Rong Yue didn't quite understand at first, but the next day she heard people talking about how the Princess of Yiyang was kind-hearted and compassionate, pitying the hardships of the laborers at the academy. She had even paid out of her own pocket to improve their meals, which earned her their deep gratitude.
The laborers, moved by the Princess's compassion, worked tirelessly day and night. Originally, it was said that it would take at least half a month to finish the library building, but on the eighth day, it was announced as completed. Even the area around the academy was cleaned up thoroughly.
When Tang Ning and her people moved the books from the residence to the library, Rong Yue was finally taken aback.
"What's wrong?" Gu Helian, sweating heavily, turned around to see Rong Yue looking dazed.
Rong Yue watched as Tang Ning gave instructions to the people inside the library, organizing the books, while a group of academy teachers who had already moved in surrounded her, asking her questions. She couldn't help but speak out, "Tang Ning... she doesn’t seem the same as before..."
Gu Helian, confused, asked, "What do you mean?"
The noise in the library was too loud, so he didn't quite catch what Rong Yue said.
Rong Yue silently shook her head, "Nothing."
She just felt that ever since returning from the mountain, Tang Ning seemed different. Before, she had occasionally sensed something was off, but as time went on, the feeling became more pronounced. Tang Ning seemed too intelligent for her age, and her ability to read people had grown even sharper.
Rong Yue didn't think there was anything wrong with it; she just felt that in such a short time, Tang Ning had changed so much that it made her feel like she might have missed something.
Seeing Rong Yue's odd expression, Gu Helian quickly set down the book in his hand and walked over, "Are you feeling unwell? If you are, let someone take you back. I'll stay here with Tang Ning and help keep an eye on things. Once everything is sorted, we can head back."
Rong Yue shook off her doubts and said, "No need, go ahead and finish organizing quickly, or it’ll be dark soon."
The books that had been retrieved from the Lu family were already organized, and Rong Taifu’s books had been arranged by Tang Ning as well. Today, they were just arranging everything in the library according to the order.
Cang Lang had already brought people to help early on, and after Xiao Yan came out of the palace, he also rushed to the academy. Even so, it was already midnight when everything was finally arranged, and the once lively and enthusiastic scholars were now slumped on the ground, exhausted.
Tang Ning looked at the library, still not fully filled with books, feeling a little disappointed, "There are still not enough books. I wonder when we’ll be able to fill this library."
Gu Helian looked up at the top floor and couldn't help but complain, "What are you thinking? You haven't even seen how big this library is. Even the imperial academy’s library only occupies a small part of your library. A place this big—unless you collect the books from every noble family, it’ll never be filled."
He had seen how many books they had brought back from the Lu family. Despite the large number of boxes, they still only filled a small portion.
Gu Helian turned to look at Xiao Yan, "And you—obviously, Little Tang's books are already quite a lot, yet after moving them in, it still looks so empty. Why did you let them build such a big library for no reason? Now it just looks pitiful."
Xiao Yan spoke calmly, "It’s better to make it bigger now, so we won’t need to expand it later."
Gu Helian rolled his eyes.
Tang Ning didn’t mind, just smiling with a dimpled grin, "It’ll fill up slowly, eventually."
Rong Yue didn’t say anything. The academy belonged to Tang Ning, and if she liked it this way, that was fine. Rong Yue, having inherited the property of the King of Cheng, no longer lacked money, so she was planning to send people to various marketplaces and other places to collect books and rare editions.
Rong Yue turned to Tang Ning and asked, "Since the library is ready, when do you plan to officially open the academy?"
The teachers nearby, hearing this, looked at Tang Ning with eager eyes.
They had come to teach, and after seeing the books, they were eager to start.
Tang Ning glanced at Xiao Yan, who nodded, then she said, "In three days."
Gu Helian asked, "On the first of July?"
Tang Ning nodded, "Yes, tomorrow I’ll have people post notices around the capital and also send someone to inform Master Cao and the others."
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If you were to say what the most talked-about thing in the capital recently was, it wasn’t the scandals surrounding the Lu family or the Fourth Prince’s fall from grace and potential facial injuries. It was the long-anticipated Rong Sheng Academy in the southern part of the city, which would be officially inaugurated on the first of July with a plaque unveiling and a monument to culture.
It was said that on the day of the opening, the Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, Lu Chongyuan, would personally hang the plaque, and the Grand Censor, Cao Dejiang, would write the inscription on the monument. Many ministers would attend, and not only the students in the capital were excited—students from other regions who had traveled to the capital to witness this grand occasion were equally thrilled.
The night before the first of July, the capital, which had been scorching hot for days, was hit by a heavy rain. By the time the sky cleared the next day, the oppressive heat seemed to have lessened somewhat.
In front of the Rong Sheng Academy, the mountain road had already gathered countless spectators early in the morning. The Imperial Guards and the Black Armor Guards were maintaining order, ensuring that no one dared to cause trouble. A path was cleared in front of the academy, and every time a carriage arrived, the people inside would get off with their gifts, causing a stir.
"That’s the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
"That’s probably the Marquis of Cheng’an. I’ve seen him before."
"The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works has come too."
"Heavens, is that Lord Ding, the Grand Minister of Rites? I heard he’s planning to retire, and hasn’t been to court in a while. Why is he here?"
One after another, carriages drove up to the academy, and as more and more officials appeared, the crowd outside grew larger.
When Lu Chongyuan and the others arrived, the sight of the enormous crowd and the excited young faces pushing forward at the front was overwhelming.
Even from inside the carriages, one could hear the excited chatter of the crowd. A family official accompanying Lu Chongyuan couldn't help but frown, "Why are there so many people?"
"Does Lord Cheng don’t know? Before the academy was even finished, people were already spreading the word about its reputation. Thousands of students from other places have already come to the capital in the past few days, and some haven’t even arrived yet due to the long journey." someone explained.
The official who had spoken earlier immediately frowned, "A newly built academy—how could it attract so many people?!"
Cui Lin, who was also traveling with them, sneered, "Then you should ask our Lord Lu Zhongshu."
"Normally, newly built academies wouldn’t attract this kind of crowd. But this Rong Sheng Academy has received half of the Lu family’s collection of books, along with the precious relics left behind by Rong Qian’an. I’ve heard that the unretired Elder Cao of the Cao family is personally writing the academy’s poems and has agreed to teach here for two days every month."
"Not only that, but the academy has also invited famous scholars like Chen Ji, Qiu Yichuan, and Deng Dehui to teach there. Every one of them is a renowned expert. Also, our Lord Lu Zhongshu is personally writing the cultural monument for the academy, and there are rumors that noble families will protect this academy. Even if it’s just for these reasons, there’s a steady stream of people coming here to study."
"Rong Sheng Academy owes its success today to our Lord Lu Zhongshu!"
Cui Lin’s words were filled with sarcasm, and the officials who had been speaking before immediately felt awkward. Meanwhile, Lu Chongyuan calmly looked at Cui Lin, his eyes narrowed.
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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