Everyone in the harem thought that after Song Xia gained complete power, she would first investigate Consort Zhuang for humiliating her by abusing her position as a palace maid. Even Consort Zhuang herself was prepared for this, but after waiting for a day, she did not receive any results.
"What exactly does she mean? Is she trying to keep me hanging on, making me live in constant fear?" Consort Zhuang paced back and forth, gritting her teeth. "Even if she has some tricks up her sleeve, I'm not afraid. My father commands 200,000 troops and has given birth to the Second Prince. What can she do to me?"
She said that, but she was still very frustrated, and since Song Xia hadn't made any move, she couldn't sleep peacefully.
Meanwhile, the other women in the harem had a higher opinion of Song Xia. Some thought she was cunning and scheming, while others thought she was truly magnanimous and worthy of the title of Empress.
Being an empress is not something as petty as fighting in the harem. Although His Majesty is powerful now and has weakened the empress's prestige, there have always been many empresses who have acted in the name of the emperor. The empress has always had the responsibility of disciplining the women of the country.
Consort Shu was unusually in a good mood: "Our Empress is more outstanding than we imagined, and her vision is much broader. Perhaps even His Majesty did not expect this."
The next day, Song Xia summoned the Grand Tutor, which further convinced Consort Shu of this.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject pays his respects." The Grand Tutor was puzzled. He had made a special trip to the Imperial Study last time, and now the Empress had summoned him again. Did the Empress really have other ideas about the education of the princes? Although the Empress now held real power in the harem because of the rain-seeking incident the day before yesterday, this matter concerned all the princes!
"Grand Tutor, please take a look at this first." Song Xia had someone bring the educational plan she had written yesterday to the Grand Tutor, then slowly sipped her tea, not in a hurry to speak.
The Grand Tutor, however, grew increasingly astonished and impressed as he read on. Based on what the book stated, it was clear that the Empress genuinely cared for and educated her six sons without any prejudice. The Empress was…
"I'm not afraid to tell the Grand Tutor the truth." Song Xia's eyes were sincere. "As the Empress, having taken this position, I naturally think of the world. This world belongs to the Jiang family and to His Majesty. But I see that the hearts of the people in the harem are scattered, and the six princes are also distant and hostile. I am truly heartbroken."
The Grand Tutor didn't respond, unsure of what to say, fearing he might say something wrong and be condemned to eternal damnation if His Majesty found out.
“Grand Tutor, I know your concerns, but I only asked you to change the teaching method to increase the interaction between the brothers. The content has not been changed in any substantial way. This should not be considered a violation of His Majesty’s orders. If His Majesty really blames you, I will take the blame alone.”
"Your Majesty, this humble subject has not yet reported to His Majesty. Perhaps it would be better if this humble subject submitted a memorial to His Majesty first before proceeding?"
"No need. I have already sent someone to speak to His Majesty. In addition, I have distributed the things that I just showed to the Grand Tutor to the entire harem."
The Grand Tutor was now truly impressed with her. It seemed that the Empress was really determined to make this happen. In truth, how could he not know that there were problems in the relationship between the six princes? But he was just a minister, and His Majesty and the princes' mothers were happy with this arrangement, so what could he say?
If the Empress's teaching methods are followed, the relationship between the six princes will surely improve. Although the struggle for the throne may eventually put them on opposing sides, at least when they fight, they will consider their childhood friendship and their followers will suffer fewer casualties.
Song Xia's gaze was deep: "The six princes are the hope of Xuan Kingdom. Their vision should be of the stars and the sea, of the entire continent, not just of court disputes, and they should not be confined by the concubines in the four corners of the harem."
Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor was greatly moved. So the Empress's goal was even more distant than he had imagined?
He sighed inwardly. He didn't know whether this move would be a blessing or a curse for the Empress. If such words were to spread, it would surely arouse suspicion and attract repercussions. After all, other people's goal was only the throne, and they would certainly find it hard to believe her thoughts.
But these words also stirred his heart. When he was appointed Grand Tutor, he had thought of raising all six princes to be extraordinary. However, as the years passed, as His Majesty became obsessed with the pursuit of immortality, and as he watched his familiar colleagues in the court being exiled and their homes confiscated, and as he saw his princes, though young, already forming factional struggles, he gradually cooled his burning desire to serve the court.
Now that he has learned that there are people who share the same ideas as him, or even those who are greater than him, how can he not feel moved and excited?
The Grand Tutor bowed solemnly: "Your Majesty the Empress is truly righteous! I understand what Your Majesty has said today. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to teaching the six princes with all my knowledge."
Song Xia gestured to the female official to help him up: "It is good that the Grand Tutor understands my wishes. In the future, I will teach together with the Grand Tutor."
"Does Your Highness also have to teach the princes?"
“That’s right. I have some ideas that I would like to share with the princes. The Grand Tutor can also listen in.”
The knowledge of this era is too limited, so she had Xiaoling exchange some courses for future children from the system store. She wanted to teach them personally and tell them that there are many wonderful phenomena in this world and a wider world. Only by knowing more will they know what they want tomorrow.
If you all want the throne, that's fine too. Go out and fight! Unify the world and see who conquers the most territory.
Meanwhile, the various palaces that received her plan regarding the six princes also reacted differently.
Consorts such as Consort Zhuang, Consort Xian, and Consort Li suspected that she had no good intentions and was definitely going to corrupt their sons in the matter of education in order to pave the way for the eldest prince.
Consort Shu and Consort Zhen, after reading it, had their eyes light up and felt a sense of peace and reassurance in their hearts.
In fact, they had long had ideas about the education of their sons. Why make them work so hard when they are so young? Whether it was the Imperial Study or the Princes' quarters, both were lifeless. They had been feeling increasingly oppressed since they entered the palace, let alone their sons who had grown up in such an environment.
Although the interests of the princes and the forces behind them are different, it is worth it to at least make them happier in their childhood. More interaction with the other princes will also give them more people to talk to and have a place to express their true emotions.
Consort Shu sighed softly: "We underestimated Her Majesty the Empress before. Although she is young, she is more magnanimous than us. Haoxue, go and fetch the painting of ten thousand horses galloping that I brought with me as part of my dowry, and then you personally deliver it to the Empress's palace."
"Your Majesty..." The palace maid Haoxue was slightly surprised. That was something the old lady had worked hard to obtain. Because Your Majesty liked it, it was brought to the palace as part of her dowry so that Your Majesty could admire it often.
"Go ahead," Consort Shu said in a good mood. "I am determined to have Her Majesty the Empress carry out this matter."
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