The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Beneath the altar, a bustling crowd and fluttering colorful flags filled the air. Cen Jiexiao wore a simple, elegant green dress. Her long, jet-black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, a few strands playfully draping across her face, accentuating her fair skin and picturesque features. She stared intently at the students in the dance troupe before her. These young women, each beautiful and graceful, were diligently rehearsing a dance for the sea god under her guidance.

Cen Jiexiao's eyes flickered between focus, confusion, a flicker of admiration, and a slight frown, as if she were meticulously examining every detail of the dance. In her hand, she held a folding fan painted with green bamboo—a gift from Chen Zigui, which she always kept with her, as if it were his incarnation, always accompanying her. She gently waved it, feeling the gentle breeze against her cheek, her mind already immersed in the choreography.

Xiaozhi, standing nearby, clutched a notebook filled with notes, densely transcribed with Cen Jiexiao's suggestions for dance moves and choreographic inspiration. She leaned close to Cen Jiexiao's ear and whispered, "Dean, wouldn't it be better if these spins were smoother? I saw them rehearsing just now, and it seemed like they were always a little off. The transitions weren't natural enough, and the power wasn't quite there."

Cen Jiexiao nodded slightly and said softly, "You're right. It needs to be smoother, gentle yet firm, to embody the Sea God's majesty and mercy." She paused, then continued, "Look, when they spin, their bodies should rise and fall like waves. The movements must be continuous and fluid, without any pauses. At the same time, their eyes should follow the movements, expressing their awe and prayer to the Sea God."

After that, she beckoned over the lead dancer, He Yunque, and began giving instructions in a soft, yet commanding voice, incorporating modern dance techniques into the performance, striving for flawless perfection in every movement. He Yunque listened attentively, nodding from time to time, his eyes filled with admiration and respect.

Chen Zigui stood not far away, watching Cen Jiexiao's earnest and focused expression, his eyes filled with tenderness and admiration. He wanted so badly to walk up to her, hold her hand, and tell her that no matter where, he would be by her side, supporting her and protecting her. But he knew he couldn't. Not right now.

"Sir Chen, what are you looking at? Are you looking at the dean?" Xiaozhi followed Chen Zigui's gaze and saw the dazzling Cen Jiexiao in the crowd. She asked innocently with a hint of ridicule in her tone.

Chen Zigui withdrew his gaze, hummed lightly, and said nothing more. Seeing this, Yu Lan was secretly proud. She covered her mouth with a chuckle and said deliberately, "Master Chen, how can there be such a remarkable woman like the dean in this world? She is not only knowledgeable, but also proficient in various unique skills and tricks. She can even guide this sacrificial dance so well. It is really admirable."

Chen Zigui did not respond, but just watched the rehearsal on the altar quietly. However, Cen Jiexiao's every smile and frown emerged in his mind. Her intelligence, her tenacity, and her kindness all deeply attracted him and made him unable to extricate himself.

With the ceremonial officer's resounding chant, "The auspicious hour has arrived!" the previously soothing, melodious chimes suddenly became high-pitched and passionate, as if announcing the start of the ceremony. Dancers, clad in magnificent attire, filed out in time with the changing music, dancing gracefully beneath the altar. Their movements were lithe and graceful, rising and falling like waves and nimble like seabirds, a sight to behold. The music, the singing, the sound of the waves, and the faint cries of seabirds in the distance intertwined to form a majestic symphony, a scene of sublime spectacle.

Clad in a dragon robe, Shai Zhen, guided by a ceremonial officer, slowly approached the altar, burning incense and praying for favorable weather, peace, and prosperity. His expression was solemn, his tone reverent, as if he were truly seeking divine protection. Then, he gently placed the jade disk in his hand into the incense burner at the center of the altar. As the disk touched the flames, a blazing flame shot up into the sky, illuminating half the sky and Shai Zhen's face red.

After the rehearsal ceremony, Chai Zhen did not leave immediately. Instead, he walked up to Cen Jiexiao and said with a smile, "President Cen, today's rehearsal ceremony was truly wonderful. I am very pleased!"

Cen Jiexiao bowed respectfully and said calmly, "Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. This is the result of the hard work of the teachers and students of the academy. I dare not take credit for it."

Chai Zhen looked at this talented yet indifferent woman, and a sense of admiration welled up in his heart. He recalled how the Empress Dowager had recently criticized Cen Jiexiao, saying that it was unbecoming for a woman like her to appear in public, and that her attempts to interfere in government affairs were truly ill-intentioned.

Chai Zhen sneered in his heart, the Queen Mother is confused, this Cen Jiexiao is a talent, completely different from many flatterers in the court. If I can use her, why worry about the prosperity of the Great Zhou?

"President Cen, you and I, the ruler and the subject, why should we be so distant?" Chai Zhen said, reaching out to support Cen Jiexiao. His gesture seemed intimate, but a subtle hint of possessiveness glimmered in his eyes.

Cen Jiexiao took a half step back without leaving a trace, deftly avoiding Chai Zhen's hand. She maintained a safe distance, her tone respectful yet distant, "There is a distinction between ruler and subject, and etiquette cannot be abolished."

Chai Zhen's hand fluttered awkwardly in mid-air, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face, but he quickly concealed it. He withdrew his hand and said with a smile, "President Cen is right. I was rude."

After saying that, he looked at Cen Jiexiao deeply, then turned and left.

Cen Jiexiao watched Chai Zhen's departing back, alarm bells blaring in her heart. She knew that her actions had caused Chai Zhen to worry and be dissatisfied.

After Chai Zhen left, Yu Lan and Xiao Zhi immediately came over, surrounding Cen Jiexiao on the left and right, and started chattering.

"Dean, did you see that? The way the emperor looked at you just now was just like a hunter seeing his prey!" Yu Lan gestured exaggeratedly, her tone full of disbelief.

"That's right! I see that the emperor is quite interested in the dean! Maybe, dean, you will soon become the most honorable woman in the Zhou Dynasty!" Xiaozhi covered her mouth and laughed, with a gossipy gleam in her eyes.

Cen Jiexiao shook her head helplessly. These two girls really didn't do their jobs all day long. They were just busy watching these nonsense.

"Alright, you two, stop talking nonsense! What kind of person is the emperor? How can we talk nonsense about him? Be restrained now. If the Queen Mother hears this, you'll be in trouble!"

"Oh, Dean, stop scaring us! If you become the one close to the emperor, we won't be afraid of her then!" Xiaozhi curled her lips and said nonchalantly.

Cen Jiexiao knew Xiaozhi's personality. She was always outspoken in front of her family, so she just let her be. She turned to look at Yulan and asked, "Yulan, what about you? Do you think the emperor... really has that kind of... feelings towards me?"

Yu Lan pondered for a moment and said seriously, "Dean, it seems to me that the Emperor treats you differently. Think about it, which woman in this palace isn't obedient to the Emperor, ready to dedicate everything to him? Only you dare to repeatedly reject the Emperor's kindness."

Cen Jiexiao gave a bitter laugh. She knew that by doing this, she was playing with fire and getting burned. However, there was always a hurdle in her heart that she couldn't get over.

"Yu Lan, you know me well. I'm not one of those canaries kept in the deep palace. I have my ambitions and ideals. What I want is a man who can fight alongside me, not imprison me in a golden cage."

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. It's getting late, and we should go back to the academy." Cen Jiexiao waved her hand and said.

After saying that, Sister Cen Xiao took Yu Lan and Xiao Zhi away from the altar.

As night falls, the academy is brightly lit.

Cen Jiexiao sat alone in the study, flipping through the documents in her hands in the dim candlelight.

However, she couldn't read a single word.

Chai Zhen's scorching eyes, intimate gestures, and the meaningful words "You and I are the king and the subject, why should we be so distant from each other" kept echoing in her mind.

She had to admit that Svay Cheng was a very attractive man. He was young, promising, handsome, and he admired and respected her.

However, he was the king of a country after all, and she was just a commoner.

There is an unbridgeable gap between them.

"Knock Knock Knock-"

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Cen Jiexiao's thoughts.

"Who?"

"It's me, Yu Lan."

Sister Cen Xiao got up and opened the door, only to see Yu Lan walking in with a bowl of steaming medicine.

"Dean, it's late. Drink a bowl of calming soup before going to sleep." Yu Lan put the medicine on the table and said with concern.

Cen Jiexiao took the medicine and took a sip gently. The bitter taste spread in her mouth.

"Yu Lan, tell me, have I offended the emperor?" Cen Jiexiao put down the soup bowl and asked softly.

Yu Lan knew what Cen Jiexiao was referring to. She walked over to Cen Jiexiao, gently held her hand, and said softly, "Dean, there's no such thing as offending someone. Matters of the heart can never be forced. You just followed your heart."

Cen Jiexiao shook her head and smiled bitterly, "I hope so. I hope my actions won't add burden to the academy and that the children here will be safe and sound!"

Yu Lan comforted him, "Dean, don't worry. I believe the Emperor is not the kind of person who doesn't understand things. The current Emperor must be a wise and capable ruler, so matters of love and affection don't carry as much weight in His Majesty's heart as they do for us ordinary people. Besides, if His Majesty truly appreciates you, he will definitely respect your choice."

Cen Jiexiao sighed and said, "I hope so."

The next morning, as soon as Cen Jiexiao got up, she received an invitation from the palace.

When she opened it, she found it was an invitation from Chai Zhen inviting her to a banquet at the palace.

Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled.