RWNEFE -Chapter 650 Inspecting the Academies of the Realm on Behalf of the Emperor

Seeing that the old minister was on the verge of fainting from anger, Shen Lanxi waved her hand and immediately dismissed the court. Afterward, she ordered that the Grand Tutor and Mr. Ruohua be asked to remain.

“I’m not speaking in Xiao Fang’s defense,” Shen Lanxi said, “but Xiao Fang is loyal, righteous, and filial, and he has never behaved improperly in matters between men and women. He would make a very good husband.”

The two men understood.

“The document was sent from Jinmen. Xiao Fang and Liu Xian are both there now. They must have discussed it together before sending the memorial to the capital.”

“When two people are in love, if Lord Liu truly cares for his daughter, he shouldn’t forcibly separate them.”

Shen Lanxi looked troubled. “Isn’t that so? I’m worried on Lord Liu’s behalf. What if, in a year or so, there’s already a child? Should I help Lord Liu execute Xiao Fang, or… well… you see, I’d be caught in a real dilemma.”

The Grand Tutor immediately picked up her meaning. “We shall go to Lord Liu’s residence at once.”

“The sooner the better,” Shen Lanxi said. “Go quickly.”

The Grand Tutor and Mr. Ruohua hurried to the Liu residence without delay.

No one knew what the two of them said, but the next day at court, Liu Mingxin submitted a memorial requesting leave.

“Your Majesty, I am truly worried about my daughter. Though she has some ability, she is still a woman and inexperienced in the world. I must go to Jinmen and personally ask her what is truly going on between her and Xiao Fang.”

Shen Lanxi looked reluctant. “The court cannot do without Lord Liu…”

Liu Mingxin spoke earnestly, almost pleading. “I beg Your Majesty to fulfill a father’s wish to care for his daughter.”

After pondering for a long time, Shen Lanxi finally relented.

“If I refuse any longer, it would seem heartless. Very well—I grant Lord Liu this wish to care for his daughter.”

That very day after court, Liu Mingxin had his luggage packed. The next morning, before dawn, he departed as soon as the city gates opened.

During court sessions, Shen Lanxi repeatedly sighed with emotion:

“A father’s love for his children, and children’s filial devotion to their father—this is the finest example of familial virtue!”

At the height of her enthusiasm, she even personally wrote a calligraphic inscription and presented it to Liu Mingxin.

Within a few days, the Ministry of Works delivered a plaque to the Liu residence, noisily installing it, proclaiming him a “Model Father of the Age.”

The women of the Liu family were all immensely proud, some even wishing to replace the plaque at the main gate with this new one.

After winter passed, spring quickly approached, and preparations for the imperial examinations were once again put on the agenda.

After dismissing court, Shen Lanxi again kept the Grand Tutor and Mr. Ruohua behind.

“I have kept you today to prepare for the Spring Examination five months from now.”

The two men knew Shen Lanxi well. If she said this, she must already have new plans.

“What arrangements does Your Majesty intend?” Mr. Ruohua asked.

Shen Lanxi replied, “I wish to select one of you to inspect the academies across the realm. First, to implement the merger of schools; second, to supervise whether anyone is obstructing students from enrolling.”

Both men were scholars by background. The moment Shen Lanxi said this, they understood the importance.

Mr. Ruohua said, “The academies are where our Great Zhou cultivates its pillars of state. There must be no mistakes.”

Shen Lanxi let her gaze linger on the Grand Tutor before asking, “Which of you would be willing to inspect the academies on my behalf and look after the students?”

Mr. Ruohua glanced at the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor was elderly and unsuited for long journeys, while he himself was younger and more suitable for the role.

“Grand Tutor,” he said, “you are a teacher revered by scholars across the realm. Such a heavy responsibility is most fitting for you.”

The Grand Tutor looked deeply at Shen Lanxi, then replied, “Mr. Ruohua is too modest. Your reputation for talent is no less than mine.”

“This assignment is a rare opportunity to gain renown among scholars everywhere. If you yield it to me, I would feel ashamed.”

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Ruohua said, “Your Majesty, our Great Zhou is vast. Why not let the Grand Tutor and me go together—one to the south, one to the north? The inspections would proceed much faster.”

A flash crossed the Grand Tutor’s eyes. Mr. Ruohua… is one of the people promoted by the Emperor, isn’t he?

Shen Lanxi nodded. “Mr. Ruohua makes sense. This is not a task that one or two people can complete alone. I also intend for the two of you to take the lead in selecting some talented students to accompany you.”

The Grand Tutor’s brows relaxed slightly.

“Your Majesty, this task can be handled by this old minister alone. Mr. Ruohua oversees both the Ministry of Rites and the Agricultural Office—his duties are heavy, and the harvest season is approaching. The Agricultural Office will be especially busy. Let this old minister handle the inspection of academies.”

The Grand Tutor had his own considerations. His former official duties had already been handed over. After Shen Lanxi ascended the throne, she had assigned him new responsibilities: overseeing all academies in the capital, arranging student admissions, and setting curricula.

In recent years, the academies of the capital had long been running smoothly. Aside from the recent busyness caused by school mergers, most days he merely attended court to mark his presence.

He was said to be sidelined, yet he still had work to do. He was said not to be sidelined, yet he no longer held real power.

His honorary reputation, however, had grown ever greater. There were already three statues of him in and around the capital.

No one could accuse the Emperor of discarding him after use.

But Liu Mingxin had left—just as Wu Yanzhi had left in the past.

Shen Lanxi hesitated. “This…”

The Grand Tutor bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, allowing all the children under Heaven to have books to read has been this old minister’s lifelong dream. I beg Your Majesty to grant me this opportunity.”

Turning to Mr. Ruohua, he added, “This old minister shamelessly asks that you yield this assignment to me.”

Mr. Ruohua quickly helped the Grand Tutor straighten.

“Your Majesty…”

“Grand Tutor…”

Shen Lanxi finally stopped insisting. “Since the Grand Tutor has made up his mind, I shall grant this favor. Among all the talented students in the capital, the Grand Tutor may select whomever he wishes.”

Hearing this, the Grand Tutor silently let out a sigh of relief.

The next day at court, the Grand Tutor was absent. But in the academies across the capital, there now appeared an official tasked with selecting talent and inspecting academies on behalf of the Emperor.

“Did you notice it?” Zhou Xinrou asked Huang Yu, her expression troubled.

“Notice what?” Huang Yu had been drilling troops every day. She had only just returned on leave and was being asked to solve riddles?

Zhou Xinrou said quietly, “Shen Lanxi has sent two old ministers out of the capital again.”

Huang Yu knew about this.

“Liu Mingxin just went to Jinmen to see his daughter. He’ll come back in a while. The Grand Tutor too—he’s only inspecting academies, not leaving forever.”

Zhou Xinrou thought more deeply.

“Liu Mingxin aside—the Grand Tutor is already over seventy. Great Zhou is vast. If he truly inspects every place, he may die of old age on the road.”

Huang Yu frowned. “That can’t be…”

Zhou Xinrou continued, “None of the Grand Tutor’s descendants are capable. Once he leaves, his influence will become useless.”

Huang Yu began to grasp the seriousness.

“Could it be that Shen Lanxi intends to replace everyone at court with her own people?”

Zhou Xinrou felt worried—but Huang Yu saw an opportunity instead.

“That’s perfect. We can use this chance to place some of our own people as well.”