The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

At this moment, the old headmaster, Xie Nanfei, slowly stood up, leaning on his cane. A genial smile graced his face, and his gaze swept over the young faces in the audience, some pensive, some admiring, some hesitant. He coughed softly, attracting everyone's attention, and then he slowly spoke, his voice rich and warm, like a respected elder recounting past experiences.

"I remember when I was young, not long after the late emperor ascended the throne, he visited Zhaoyin Academy and discussed philosophy with many great scholars. It was then that the late emperor took a fancy to a century-old tree in the academy and asked if I could gift it to him, saying that with this tree, the scenery within the imperial palace might be different from before."

There was a hint of nostalgia in the old headmaster's tone, as if bringing time back to those youthful years.

A student in the audience, unable to contain his curiosity, stood up and asked, "Old Headmaster, you certainly didn't give it to the late emperor, right? Now we pass by that old tree every day when we study."

"Yes." The old headmaster smiled and nodded, with a look of nostalgia on his face, as if he was recalling the past.

The old headmaster smiled brightly and waved his hand gently, signaling everyone to continue listening.

"Indeed, the tree was not gifted to the late emperor. He had his doubts at the time, as it was just an ordinary tree. But I explained to him that the tree had been growing here for over a hundred years, its roots were deep and intertwined, and if it were uprooted, the entire academy would be affected. So, was the late emperor willing to acquire the tree and change the scenery of the palace? Or would he give up the tree and keep it, allowing everything in the academy to continue as before? From then on, until his death, the late emperor never mentioned the gift of the tree again."

"So, whether the scenery of the palace changes or remains unchanged has nothing to do with others, let alone trees, but rather has to do with whether you are truly willing to change." The old headmaster's eyes were deep, as if he was expounding a philosophy, causing the students to fall into deep thought.

"Haha, you've talked too much, too much. I, an old man, won't talk here anymore." The old headmaster smiled and shook his head, as if he was making fun of himself for talking too much.

The old headmaster had a kind face and turned to look at Cen Jiexiao with a hearty laugh. His tone was a bit teasing, yet also sincere, as if he was encouraging her, as if he was comforting her: "My daughter of the Cen family, do your best in everything, and have no regrets whether you succeed or fail."

The old headmaster's tone was calm and firm, but it contained profound philosophy, which shocked Cen Jiexiao's heart, as if her soul was cleansed by a stream of clear spring.

Cen Jiexiao bent down and saluted to express her gratitude to Xie Laoshan. She did not say anything, but just bowed deeply to express her gratitude for the old master's teachings.

Cen Jiexiao raised her head and gazed at the wise man with white hair, her heart full of awe and admiration. She seemed to see the elders in her own family. No matter how much glory and difficulties the children experienced outside, they always looked forward to and happily welcomed the children home. No matter how many achievements the children made, they always encouraged the children to keep moving forward with the simplest words.

Thinking of this, Cen Jiexiao's eyes couldn't help but flush. She took a deep breath, suppressed the thoughts in her heart, and tried to keep herself calm.

She gently stroked the plain skirt in her hand, and the hem of the skirt swayed gently with her steps, like a lotus in the water. She walked to the center of the stage, calmed herself down, and glanced softly at the crowded audience below. Everyone below the stage, both men and women, looked at her with anticipation. They all longed to hear Cen Jiexiao's poems.

She coughed softly, the sound crisp and melodious, and then she softly recited a poem that appeared in another time and space: "Ten years of life and death, two vast miles apart, even though I don't think of you, I can never forget you. A thousand miles away, a lonely grave, with nowhere to share my desolation. Even if we met, we would not recognize each other, with dust on my face and hair like frost. Last night, a dream suddenly brought me back to my hometown, where I was dressing by the window. We looked at each other without words, only tears streaming down my face. I imagine that every year, my heart breaks, on moonlit nights, by the short pine hill."

When Cen Jiexiao finished reciting this "own" work with a tone full of longing and expectation, the audience was silent. Everyone was immersed in Cen Jiexiao's poetry and feeling the emotions contained in it.

What she didn't notice was that some people in the audience, regardless of gender, age or status, were so moved by the poem that their eyes were red. They seemed to see the longing hidden deep in their hearts, the unspeakable sadness in their hearts, and the expectations for the future in their hearts.

The three examiners on the stage never expected that Cen Jiexiao, who had never been able to read since childhood, could write such a soulful poem. The expressions of the people in the audience were full of surprise and admiration. They were shocked and impressed by Cen Jiexiao's talent.

Even the self-proud Li Chongguang became a little nervous, his face full of uneasiness and anxiety, as if his self-confidence was challenged by Cen Jiexiao's talent.

Senior Brother Chen still had that same reassuring smile on his face that never changed. His eyes were full of admiration and encouragement, as if he had already anticipated Sister Cen Xiao's talent.

"The whole poem is full of deep emotions. Through the depiction of life and death, dreams and reality, it shows one party's deep longing for the deceased and the feeling of the impermanence of life. This poem also reflects the persistence in true love and the lingering thought of the beloved. What a good poem, what a good poem." Lord Han commented first. His voice was loud and powerful, full of admiration for Cen Jiexiao's poems.

"The creative style of this girl from the Cen family is indeed unique. She skillfully uses the method of combining the real and the imaginary. The first stanza is realistic, and the second stanza records a dream. Through the contrast between dreams and reality, the emotional depth of the lyrics is deepened, which makes people empathize with them." The words of Dean Xie Laoshan are not only an affirmation of Cen Jiexiao's works, but also an understanding and perception of the art of poetry.

"Although my wife has passed away for many years, after listening to this poem, every little thing we did together can still be vividly remembered." There was a hint of sadness in the words of Mr. Xie, the old mountain director, as if he was recalling every little thing with his late wife.

"People often say that words are dead things, only people give them soul. I guess this is what they mean." Mr. Xie's words not only express his longing for his deceased wife, but also his affirmation of Cen Jiexiao's works. His words are warm and gentle, which makes people feel inexplicably at ease.

General Zhou, clad in gleaming silver armor, looked incredibly reliable. He spoke in a low, somewhat embarrassed voice, "I'm not very good at saying nice things. I spend all day in the barracks training with my brothers, eating and sleeping together. The Japanese pirates have been restless lately, so things have become more complicated, and I've had less time to go home. My wife has been taking care of all the big and small matters at home. Hearing what Miss Cen said, I really miss my old lady."

When Wei Gang heard this, he immediately came over and joked, "Hey, Brother Zhou, are you in a hurry to go back and wash your sister-in-law's feet and massage her shoulders, or warm the bed?"

Hearing Wei Gang teasing his elder brother, General Zhou, everyone present burst into laughter.

"That's nothing. One time, I was on duty in the watchtower and happened to see Brother Zhou's yard. Guess what? Brother Zhou was lying on the ground, letting his sister-in-law ride a big horse! When he was imitating the horse's neighing, his eyes were narrowed into slits, and he was laughing so happily! It's a pity that I couldn't hear what they were whispering to each other!" Another soldier, Liu Yilong, also got excited and talked about it with exaggeration.

At this time, a handsome young man in a white shirt waved a folding fan and said with a smile: "You guys, if you ask me, you should learn from Brother Zhou. When you marry a wife in the future, you must treat her well." Although this man was not wearing armor, his heroic spirit was no less than that of the people next to him. You could tell at a glance that he was a handsome young man who was both civil and military.

Cen Jiexiao secretly observed the young man, thinking to herself, "Isn't he the Chen Jingxing, the military advisor of the anti-Japanese camp, that Senior Brother mentioned?"

"You little brats, you only know how to tease me! Look at how good Mr. Chen is at speaking, and then look at you. If I don't train you for a day, I don't know where your energy will go! Besides, I am the head of the family!" General Zhou was amused by them until his face turned red, like a shy big child.

Unexpectedly, these burly soldiers were also very lively and answered in unison: "As you command, head of the family!"

"Hahahaha..." This time, everyone couldn't help themselves, laughter came one after another, and the joyful atmosphere instantly filled the entire academy.