The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Cen Jiexiao smiled slightly. There was no trace of sarcasm or disdain in her smile, but rather a bit of sisterly tolerance and understanding.

"Your Highness, I have heard your story before. At that time, I, like you, believed that as long as a woman could find a suitable husband, she would be able to rest easy for the rest of her life."

Princess Jue Ling was slightly startled. She had not expected Sister Cen Xiao to say such a thing. It was completely different from the rumors she had heard in the palace. Those rumors said Sister Cen Xiao was a heretic and a demagogue, but now it seemed that she was a gentle and polite woman.

"I used to think that all a woman needed was beauty and a basic understanding of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But later on, I realized there's no such thing as a 'perfect husband' in this world. Even if you find one, can you guarantee that he'll love you forever? Can you guarantee that he'll never change his mind?"

Cen Jiexiao's tone was gentle, but every word she said was piercing, like a sharp blade piercing Princess Jue Ling's heart.

Princess Jue Ling had been instilled with the idea that "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent." She had always believed that as long as she married well, she would have a worry-free life. But Cen Jiexiao's words were like a bolt of lightning, shattering her long-held beliefs. Indeed, even a princess couldn't guarantee her husband's eternal loyalty and love.

"Your Highness, think about it, if one day, the husband you rely on no longer loves you and no longer protects you, how will you cope with it?" Cen Jiexiao's voice was not loud, but it was like a heavy hammer, hitting Princess Jue Ling's heart.

Princess Jue Ling's face gradually turned pale. She didn't dare to imagine such a scene, nor did she dare to imagine how she would survive without her support.

"That's why I founded Zhaoyin Academy. I want women everywhere to understand that women don't have to rely solely on men. Women can also have their own careers, their own dreams, and their own wonderful lives!" Cen Jiexiao's tone gradually became firm. "I hope that no matter what difficulties they encounter in the future, they can rely on themselves, rather than being like dodder, relying on others!"

Princess Jue Ling fell silent. She looked at the confident and determined woman before her, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart. She had lived a life of luxury, doted on, and had never experienced the hardships of life. She had never considered that a woman could have any other way of living besides relying on a man.

"Your Highness, I know, is born into a noble family, so naturally she wouldn't understand these things." Cen Jiexiao's tone softened a bit, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "But not everyone in this world is as lucky as Your Highness. Those women from poor backgrounds, without any special skills, are at the mercy of others, or even fall into prostitution and become men's playthings."

Although Princess Jue Ling was arrogant, she was not unreasonable. Although she did not like what Cen Jiexiao said, she had to admit that what she said was true.

"Therefore, I, a minister, reformed Zhaoyin Academy not for personal fame or reputation, but out of a sincere desire to change the status quo. I want to cultivate more talented women for the Great Zhou Dynasty, allowing them to step out of the harem, live for themselves, and contribute their own strength to the court!"

Cen Jiexiao's words echoed in Princess Jue Ling's ears like the sound of morning bells and evening drums. She looked at Cen Jiexiao and couldn't help but feel a touch of admiration for her. Perhaps she was wrong.

"Your Highness, do you know that our Great Zhou Dynasty is currently surrounded by powerful enemies and plagued by corrupt officials within? The people are suffering miserably." Cen Jiexiao looked at Princess Jue Ling, her eyes filled with worry. "If the tens of millions of women in our Great Zhou Dynasty could learn to read and serve the country, then our Great Zhou Dynasty would surely prosper."

Princess Jue Ling was deeply shocked by Cen Jiexiao's words. She had never thought that women could contribute to the country and change its destiny.

"What you said... is true?" Princess Jue Ling's voice trembled a little. She couldn't believe that the ideas she had always believed in could be easily overturned by a woman.

"Every word I've said is true. I have a friend from my hometown where women can attend institutions of higher learning and even become doctors. While they're not quite the same as our doctors, they're also incredibly talented individuals who contribute to their country and their people within their capabilities." Cen Jiexiao said firmly, "I believe that as long as the women of the Great Zhou work together and unite as one, we can change the status quo and create a Great Zhou Dynasty where women can have a bright future!"

Princess Jue Ling looked at the confident and determined woman before her, and her heart couldn't help but waver. She had never seen such a confident and ambitious woman in her life. Her words, like a seed, took root and sprouted in Princess Jue Ling's heart.

"You... do you really think that women can achieve great things like men?" Princess Jue Ling's voice trembled a little. She seemed to have seen a whole new world, a world where women could fly freely.

"Of course!" Cen Jiexiao showed a confident smile on her face. "Your Highness, think about it, if women can also read and write, and are proficient in arithmetic, then they can help their husbands run the business and manage the family business, and even serve the country as officials in the court like men!"

"To serve as an official in the court?" Princess Jue Ling widened her eyes. She had never thought that a woman could be an official.

"Of course!" Cen Jiexiao nodded affirmatively. "I believe that one day, women will be able to freely choose their own lives and their own destiny just like men!"

Cen Jiexiao's words were powerful and moving. Princess Jue Ling looked at her, a strange light flickering in her eyes. Perhaps she could truly trust this woman, believe she could change the world.

"Alright! I think what you said might... make some sense!" Princess Jue Ling took a deep breath and said with a firm look in her eyes, "I promise you, as long as Zhaoyin Academy works hard for our Great Zhou, I will never make things difficult for Zhaoyin Academy!"

Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao smiled with relief. She knew that Princess Jue Ling's transformation meant a new opportunity for the development of Zhaoyin Academy.

However, at this moment, a sharp voice suddenly rang out, breaking the harmonious atmosphere.

"Hey, isn't this our talented Miss Cen? How come you have time to come to my humble abode today?"

A woman dressed in gorgeous clothes and heavily made-up, surrounded by a group of palace maids, slowly walked into the room. She looked at Cen Jiexiao with eyes full of disdain and hostility.

The person who came was Li Shanggong, one of Empress Dowager Li's right-hand man and confidants.

The arrival of Li Shanggong was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. She twisted her slender waist and swayed with each step as she approached Cen Jiexiao. Her powdered face was covered in a false smile, but her eyes and eyebrows couldn't hide the contempt and hostility.

"Oh, isn't this our famous Dean Cen? How come you have time to come to the princess today? Are you going to try to bewitch her again?" Li Shanggong said sarcastically, her sharp voice was like nails scratching on stone slabs, making people get goose bumps.

Cen Jiexiao glanced at her calmly and said calmly, "Li Shanggong, you're joking. The princess is concerned about the cultivation and development of talent in our Great Zhou Dynasty, and Zhaoyin Academy cultivates all kinds of talents for our Great Zhou Dynasty. Reporting the academy's achievements to the princess is also my duty. How can you say 'bewitching words'? Li Shanggong, on the other hand, is not serving the Empress Dowager. Why do you have the leisure to come here?"

"You!" Li Shanggong's face froze, clearly having not expected Cen Jiexiao to be so disrespectful. She took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said with a forced smile, "Dean Cen is truly eloquent. I'm no match for him in sophistry. However, I've come here today at the request of the Empress Dowager, to see Her Royal Highness and to see what those who are spreading rumors and misleading the public are up to!"

After saying that, she flicked her sleeves suddenly, and a strong smell of powder hit her face, making Cen Jiexiao frown.

Princess Jue Ling had originally believed Cen Jiexiao's words, but was left bewildered by Li Shanggong's sudden move. For a moment, she could only sit there in a daze.

Seeing the princess remain silent, Concubine Li, believing she had intimidated her, grew even more complacent and unbridled. She sneered at Sister Cen and said, "Director Cen, don't blame me for not warning you. Don't use His Majesty as a safe haven to deceive the princess and tarnish the royal family's reputation! Don't let me get hold of any evidence!"

Cen Jiexiao sneered, fearlessly meeting Li Shanggong's gaze. She asked, "Li Shanggong, you're wrong. I'm devoted to the country, and everything I say and do is for the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty. How can you say I 'bewitched' or 'corrupted'? Li Shanggong, you keep saying I 'bewitched' the princess. Do you think that His Majesty the Emperor and Her Royal Highness the Princess are incapable of distinguishing right from wrong and can only be manipulated by others?"

"You...you are making excuses!" Li Shanggong was speechless after hearing what Cen Jiexiao said. She pointed at her angrily and couldn't say anything for a long time.