【Quick Wear】My Years as a Mother-in-law

Chapter 181 The Queen Mother who picked up the bargain is very upset 27

When Yun Xi got the news, the Queen was already pregnant with her second child, and then with Ling Zhaoyi. Recently, Concubine Meng, Concubine Min, and Concubine De were also trying to seduce the Emperor. Together with those concubines who were not of high rank but had ambitions, the harem, which had been silent for many years, suddenly became extremely lively and chaotic.

"Xiu'er, pick eight of Yun Yi's fifty-four men to go back to the palace with you and calm the atmosphere in the palace. I don't care how they make trouble, but whoever dares to harm my grandson will not be let off."

Xiu'er was reluctant to leave, "Master, why don't you let Yue'er and the others go back? They are not as considerate as me. I will stay and serve you."

"You are the most strong-willed person and love to compete with others. You will definitely complete the task I give you. I will feel at ease only when you go back. Yue'er and the others are too weak and cannot suppress the evil spirits." Yun Xi also had her own considerations.

Xiu Er wiped away her tears and said, "Ah! I can't bear to leave you, young lady. Last time, when the queen was pregnant with the eldest prince, I was able to pay my respects to you every day. Now I don't know when I can come out again if I go back."

"Good Xiu'er, if you don't come to see me, I'll go back to see you, don't worry."

After coaxing Xiu'er away, Yun Xi looked at Xiao Ruyi, the youngest of her eight first-class palace maids. She was only seventeen years old this year and was probably already married. This child was also the dumbest and only had eyes for delicious food and drinks. The original owner was attracted by her embroidery skills.

"Jinzhi, Xiao Ruyi, Jinxiu, and Nianhua, come with me to the women's branch of the Imperial Academy and give a few lessons there. Each of you will teach something you're good at. Jinzhi will teach law, Xiao Ruyi will teach embroidery, Jinxiu will teach piano, and Nianhua will teach others how to play chess. It would be a waste to use all your skills with me. Don't think that teaching your apprentices will starve you to death. With me here, you'll never starve."

The astute Jinzhi immediately knelt and saluted, "I will follow your instructions."

Jinxiu Huanian pulled Xiao Ruyi, who was slow to realize the situation, together to salute and accept the gesture.

Yun Xi smiled without saying anything. Little Ruyi was a little silly, but in this harem full of cunning people, being a little silly might not be a bad thing.

The next day, after breakfast, Yun Xi was accompanied by Nanny Yue and four first-class palace maids. She was surrounded by Yun Yi and about twenty people to protect her, so she was safe.

Sitting in the huge carriage, Yun Xi lay down and took a nap, but she had not yet arrived at the Royal Academy.

The Royal Garden is in the East City, and the Royal Academy is outside the South City. A small hill was marked out to build the academy, so the distance is not close.

Everything is busy in March, but the winter jasmine blooms quietly but no one appreciates it.

When they got outside, little Ruyi became much more lively. The convoy was not moving fast, so she got out of the car and ran after them. When she saw the fresh and elegant forsythia, she picked some branches and brought them over.

Yun Xi took it and smelled it, and the floral fragrance was light.

"Yue'er, find a porcelain bottle, add water and plug it in. It will last for a long time."

"Yes."

Another half an hour passed before the convoy finally stopped. Yun Xi opened the car window and looked out. The area was surrounded by lush trees and rivers. It was indeed a beautiful place with beautiful mountains and rivers.

After getting off the car, I looked up and saw the college halfway up the mountain. I could faintly hear the sound of reading.

Nanny Yue quickly introduced, "Empress Dowager, this mountain is called Sun-Moon Mountain. The smaller mountain in front is called Crescent Moon Mountain, which looks like a crescent from a distance. The larger mountain further in is called Sun Mountain, which looks like a full sun from a distance. The Men's College is on Crescent Moon Mountain in front. Master, that's the one you see."

Yun Xi nodded, "It's large in scale and looks great."

Nanny Yue exclaimed, "The Imperial Academy is run by the great scholar Zhou Hong, so it should be good. The Women's Academy is run by Li Ke, the daughter of another great scholar, Li Zhang. Li Ke is a renowned talent, well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, the Four Books, and the Five Classics."

"Not bad."

The academy was not high, so Yun Xi did not ask for a sedan chair and walked forward slowly. At the foot of the mountain, Zhou Hong and the teachers from the two academies were looking forward to it. When they saw the Queen Mother's carriage from afar, they hurried forward to greet her. After another round of greetings, Zhou Hong naturally stood aside to introduce the guests.

"President Zhou, can you please tell me about the overall situation of the academy? How are the teachers, students, and the academy running?"

Zhou Hong lowered his head in response and explained in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, some of the teachers at the Imperial Academy are retired officials, some are world-renowned scholars, and there are also many who are proficient in the six arts of a gentleman.

The students are admitted based on their knowledge and moral character rather than their family background. Every student must pass three tests before entering the academy. The first test requires the student to have the title of Tongsheng, the second test is to do exercises, and the third test is to ask questions.

Regarding the operation of the college, the national treasury will allocate funds for the first three years, and for future development, the old ministers are already planning.”

Yun Xi asked: "Is the planning school sustainable?"

"Sustainable development? Yes, that's true. This isn't just one year. Students coming this year and beyond will have to pay tuition. Furthermore, the one hundred acres of fertile land and the forest below the mountain provide income for the academy. I'm also planning to plant some fast-bearing fruit trees on the mountain as another source of income. All of this will be managed by the students, so they don't develop the habit of not knowing the difference between the five main crops."

"Good idea, you did a great job."

They talked and walked for more than ten minutes, and the group arrived at the entrance of the college. Yun Xi saw the couplet on the door.

"The sound of wind, rain, and reading, as well as family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs, is very good."

After praising him, Yang Xiu was the first to step into the academy. In front of him appeared a large playground, which was about the size of two football fields. There were many people riding horses, shooting arrows, driving carriages, etc. They should be studying three of the six arts of a gentleman, namely rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics.

These were very important in ancient times. If one could master all of them, he could be considered a person who was both civil and military.

"These students are full of youth and energy, which is great. Young people should be like this, like the rising sun."

"Mr. Zhou, do you have enough bows and horses? If not, feel free to request more."

Zhou Hong smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Her Majesty, there's enough. Just enough for the students of the academy to use in two batches, morning and afternoon."

"That's good."

After walking across the playground and going about 500 meters inside, you will find the college building. It is quite far away, probably because they don’t want the noise outside to disturb the students’ studies. The schools here are not like courtyard houses, but rows of blue brick and tile houses with large windows and clean and bright rooms.

Zhou Hong quickly pointed at the students and said, "Empress Dowager, the academy is divided into six levels: A, B, C, D, E, and F."

Yun Xi looked at it and asked, "What does this mean?"

"Students from Ji to Jia are promoted to different classes based on their grades. Class A is for those preparing for the next Jinshi exam, Class B is for Juren, Class C is for those preparing for Juren, Class D is for Xiucai but not yet ready for the Juren exam, Class E is for Tongsheng preparing for Xiucai, and Class Ji is for Tongsheng who have just enrolled..."

Yun Xi roughly understood that those who took the examinations for the titles of scholar, juren and jinshi were divided into ordinary classes and experimental classes. The experimental classes were for students who would take part in the next imperial examination, while the ordinary classes were for students who were not yet ready.