Dowager Consort De has died.
She died in front of the retired emperor.
On her deathbed, she asked the Emperor Emeritus, "Did you ever have me in your heart?"
However, she never received an answer before she closed her eyes forever.
Tang Zhuyun wasn't present, but the thought of that scene still made her uncomfortable.
Yanran pouted and said, "No matter what her feelings are for my grandfather, she's no good. Mother, if my father were to be unfaithful to you, would you turn love into hate and harm someone else?"
To put it bluntly, this person is inherently bad.
"Exactly," Xiu'er said, "She arrived at the Emperor Emeritus's side later than Xiao Wu, but she dared to say that she was the Emperor Emeritus's first woman."
This kind of woman is a complete hypocrite.
The ones before and after don't count, only hers counts.
They're not even worthy of sympathy if they're dead.
Tang Zhuyun said, "I'm not sympathizing with her, I just feel uncomfortable thinking about it. The Emperor Emeritus this time..."
He already had a heart condition, and this severe shock made me wonder if we should be preparing for a national mourning period!
"You're overthinking it," said Xiuer, the gossip Xiu'er. "I just had someone check this morning, and the Emperor Emeritus is perfectly fine! He even drank a big bowl of rice porridge and ate half a sesame seed cake this morning."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"I remember," Xiu'er nodded Yanran's head, "Men are the most selfish. They can give everything for what they like right now; they can be completely indifferent to what they don't like."
"What's the point of telling me?" Yanran pouted. "Teach Guagua instead."
"What, you're still thinking about not getting married!"
"I won't marry."
Xiu'er: "A bet?"
What are we betting on?
"I bet you'll definitely get married before you turn twenty, I bet you a thousand, no, five thousand taels of silver, are you in?"
"Dare!" Yanran laughed loudly, "Can I borrow at least two thousand taels of silver to spend now, with the promise that I'll pay it back with interest when I turn twenty?"
Xiu'er is doomed to lose!
Tang Zhuyun remained silent.
Xiu'er waved her hand and said, "Go ahead and borrow with confidence; anyway, when the time comes, both my five thousand taels of silver and the Zidu have a source."
Don't you like it?
Cui Xiaoqiu, you're in for it!
As it turns out, Tang Zhuyun was indeed overthinking things.
As expected, nothing happened to the retired emperor, and he even accepted a group of young women that Emperor Wen had given him as a sign of filial piety.
I'm speechless.
Ren Yingying went to the palace to find Tang Zhuyun to discuss the matter of the girls' academy.
"After the New Year, we'll find someone to build the house in the spring." Ren Yingying showed the blueprints to Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun was amazed when she saw the detailed blueprints.
"It covers 300 acres... You have to ask your man for this land. The location doesn't need to be too good, but it shouldn't be too remote either..." Ren Yingying muttered to herself.
Tang Zhuyun then asked her, "Who drew the blueprints?"
The scroll is vast and intricate, yet its exquisite detail is breathtaking.
"It was drawn by Lei Qun, the head of the Lei Family. Isn't it amazing?" Ren Yingying said.
"So you're from the Lei Family."
Tang Zhuyun had heard of the Lei Family, a family of imperial craftsmen.
"Since we're going to do it, let's do it to the best of our ability," Ren Yingying said. "Our academy should last at least five or six hundred years."
It would be best to keep driving all the way to Hyundai!
"It's a good idea, but we also need to consider the budget," Tang Zhuyun said. "This matter is already facing many obstacles; if too much money is spent, the obstacles will likely become even greater."
"I'll pay," Ren Yingying said. "All the craftsmen from the Lei Family don't need money."
"Um?"
Lei Qun approached me on his own initiative. Hearing that I was going to build a girls' academy, he said he wanted to do his part.
"Are there still men like this here?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
Emperor Wen and Qu Nian were simply showing respect for their wives.
It's practically impossible for them to take the initiative to advance women's rights.
It's not their fault, because this goes against the education they received from childhood.
That's why Tang Zhuyun was surprised that there were actually men willing to dedicate themselves to the girls' academy.
Could it be that Lei Qun also has a wife from another time...? Please don't, too many time-travelers make one feel insecure.
After hearing her words, Ren Yingying said, "Do you think time travel is so easy? Lei Qun is already married, with a wife and a concubine. I've already investigated that."
If she were truly a time-traveling woman, who could accept such a marital relationship?
Tang Zhuyun said, "That's a bit strange... but having only one wife and one concubine is probably considered a good man in this era."
"Why do you care so much?" Ren Yingying said. "Anyway, it's a good thing that someone is willing to help. And look at these blueprints, aren't you excited? As expected of the Lei Family!"
Tang Zhuyun felt something was off about the matter and said, "Let's have someone else take a look privately."
We can't let the Lei Family know, lest we hurt the feelings of those who genuinely wanted to help; but such a big matter requires careful consideration.
"That's what Qu Nian said too. He had someone check it out, and there's no problem."
"That's fine."
"I have another idea," Ren Yingying said. "Those who donate to the academy can have priority admission; impoverished families who can't afford it can come and work. This way, we can select a group of people who are truly willing to support the academy with their hard work and money."
Only after the academy is established and several classes of students successfully "graduate" and their lives are truly changed can more people dispel their doubts and join in.
When Ren Yingying talked about these things, her eyes shone brightly, and her confident demeanor drew attention.
"Alright." Tang Zhuyun then explained her thoughts, "We also need to carefully consider which subjects to offer at the academy. To facilitate management and avoid any mistakes, we should maintain strict all-girls management. There will be no men from top to bottom. However, the problem is whether we will have enough female teachers..."
She had seriously considered it. She and Ren Yingying could support the medical department; it wouldn't be difficult to find teachers for the talents of ordinary women; but if they wanted to improve their health, learn martial arts, horseback riding and archery... then Nanxing and Yanran would probably have to take on the responsibility.
"It's okay, it'll definitely be a bit tiring at first, but we'll figure it out as we go." Ren Yingying said confidently, "There are always more solutions than problems. We'll definitely encounter more problems than we expect, but we'll take it slow."
"Okay." Tang Zhuyun nodded, "I'll also contribute some of my own savings; I can't let you pay for everything."
"The more the better," Ren Yingying exclaimed. "I've finally become a rich person in this life. If I don't spend money like water, wouldn't that be like wearing fine clothes in the dark?"
Just do it! Just spend it!
To leave a mark on history and change the fate of others—what a proud thing that is!
Go for it!
"I heard that delegations from various countries are coming to Beijing at the end of the year. Are you going to be busy again?" Ren Yingying asked after finishing her business.
With a new emperor ascending the throne, the surrounding countries will certainly have to come and offer tribute to show their sincerity.
"Zhou Yanhui won't be coming, will she?" Ren Yingying asked.
"No, she's a smart person."