Chapter 436 Separation is imminent
A low chuckle rippled through the classroom. The Tenth Prince, his face flushed, crouched down to pick up the needles, pricking himself a few more times in his haste, wincing in pain.
Seeing his disheveled appearance, Daiyu suppressed a laugh and said, "Student Shi, you should go and rest first. Xueyan, take Student Shi to the side room to rest."
The Tenth Prince felt as if he had been granted a pardon and fled the classroom with Xueyan. Only when he was led into an elegant private room did he breathe a sigh of relief and remove his veil to fan himself.
"This girls' academy is definitely not a good place to stay..." he muttered to himself.
Suddenly, Yuan Hongqu's voice came from outside the door: "Is Shi here? I'm here to check if I pricked anyone in the wrong place. It wouldn't be good if he got hurt."
The Tenth Prince jumped up in fright and hurriedly put on his veil, but the more he rushed, the more chaotic it became. The veil strap got tangled in his hairpin, pulling painfully.
Just then, Yuan Hongqu pushed open the door and entered.
Seeing the Tenth Prince's disheveled appearance, she was taken aback at first, then narrowed her eyes: "Tenth Prince?"
The Tenth Prince stood frozen in place, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.
Yuan Hongqu sneered, "Your Highness has quite the refined taste, actually disguising yourself as a woman to sneak into the academy. If word gets out, I wonder what the Emperor will think?"
The Tenth Prince tilted his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Lord Yuan, please don't be offended. I... I was just curious for a moment..."
"Curious?" Yuan Hongqu's tone was icy.
"Does Your Highness know that the academy has its own rules? In principle, we do not completely restrict men from entering the academy, because the academy itself is not meant to build a barrier between men and women, but to break down worldly prejudices against women and the barriers erected against them! But your current behavior, dressing as a woman and sneaking around, if word gets out, what will people think of the women's academy? Women already have it hard enough in this world, do you really want to add more difficulties for them because of your own selfish curiosity?"
The Tenth Prince was sweating profusely and repeatedly begged for mercy: "I know I was wrong, I will never dare to do it again! I really didn't think that much..."
Just as Yuan Hongqu was about to speak, she suddenly heard Daiyu's voice from outside the door: "Granny, is Shi settled in?"
The curtain was lifted, and Daiyu walked in. Seeing the disheveled Tenth Prince, she feigned surprise: "Your Highness? What are you doing here? And in such a state..."
The Tenth Prince looked up and saw Daiyu's ambiguous smile, and suddenly realized: "You...you recognized me a long time ago?"
Daiyu smiled, pursing her lips: "Although Your Highness's attire is quite good, his Adam's apple cannot be concealed. Moreover..."
She glanced at the Tenth Prince's feet. "What young lady would wear men's embroidered shoes?"
The Tenth Prince looked down and realized that he had forgotten to change his shoes in his haste and was still wearing men's cloud-patterned shoes. He was immediately ashamed and wanted to disappear.
Yuan Hongqu snorted coldly: "Is Your Highness satisfied now? Have you seen the girls' academy?"
The Tenth Prince, blushing, said, "I've seen it all... I'll never dare to do it again..."
Daiyu, however, said, "Since Your Highness is here, why not openly tour the place? That way, you won't keep thinking about it later."
The Tenth Prince couldn't believe his ears: "Really?"
Yuan Hongqu frowned and glanced at Daiyu. In her opinion, the Tenth Prince could be invited to visit during the "exchange meeting" held once every ten days at the academy, and there was no need to do it today.
But then Daiyu gave her a wink and stopped talking.
So on this day, the Tenth Prince was finally able to openly visit the girls' academy.
Wherever he went, the female students covered their mouths and chuckled, clearly having already heard the story of "Student Shi".
After the visit, the Tenth Prince was filled with shame and bowed deeply to Daiyu: "Thank you very much, Princess Lin, for your kindness today. It has also made me understand what respect is. I will never act so recklessly again in the future."
Daiyu returned the greeting and said, "It's good that Your Highness understands. In fact, there is no difference between girls' academies and boys' academies; both are places of learning. If Your Highness wishes to come again in the future, you only need to inform us in advance and come openly and honestly."
Upon hearing this, the Tenth Prince admired Daiyu even more.
After this incident, he not only stopped pursuing the matter but also genuinely supported the construction of the girls' academy—but that's another story.
After the controversy surrounding the Tenth Prince's visit to the academy, the Suzhou Women's Academy gradually got back on track.
Daiyu was busy with the affairs of the academy every day, and in her spare time she also studied and read, her days were always packed with activities.
However, time flies, and the Emperor and Empress's southern tour was about to begin, and the day of their return to the capital was approaching.
That day, Daiyu was teaching a poetry class when Xueyan suddenly rushed in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Daiyu's hand trembled slightly as she spoke gently to her students, "That's all for today. Go back and review the words we just discussed."
After the students bowed and took their leave, Daiyu hurried to Yuan Hongqu's study and pushed open the door. She saw Yuan Hongqu staring blankly at a bright yellow silk scroll.
"Granny, has an imperial decree arrived from the palace?" Daiyu asked softly.
Yuan Hongqu raised her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "The Emperor and Empress will depart for the capital in three days. You are hereby granted permission to stay in Suzhou and return to the capital after the imperial examinations next spring."
Daiyu was initially delighted—she could spend more time with her father. But then she realized something, and her expression changed slightly: "Then, Granny, you..."
"I must return to the capital with the Emperor." Yuan Hongqu's tone was calm, yet a hint of sadness could not be concealed. "There are still many matters to be handled in the court, and I cannot remain away for long. The academy is still unable to finalize the number of teachers to be dispatched, and I need to go back to confirm this..."
Daiyu stood there, stunned. Since she was six years old, Yuan Hongqu had been by her side like a teacher and a mother, and they had never been separated for more than a month in all these years. Now, suddenly they were to be separated by thousands of miles, and would not be able to see each other for at least half a year. She felt a tightness in her heart.
"I'll go and beg the Emperor..." Daiyu said urgently, "I'll tell him that the Suzhou Academy still needs the nanny's guidance..."
"Nonsense." Yuan Hongqu scolded lightly, but her eyes were filled with pity. "The imperial decree has been issued, how can it be changed? Besides..." She sighed, "There are indeed many important matters in the capital, and I cannot shirk my responsibilities."
Daiyu lowered her head, forcing back the tears welling in her eyes. She understood this perfectly well, but...
Yuan Hongqu stood up and walked to her, gently stroking the top of her head: "Silly child, it's not like we're parting forever. You'll be back in the capital next spring, it'll only be a few months."
Daiyu shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.
"Granny, I don't want you to leave..."
Yuan Hongqu sighed.
Even so, the two knew in their hearts that this was the first long separation in years, so how could they not be sad!
That evening, Yuan Hongqu personally packed Daiyu's luggage, even though Daiyu would be staying in Suzhou for another six months.
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