“Madam, but the academy isn’t suitable either! Those who can afford to attend the academy must have families that can at least provide for their basic needs, and their parents and elders must have high hopes for them. Why would they let him become someone else’s adopted son for no reason? If he becomes someone else’s son as soon as he comes of age, wouldn’t all those years of raising him be wasted?” Butler Qian asked doubtfully.
"That's not necessarily true. Money talks. What if a family has many children and is willing to sell one to someone as an adopted son?"
“Mistress, please allow me to say something. The most important thing when adopting a child is to choose one who is orphaned and destitute. If the parents are still alive, blood is thicker than water, and there might be lingering ties later on. In the end, wouldn't we have wasted our time?”
He Youyou nodded: "What you said makes a lot of sense. I would choose someone who has lost both parents first."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade her, the housekeeper didn't say anything more.
I just let her go.
He Youyou arrived at the largest academy in the city by carriage.
Yunjing Academy.
Yunjing Academy is located in a secluded place far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
It occupies a large area, with buildings layered upon each other, standing side by side.
The main gate tower is magnificent and very imposing.
A golden plaque hangs in the center, bearing the inscription "Imperial Construction of Yunjing Academy".
Adding the words "established by imperial decree" to the name significantly changes its significance.
The phrase "敕建" means "built by imperial decree".
"Was this academy built by the emperor?" He Youyou asked Steward Qian in confusion.
Steward Qian quickly replied, "That's right. Jizhou is the birthplace of emperors. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he did not forget his hometown and issued an edict ordering the local government to coordinate the construction of this Yunjing Academy, hoping to cultivate talents for the local area and benefit the people of Jizhou."
He Youyou nodded.
It's perfectly normal for an emperor to give some treats to the people of his hometown as a token of his appreciation.
She got off the carriage and walked towards the main gate with Steward Qian.
But then he caught sight of a young boy hesitating at the gatehouse.
The boy had dark skin and looked somewhat familiar.
Upon closer inspection, he was discovered to be the brothel servant named Ah Li who had helped Matthew with the drinking game yesterday.
Unable to contain her curiosity, He Youyou stepped forward and asked, "Ali, what are you doing here?"
When Ah Li saw that it was her, he quickly bowed and said, "Madam."
"Are you looking for someone? Why don't you go inside?" He Youyou asked suspiciously.
Ahri's face immediately fell, and she lowered her head without saying a word.
Steward Qian hurriedly came to the rescue: "Mistress, according to the laws of our dynasty, people of low social status are not allowed to take the imperial examinations or enter the officialdom. The academy has its own rules and does not allow them to enter, as they would defile the quiet place of scholars."
"Are scholars necessarily clean? There are plenty of people who smell of sourness." He Youyou complained, then said to Ali, "Ali, you pretend to be my servant and come inside with me."
Ah Li waved his hand in a panic: "I dare not trouble you, Madam. I will not go in. I only ask that you do me a favor. I will never forget your great kindness."
He Youyou didn't refuse: "Tell me, what kind of help do you need?"
Ah Li carefully took out a few pages of paper from his pocket and presented them to He Youyou: "Madam, this is my essay. Please help me take it to Master Wei at the academy and ask him to give me some comments. If I can get some guidance from Master Wei, I will have no regrets in this life."
“No problem.” He Youyou put the paper away. “If you have nothing else to do, wait for me here. I’ll bring it back to you after I’ve finished commenting.”
Ah Li thanked him profusely: "It's alright, it's alright, I will wait here."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
