Tang Ning smiled lightly after hearing the old man’s scolding. She pressed her lips together, giving a soft laugh: “But you’re here, aren’t you? Besides, I’m still young, and it’s hard to win everyone over. Right now, I’ve already attracted enough attention.”
“Please cover for me here at the academy for a while longer. I’ll lay low for a few days and find an opportunity to make a big impression.”
Old Mr. Tong was amused by her and couldn’t help but smile, his previously stern face cracking a bit: “You certainly have a thick skin. Is that how you plan to make a big splash?”
Tang Ning chuckled.
Yue Jian brought over the tea kettle. Tang Ning took a small teapot from the side and brewed the tea. As the fragrance of tea filled the room, Old Mr. Tong asked, "Has Lord Xiao's injury improved?"
Tang Ning stirred the tea gently with the tea spoon: "It’s still the same. He probably won’t be able to get out of bed in the short term. When Lu Qin struck, he meant to kill. My brother took the blow for me."
Speaking of the aristocratic families, Old Mr. Tong's eyes filled with disdain: "These aristocrats have been ruling with impunity for too long, treating the world like their personal possession, ignoring the law, acting recklessly. It’s a pity the imperial power is weak, and don’t even get me started on the others..."
At this point, the old man couldn’t help but sigh deeply:
"If things continue like this, this world will eventually fall into chaos."
Though he didn’t hold office anymore, Old Mr. Tong was still aware of the decline of the Great Wei’s national power, with dangers lurking in both the north and south. Meanwhile, the court was preoccupied with power struggles, with the aristocratic officials entirely focused on seizing authority, indifferent to the country's state.
“That’s why Master Cao and I asked you to come out of retirement. This academy doesn’t expect much, but if we can cultivate a few ambitious talents who can provide fresh blood for the court, perhaps it can suppress the aristocrats a bit.”
Tang Ning poured tea from the pot, gently wiping the tea broth from the spout before refilling it with fresh water. She observed the fire licking the pot.
"There are too many redundant officials in the court, and the illness has become chronic. Strong medicine is needed. More fresh blood will surely bring new life."
Old Mr. Tong shook his head: "What you’re saying is easier said than done. In the court, officials from humble backgrounds are not even given a chance. For someone without family connections, it’s incredibly difficult to enter the court."
The large court only had a few officials from humble origins; otherwise, the aristocratic families wouldn’t have been able to suppress them so much.
Tang Ning replied, “That was in the past. It might not be the case now.”
Old Mr. Tong froze upon hearing this. He watched the girl gently swirl the teacup in her hands, the ripples in the water reflecting the weight of her words. It was as if those words created huge waves upon landing in his ears.
“The Emperor has the intention of opening up imperial examinations, and the reformist faction in the court is also pushing for it. A significant reason the Rong Sheng Academy exists is because the imperial family and the aristocratic families are in a power struggle.”
“The aristocratic families have always obstructed it. The Lu family and others have never wanted to give up their control over the selection of officials. But this time, Lu Qin made a grave mistake. The Emperor originally planned to execute him, but to save his life, Lu Chongyuan agreed to back down.”
Old Mr. Tong was shocked. "Is that true?"
Tang Ning nodded, "Absolutely. Lu Chongyuan personally wrote a letter to Master Cao, asking him to intercede on Lu Qin's behalf in the court. In exchange, the Lu family promised to support the imperial examinations. While other aristocratic families will still obstruct it, as long as the Lu family retreats, it will be difficult for the aristocrats to unite again."
The power of the aristocratic families was like the dikes of the Gu River: it was hard to maintain when they acted together. However, once one place collapses, the momentum cannot be regained.
"My brother had already made arrangements earlier. Once the Lu family retreats, the other families will start fighting amongst themselves. With the support of the reformist faction, no one will be able to stop this. By next year at the latest, the imperial examinations will surely open."
Old Mr. Tong, who had been skeptical at first, was now filled with joy. He waved his sleeve and laughed heartily: "Good, good!! If this succeeds, both Lord Xiao and County Princess will have done a great service to the scholars of the world!"
Tang Ning poured out the tea from the teacup: "This isn’t just our achievement. Master Cao and others deserve the thanks of the world."
"You don’t need to be modest. Although what Master Cao did was for the world, the reformist faction isn’t without its own interests. But you and Lord Xiao, if not for both of you, this matter would never have come to fruition."
When Old Mr. Tong was in the court, Lord Xiao had not yet entered the palace. By the time Lord Xiao held power, Old Mr. Tong had already retired.
He had heard of Lord Xiao's reputation and had initially assumed that he was like the corrupt eunuchs from previous dynasties. But he had never expected that Xiao Yan would possess such a strong sense of righteousness.
Old Mr. Tong suddenly couldn’t help but sigh: "Actually, back then, there were people like Lord Xiao, who had great ideals and wanted to cleanse the court, full of passion for the people and the world. It’s just a pity..."
He sighed deeply, full of regret.
Tang Ning’s heart stirred: "You’re talking about the Prince Li, aren’t you?"
"You know about him?"
"I’ve heard some things, but not in detail. Do you know the story from back then?"
Old Mr. Tong hesitated for a moment. Seeing Tang Ning’s curious expression, he sighed deeply: "When Prince Li was in the court, I was still there, so I know a bit about him. If you want to hear it, I can tell you. But once it leaves my mouth and enters your ears, don’t mention it again after leaving here."
Tang Ning understood the gravity of the matter and quickly agreed.
The tea on the stove started to bubble, and after Old Mr. Tong had his cup poured for him, he held it in his hands, which were somewhat warmed, and after a moment of contemplation, he began:
"Prince Li was born during the reign of Emperor Taizu. At that time, the late emperor was neither the eldest son nor the first-born, so his status wasn’t particularly noble. However, Prince Li was exceptionally intelligent and precocious from a young age. By the age of two, he was favored by Emperor Taizu and kept by his side for education. By five, he had already read the various classical texts, and by the age of seven or eight, he could write, ride, and shoot—such a young age, yet he already had the air of an emperor…"
"Wait a moment," Tang Ning interrupted, "I remember that the late emperor was the legitimate son, right?"
"He was legitimate, but it wasn’t until Prince Li was seven years old that the late emperor was adopted into the Empress Yuan's family, officially becoming the legitimate son. This was widely known among the old courtiers, but after the late emperor ascended the throne, no one mentioned it again."
Tang Ning seemed to understand something now. When Prince Li was two years old, he was kept by Emperor Taizu for education, but it wasn’t until the late emperor was seven that he was officially adopted by Empress Yuan to become the legitimate heir.
This didn’t seem like Emperor Taizu had favored the late emperor at all, but rather as though the adoption was a way to pave the way for Prince Li, giving the late emperor a layer of legitimacy?
Tang Ning couldn’t help but say, "So the late emperor was riding on Prince Li’s coattails?"
Old Mr. Tong laughed at her interpretation: "I don’t know. Emperor Taizu never said so directly, but many people in the court had their own speculations at the time."
At least in the eyes of those people, the late emperor had indeed benefitted from Prince Li’s favor.
After laughing, Old Mr. Tong returned to the main point.
"Prince Li was raised by Emperor Taizu, who personally taught him. His talents in both literature and martial arts were extraordinary. By the age of ten, he had already shown his sharpness in the court and began to accompany Emperor Taizu on official business."
"Later, Emperor Taizu had to retire because of old battle wounds, passing the throne to the late emperor. At that time, the imperial edict also officially named Prince Li as the crown prince."
The ten-year-old boy became the heir to the throne of the Great Wei, second only to the late emperor.
Though Emperor Taizu abdicated, the real power in the court still rested in his hands. The late emperor was like a half "puppet," holding the title of emperor.
Emperor Taizu taught Prince Li to rule as a wise and beloved emperor, winning the hearts of the people. It wasn’t until four years later that Emperor Taizu passed away, and the power in the court returned to the late emperor’s hands. At that point, Prince Li was only fourteen, and the two shared power, with Prince Li’s influence even surpassing that of the late emperor for a time.
Tang Ning listened to Old Mr. Tong’s words, her expression subtly strange.
Why did she feel like these events surrounding Prince Li and the late emperor seemed strangely familiar, as though she had heard of them somewhere?
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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