Chapter 67 Severely Injured
Tang Xinuan only stopped teaching after confirming that there were no problems with the content to be taught tomorrow.
I noticed Zhou Chuanxing standing at the door.
The red glow of the setting sun was dim, and his tall figure blocked half of the light. The jade and gold crown on his head was shrouded in a layer of shimmering light, and the overly hard man unexpectedly became soft.
I gazed quietly in her direction.
The little girl narrowed her eyes, quickly realized what was happening, and, filled with excitement and joy, rushed towards the person at the door.
"Erlang, when did you arrive? I didn't even know."
Zhou Chuanxing caught the young girl and asked, "Aren't you tired from working so late?"
Tang Xinuan wasn't tired at all. "Doing what you love isn't tiring."
But that was just now. Now, seeing Erlang makes me feel uncomfortable all over.
"I think... I'm a little tired too."
Zhou Chuanxing turned around and squatted down. "I'll carry you back."
A triumphant smile played on the little girl's lips as she hesitated for a moment before climbing onto his broad back.
Zhou Chuanxing carried the person steadily on his back.
Tang Xinuan leaned close to his ear and said with a smile, "Erlang, your back feels so solid."
Zhou Chuanxing smiled, "You like it?"
Tang Xinu made no attempt to hide her feelings: "Yes, I like it."
Zhou Chuanxing generously said, "I'll carry you every day from now on."
Tang Xinuan vaguely remembered the time when her father carried her on his back when she was a child.
If her parents were both alive and well, she would have grown up under their loving care; I wonder what her life would have been like.
"Erlang, can you tell me about my parents?"
Zhou Chuanxing hesitated.
The Grand Tutor's faction can be eliminated with some effort, but the Empress is absolutely untouchable.
Not to mention that she is his sister-in-law.
She gave birth to her elder brother's only child.
Even though the Empress was not involved in what happened back then, the execution of the Grand Tutor's entire family did not affect her.
Tang Xinuan knows the truth and is bound to get involved in this political struggle.
Sooner or later, he will clash with the Empress.
How could a naive and innocent girl be a match for an empress who has been infiltrated into the harem for many years?
Besides the Empress, his elder brother also had two Noble Consorts and more than a dozen concubines and beauties. After his brother fell seriously ill, only two beauties who were completely dependent on the Empress remained in the harem. The rest were either imprisoned, died suddenly, or disappeared.
These women in the harem who had no children died without anyone asking a single question.
With the Grand Tutor wielding absolute power, what could the bride's family do but pretend to be deaf and dumb?
When Zhou Chuanxing returned, he witnessed two eunuchs dragging out a woman, simply covering her with a straw mat, and ending her pitiful life.
Although the little girl was protected by him, he was busy and there were times when he couldn't take care of her.
After much deliberation, Zhou Chuanxing decided not to tell the girl the truth for the time being.
Let's wait until she's strong enough to protect herself before declaring war on the Empress.
“Nuan Nuan,” Zhou Chuanxing said cautiously, “you were only five years old back then, and I was only five years older than you, so I really didn’t understand you…”
Worried that the girl might be disappointed, he said, "Don't worry, I'll have someone investigate right away, and I guarantee I'll find out the truth clearly."
The little girl lying on his back sighed softly, "Even my aunt doesn't know. I suspect you're all lying to me and won't tell me the truth."
Zhou Chuanxing turned around and comforted her, "Madam Hou is kind-hearted. She must have a reason for not telling you. She will definitely tell you when the time is right."
Tang Xinuan: "Then when will the time be right?"
Zhou Chuanxing: "When you have enough ability to protect yourself."
Tang Xinuan hugged his neck and nodded vigorously, "I will try my best."
"Good girl," Zhou Chuanxing carried her into the boudoir. Looking at his little girl, even a tough man has a tender side, and his eyes were full of pity. He rubbed the little girl's head and said, "Erlang will take care of everything. Erlang will help you get revenge."
"Erlang, you're so kind," Tang Xinuan said, regaining her spirits. "I'll try my best to help you too."
On the last day of the challenge, Wei Minzhao recruited students on-site, and the number of applicants was overwhelming.
Everyone assumed that many students would come on the first day of classes at the academy, and Wei Minzhao even ordered more seats to be added.
On the morning of the first day of class, only a few people showed up at the academy.
Many students gathered at the entrance of the academy, all taking a wait-and-see attitude, and some even dared not enter the academy.
The more desperate a student is, the more doubts they have.
Among these students who were observing were Yang Zhi and Lin Yue.
Yang Zhi's parents gave the county magistrate one hundred acres of land in exchange for this opportunity to take the imperial examination.
The smartest person in the Great Zhou Dynasty opened an academy and offered free lessons. It was more rare than a pie falling from the sky. How could he believe that such a good thing would fall into his lap?
Lin Yue's mother borrowed five thousand taels of silver. If anything goes wrong, her younger sister will have to be given away as a concubine.
Especially with the surrounding discussions suggesting that something was amiss at the academy, the two became increasingly worried.
"This so-called Young Master Han, I wonder what he's up to. Do you really believe he'll teach for free?"
"Everyone in the world is driven by profit, and people are always talking about how they are all looking out for something. I don't believe he would do something that doesn't bring him any benefit."
"What if they detain us after the lecture and won't release us without paying a large sum of money?"
"The most troublesome thing is that they won't let us participate in the imperial examinations."
"What do we do now? Someone's already gone in. Should we go in or not?"
...
Tang Xinuan and Sun Qingzhao came together. They noticed a large crowd gathered at the entrance, but few people were seen after entering the academy. Tang Xinuan was filled with doubt: "They still don't believe it?"
Wei Minzhao glanced around the classroom; there were fewer than ten people scattered around.
"Just these few."
Tang Xinuan was full of anticipation, expecting many students to attend today. Her plans were disrupted, leaving her feeling somewhat lost.
"Brother Sun, what do we do now?"
Sun Qingzhao had some guesses, "We are not an academy established in the name of the imperial court, so it is understandable that they do not believe us. Please wait a moment, I will go and invite Prince Duan. With his intervention, these people's doubts will surely be dispelled."
Before he could finish speaking, Prince Duan had already arrived.
"What a hassle. I'm giving them free lessons, and they've become suspicious of me. They're all idiots."
Although he was unhappy, for the sake of the country and its people, he still humbled himself and went to the academy to persuade them.
With the prince's intervention, most students put aside their doubts and bravely stepped into the academy.
Lin Yue was the first to stand up.
“I trust Hanxi. How could someone as noble as him lie to us? Let’s go into the academy and see what’s going on.”
Yang Zhi was still worried and, with doubts in his heart, walked into the academy with Lin Yue.
The classroom quickly filled with students, at least a hundred of them.
Because of this minor incident early in the morning, Wei Minzhao didn't have time to verify the students' identities, and let everyone who was willing to come in.
He dispatched twenty guards to stand at the front and back of the classroom to maintain order.
He didn't really care how the academy turned out.
It's about protecting Tang Xinuan's safety.
If anything goes wrong with her, the regent will unleash his savage nature and slaughter everyone.
Once everyone was seated properly, Sun Qingzhao walked up to the podium and introduced himself.
The students were filled with admiration when they heard that he was a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel.
Many people study hard all their lives, only to become a Juren or Jinshi, and even then, they are already considered role models for scholars across the country if they can enter the Hanlin Academy and be granted a sixth-rank official position.
How many people have held the rank of fourth grade throughout history?
It is difficult to achieve even in a lifetime.
A few people scattered below the stage sighed with envy.
Sun Qingzhao waved his hand, signaling the students to be quiet.
He then solemnly bowed to Han Xi at the door, taking credit for his achievement.
"Please allow me to address you as Mr. Han. Qing Zhao's success today is entirely due to Mr. Han's righteousness."
These procedures were all arranged in advance by the two of them.
Sun Qingzhao was worried that the students would look down on Han Xi for being too young, so he had to elevate Han Xi's status before classes started.
Tang Xinu dressed up in a more mature style today.
She wore a purple cloak, a soft-brimmed turban, held a ruyi scepter in her hand, and had a jade pendant at her waist, along with a jade plaque given to her by the regent.
Wearing red square shoes.
He stood upright and proper in front of everyone.
It gives people the impression of being both refined and learned, with a wealth of knowledge and erudition.
Tang Xinuan gracefully accepted Sun Qingzhao's deep bow.
If even a high-ranking official of the fourth rank takes this so seriously, how can the students who are about to enter the examination hall not take it seriously as well?
At this moment, their gazes toward Han Xi held a newfound seriousness and respect.
Sun Qingzhao had achieved the desired effect and announced loudly, "Now, Hanxi Academy is officially in session. All students, please rise and pay your respects to your teachers who have taught you."
Prince Duan helped Hanxi onto the platform and they stood before the crowd.
All the students quickly stood up and respectfully bowed to Han Xi along with Sun Qingzhao, addressing him as "Teacher."
After the mobilization ceremony concluded, the lecture officially began.
Tang Xinuan first returned the gifts to everyone, and then gradually got to the main topic according to the pre-arranged opening remarks.
In such a large classroom with so many people, and with Han Xi's soft voice, at least half of the people couldn't hear her.
There was no other way but to repeat it twice.
Stand at the front of the classroom and explain it once, then stand in the middle of the classroom and explain it again.
At the beginning of the course, most students were filled with doubt, suspicion, confusion, and anxiety.
After an hour, everyone was impressed by Tang Xinuan's logic and ability.
Indeed, some people are talented, and some people are just naturally gifted.
If Hanxi participated in the imperial examination, who else could be the top scholar?
Sun Qingzhao's original plan was to teach for one hour every day.
There is still a month and a half left for the provincial examination. Any student with a basic foundation and decent abilities can make significant progress in this period.
But after Tang Xinu finished speaking, many students surrounded her to ask for her advice, and for a while, she couldn't leave at all.
Xiaoqian knows her young mistress's body best.
She was so anxious that she kept pacing around, saying, "My young master is exhausted. He won't be able to teach anymore."
Sun Qingzhao also realized the problem and promptly separated the people.
"That's all for today's lesson. Ask your questions tomorrow."
Tang Xinuan loves sharing her knowledge with everyone and doesn't want to leave.
Sun Qingzhao simply pushed the person out, saying, "My little darling, if I exhaust you, the prince will be furious with me."
Lianqiao promptly handed over a freshly brewed West Lake Longjing tea, saying, "Young master, drink more water to soothe your throat."
Tang Xinuan was surrounded by people who were worried about her, and she was also doing what she liked, which made her genuinely happy.
"I'm not that fragile."
Wei Minzhao initially disliked Tang Xinuan for being a fool, but after seeing him appear at the Prince's Mansion, he is now personally teaching many students participating in the provincial examinations.
One shock after another.
She was clearly just an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl, yet she stood before hundreds of people without flinching, maintaining her composure and logic, and conveying the knowledge she possessed.
If a man several years older than him can't do that, then I ask you.
She was so composed and at ease.
"Young Master Wei," a student, still reluctant to leave the academy, approached Wei Minzhao and pleaded, "can we stay at the academy to continue our studies?"
Most of these students who left their hometowns came from families that were not well-off.
Unable to afford a nice inn, they had to share a room with other students.
There was simply no learning environment.
They were filled with humility and trepidation, hoping to stay and study at the academy.
The environment here is pleasant, the space is large, and it's filled with a scholarly atmosphere. Sitting here makes you feel different.
Wei Minzhao disagreed, "Aren't you staying at an inn? Go back to the inn."
If he stayed at the academy, he would be responsible for the safety of these people and would assign people to guard them.
He only wanted to please Princess Chaoli; as for these scholars, he couldn't possibly empathize with them.
Yang Zhi wanted to say a few more words, but Lin Yue shook his head and said, "Forget it."
Tang Xinuan gave her first lesson, but unfortunately Zhou Chuanxing couldn't attend.
Something happened in Jiangnan.
The news of the Left Prime Minister's secret escort to the capital was leaked. Today, an urgent message arrived from Jiangnan: someone had attempted to assassinate the Left Prime Minister. He was shot in the abdomen with an arrow, but it did not kill him. However, Chu Yannuo intervened to save him, but was seriously injured in the process.
This is the last thing Zhou Chuanxing wanted to see.
The death of the Left Chancellor is nothing, but at least there's one less person to correct Grand Tutor Wang.
But what if Chu Yannuo is injured and the young girl finds out...?
If she were to return to the Marquis's mansion regardless of everything, what would their two months together have amounted to?
"Tao Guan, take the imperial physician to Jiangnan. Make sure to stop Prince Chu halfway there. He can come back only when he is cured."
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