Cui Lin's words were so harsh that the ministers around him couldn't help but look over, many of them frowning in discomfort.
Qian Baokun watched Tang Ning with some concern, fearing that she might not be able to handle the difficulties from the powerful families. However, the petite woman didn't show the slightest sign of anger.
“Lord Cui is right. The Rongsheng Academy cannot compare to the Cui family's family school, Jin Yu Wei Zhai. When my brother and I were establishing the academy, we didn't aim for anything too luxurious or extravagant. We simply wanted to provide a place for scholars from poor families to pursue education. We hoped to open the academy early to benefit the world, but we didn’t give much thought to the details.”
Tang Ning paused and looked a little embarrassed. “When I left the Song family, I didn’t have much money, and my brother invested almost all his wealth into this. If it weren’t for His Majesty’s favor and the allowance for the Jingzao Division to assist us, the academy might still be in a rough state.”
Her eyes lowered, and her tone was full of apology.
“If the academy seems too simple, once I earn more money, I’ll find someone to renovate it…”
“That’s enough!”
An elderly man, who had been standing beside Cao Dejiang, looked at the young girl with her head bowed, filled with guilt, and his face darkened.
“Who said this place is too simple? The academy is meant for learning, not a place for comparison. Having a roof over your head and the school buildings established is already very good.”
“Moreover, even if it’s truly simple, what’s the harm? A determined person can learn tirelessly in a thatched hut or a shabby room. A fool, even placed in a golden house, will only learn superficial things.”
“What scholars care about is what they can learn, and who they learn from. The Princess of Yiyang and Lord Xiao's efforts in establishing the academy are already a great virtue. Only those with a sharp tongue and no virtue would criticize!”
Cao Dejiang also spoke in a gentle tone: “Old Master Ding is right. For those seeking knowledge, having a place to find three or five classmates and receive teachings from a famous mentor is already a great blessing.”
Fu Laiqing, who had never liked these powerful families, murmured coldly from the back, “It’s easy for Lord Cui to say that. The Rongsheng Academy has nearly exhausted all of Princess Yiyang and Lord Xiao’s family wealth. It’s no easy feat to build it this way. If Lord Cui thinks it’s simple, perhaps it’s better to open the doors of the Cui family’s family school, so other students can also go and see the Cui family’s wealth.”
The scholars of the clear faction also frowned and spoke up. Though they didn’t directly mock like Fu Laiqing, they comforted Tang Ning, who looked full of guilt, but their words carried an underlying sarcasm, making Cui Lin’s face turn ashen.
Cui Lin glared at Song Tang Ning in frustration.
He only said a few words—how did it end up causing such a stir?!
Lu Chongyuan looked at the petite girl who had angered Cui Lin and caused such a reaction with just a few words. His gaze deepened.
Feng Qiuli, with a hint of a smile in his eyes, spoke with a frown, “Lord Cui was just casually commenting, with no ill intentions. When I heard that Rongsheng Academy would open today, Lord Cui and myself prepared a small gift.”
A servant quickly brought forward a long embroidered box, which was then handed to the group.
Tang Ning glanced at it and softly said, “I’m sorry to trouble Lord Feng and Lord Cui. Afterward, I will exchange your gifts for silver, and use it to reinforce the academy so that the students won’t be hindered by the simplicity of the school buildings. On behalf of those students, thank you both for your generosity.”
Feng Qiuli: "..."
Cui Lin: "..."
Qian Baokun, who had been worried just moments ago, couldn’t help but shake with laughter when he saw the old man’s face darken like the bottom of a pot.
The other ministers around them twitched their lips, clearly amused.
Princess Yiyang’s sharp tongue suddenly reminded them of Xiao Yan’s venomous one.
Once Cui Lin stormed off, clearly displeased, Tang Ning turned to Lu Chongyuan. “Speaking of which, Rongsheng Academy’s successful establishment is also thanks to the books given by Lu Zhongshu. I heard that Lu Zhongshu has fallen ill recently and the Lu family has been through many changes. I was worried you might not be able to make it today.”
Lu Chongyuan, hearing the subtle sarcasm in her words, remained calm. “Thank you for your concern, Princess. The Lu family has weathered many storms over the years. We’ve encountered countless petty people, and though I’m old, I’m not someone who can be hurt by those lowly methods. Today is the academy’s happy occasion, so naturally, I came to offer my congratulations.”
Tang Ning, as if not hearing the sarcasm in his words, spoke gently, “Lu Zhongshu is a man of integrity and selflessness. How could petty, vile people harm the Lu family?”
"Lu Zhongshu has always been upright and selfless, and he is also able to sacrifice his relatives for the greater good. I heard that even the evidence of Lu Zhao's crime was reported by Lu Zhongshu, so he was executed soon, and justice was done to those innocent souls in the grain tax case. The Lu family will definitely be safe with you in charge. It is Tang Ning who is worrying too much."
Even Lu Chongyuan, a man of profound thought, felt the sting of her words, and his expression turned cold.
Lu Qin’s face darkened as well, almost unable to hide his murderous intent.
Cao Dejiang, standing by, frowned, confused about why Song Tang Ning was provoking the Lu family. The case of Lu Zhao had resulted in a death sentence, and Lu Chongyuan had personally sent his son to his death to preserve the family’s reputation. This was clearly his weak spot.
Seeing the dark expressions on the Lu family father and son, the other powerful families also glared at Tang Ning, and Cao Dejiang instinctively moved a half-step closer to her side.
“Princess Yiyang, the sky is getting late. Shouldn’t we hang the plaque now?”
Tang Ning softly replied, “There are still people who haven’t arrived. Please wait for a moment.”
“Still people?”
It wasn’t just Cao Dejiang who was confused; the other ministers also looked puzzled. Most of the clear faction was already here, and so were the powerful families like Lu Chongyuan. Who else could she be waiting for? Could it be Xiao Yan? As some people were guessing, they suddenly heard a commotion outside the academy, as if something had happened.
Moments later, a voice rang out.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
Everyone inside was startled. No one expected Emperor An to come. Everyone quickly followed Tang Ning outside and saw that the academy was surrounded by the imperial guards, with the civilians and students who had been watching outside now kneeling on the ground.
The golden carriage slowly made its way through the crowd. The dragon-patterned curtains lifted, revealing Emperor An, dressed in his imperial robes, full of majesty. Xiao Yan, in purple robes, rode beside the carriage, flanked by his black-armored guards.
“Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long long live!”
The ministers quickly knelt and paid their respects, with Tang Ning also bowing deeply.
Emperor An, in a good mood, waited for the carriage to stop. After Xiao Yan helped him dismount, he spoke in a loud voice, “Everyone, rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The ministers all stood, and the civilians and students outside, after standing, looked even more excited.
They had already thought that it was impressive enough to have so many ministers come to the Rongsheng Academy, but now that even the Emperor himself had arrived, they couldn’t dare to look directly at his face or approach the imperial guards, but their hearts were full of excitement.
The students, who had been doubtful before, immediately cast aside their concerns, eager to enter Rongsheng Academy right away.
Emperor An walked forward, looking at the gathered ministers. “You all arrived quite promptly.”
Cao Dejiang spoke softly, “We were all invited by Princess Yiyang. For the sake of all students in the world, we are willing to contribute our efforts.”
Hearing this, Emperor An’s gaze shifted to Tang Ning. “Since you invited all these people, why did you still think to invite me?”
Tang Ning knelt respectfully, saying, “Lord Cao and the others are role models for scholars, but Your Majesty is their ruler. Those who enter the academy will ultimately share the same purpose, working for the country, the people, and the world. Since ancient times, it has been said that scholars learn both civil and military arts, with riches belonging to the emperor’s family. Moreover, Rongsheng Academy was built because of Your Majesty.”
“If it weren’t for Your Majesty’s kindness, the academy would never have been established. All the students in the world should be grateful to Your Majesty. I did not want anyone to misunderstand, so I boldly invited Your Majesty here.”
Emperor An looked down at the young girl kneeling before him. Though her back was straight and she appeared calm, her face was tense, her hands gripping her sleeves, and her lips slightly pale, showing how nervous she truly was.
He found it amusing. Rong’s granddaughter was more flexible than Rong Qian’an.
But in the end, she was still just a little girl.
Emperor An rarely showed a hint of a soft smile: “You’ve put in a lot of effort. Get up.”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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