With the academy's successful opening, Jiang Shuyue could finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, the academy was now under the watchful eyes of many people, so she couldn't let her guard down.
Those people outside are looking for her weaknesses everywhere. Once they find something to use against her, they will magnify it and bring her down.
Jiang Shuyue would go to the academy from time to time to check on Fang Lan. She seemed to be doing well. Although she didn't interact much with the male students, at least she wasn't being bullied.
As she left the classroom, she saw a figure waving at her from a great distance.
"elder sister."
Jiang Shuyin ran over carrying a package and said with a smile, "Sister, I'm here to study too."
Jiang Shuyue was taken aback. Jiang Shuyin had been pampered at home before, and her family had even hired a tutor to teach her some characters, so she did have some basic knowledge.
"I had almost forgotten about you."
Jiang Shuyin chuckled a few times: "I spent the whole day tidying up at home yesterday, and I came here today. I'm not too late, am I?"
"It's not too late. There's a female student here. You and she can keep each other company. Come on, I'll show you where she lives."
Unlike Fang Lan, Jiang Shuyin was bolder, observing her surroundings with amazement along the way, asking questions as she went, and was extremely excited.
"Sister, this is my first time entering an academy. Are all academies like this?"
This really stumped Jiang Shuyue. Although she was a princess, she had never been to an academy. Even the academy she was in now was built with the help of Song Ning.
Other academies in the capital, including the Imperial Academy, are opposing her. She is now the Crown Prince and has her own pride. Even without referring to other places, she can do well.
However, to those people, her reactions were seen as a sign of weakness.
"Probably, but the layout here was all Aning's suggestion. She always has a lot of ideas. This place is probably much better than those academies and imperial colleges."
The two left the dormitory and went to the classroom. The previous class had just ended, and the students were all coming out and sitting on the veranda chatting.
Fang Lan sat alone in her seat, head down, writing something.
Jiang Shuyue went over and took a look; he was copying a book.
"You're really hardworking," Jiang Shuyin exclaimed.
Upon hearing the sound, Fang Lan hurriedly stood up and was about to bow to Jiang Shuyue.
"No need for formalities, I've brought you a companion today."
Jiang Shuyin went up to greet Fang Lan and sat down next to her.
Jiang Shuyue nodded in satisfaction. Jiang Shuyin had suffered a lot since her family members passed away, and she had become much more approachable.
She used to have the temper of a spoiled princess, but without the protection of her family, she finally understood the hardships of the world. It was as if she grew up and became sensible overnight.
Seeing that the two were getting along well, Jiang Shuyue left the academy and prepared to return to the East Palace.
They had only gone halfway when the guards from the Eastern Palace rushed over, calling out, "Your Highness, Your Highness!"
"What is it?"
"Grand Chancellor Hong just entered the palace and said... said..."
"say what?"
"They said they wanted to choose a Crown Princess for you."
Jiang Shuyue's expression hardened, and her eyes darkened.
She didn't make a fuss because those people were all senior officials in the court, and she kept tolerating them, but they started to take advantage of her kindness.
"Is the person still in the palace?"
“Our men did not see anyone come out.”
"knew."
Jiang Shuyue wasn't in a hurry; His Majesty wouldn't agree.
Those who can enter her Eastern Palace cannot have too high a status, lest they be suspected of colluding with court officials, but their status cannot be too low either, otherwise they would not be worthy of her current status.
There are very few people like that in the capital.
"Your Highness, what should we do now?"
"Go back first and wait for news."
Jiang Shuyue had always firmly believed that His Majesty would not agree, but she never expected that he would be proven wrong so quickly.
Not long after she returned to the Eastern Palace, His Majesty's decree arrived, ordering her to choose at least one person from His Majesty's portrait album within half a month.
Jiang Shuyue was dumbfounded. Wasn't the emperor on her side? Didn't he say he would solve any trouble for her?
Why did you agree so readily?
The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial decree smiled and said, "His Majesty said that His Highness is not young anymore and it is indeed time for him to get married. Even if he does not choose a principal wife, choosing a concubine would be fine."
Jiang Shuyue's lips twitched slightly. Did this mean she could choose more?
While it's true that the Crown Prince could have many women, for her, as a woman, to choose so many men as wives is still a bit...
The thought of that scene gave her goosebumps.
The reason why so many sordid things happen in those inner quarters and harems is because there are too many women. It's terrifying to think that her harem would actually house so many men.
"The candidate..."
Before he could finish speaking, the eunuch handed over the album: "These were all submitted to His Majesty by the Grand Secretary. His Majesty wants you to take a good look at them, or even just one. Choose one from here."
Jiang Shuyue frowned as she took it and asked, "Do I have to choose one?"
"If Your Highness wishes to choose more, that is not impossible," the eunuch said with a smile.
Jiang Shuyue sighed heavily and asked, "Didn't His Majesty say anything else?"
"No, the imperial decree has already been delivered, so this old servant will take his leave now."
"Please wait a moment, sir."
Jiang Shuyue held the sketchbook, opened it, and glanced at it.
The portrait depicted more than a dozen men, and even thoughtfully included their family backgrounds, ages, heights, weights, and current positions.
Hong Xi has resorted to such tactics to oppose her; it's truly remarkable that he could come up with such a thing.
He closed the album and instructed the people around him, "Now that everything has been delivered, let's invite all these people over to meet us. It would be good for the father-in-law to be a witness as well."
"I'll make the arrangements right away. Does His Highness wish to see you today? How many people will he summon?"
Jiang Shuyue laughed: "Yes, let's go invite them now. Invite them all; it'll save us trouble."
The guard was taken aback, thinking he had misheard: "All...all of you, please come here?"
"Well, I've been resting these past few days anyway. The Eastern Palace is big enough, and we can afford to support them. Let them all stay here so I can take my time to observe."
"yes."
The eunuch who delivered the decree was stunned for a moment. Even the crown prince in the past would meet with each candidate he was considering for a crown princess. This was the first time he had ever invited so many people.
Are you really not afraid that those people will start fighting?
However, since Jiang Shuyue had already given her instructions, the people below had no choice but to comply.
Soon, the news spread, and the families whose portraits had been sent hurriedly packed up and sent carriages to take the portraits to the Eastern Palace.
Inside the East Palace, in the courtyard in front of the main hall, Jiang Shuyue sat in the middle of the chair, slowly drinking tea, with two guards standing on either side of her.
"Go and greet them."
"yes."
The guard returned shortly after leaving, followed by a dozen or so young men.
Following Jiang Shuyue's instructions, the people lined up in the courtyard, waiting for her further instructions.
Jiang Shuyue glanced at the men several times, then stood up, walked forward, and examined each one closely.
Even the eunuch delivering the imperial decree couldn't bear to look at it.
These people are all from prominent families. Is it really appropriate to look at them like they're objects?
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