[These two don't think that things have gotten to this point because of the girls' school, do they?]
[What a convenient way to always blame others, never yourself!]
Wen Chensi, his face darkening. "You two are incompetent yourselves, yet you blame my girls' school. What kind of logic is that?"
Zhu Qizheng was surprised by Wen Chensi's sharp retort, " Lord Wen, we are all court officials, why are you speaking so rudely?"
Wen Chensi chuckled in exasperation. They were both planning to shut down the girls' school she had founded—what difference was there between that and tearing down their roof? Did they really expect her to be nice?
Is she some kind of pushover?
Wen Chensi gave a forced smile, "I have even harsher things to say, Official Zhu, would you like to hear them?"
Zhu Qizheng felt a chill run down his spine when he saw her smile, while Wen Chensi's expression seemed somewhat familiar to him.
He remembered! Ever since Tao Jiang entered the girls' school, hadn't she also gained confidence, just like her?
If all women studying at girls' schools were like this, what would happen if this continued?
Zhu Qizheng solemnly said, "Your Majesty, please abolish the girls' schools. If women are not stable, then the court will not be stable."
[Pah, pah, pah, what a high-sounding way of putting it.]
This was the first time Wen Chensi had heard such words in the imperial court. She smiled and said, "Doesn't that mean we women are very capable?"
Zhu Qizheng and He Xi remained silent, while Wen Chensi continued, "Actually, I think the two gentlemen's fiancées could also come to the girls' school. Our girls' school not only teaches knowledge, but also self-defense skills."
[Hahahaha, is this saying we didn't beat them enough?]
He Xi suddenly felt a faint pain on his face. He ignored Wen Chensi and just looked at the emperor on the dragon throne.
As long as the emperor is present, whatever Wen Chensi says will be of no use.
The emperor glanced at Zhu Qizheng and He Xi, "What you two said makes a lot of sense."
A glimmer of hope appeared before Zhu Qizheng and He Xi's eyes.
"But girls' schools are also fundamental to the nation; if girls' schools are unstable, the court will be unstable."
Does a girls' school really hold such an important position? But these were the emperor's words, and even if the two women wanted to, they dared not refute them.
The emperor continued, " The Great Xia may seem prosperous now, but it is actually beset by internal and external troubles. Since you two are so willing to help, why don't you go to Danzhou and assist the local people?"
[Oh dear, exiled. Danzhou may have a lot of miasma, but it has coconuts. Be content.]
Zhu Qizheng and He Xi collapsed to the ground.
After the court session, the two eagerly went to find the emperor, but were stopped at the door by Eunuch Wang.
Eunuch Wang kindly reminded him, "His Majesty means for the two of you to travel together, since you two are so in love, aren't you?"
Zhu Qizheng angrily said, "You..."
He Xi pressed his hand down; they were about to leave anyway, and it wasn't worth offending Eunuch Wang.
As Zhu Qizheng and He Xi were leaving, Tong Aning also went to join in the fun.
Watching the two support each other as they walked away, she sighed, "This is what it means to be a couple for life."
Lou Yingyu: "..."
If those two could hear Tong Aning's inner thoughts, they'd probably be furious.
Two days later.
The emperor held a welcoming banquet for Meng Yu and others in the palace.
Tong Aning followed Su Zhouyue into the palace. On the way, they met Xue Lin. She went to talk to Xue Lin, but when she turned around, she found that Su Zhouyue had walked ahead of her at some point.
Tong Aning caught up with her, took her arm, and asked, "Mother, why didn't you wait for me?"
Su Zhouyue blinked, "Do I look bright, Mommy?"
Tong Aning: "..."
"Why did you come so quickly? Didn't you want to say a few more words to Heir Xue?" Su Zhouyue patted Tong Aning's hand, her eyes filled with mockery.
Tong Aning said, "We see each other every day, there's nothing to say."
"Tell us," Su Zhouyue poked Tong Aning's head, "When did you start liking this so much? We had no idea."
Tong Aning gave a simple, honest smile. "I don't know either."
Su Zhouyue wanted to say a few more words, but she was so charmed by her daughter's cuteness that she couldn't help but smile.
The two entered the hall and found their places.
It's unclear who deliberately arranged it, but Xue Lin was directly opposite Tong Aning, and the two could see each other as soon as they looked up.
Sichen noticed that his young master was staring at Miss Tong without blinking, and the smile on Sichen's face gradually changed.
Upon closer inspection, they discovered that their young master was secretly noting down Miss Tong's preferences.
Tsk, isn't that enough?
These days, whatever Miss Tong likes, her young master has collected and given to Miss Tong.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Everyone stood up.
The Emperor strode in with steady steps. "Today's main guests are General Meng and his family. Please pretend I am not here."
Meng Yu: "Your Majesty, your subject and my family cannot bear such words."
The emperor walked up to Meng Yu and patted Meng Yu on the shoulder, saying, "You have relieved my worries and protected the Great Xia. How could I not deserve such a responsibility?"
"So, I shall accept this?"
The emperor nodded and said cheerfully, "Of course."
During the banquet, the emperor brought up Azhu's marriage. Tong Aning and Lou Yingyu went to see Azhu, but they had never heard of any marriage.
Zhuang Qing said, "It was just a joke back then, and so much time has passed, I don't know if it still holds true."
The Emperor smiled and said, "Minister Li mentioned this matter to me yesterday, so I suppose he was serious."
Meng Yu said at the opportune moment, "Then the two children should be allowed to meet."
Although Meng Yu said this, he was dissatisfied in his heart.
Zhuang Qing and Li Nan's wife Cui Xuetao, are good friends.
When the two women were pregnant at the same time, they decided to arrange a marriage between their children.
So many years have passed, and the Li family has never mentioned this matter. Even if they still acknowledge this marriage, they should have consulted with them first. Why did they bypass them and go directly to His Majesty?
Is she trying to force me into marriage?
Zhuang Qing: "..."
The banquet had already ended, and after listening to her husband's analysis, Zhuang Qing was speechless.
Zhuang Qing said leisurely, "How do you know it wasn't His Majesty's intention?"
Meng Yu good in every way, except that he is too honest. Fortunately, with her watching over him all these years, he hasn't made any major mistakes.
Meng Yu frowned.
"Your prestige is currently very high, so you must choose your son-in-law carefully. A high-ranking official or a military general would make His Majesty wary. The Li family is the most suitable choice."
After saying that, Zhuang Qing sighed, "Luckily Azhu isn't here, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to say it."
Meng Yu looked at Zhuang Qing, "You admit it?"
"If the man from the Li family were a suitable husband, that would be fine, but if not..."
She won't admit it!
Meng Yu nodded. "I mean the same thing."
They finally managed to find Azhu. Azhu has suffered so much, they can't let her suffer any more.
Azhu and Lou Yingyu were in the Marquis's carriage together.
Tong Aning and Lou Yingyu pressed Azhu for answers and finally learned the whole story.
Unexpectedly, Lou Yingyu said the same thing as Zhuang Qing.
Tong Aning and Azhu looked at her as if they had seen a ghost.
Lou Yingyu: "What's wrong?"
Tong Aning said dejectedly, "How come I'm still so stupid, while you're secretly getting smarter?"
Lou Yingyu retorted irritably, "What do you mean by 'secretly clever'? I've always been incredibly clever."
"Yes, yes, you're smart."
The two went to see Azhu, Azhu looked very serious.
Lou Yingyu comforted her, "Don't worry, your parents aren't the type to give in easily."
Azhu nodded.
The next day.
The young master of the Li family sent an invitation, asking Azhu to meet him at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion.
Lou Yingyu had business at the Court of State Ceremonial and couldn't leave, Tong Aning accompanied Azhu to the appointment.
Li Yurong has a dignified appearance and looks like a good person.
" Miss Meng, Miss Tong."
Azhu and Tong Aning nodded to Li Yurong.
Li Yurong is a humorous and witty person. No matter how boring or dull something is, it will become very interesting when he talks about it.
Azhu and Tong Aning both had a good impression of him.
But if it's about getting married, it's still not possible.
Tong Aning planned to go back and ask Xixi whether Li Yurong was reliable or not.
If it's unreliable, she'll find a way to remind Azhu.
Who knew that Li Yurong herself would start to expose her own scandals?
Li Yurong said politely, "It's like this, the daughter of my mother's savior is staying at our residence. I promised to marry her, and she said she'd be willing to be a concubine. I hope Miss Meng won't mind."
Tong Aning: "???"
[You praised me too early.]
Before Azhu could react, Tong Aning demanded aggressively, "What did you say?"
Li Yurong paused, "There's nothing we can do about it."
Tong Aning raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean there's nothing you can do? Your sweetheart wants to be your concubine now, and you can't do anything about it?"
[If they had any backbone, they would have broken off the engagement!]
Li Yurong didn't expect that Tong Aning, who seemed easy to get along with, would turn on her so easily, and even more so after turning on her.
He said, "She did it voluntarily; she's really a very sensible person."
Don't you think what you're saying sounds weak?
Tong Aning rolled her eyes, grabbed Azhu, and started to leave.
Li Yurong panicked and stood in front of them, asking, "Did I do something wrong?"
Tong Aning: "Because you lack responsibility."
" Miss Tong, I wanted to say this just now. This is a marriage between Miss Meng and me. It's one thing for you to come along with her, but you've repeatedly tried to sow discord between us. What are your intentions?"
Li Yurong narrowed his eyes. "As far as I know, Miss Tong is already engaged to Heir Xue, right? Could it be that she intends to ruin her friend's marriage and two-timing him?"
Tong Aning suspected there was something wrong with her ears.
[... Could the other ship be his?]
[Did he break down, or did he suddenly go crazy?]
Li Yurong, upright and incorruptible, said, "I will marry no one but Miss Meng. Miss Tong, you shouldn't even think about me."
Tong Aning: "?"
Yingtao and A Shu, who came in after hearing the noise inside, asked, "?"
"Wow, how can someone be so shameless?" The two gritted their teeth. "How dare they talk to their young lady like that? Do they have a death wish?"
[You still insist on marrying only Azhu? Weren't you already with that other person? You even have a child with her. And you're still acting all righteous and upright, pretending to be such a devoted lover.]
Tong Aning had never been so speechless in her life.
With a snap.
Azhu lashed out at Li Yurong's face with her whip, and said coldly, "Apologize to Aning."