Chapter 1528: Chapter 1504: Special Appointnt
The Emperor went up to the loft and after listening for a long ti, finally understood the matter concerning the Imperial dical Departnt.
Manbao also understood, so she quietly took a sip of the newly added tea on the table.
When the Emperor withdrew his gaze from afar, he saw her and after a pause, asked, “You and your two Junior Brothers are now studying in the palace, so what is your teacher doing at ho?”
“Reading books,” Manbao said, “Teacher said that upon coming to the capital, he discovered that there are so many books in the world he hasn’t read yet, and he also needs to et with friends, so he’s quite busy.”
Actually, last ti Bai Shan copied a book from the book tower and brought it back for him; although it was only a short piece with over eight hundred characters, he found it captivating and has been studying it recently. The text was too difficult to understand, anyway, Manbao couldn’t comprehend it.
The Emperor smiled and asked, “He’s been a teacher for so long and still hasn’t finished reading the books?”
“There are always more books than one can read under the heavens,” Manbao paused and then said, “That’s what our teacher said.”
The Emperor asked, “Then he must have read most of the books outside, right? Has he ever thought about coming to the palace to find more books to read?”
Manbao had an epiphany, her eyes slightly shimred, and she lowered her voice, “Of course, our teacher would be willing to read more books.”
The Emperor chuckled at her words, just as he was about to speak, he heard laughter below and couldn’t help but lower his head to look. He saw several students from the Chongwen Pavilion chasing each other playfully running past below the loft.
He couldn’t help but look towards Gu Zhong.
Gu Zhong imdiately bent over and whispered, “Your Majesty, the school day is over and it’s lunchti now.”
The Emperor nodded and gestured towards Bai Shan and Bai Cheng not far away, “Summon those two up here. All are disciples; I also want to ask for their thoughts.”
Manbao thought, they aren’t foolish, surely they would be willing, right?
An attendant went to find Bai Shan and Bai Cheng, both of them raised their heads to look up at the loft, but only saw several guards standing vigil and nothing else.
However, it must be either the Crown Prince who just taught them in the East Palace or the Emperor himself who could command guards to stand watch over the loft.
The pair exchanged glances with Feng Zongping and then followed the attendant away.
Feng Zongping and others imdiately adopted a dignified deanor, no longer daring to engage in horseplay.
Upon climbing to the third floor, the Emperor asked Bai Shan and Bai Cheng the sa question. Bai Cheng naturally wanted to nod and say, “Yes, yes,” for if the teacher entered the palace, it would likely be their teacher, correct?
However, as a Junior Brother, considering the teacher’s intent and his own habits, he first sneakily glanced at Zhou Man and Bai Shan.
Bai Shan also glanced at Manbao, seeing her blink, he roughly guessed what she had said earlier. After pausing for a mont, he declined with clasped hands, “Your Majesty’s regard is cherished by our teacher, but he fears falling short of Your Majesty’s expectations.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, “Oh? I have t Mr. Zhuang; he has taught you three disciples well. Why would he fall short?”
Bai Shan paused before speaking frankly, “Our teacher’s reputation is flawed, and he fears that entering the East Palace might burden His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Bai Shan continued, “As the heir to the throne, his entourage must consist of those with integrity beyond reproach. My teacher suffered many hardships in his youth, and even now he is still criticized for past incidents. How could he serve in the East Palace under such circumstances?”
The Emperor, originally indifferent, was moved in his heart. While Zhuang Xun is good, there are plenty of others in the court who surpass him.
For instance, Wei Zhi; whether Zhuang Xun’s questions to Zhou Man were intentional or accidental, Wei Zhi truly considered these matters.
Hence, regarding the Crown Prince, Zhuang Xun might not be necessary. If another instructor for the Crown Prince could be recruited, that would be good; otherwise, other ministers could step in.
However, now…
The Emperor mused that Zhuang Xun’s scholarship might be secondary, but his character and experiences were quite suitable for the current Crown Prince.
Zhou Man, her Junior Brother, and Senior Sister stood humbly before the Emperor. Seeing him remain silent for so long, they couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at him.
Gu Zhong, standing by the Emperor’s side, noticed and couldn’t help but avert his gaze, thinking they were silly children. Couldn’t they be more patient?
The Emperor happened to return to his senses and lowering his head, t their little eyes.
The trio imdiately lowered their heads, pretending they hadn’t done anything.
The Emperor: …
He let out a soft hum and waved them off, “Alright, you may go.”
The trio withdrew in confusion. So, was their teacher allowed to enter the palace or not?
As they left, they happened to encounter the Crown Prince, who had found an excuse to escape from Wei Zhi’s tutelage upon learning his father had co to the East Palace.
The three of them stood aside at the stairway, bowing as they waited for the Crown Prince to ascend before making their way down.
The Crown Prince cast them a glance, rely nodded slightly, and then continued up to find his father.
The Emperor, upon seeing his expression, understood and asked with a smile, “What, did Wei Zhi criticize you again?”
The Crown Prince didn’t want to discuss being scolded by his teacher with his father, so he diverted the topic, “Father summoned those three for what purpose?”
The Emperor asked, “What do you think of those three children?”
The Crown Prince nodded and said, “Not bad. Zhou Man has excellent dical skills and a pure heart. Bai Shan is wise and could beco a capable minister.”
As for Bai Erlang, the Crown Prince offered no comntary, as there were plenty like him.
The Emperor nodded and then laughed, “They all co from one teacher.”
He said, “Your Chongwen Pavilion has just admitted many students, and there are few Assistant Lecturers. Why not add another teacher for them?”
The Crown Prince was sowhat surprised, “But he has no official title, not even a Jinshi degree. How can he teach at the Chongwen Pavilion?”
The Emperor said, “A teacher doesn’t have to be from scholarly achievents; they may be chosen for their virtue. His scholarship may not surpass that of the instructors and students within the pavilion, but his virtue is profound, and that is sufficient.”
He continued, “He was once betrayed by peers and lived in hardship, yet throughout these years, he never harbored resentnt. I once t him, and saw no trace of gloom upon him. Now, while his three disciples aren’t distinguished, they can freely enter the court and et with you and without difficulty, yet they have never used this influence to suppress their enemies.”
This past year, Zhuang Xun has enjoyed tranquility, as if he has forgotten past wrongs, which the Emperor genuinely admired.
Thus, he said, “With such virtue, he is more than fit to serve as an Assistant Lecturer within the East Palace.”
The Crown Prince’s face darkened slightly, thinking the Emperor was using Zhuang Xun to admonish him.
But the father and son’s relationship had improved considerably of late, so despite his indignation and grievances, he restrained himself from lashing out.
The Emperor thought he was seriously considering his words, and after waiting for a while and seeing he still hadn’t spoken, asked with a smile, “What is your final decision? To agree or not to agree?”
The Crown Prince replied, “Wouldn’t it be Father who decides whether to agree or not? Aren’t the Assistant Lecturers in the East Palace all arranged by you?”
The Emperor stood up, saying, “Then it’s settled. Appoint Zhuang Xun as a Ninth Grade Assistant Lecturer and have him choose a day to enter the palace and give lessons to the Crown Prince.”
Having said this, he turned and walked away.
User Comments
0 comments from readers