn later to find someone to repair it..."
“That’s enough!”
The old man standing with Cao Dejiang looked at the little girl with her head down and a guilty look on her face, and his face turned cold.
"Who says this place is shabby? The academy is a place for learning, not for comparison. It's great to have a roof over our heads and a place to stay."
"Besides, even if it's really shabby, what difference does it make? A motivated person can work tirelessly even in a thatched hut. Even if that ignorant fool is placed in a luxurious house, he will only learn the basics."
"What matters to those seeking education is what they can learn and who they can learn from. The Yiyang County Lady and Governor Xiao are doing a good deed by planning to build the academy. Only those nagging and unethical people would criticize them!"
Cao Dejiang also said in a gentle voice: "What Mr. Ding said is true. For those who are eager to learn, it is a great blessing to be able to find a few classmates in a place and be taught by a famous teacher."
Fu Laiqing had long disliked those from the aristocratic families. He mingled with the court officials and said coldly, "That's easy for Minister Cui to say. This Rongsheng Academy almost drained the entire fortune of Yiyang County Princess and Governor Xiao. Building it to this state is already a great achievement. Minister Cui thinks it's too shabby. Why not open the doors of the Cui Family Academy to other students so they can come in and see the Cui family's wealth and splendor?"
Those upright court officials also frowned and spoke. Although they did not mock as bluntly as the young man Fu Laiqing, they only comforted the guilty Tang Ning. However, the sarcasm in their words made Cui Lin's face turn pale.
Cui Lin glared at Song Tangning angrily.
He just said one sentence, how did he stir up a hornet's nest?!
Lu Chongyuan looked at the little girl who had angered everyone by holding Cui Lin up with just a few words, and his eyes deepened.
Feng Qiuli's eyes were filled with a hint of laughter, but she was already frowning when she spoke. "Mr. Cui was just casually expressing his feelings, and he had no other thoughts. Knowing that Rongsheng Academy is opening today, Mr. Cui and I have prepared a small gift."
The person behind him hurriedly came forward with a long brocade box, and Hang Li stepped forward to take it.
Tang Ning glanced at them and said softly, "I'm sorry to have cost Lord Feng and Minister Cui so much. I'll convert your gifts into silver and have the academy renovated to prevent the buildings from being too shabby and hindering the students' progress. Tang Ning would like to thank you for your gifts on behalf of the students."
Feng Qiuli: "..."
Cui Lin: “…”
Qian Baokun, who was originally worried, shook his shoulders. Seeing Cui Lin's old face as black as the bottom of a pot, he almost couldn't help laughing out loud.
The corners of the mouths of the court officials around twitched.
The venomous tongue of the Yi Yang County Lady inexplicably reminded them of Xiao Yan.
After the old man from the Cui family left in anger, Tang Ning saw him go to the side with a sullen face. Then she turned to look at Lu Chongyuan, "Speaking of which, the construction of Rongsheng Academy was thanks to the gift of books from Lu Zhongshu that day. I heard that Lu Zhongshu was ill a few days ago, and the Lu family has also encountered many changes. Tang Ning was worried that you couldn't come today."
Lu Chongyuan heard the sarcasm in her words and said with a serious look: "Thank you for your concern, County Lady. The Lu family has gone through many years of ups and downs, and I don't know how many villains have done evil. Although I am old, I am not vulnerable to those despicable means. Today is a big day for the academy, so naturally I came to congratulate you."
Tang Ning seemed not to hear the sarcasm in his words, and spoke softly: "Lu Zhongshu is right. A sneaky villain, despicable and shameless, doing immoral and despicable things, how could he bring disaster to the Lu family."
"Lu Zhongshu has always been upright and selfless, and he is also capable of sacrificing his own family for the greater good. I heard that even the evidence of Lu Langling's crimes was reported by Lu Zhongshu, which led to his execution and justice for the innocent souls in the grain tax case. With you in charge, the Lu family will surely be safe. It is Tang Ning who is worrying too much."
Even though Lu Chongyuan was a man of deep thoughts, the smile in her words made his face turn a little colder.
Lu Qin's face was even more gloomy, and he could barely conceal his murderous intent.
Cao Dejiang couldn't help but frown, not quite understanding why Song Tangning would provoke the Lu father and son for no reason. Lu Zhao was sentenced to death, and Lu Chongyuan sacrificed his car to save his driver and personally sent his eldest son to death. This was undoubtedly a sore spot for him.
Seeing the sinister expressions of the Lu family father and son, and the people from the aristocratic families glaring at them, Cao Dejiang subconsciously took a half step forward and stood beside Tang Ning.
"Princess Yiyang, it's getting late. Is it time to hang the plaque?"
Tang Ning said softly, "Someone hasn't arrived yet. Please wait for a moment."
Anyone else?
Cao Dejiang wasn't the only one baffled; the court officials were also bewildered. With most of the elite officials already here, and Lu Chongyuan and his ilk from the aristocratic families also arriving, who was the Yiyang County Lady waiting for? Could it be Xiao Yan? Some were just speculating when they heard a commotion outside the academy, as if something had happened.
After a moment, a voice was heard.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Everyone inside was shocked. No one expected that Emperor An would come. Everyone hurriedly followed Tang Ning and walked out quickly. They saw that the academy had been surrounded by the Forbidden Army. The onlookers and students who were originally guarding outside were kneeling on the ground.
A bright yellow carriage slowly drove out from the crowd, its curtains with coiled dragon brocade patterns rolled up, gauze hanging on both sides. Inside sat the majestic Emperor An, dressed in a dragon robe. Xiao Yan, dressed in purple brocade, rode on a horse, leading black-armored guards beside the carriage.
"Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
All the ministers knelt down in haste and saluted, and Tang Ning also bowed.
Emperor An was in a good mood today. He waited for the carriage to stop and was helped down by Xiao Yan before he said loudly, "Everyone, get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone stood up to express their gratitude, and when the common people and students outside stood up, their faces became more and more excited.
Originally, they thought it was a big deal that so many court officials came to Rongsheng Academy, but they didn't expect that even the current emperor came. They didn't dare to look directly at the emperor's face, and were also afraid of the palace guards who were following around with swords, but they were very excited in their hearts.
Those students who originally had concerns had already thrown their previous doubts to the winds and were eager to enter Rongsheng Academy immediately.
Emperor An walked closer and glanced at the court officials: "You have come in good order."
Cao Dejiang said gently, "We are all invited by the Yiyang County Lady to help students all over the world. We are willing to do our part."
Upon hearing this, Emperor An cast his gaze upon Tang Ning: "Since you have already invited these people here, why are you still thinking of inviting me here?"
Tang Ning knelt down and said respectfully, "Lord Cao and his companions are role models for the students, but Your Majesty is their sovereign. Those who enter the academy ultimately reach the same destination: to serve the country, the people, and the world. Since ancient times, it has been said that those who master the arts of literature and martial arts can become members of the imperial family. Furthermore, Rongsheng Academy was established because of Your Majesty."
"Without Your Majesty's kindness, the academy would not have been established. All students in the world should be grateful to Your Majesty. Tang Ning does not want the world to misunderstand him, so I have the audacity to invite Your Majesty here."
Emperor An lowered his eyes and looked at the little girl kneeling on the ground. She looked calm with her back straight, but her face was extremely tense. Her hands were unconsciously clutching her sleeves, and her lips were slightly pale, making her look extremely nervous.
He found it interesting that this granddaughter of the Rong family was much more flexible than Rong Qianan.
But after all, she's just a little girl.
Emperor An rarely showed a tolerant smile: "You are so thoughtful, get up."
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