Her guards

Chapter 70 The Emperor's Explanation

As the sunlight slanted down, the bustling Qin Zheng Hall gradually quieted down.

The emperor looked up from the memorial, trying to ease the strain in his eyes, and then saw a youthful face peeking in from outside the door...

"Father."

The emperor's tense face instantly broke into a smile: "Heisei, school's out."

He looked at the sky outside.

"Why are you so late today?"

Princess Heicheng's face was also full of smiles, as her father remembered the time when she left school.

“Father has been busy,” she said. “I’ve been writing in the study next door.”

Everyone says he spoiled Princess Heicheng, but in fact, this child never needed to be spoiled. She was the most sensible. The emperor's smile deepened, and he gestured for his daughter to step forward.

Princess Heisei followed the instructions and sat down at the desk.

She didn't mince words: "When I left in the morning, I went to greet my mother and told her that I had come to see my father early in the morning. I was in a hurry to go to school, so I didn't come over to ask."

She explained the whole story and looked at the emperor.

"So I came to see if there's anything I can do to help?"

The emperor laughed heartily. Now, when others spoke to him, they had to beat around the bush, hint at his thoughts indirectly, and try to guess what he was thinking...

The same applies to the concubines, princesses, and princes in the palace.

Only this daughter remained open and honest with him.

"There is a small matter," the emperor said with a smile. "Even if you hadn't asked, I would have come to you to tell you."

Princess Heicheng quickly sat up straight: "Father, please speak."

"Because there are some criticisms about sending Yang Hui to serve as your tutor," the emperor said. "So your mother and I have discussed it and decided to select a tutor for both Wu Yang and Nangong as well."

This might sound like a small matter, but Princess Heisei was taken aback. From childhood, she had enjoyed many things on her own. Although they were all princesses, her status was different from the others, a fact known to everyone…

Why is there controversy over a mere page?

Who is criticizing it?

She clenched her hands on her knees, but smiled and nodded, "So that's what it was about." Then she thought seriously, "But since they didn't go through the normal selection process and are maids, they are easily criticized in the Imperial Academy."

After saying this, he looked at the emperor.

"Even the young lady from the Duke of Ding'an, with her status, would be called shameless if she were by my side."

The emperor was taken aback.

He knew that young girls weren't all as delicate as they appeared; some were sharp-tongued and capable of being aggressive and even violent.

But it's only been a few days, and it's already causing trouble?
The emperor frowned: "In this place where scholars and sages reside, whose young lady would be so rude?"

Princess Heicheng smiled and said, "Father, there's no need to pursue this matter. It's a minor issue. It's inevitable that there will be some arguments when people gather together. Besides, it's precisely because they are scholars who worked hard to pass the exams that they would be angry to see such irregularities. Father, rest assured, I have already appeased them. What I meant was that the position of a tutor is not very prestigious. I'm afraid that those who are selected will not be able to study and will be ashamed to face others..."

The emperor nodded with a smile: "With you here, I have no worries." He coughed lightly, "You don't need to worry about my less-than-respectable status either. I will still choose someone from the Duke of Ding'an's mansion. Anyway, one person has already been ridiculed, so two more won't make a difference."

He even sneered inwardly.

This is better.

He was worried that the two of them would be smug and fawned over after they went in, but he didn't expect that some female students would already be disgusted by such behavior.

Princess Heisei didn't reveal the female student's name, fearing he would punish her. In fact, he had no intention of punishing her; rather, he wanted to reward her.

Of course, besides keeping the truth from his daughter, he also couldn't tell her these kinds of things.

When the emperor saw that Princess Heisei, despite trying her best to remain calm, was still a teenager, he couldn't help but show a look of astonishment and seemed somewhat disappointed.

The emperor quickly added, "I spoke with your maternal grandfather, and he agreed. He has already informed the Duke of Ding'an's family. It's quite a coincidence that two daughters from relatives of the Duke of Ding'an's family came over. They are about the same age and are said to be making a fuss at home because they are jealous of Yang Hui's studies. When they heard that they were chosen, the Duke of Ding'an was extremely grateful."

It turned out that her maternal grandfather also agreed. Princess Heisei loosened her clenched hand slightly, so it seemed that doing so was inevitable.

Oh well.

Princess Heicheng smiled: "It's good that Father Emperor has made the decision." Then she raised an eyebrow, "Now our studies will be even more lively."

The emperor naturally understood the meaning behind this commotion.

The emperor looked guilty. He had sent his daughter to school, but now he had to deal with all this trouble, trying to quell the quarrels between the female students...

“My son, you’ve worked so hard.” He said, “Studying is supposed to be a peaceful thing…” “Father,” Princess Heicheng interrupted the emperor, “Where in the world is there true peace? In the past, I was raised in the palace, with the protection of Father and Mother, and I had no worries. But in the future, I will have to leave the palace and deal with people. I should thank Father for giving me this opportunity so that I can learn to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, wisdom and foolishness, right and wrong, and soothe people’s hearts.”

The girl's eyes sparkled, and her face was full of pride.

"It's not hard work."

The emperor clapped his hands and laughed: "Excellent, excellent, excellent! She truly is worthy of being my daughter, Deng Shan's daughter!"

Princess Heisei bowed and said, "Father, please rest assured."

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer.

"My father is diligent in governing, so I've also gone to study."

The emperor nodded with a smile and then instructed, "Go see your mother first. She may not say it, but she misses you very much."

The father's instruction to his daughter to see her mother also showed that he missed his wife. Princess Heisei smiled even more, respectfully replied "Yes," and went out.

This time, however, Princess Heisei did not leave directly. Instead, she stopped outside the Hall of Diligent Governance and saw the emperor's chief eunuch heading towards the concubines' quarters...

Princess Heicheng lowered her eyes and said, "Go to the study and get the article I wrote today. I will take it to the Empress Dowager to read."

The eunuch beside him quickly responded and hurried off.

Princess Heisei stood there waiting, her gaze fixed on the Hall of Diligent Governance. A short while later, she saw the chief eunuch return…

Princess Wuyang and Princess Nangong were both there, hurrying towards the Hall of Diligent Governance with a mixture of nervousness and undisguised joy.

Father wants to see them.

That's right, we should explain to them that we're going to have them serve as tutors.

Princess Heisei clasped her hands in front of her, but in reality, there was no need for her father to personally instruct them. For such a trivial matter, she, as the older sister, could simply relay the message.

I have a feeling that my father is different today than he was yesterday.

……

.......
"Didn't you greet your father before you left school?"

As Princess Wuyang walked in, Consort Li, with her delicate features and wearing a pale yellow dress, quickly stood up to greet her, her willow-leaf eyebrows raised.

"Didn't I warn you that even if Father doesn't want to see you, you're not allowed to refuse to go?"

Princess Wuyang, who had been all smiles, was immediately displeased after being scolded: "Mother, of course I went, and I made sure the eunuchs saw us and told us that His Majesty was busy before we left."

Consort Li breathed a sigh of relief, but was still suspicious: "Then why did His Majesty suddenly summon you?"

It was probably only the founding emperors who considered their first wives and children as family. The concubines and their children who came later, although they were also father and daughters, were always separated by a layer and were more like subjects in the emperor's eyes.

The emperor rarely met with his other children alone; when there was something to discuss, it was either the empress or Princess Heisei who relayed the message.

Upon hearing her mother's question, Princess Wuyang's face lit up with joy.

"My father is asking me about my studies."

"Ask me how things are at the Academy of Chinese Studies."

"They even made Nangong and me write characters on the spot. Hehe, Mother, you know that when it comes to studying, I'm no less capable than Heisei."

"When my father saw my handwriting, he was very surprised and praised me earnestly."

Hearing her daughter's story, Consort Li was overjoyed and praised her repeatedly, but also cautioned her, "Do not be arrogant, and do not show any smugness."

Princess Wuyang nodded smugly, but with a hint of impatience, "I know, don't worry, I'm not stupid, and I know how to please Father." She muttered to herself, "It's just that Father didn't give me a chance before."

Now that's good, as long as her father is willing to see her more and listen to her, he will surely discover that she is the truly intelligent and sensible daughter.

Consort Li smiled and said no more: "Alright, you've worked hard, go and rest."

Princess Wuyang stretched and walked towards her palace, saying smugly, "Father Emperor also gave me and Nangong each a tutor. This time, it's not just Princess Pingcheng who has one."

Before he could finish speaking, Consort Li grabbed him.

She was caught off guard and almost fell.

"Mother," she couldn't help but complain.

Consort Li, oblivious to her daughter nearly falling, asked with a glint in her eye, "You and Nangong have also chosen tutors? Which family's daughters are they?"

(End of this chapter)