CHAPTER 26: CHAPTER 26: THE IMPORTANCE OF SECOND MISS TANG

"Lv Xia is Zheng Shidao’s fellow disciple, and it was the Emperor’s intention for Princess Puan to recommend him to the Gu Family Academy—"

Princess Puan, the Emperor’s biological sister, married into the Gu Family back then with the aim of fostering ties and exerting control.

After ascending the throne, he heavily relied on officials from the Qingzhou School, led by Assistant Minister Zheng Shidao, even promoting the Qingzhou School as the primary doctrine in the Imperial College.

"Last month, Gu Yuan, son of Prince Consort Gu, responded at the Imperial Court, and his words were in opposition to the Qingzhou School—"

At this point, Su Shunqing couldn’t help but gloat.

The Gu Family, having roots in Jiangnan, has its own distinct style of writing, neither competing with the Qingzhou School for Confucian orthodoxy nor wishing to pledge allegiance, thus many of the family’s young members over fourteen do not enter the Imperial College for studies.

However, the Emperor could not tolerate their isolation and specifically ordered Gu Yuan, the eldest son of Prince Consort Gu, to enter the Imperial College.

"Gu Yuan began his enlightenment at the Gu Family Academy at four and joined the Imperial College at fourteen; it’s been over two years now without succumbing to Qingzhou School’s influence, which shows the rigor and solidity of the Gu Family Academy’s teaching. The Emperor is clearly anxious, hence, the attempt to meddle in the Gu Family Academy!"

"The sudden departure of Mr. Sun, who initially taught at the Gu Family Academy, is also related to this matter. The Gu Family should understand the reason behind it but couldn’t immediately refuse."

At this point, Su Shunqing appeared puzzled: "Princely Heir, do you think the Gu Family might seek our help through the Second Miss Tang?"

The Princely Heir, who had been silently listening in the pavilion, lifted his drooping eyelids and sneered, "If I can’t even control my family’s academy, I might as well resign and farm. What face do I have to ask for help from others?"

Su Shunqing laughed heartily and agreed, "The Princely Heir is absolutely right," and then asked, "But what’s with this Second Miss Tang?"

The Princely Heir frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly had a flash of insight, "It must be the idea of the Crown Prince!"

Su Shunqing’s eyes also lit up.

Indeed! The Crown Prince is hiding in the Duke Yan Mansion!

Last time, when the Princely Heir made a night visit to the Crown Prince Mansion, he was unsuccessful and ended up exposing his position, leading to severe injuries. Fortunately, while passing by the Duke Yan Mansion, he was aided by the Crown Prince and managed to escape the pursuit.

"Last time, I met with the Crown Prince. Though His Highness has been tormented by that Dog Emperor for many years, weakening his body, he remains calm and astute. It’s child’s play for him to coax a little girl into passing messages for you," the Princely Heir stated confidently.

Although that little girl in the Duke Yan Mansion seems quite clever, how can she be more clever than the twelve-year-old Young Crown Prince?

Su Shunqing nodded repeatedly, secretly deciding to prioritize any requests from the Second Miss Tang from here on.

"First, find a way to get Lv Xia’s background to His Highness—" the Princely Heir pondered for a while, then added, "and inform the Second Miss Tang as well—"

...

The Second Miss Tang was very shocked.

It’s one thing for Tang Jiaojiao to be verbally reluctant but straightforward in action, but how come Su Shunqing is suddenly so prideful as well?

Didn’t he say, "Su is just a minor official at the Imperial Academy, afraid he can’t help the Second Miss with this matter"?

The words were still fresh in her ears, how did he change his stance?

"Did the Second Miss understand?" Su Shunqing asked, looking worriedly at the dazed Second Miss Tang.

Lv Xia’s matter is quite complex; can a nine-year-old child understand?

Tang Xiaobai snapped back to reality, nodded, and expressed her understanding: "Lv Xia is Prime Minister Zheng’s junior fellow-disciple, and since Prime Minister Zheng controls the Imperial College while Gu Family disciples don’t attend, he placed his junior fellow-disciple in the Gu Family Academy."

Su Shunqing nodded appreciatively: "The Second Miss is truly extraordinarily intelligent!"

Tang Xiaobai was at a loss for words.

Su Shunqing, with a smile, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "I’m fortunate not to disappoint the Second Miss’s trust. Su still has official duties to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now. Second Miss, please feel free to visit the Zhenzhou Imperial Court when you have time." With that, he gave her a meaningful glance before leaving.

Leaving Tang Xiaobai feeling bewildered in the wind.

It was completely unexpected that changing a teacher at the Gu Family would entail so much.

Even more unexpected was that Su Shunqing not only found out so much in just a day but also clearly explained it to her.

Has this world gone mad? Otherwise, why would she, of all people, be given such special treatment by the male lead’s trusted aide?

Clearly, they were interacting normally just yesterday?

Could it be because of Little Qin?

Tang Xiaobai turned her head to look at the young boy not far away.

Su Shunqing had still arranged to meet her at the same place they spoke yesterday, and she still brought along her dozens of attendants, including Ah Yuan and Ah Xiao.

So yesterday and today, she had brought Little Qin, but Su Shunqing didn’t give even the slightest glance at Little Qin, which obviously showed he didn’t recognize him!

And when she looked over, the young boy returned her gaze with a clueless questioning look, seemingly not pretending.

So what is going on in this world?

Tang Xiaobai shook her head in confusion, took her dozen attendants, and left Changxing Village in grand fashion.

Almost just like yesterday, as soon as Tang Xiaobai left, out came a person, but this time not from behind the big willow tree but from the Bi Luo Store beside it, eyes gleaming, with a piece of Bi Luo in his mouth.

The Second Miss Tang and Su Shunqing had yet another private conversation!

It must still be about that Lv Xia!

Yao He squinted thoughtfully for a while, viciously tore off a piece of Bi Luo, then turned and ran toward the south—

...

At this moment, Tang Xiaobai had already returned to the Duke Yan Mansion, waved away others, and asked Ah Xiao alone, "Did you hear what the official from the Imperial Academy just said?"

The young boy quietly shook his head.

Tang Xiaobai then recounted the story: "I suspect my uncles are aware of Lv Xia’s background and aren’t fond of him—" otherwise Little Uncle Gu’s reply wouldn’t have been so reluctant, "but his situation..." how should I put it?

"It’s unnecessary." Ah Xiao interjected.

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

The parts Su Shunqing didn’t say, she could guess a bit.

The book stated that Prime Minister Zheng was the father of the Imperial Concubine, who is the mother of that Crown Prince in the book.

She still remembered that when she last visited the palace, Empress Yuan mentioned that Consort Zheng had a cat that constantly roamed the palace, disturbing the Empress’s rest.

A nation’s Empress, unable to manage even the Consort’s cat, clearly showed how favored the Zheng Family was.

Thus, having Prime Minister Zheng send his junior fellow-disciple to the Gu Family Academy, it’s hard to say the Emperor isn’t behind it.

If she could come to this insight, her uncles couldn’t possibly be oblivious.

"Although someone arranged for Lv Xia, it’s not serious enough for the Gu Family to firmly oppose—" especially knowing there might be the Emperor’s involvement.

This should be considered an overt scheme.

Allowing Lv Xia to stay is also the Gu Family’s way of showing their stance to the Emperor.

In this situation, Tang Xiaobai feels she is genuinely too insignificant and powerless.

"Lv Xia might still have to stay," Tang Xiaobai sighed, "Or... should I tell my sister that I prefer to have a home tutor, rather than going to the Gu Family Academy? After all, the learning would be the same, wouldn’t it?"

Though she’s not indebted to Little Qin, failing to handle this matter still left her a bit discouraged.

"It’s not entirely unfeasible—" Ah Xiao murmured in a low voice.