That intimate lesson in the Imperial Study, ostensibly about "teaching how to write one's name," seemed to add fuel to the already rapidly escalating relationship between the Emperor and Empress.
From that day on, "private lessons for the emperor" became an unwavering daily routine.
Xiao Che seemed to have completely fallen in love with the feeling of being a teacher. Every day after finishing his duties, he would appear at Kunning Palace on time, or summon Lin Wanwan to the Imperial Study to personally "test" her knowledge.
Of course, the scope of this "knowledge" has long since expanded from simple history books to astronomy, geography, military strategy, and even people's livelihood and economy. Rather than a lecture, it was more like a "national affairs seminar" just for the two of them.
Lin Wanwan's visionary insights, ahead of their time, and Xiao Che's profound understanding of the rules of the world and his imperial strategies created a wonderful chemical reaction, often sparking ideas that amazed even Xiao Che.
The relationship between the emperor and empress grew increasingly intimate and naturally harmonious through their daily alone time and intellectual exchanges.
Today, Kunning Palace has practically become a second power center. The palace servants have become accustomed to it, and even take pride in it. In their eyes, the emperor and empress are of one mind, and their harmonious relationship is a blessing for the country.
However, this sweet and cozy daily life is like a series of sharp steel needles, piercing the eyes of some people.
The Regent's Palace.
Inside the study, Regent Xiao Yuan listened to the report from his trusted advisors with a gloomy expression, the fine celadon teacup in his hand making a "crunching" sound as he gripped it.
"You mean... the emperor now spends every day in the imperial study with that vixen, ostensibly to teach, but in reality to discuss politics?" Xiao Yuan's voice was low and hoarse, filled with suppressed anger.
"Your Highness, it is absolutely true." The advisor bowed and replied tremblingly, "The news from the palace says that His Majesty listens to the Empress Dowager completely, and even the new method for the Ministry of Personnel's assessment came from the Empress Dowager."
"Smack!"
Xiao Yuan could no longer hold back and suddenly threw the teacup to the ground, scattering tea and shards everywhere.
"Good! Good Lin Wanwan! Good nephew of mine!" He laughed angrily. "I really underestimated her! I thought she was just a fox spirit with a little bit of cleverness, but I never expected her to be a wicked empress who can interfere in the affairs of the court!"
He had initially thought that losing the "Phoenix Seal Contest" in court was just an accident. Now he realized that it wasn't an accident at all, but rather the beginning!
This empress, instead of falling out of favor under repeated suppression, has transformed from a palace woman into the emperor's most important "strategist," becoming his true right-hand man!
This discovery set off alarm bells in Xiao Yuan's mind.
He realized that he absolutely could not let things continue to escalate. This Lin Wanwan had gone from an insignificant pawn to one of the biggest obstacles to his control of the court.
We must suppress her immediately! And we must use the most ruthless and direct methods to completely ruin her reputation, so that she can never interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty again!
“Your Highness, please calm down,” the advisor said, his eyes darting around. “Since Her Majesty the Empress is so keen on ‘studying,’ why don’t we… go with the flow and give her a ‘big gift’?”
Upon hearing this, a sinister glint flashed in Xiao Yuan's eyes, and he instantly understood his advisor's treacherous scheme. He slowly sat down, a cold and cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips: "Go on."
...
Three days later, Kunning Palace welcomed an unprecedented "grand event".
A grand procession of gifts, dispatched by the Regent's Palace, entered the palace with great fanfare, heading straight for the Kunning Palace. The spectacle was even more lively than the original investiture ceremony.
This unusual behavior immediately attracted the attention of countless palace servants and concubines. Everyone was talking about it, curious about what the Regent Prince, who had always been at odds with the Emperor and Empress, was up to today.
Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che were playing chess in a side hall when they heard the news. They exchanged a glance and saw the same wariness in each other's eyes.
A weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken has ulterior motives.
"Declare." Xiao Che uttered a single word, placed a piece, and the situation on the chessboard instantly became fraught with danger.
Soon, the Regent's Chief Secretary strode in, surrounded by a group of palace guards. Behind him followed a dozen servants carrying gift boxes covered with red silk, making quite a grand entrance.
"This humble official pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress!" The chief secretary of the Prince's residence bowed, but his posture showed little respect; instead, it carried an air of arrogance and pride.
"What is the meaning of this question, Imperial Uncle?" Xiao Che did not let him stand up. His voice was calm, but it carried an invisible pressure.
The chief clerk, however, seemed oblivious to the situation. He straightened up, his face plastered with a fake smile, and deliberately raised his voice so that everyone watching outside the hall could hear him clearly.
"Your Majesty! My lord has heard that Her Majesty the Empress is intelligent and studious, and recently she has been diligently seeking knowledge from Your Majesty to cultivate her virtue. She is truly a model for women of our Great Liang and a blessing to all the people of the world!"
His words were spoken in a grand and dignified manner, praising Lin Wanwan to the highest degree.
"His Highness is deeply moved by Her Majesty's dedication to learning and has specially ordered me to prepare a small gift to celebrate Her Majesty's efforts in studying diligently, and to wish Her Majesty a speedy success in her studies and to become the Empress!"
After saying that, he waved his hand triumphantly, and the servants behind him immediately presented him with the gift boxes one by one.
An uproar erupted throughout the Kunning Palace!
"Celebrating Her Majesty the Empress's dedication to learning"?
This reason sounds so awkward.
The idea that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent is a deeply ingrained concept of the time. For the empress to study, at best it could be seen as virtuous, but at worst it could be seen as restlessness and a desire to interfere in politics.
The Regent's grand gesture of making this matter known to everyone, ostensibly a "celebration," is actually like putting Lin Wanwan on the hot seat!
Lin Wanwan and Xiao Che, seeing this unusual scene and the obvious malice on the chief secretary's face, knew that this so-called "gift" was definitely not a good thing.
This is not a congratulatory gift at all; it is a sinister challenge from the big boss!
Xiao Che's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when Lin Wanwan gently pressed his hand down and shook her head at him.
She stood up, a polite and dignified smile on her face, and said in a gentle tone, "Uncle, you are too kind. I am unworthy of such a gift. May I ask what congratulatory present you have sent?"
She wanted to see what tricks this powerful regent could pull!
The chief secretary of the Prince's mansion was waiting for this very sentence!
A glint of triumph flashed in his eyes. He took out a gold-embossed gift list from his sleeve, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud in a melodious voice that could be heard throughout the entire Kunning Palace:
"The Regent congratulates the Empress on her academic achievements, which have brought glory to the inner palace—"
He deliberately dragged out his words, whetting everyone's appetite, and then, word by word, read out the gift list that was enough to freeze the air:
"—I hereby present you with a complete set of rare editions of 'Rules for Women,' 'Admonitions for Women,' and 'Biographies of Exemplary Women,' totaling thirty-six volumes!"
"I hope Your Majesty will study diligently and master the essence of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues as soon as possible, so as to become a wise empress of our Great Liang!"
These words caused an uproar in the audience!
Then came a deathly silence!
The air seemed to freeze completely at that moment!
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