The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Mo Lei's words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up a turbulent wave within Princess Jue Ling. She abruptly stood up, slapping Mo Lei's hand off her shoulder. Her eyes widened in anger, "Stop trying to sow discord! I'm His Majesty's biological sister. He loves me dearly, so how could he do that for a woman..."

Princess Jue Ling's voice suddenly stopped at this point. She recalled Chai Zhen's various special treatments towards Cen Jie Xiao these days, and the gentle look in his eyes when he looked at Cen Jie Xiao. The feeling of uneasiness in her heart became stronger and stronger.

A sinister quirk appeared at the corner of Mo Lei's mouth, knowing his plan was already halfway successful. "Your Highness, there's no need to worry too much. His Majesty and you are siblings, after all. No matter how favored Cen Jiexiao is, she can't surpass you. It's just..."

He deliberately dragged out his words, observing Princess Jue Ling's expression. Seeing that she was indeed anxious, he slowly said, "It's just that in this harem, the Queen has the final say, and Sister Cen Xiao is currently in the limelight. If Your Majesty really has real feelings for her, then..."

Princess Jue Ling's face changed. She certainly understood what Mo Lei meant. If Chai Zhen really wanted to make Cen Jiexiao his empress, wouldn't she, as his younger sister, be trampled underfoot? Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis.

"What do you have in mind?" Princess Jue Ling asked in a low voice, with a barely perceptible hint of ruthlessness in her tone.

Mo Lei leaned close to Princess Jue Ling's ear and whispered a few words. Princess Jue Ling's expression gradually became firm from the initial hesitation. Finally, she gritted her teeth and nodded to Mo Lei as if she had made up her mind.

"Okay, I'll do as you say!"

……

Chai Zhen stood by the window of the imperial study, gazing at the distant sky, his brow furrowed. He had been restless for the past few days, feeling a certainty that something was about to happen. Ever since the last sacrificial ceremony, he had become even more attached to Cen Jiexiao, even toying with the idea of making her empress. However, he also knew that Cen Jiexiao held a special status, and any rash action would likely cause a stir within the court.

Even more worrying was his sister, Chai Ling. Spoiled by the Empress Dowager since childhood, she was unruly and headstrong, acting without regard for the consequences. Previously, a guard had been beaten to death by the Empress Dowager simply for looking at another palace maid, a matter that he had to suppress by wielding imperial power. Even a tragedy that had occurred a few years earlier was still fresh in the minds of those within the palace. Now, the appearance of Cen Jiexiao had undoubtedly touched a nerve in her. He shuddered to imagine what madness Chai Ling would do if she knew his feelings for her.

"Li Dehai!" Chai Zhen summoned his most trusted confidant and ordered in a deep voice, "Mr. Li, go to Zhaoyin Academy in person and make sure to invite Dean Cen to the palace."

"Your Majesty, this..." Li Dehai looked embarrassed, "As for the Queen Mother..."

"Don't pay attention to her!" Chai Zhen said with a hint of annoyance, "Just say I have something important to discuss with you, and no one is allowed to stop me!"

"Yes!" Li Dehai took the order and quickly retreated.

Shai Zhen rubbed his brows, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He hoped that everything would not be so bad.

Inside Zhaoyin Academy, Cen Jiexiao was discussing the latest printing technology with her students. Since she brought the knowledge of improved movable type printing, seen in modern textbooks, to the Great Zhou, the cost of printing books has been greatly reduced, allowing more people to gain access to knowledge.

"Dean Cen, someone is coming from the emperor's palace." Xiaozhi hurried into the classroom and interrupted Cen Jiexiao's explanation.

"The Emperor's Palace?" Cen Jiexiao frowned slightly. "Who is coming?"

"It was Eunuch Li. He said that His Majesty summoned you to the palace to discuss important matters." Xiaozhi replied.

Cen Jiexiao was confused, but she also knew that the emperor's order could not be disobeyed, so she had to put down what she was doing and follow Li Dehai into the palace.

Along the way, Cen Jiexiao wondered why Chai Zhen had summoned her to the palace. Could it be that there were new clues regarding the sacrificial ceremony? Or perhaps... thinking of a certain possibility, Cen Jiexiao's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

Arriving outside the imperial study, Li Dehai bowed and said, "Master Cen, His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

Cen Jiexiao took a deep breath, sorted out her thoughts, and then stepped in.

"Your Majesty, I am Cen Jiexiao, your humble servant, here to pay my respects to you." Cen Jiexiao bowed respectfully.

"No need to be polite." Chai Zhen looked at the woman before him, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. "Lord Cen, I summoned you today because I have something to tell you."

Cen Jiexiao's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface. "Your Majesty, please speak."

"It's like this," Chai Zhen paused, as if weighing his words, "I've heard that Princess Jue Ling has been paying a lot of attention to you recently, and seems to want to investigate your background..."

Hearing the name "Jue Ling," Cen Jiexiao's mind suddenly became clear. She had also learned about this unruly and headstrong princess through the Qiming Group, and it seemed that the princess had no intention of investigating her and was instead using her as a pretext.

"Your Majesty, I grew up in the academy since I was young, and never left the main gate. Later, for the sake of my late father and the future of hundreds of people in the academy, I became the head of a department of Zhaoyin Academy by chance. I don't know why Your Highness the Princess wants to inquire about my background, but I have nothing to fear. If Your Highness the Princess has any questions, I will tell you everything I know." Cen Jiexiao answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Chai Zhen looked at Cen Jiexiao's calm expression and secretly admired her composure. But he knew better than to mention that Jue Ling wasn't someone who would give up easily. This matter probably wouldn't be so easily resolved.

"I know you have doubts in your heart, but I can assure you that I will never let anyone hurt you...you, the loyal minister of the Great Zhou!" Chai Zhen's tone was firm, his eyes full of sincerity.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness." Cen Jiexiao lowered her head to hide the complex emotions in her eyes.

Chai Zhen looked at the woman in front of him, and an indescribable impulse surged in his heart. He wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her how much he cared about her, but reason told him that now was not the time.

"Okay, it's getting late. I'll have someone take you back." Chai Zhen suppressed the impulse in his heart and said softly.

Sister Cen bowed and turned to leave, but Chai Zhen grabbed her wrist.

"Sister Cen Xiao..." Chai Zhen's voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of suppressed emotion.

Cen Jiexiao's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She looked up at Chai Zhen, but saw a burning flame in his eyes. The flame was so hot and dangerous that she couldn't help but want to escape.

"Your Majesty..." Cen Jiexiao's voice trembled slightly. She wanted to break free from Chai Zhen's grip, but found that his hands were like iron clamps, firmly holding her and making her unable to move.

"Don't move..." Chai Zhen's voice was low and hoarse, as if he was trying hard to endure something. He slowly approached Cen Jiexiao, his hot breath spraying on her ear, making her tremble all over.

"Your Majesty, do you know... it's very dangerous for you to do this..." Cen Jiexiao's voice was intermittent, with a hint of irresistible temptation. She wanted to remind Chai Zhen that such an inappropriate behavior might bring danger to herself and bring him unnecessary trouble.

But after all, Cen Jiexiao had been practicing martial arts almost every day since arriving in this era, and her physical fitness had greatly improved. She took a deep breath, mobilized all her strength, and finally broke free from Chai Zhen's restraints.

She staggered back a few steps, putting some distance between herself and Chai Zhen. Her eyes darted around in panic, not daring to look him in the eye.