CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: PLANNING TO STUDY IN EARNEST

In the twelfth year of Taixing, April 18th, the Crown Prince fell critically ill.

Tang Ziqian, the Left Guard Middle General, recommended a famous physician, who cured him.

Three days later, Lin Xujiji, the Winter Official Spirit Platform Lang from the Observatory, reported clouds around the Taiwei Palace dissipating, and the Crown Prince star shining brightly.

"Our Crown Prince...has something, huh?" Tang Xiaobai said, pausing his review of the books being punished to be copied, and smiled meaningfully.

Li Mu’s ears turned red as he asked casually, "What thing?"

"Previously, the Observatory said the Crown Prince star was shrouded by clouds, then the Crown Prince fell seriously ill, and now with a flip of a hand, the Crown Prince recovers, and the Crown Prince star emerges. How targeted is this, could it be a coincidence?"

Li Mu still savoured her smile and the phrase "our Crown Prince."

Does she know?

Why hasn’t she revealed it?

Is it out of caution to keep the secret for him?

She is always so considerate...

Tang Xiaobai was unaware of his many thoughts and continued speaking about what he heard today: "And that Lin fellow, seems like a nail buried for many years. I heard before that Prime Minister Zheng and the Qingzhou School are fond of mysterious things, it’s certain that people in the Observatory are theirs, making it easy to collaborate. But the Crown Prince managed to place a nail with some authority in the Observatory, that’s really not easy!" Tang Xiaobai was quite emotional.

The Winter Official Spirit Platform Lang is not a high position, mainly responsible for observing the northern sky’s atmospheric phenomena, coincidentally where the Crown Prince star is.

How could there be so many coincidences?

Li Mu’s lips crept into a slight smile as he couldn’t help but ask, "What does Second Miss think of Lin Xujiji’s move?"

Actually, Lin Xujiji is not his man, but when browsing the roster of officials, he took notice of this person, thinking he may be useful one day.

Originally, Tang Ziqian’s suggestion was to use Lv Xia to slap the Qingzhou School officials in the face, but he thought Lv Xia might not be willing, and Lv Xia has other uses, Lin Xujiji seemed more suitable.

I wonder what she thinks?

Tang Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said, "I’m not very knowledgeable about these matters, but today I heard family cousins mention Lin Xujiji, they seemed to admire him. He submitted a report beyond his rank, fearing he might follow Xue Shaoqin’s old path, and may not fare well in the Observatory, but at least he gained a reputation for being upright—" Suddenly, her gaze burned into him, "Do you think the Crown Prince has any more moves left?"

Li Mu just felt joy overflowing from his chest, colouring his lips: "Certainly!"

Tang Xiaobai chuckled "hehe," lowered her head, and continued looking over his punishment copy of "Rituals," asking casually, "And what are your plans next?"

Originally, she didn’t understand his words "achieve this here," but hearing today about the Crown Prince’s series of counterattacks, she realized.

Ah Xiao must have contacted the Crown Prince!

The prior thought of false disappearance might have been because the Crown Prince had some secret arrangement for him.

But now, as the Crown Prince exhibits a rising, counterattacking posture, Ah Xiao reveals himself openly, with no need to leave.

If confirmed that Ah Xiao is preparing to work for the Crown Prince, she wants to see if the Duke Yan Mansion has an opportunity to hitch a ride on this tailwind.

So what actions will Ah Xiao take next—

"Plan to study well." The youth’s tone was calm, as if stating the obvious.

Tang Xiaobai was shocked.

A thirteen-year-old youth aspiring to study well, that’s fine...

But shouldn’t your ambition be assisting a great emperor and restoring the family’s glory?

"What’s the matter?" Li Mu asked puzzled.

"Nothing, nothing!" Tang Xiaobai quickly shook her head.

The young master mentioned "study well" certainly isn’t ordinary studying, perhaps it’s about taking the imperial exams, securing a place in the court, and assisting the Crown Prince to ascend!

If that’s the case, he might need a master for one-on-one tutoring!

Thinking of this, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but rant a little about Mr. Zhang: "Everything about the teacher is fine, except for his lack of vision, Ah Xiao is so good, but he didn’t move to accept him as a student, humph..."

...

Complaints aside.

Except for not proactively accepting students, Mr. Zhang is indeed excellent, with good knowledge and character, beloved by academy students.

So when Mr. Zhang proposed resigning, the classroom suddenly fell silent.

The older children like Gu Hui might have heard beforehand, remaining silent.

The younger couldn’t hold back and questioned the reason for Mr. Zhang’s departure repeatedly.

Mr. Zhang smiled, calming the students to sit quietly, and said in a gentle voice: "I have more important matters to attend to; I must regrettably leave Diligence Academy. I’m quite ashamed."

Though he didn’t explain thoroughly, his words were clear and resolute.

Tang Xiaobai felt confused apart from being sad and reluctant.

Mr. Zhang has left, what will happen to Ah Xiao? Will the next teacher guide Ah Xiao with as much care as Mr. Zhang does?

...

"Has the academy found a new teacher?" Right after school, Tang Xiaobai grabbed Gu Hui to ask.

Gu Hui indeed knew: "It’s still Mr. Sun from before."

Tang Xiaobai recalled and was surprised: "Wasn’t Mr. Sun going home to find his niece?" Then she lowered her voice suddenly, "Did he not find her?"

She remembered Mr. Sun left initially to make room for Lv Xia; the niece’s claim seemed false.

But Gu Hui shook his head: "Miss Sun has already been brought to his side by Mr. Sun, and this time he’s bringing her to the capital."

Although knowing Mr. Zhang’s departure and Mr. Sun’s return are unrelated, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help feeling awkward, staying silent for a moment and asked: "What needs does Mr. Zhang have to attend to?"

Gu Hui didn’t know.

Tang Xiaobai asked the Gu family, but the Gu family didn’t know.

Just as she gave up hope, she casually asked passing Tang Ziqian, and Tang Ziqian paused, thoughtfully for a moment, eyes lighting up: "So that’s it!"

"What is?" Tang Xiaobai hurriedly questioned.

Tang Ziqian chuckled: "There is a Winter Official Spirit Platform Lang at the Observatory—"

"I know! Named Lin Xujiji, submitted the report beyond rank recently!" Tang Xiaobai cut him off from unnecessary introductions.

Tang Ziqian nodded with a smile: "After Lin Xujiji submitted the report, he resigned, then did something!"

Tang Xiaobai suddenly became interested: "What is it? Related to Mr. Zhang?"

Tang Ziqian chuckled: "He converted an abandoned temple in Yanzuo Village, south of the city, into a private school named Huntian Academy, planning to teach mathematics and astronomy!"

Tang Xiaobai was dumbfounded: "From the Observatory, then contending with the Observatory?"

The Observatory has departments teaching mathematics and astronomy exclusively, dominating instruction.

What Lin Xujiji is doing seems likely to be the Crown Prince’s idea?

Recently, when Tang Ziqian assassinated, afterward heard about personnel changes at the Imperial College, now also prying the Observatory, tsk tsk tsk...

"It’s like that," Tang Ziqian nodded with a smile, "This Lin Xujiji plans to conduct lectures before starting recruitment, speaking on ’Ling Xian.’ When the time comes, there could be scene disruptions, it will be lively, do you want to see?"

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

She wanted to see the excitement, but—

"You still haven’t said what Mr. Zhang has to do!"