His Majesty had already made up his mind on the matter, so the ministers had no choice but to take their leave.
Before departing, the Grand Secretary lowered his head and glanced at the cheerful little princess. He shook his head and said, “Even if girls are no longer barred from attending school, the books, ink, paper, and tuition fees required by the county schools are an enormous expense. These conditions alone will make many families turn away. There will certainly be very few girls who can actually enroll. This will not change anything.”
Rong Yao stared blankly at the Grand Secretary’s departing figure, somewhat confused.
How could it not change anything? Girls had never been allowed to attend academies before, but now they could. Wasn’t that a change?
She thought about it carefully and decided that things had indeed changed. Once they changed this time, they could change a second time, and a third time! They could change again and again!
At that thought, Rong Yao’s smile returned.
How wonderful it was to study.
If those girls had no money, she would save up lots and lots of money in the future to pay their tuition and buy them books, ink, paper, and inkstones!
Then they could become as clever as she was!
Only by becoming clever could they avoid being bullied.
……
His Majesty favored only Noble Consort Cui.
Ever since Noble Consort Cui entered the palace, His Majesty had not favored any of the other consorts.
The consorts inevitably grew resentful.
They even went to the Empress Dowager’s palace to weep and complain.
The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples. “Enough! He is the emperor, and he already has princes and princesses! Where he chooses to stay is not something this old woman can decide. If you have the ability, go and seek His Majesty yourselves. Do not come here to pester an old woman like me.”
The consorts immediately fell silent.
Only then did the Empress Dowager feel more at ease. She glanced at the Empress, then at the other consorts.
“The affairs of the court are burdensome. Even His Majesty spends his days and nights poring over memorials by lamplight. Nor does he stay at Noble Consort Cui’s palace every night; most of the time, he resides at the Two Rituals Palace. When he has free time, he often visits Noble Consort Cui’s residence. That must be because she is more pleasing to His Majesty and can help him relax. His Majesty is already exhausted enough. So long as he can rest properly wherever he chooses, I will not interfere.”
The consorts had clearly not expected the Empress Dowager to say such a thing.
They had intended to seek her support, but instead, she had taken His Majesty’s side.
The group left the Palace of Longevity in dejection.
The Empress returned to the Palace of Fengyi with an unpleasant expression. As soon as she arrived at her bedchamber, her adopted daughter, Princess Shengping, came to pay her respects.
“Your daughter greets Mother Empress.”
The Empress gave Princess Shengping a probing look before quickly turning her gaze away. She softened her voice as much as possible. “What is it?”
Princess Shengping moved closer and said mysteriously, “I happened to hear a secret.”
The Empress raised her brows. “What secret?”
Princess Shengping leaned even closer and deliberately lowered her voice. “Consort Cui can no longer bear children.”
The Empress’s pupils widened, and she sat up straight. “What did you say?”
Shengping nodded emphatically. “I sent people to investigate among the common folk. I heard that Consort Cui suffered a difficult labor when she gave birth to Eldest Imperial Sister, and that it damaged her health.”
A trace of delight appeared on the Empress’s face. “Then that is for the best. She has only a princess by her side and cannot cause much trouble. I am not an intolerant woman. So long as she and her daughter do not threaten my son, I can tolerate them.”
Shengping froze, clearly not expecting the Empress to react this way.
Noble Consort Cui was favored. Shouldn’t the Empress have been furious? Shouldn’t she have punished Princess Fuxi for disregarding propriety and meddling in court affairs?
Now that she knew Noble Consort Cui could not bear a son, shouldn’t the Empress immediately report the matter to the Empress Dowager or His Majesty, persuading him to spread his favor more evenly instead of wasting it on a woman who could not give him a prince?
This Empress thought only of the Fourth Prince!
She truly had no ambition at all!
She should never have chosen her in the first place. Now, getting rid of the nuisance that was Princess Fuxi was nearly impossible. As long as Princess Fuxi was there, His Majesty could not see her.
“I have decided that in a few days, I will request an imperial decree allowing your Fourth Younger Brother to enter the Wen Chang Academy.”
Princess Shengping’s eyes widened in surprise. “The Fourth Prince is only three years old.”
“He is a legitimate son, and he is intelligent. Only by beginning his studies and learning his letters early will he be able to help your father, His Majesty, shoulder his burdens sooner.”
Princess Shengping hesitated, then said, “Yes, Mother Empress is right.”
Princess Shengping left the Empress’s bedchamber, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Which of the princes would become the future emperor? The Fourth Prince or the Fifth Prince?
During this time, she had observed them carefully and discovered that the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince were indeed both only three years old. They understood nothing and showed no particular talent.
Perhaps, once they entered the Wen Chang Academy and began their education, it would become clear which of them was more intelligent.
As soon as she determined who the future emperor was, she could devote herself to assisting him. As long as the progress bar for her assistance began to move, the system would gain energy. Then it could display its true power—not only helping her change her appearance, but also allowing her to exchange for all kinds of seeds and medicines.
If she presented those extraordinary seeds and medicines to His Majesty, he would certainly see her in a new light!
She refused to believe that she could not defeat that Princess Fuxi!
……
On this day, the Empress personally went to the Wen Yuan Pavilion to request that His Majesty issue an imperial decree allowing the Fourth Prince to enter the Wen Chang Academy and begin his education.
His Majesty looked at the Empress kneeling before him and rubbed his brow. “The Fourth Prince is only three years old. Even beginning formal education at five is considered early for an ordinary child.”
The Empress smiled and said, “Although Yi’er is only three, he has been intelligent since childhood and loves reading. Yesterday, he went to find his eldest and second elder sisters to play. When he heard that they were both studying at the Wen Chang Academy, he came running to beg me to let him study and learn his characters there as well. Since he is so eager to learn, as his mother, I naturally must support him.”
After hearing this, a pleased expression also appeared on His Majesty’s face. “Yi’er and You are both three years old, while Chang’er is a year older than them and is their elder brother. If Yi’er is going, then let Chang’er and You go as well. The three brothers can look after one another.”
The Empress’s face stiffened, but she nodded. “His Majesty is wise. With the three children attending the Wen Chang Academy together, they will certainly look after and encourage one another.”
His Majesty nodded in satisfaction and picked up the memorial in his hand. “I will issue the decree shortly. You may leave for now.”
“Yes. This concubine takes her leave.”
After the Empress departed, a small head poked out from beneath the table covered with yellow cloth. It was none other than Princess Fuxi.
Rong Yao crawled out and stood up, patting the dust from her bottom.
His Majesty bent down with a smile and helped his daughter straighten her clothes.
“Imperial Father, why did you make Yao’er hide?”
“If your mother had seen you here, she would probably have told the Chief Censor. Once the Chief Censor learned of it, he would certainly submit a memorial at tomorrow’s court session, accusing you of lacking propriety and of failing to display the composure expected of a princess. He would also criticize me for spoiling you.”
“The Chief Censor? What does the Chief Censor do? Why is Imperial Father afraid of him?”
His Majesty gave a bitter smile. “The Chief Censor is the Empress’s father. He is a very strict… person. He is responsible for supervising and impeaching the officials, discerning right from wrong, and redressing injustices. If I make a mistake, he will even reprimand me.”
Rong Yao’s eyes widened. “He’s amazing.”
His Majesty lifted Rong Yao into his arms and patted her on the head. “I am the emperor, but I am also human. I make mistakes as well, so naturally, I need someone by my side to correct me.”
Rong Yao obediently nodded.
His Majesty said, “You heard what your mother said just now. Do you think it would be appropriate for your three younger brothers to attend Wenchang Academy?”
Rong Yao looked at His Majesty in bewilderment. “But Father already agreed, didn’t he?”
His Majesty said, “Having them begin their studies at three years old is a little too early. I’m worried they may be forced to grow before they’re ready.”
“But Yao’er could already read before she was three,” Rong Yao said.
His Majesty smiled helplessly, his anticipation growing a little stronger. If even one of his three sons could be as clever as their eldest imperial sister, he would be perfectly content.
Rong Yao fidgeted with her fingers. “However, Yao’er thinks there is one thing that may not be appropriate.”
His Majesty asked, “Not appropriate? What is it?”
