RMACAUH Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 The Empress Dowager wants to start a *ge’er* school in the palace, you…

Chapter 7 Chapter 7 The Empress Dowager wants to start a *ge’er* school in the palace, you…

Empress Chen was arranging some precious flowers and plants in the garden, pruning dead branches to soothe her mind.

Feng Yue had just walked in when the maids noticed him. He made a gesture to silence them, and quietly walked behind Empress Chen, presenting a pink hibiscus he had picked in front of her.

Empress Chen was delighted, covering her lips and smiling until her eyes curved, just like a shy young girl. She turned to look at her son.

Feng Yue took the opportunity to put the hibiscus flower on the left side of her temple, sincerely saying, “It looks good, pink suits you best.”

“Nonsense!” Empress Chen said with a smile, touching the hibiscus on her temple, afraid that wearing pink would make her look undignified, but she hesitated for a moment and still wore it.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t come,” Empress Chen instructed the head maid beside her, “Prepare the dinner according to the original specifications, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

“The flowers and plants in this garden are truly blessed, being taken care of so well by the Empress Dowager.”

“I don’t have any other hobbies on weekdays. During the years you were on the expedition, I chanted Buddhist scriptures day and night, rarely having the leisure to take care of them.”

“Made the Empress Dowager worry.”

“Which mother in the world doesn’t worry about her children? A mother’s love for her son is endless, and her joy upon his return knows no bounds.”

Feng Yue supported Empress Chen as they strolled in the garden, chatting about family matters.

“Did you go see your second brother?” Empress Chen asked with a solemn expression. If her son was too rigid, she would have to advise him.

Feng Yue moved his lips, his tone heavy, “I came back too hastily, and haven’t had time to go over there yet. Second brother is raising fish and brewing wine on the estate, ‘Late comes rain, the thatched cottage outside, scattered in the idle courtyard to buy fallen flowers,’ he must be very content. Your son isn’t worried, so let second brother stay there.”

Empress Chen was greatly surprised, turning her head to look at him, “Then why did you write back before, filled with anger, wanting to seek justice for your second brother?”

Feng Yue sighed softly, “Your son was far away on the border at that time, fighting all day long, how would I know about these court matters? Only after coming back did I realize that my knowledge was one-sided and my understanding superficial.”

Empress Chen felt greatly comforted and smiled happily, “When you came back, I was worried that you would argue with your father. Once you get stubborn, ten cows couldn’t pull you back. Your father is the ruler of a country, and his grace is vast but cannot be urged. Yue’er, you must keep this in mind!”

Feng Yue obediently nodded, “Your son knows.”

“Why are you so obedient this time?” Empress Chen said with a smile, “I still remember when you were a child, you were truly a little devil, never a day went by without causing trouble.”

“That’s because I hadn’t been beaten enough. Once I felt the pain, I learned my lesson.”

Hearing this, Empress Chen felt a pang in her heart for no reason, and gently patted the back of his hand, unable to hide her affection, “How much grievance and setbacks have you suffered in these five years? It has made you change so much, so obedient and sensible that it makes your mother feel distressed.”

“Empress Mother, let’s not mention these unhappy things today.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not mention them.” Empress Chen smiled, pursing her lips, “Mother wants to start a *ge’er* school in the palace, what do you think?”

“Why… do you want to start this?”

“Noble ladies have girls’ schools, and young lords are at the Imperial Academy, but it’s so difficult for *ge’er* to study. Mother thinks that *ge’er* are no worse than young lords and noble ladies, and should also be taught the same etiquette, rules, and knowledge.”

Feng Yue understood, “Empress Mother’s idea is very thoughtful.”

Empress Chen gossipily asked in a low voice, “Is the little *ge’er* you’re fond of from the Su family, the family of Su Zhehuai, the Minister of Rites?”

“Who did you hear that from?”

“Who do I need to hear it from? Haven’t you invited him privately twice?”

Feng Yue was tired, “It’s not him.”

“Then who is it?”

“Wouldn’t it be boring if I told you?”

Empress Chen nodded with interest, “That’s right, then Mother will slowly observe in the future. Mother wants to see what surprise you’re hiding!”

That day, Feng Yue had dinner at Fengxia Palace and stayed overnight in Hefeng Hall.

Feng Yue turned out all the little toys from his childhood and relived them, finally feeling a bit of joy after surviving a disaster.

He had been exiled for more than a month when his mother fell ill due to anxiety and depression in the palace and died. He only learned of the news half a year later, and at that time he could only grieve and kowtow three times in the direction of the capital, only asking for the grace to repay her kindness in the next life.

After putting away the little toys, Feng Yue called Mu Yunhua in.

“Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“This Prince wants you to personally go to Xiangchu and help this Prince find someone.”

“Is it a very important person?”

“This person concerns the national fortune for the next five years, and is very important. His surname is Shang, his given name is Mingyu, his courtesy name is Jingchun, he is from the Xiangnan area, and is skilled in mortise and tenon techniques. You’ll have to inquire about his specific location yourself.”

Mu Yunhua listened while recording all the information in his heart, and nodded.

“Also, he is a *ge’er*. On this trip, you must ensure his safety and bring him back to the capital safe and sound.”

Mu Yunhua stared wide-eyed, “A *ge’er*? This… can a *ge’er* influence the national fortune for the next five years?!”

“In recent centuries, people’s prejudice against *ge’er* has wasted countless talents. From now on, the world will look at them in a new light.”

“Hehe…” Mu Yunhua smiled awkwardly, “We’ll wait and see, we’ll wait and see.”

He couldn’t tell that their lord was actually a romantic! Just because he liked a certain uncertain *ge’er*, he was already thinking of justifying their name.

“Go!”

“Now, now?”

“It’s already urgent.”

Mu Yunhua scratched his head, accepted the order, and set off into the night.

After he left, Feng Yue had no trustworthy person available, so Empress Chen sent Yuan Gonggong, who was by her side, over to him.

Yuan Gonggong was promoted by Empress Chen. In Feng Yue’s memories from his previous life, this person had always been loyal and never defected.

However, in his previous life, he had always been with Empress Chen, so Feng Yue didn’t know him very well.

Yuan Gonggong was a stern person who did things methodically but was very thoughtful and cautious.

For now, he would just use him like this.

*

Empress Chen was very efficient. As soon as she said she wanted to start a *ge’er* school, she started to prepare for it the next day.

Because it was a private school, there were limited places, and only thirty admission invitations were sent out.

For these thirty admission invitations, the *ge’er* in the backyards of officials fought tooth and nail, knowing that being able to study in the palace and gain the favor of the Empress could potentially lead to a prosperous future.

Even if they didn’t gain the favor of the Empress, just having the opportunity to study in the palace would raise their status significantly.

Of course, there were also exceptions who didn’t want to go.

For example, in the Wei family, there were three *ge’er* waiting to be married. Wei Xiaofeng was born to a concubine, so he should have been the one to enter the palace to study. However, this disappointing person refused on the spot, saying that he wanted to act like a humble older brother, so he decided to give this good opportunity to his two younger brothers.

These two younger brothers were both born to concubines, and they almost fought in the main hall of the house to compete for this spot.

In the end, the eldest son of the Wei family suggested that they have a competition, which was to recite a poem.

Both *ge’er* were mediocre, but in the end, the sixth son, Wei Suian, won.

With the matter settled, Wan Lingxiu, the soft persimmon, didn’t even make a peep, but after returning to the courtyard, he took a bamboo stick and chased Wei Xiaofeng, beating him for more than an hour.

After the beating, he felt aggrieved and heartbroken, and cried, wetting two silk handkerchiefs.

“It’s my fault as a mother for being useless. If my methods were stronger, would those two born to concubines have had a chance to compete?”

Wei Xiaofeng felt very sorry for his mother’s sadness and sighed guiltily, “Mother…”

“Don’t call me mother, I don’t have a useless *ge’er* like you!”

“Actually, not going is also a good thing.”

“What’s good about it? Do you know what your situation is now? I was thinking that you could take this opportunity to go to the palace to cultivate yourself, learn some music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, so that I could find you a proper husband! But what happened?”

“I’m not that kind of material, am I? You gave birth to me, don’t you understand me? I hate doing those studies the most!”

“Tell me, what can you do?”

“I can do so many things!” Wei Xiaofeng raised his fingers and rattled them off like counting treasures, “Tea, wine, incense, silk fabrics, rouge powder, delicious food, folk operas, what can stump me?”

“Get out of here!” Wan Lingxiu scolded angrily, pointing to the door with a look of determination.

Wei Xiaofeng shrank his neck, “Mother, don’t be angry, I’ll get out right away!” He finished speaking and darted out the door like a monkey, never looking back.

Tomorrow was the day for the *ge’er* to enter the school.

Feng Yue specially picked out a newly made gold-threaded python robe and ordered the maids to hang it on a wooden stand to iron it early in the morning. He happily lay down that night.

When he opened his eyes tomorrow, he would go to the palace and see Xiaofeng. He would be able to see him often in the future.

How wonderful.

After a good night’s sleep, Feng Yue woke up early, carefully washed up, and chose a golden hairpin inlaid with rubies.

He was already extraordinarily handsome, and with such an adornment, he was truly romantic and flawless, and unparalleled in nobility.

The *ge’er* school was located in Zidong Pavilion, east of Fengxia Palace, where the environment was quiet and the place was spacious.

The school had been properly arranged, and naturally, the best teachers in the capital were invited. For the *ge’er* who were eager to learn, this was indeed a rare opportunity.

On the first day, there were no classes. The matron led them to the school administrator to receive paper, ink, brush, inkstone, and textbooks.

They were given a wing room for five people, and they were allowed to arrange and allocate it themselves.

After finishing these things, the matron led them to Fengxia Palace to pay their respects to the Empress.

In the main hall of Fengxia Palace, the Empress was having tea with the Guangling Prince, with various exquisite pastries placed on the table, almost never seen outside.

Feng Yue appeared calm and collected, but the Empress noticed the clues. Not only was he meticulously dressed, but he, who didn’t usually like sweets, was absentmindedly eating two pieces of cake.

“Your Majesty, the *ge’er* are waiting outside,” the old matron entered the hall to report.

Feng Yue put down the sweet pastry he had just bitten into, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and sat up straight.

The Empress covered her mouth and couldn’t help but smile. Hearing the light laughter, Feng Yue coughed lightly to cover up the embarrassment of being seen through.

“Let them come in quickly.”

“Yes.”

The *ge’er* entered one after another, and bowed to the Empress, “Greetings to the Empress, greetings to the Prince.”

“Rise,” the Empress said gracefully, with a kind smile, “This is your first day of school, and this palace has prepared some small gifts. If you see anything you like, you may have it.”

At this time, a dozen maids entered with light and graceful steps, each holding a tea tray on which were placed various precious hairpins and bracelets for them to freely choose.

The *ge’er* thanked her and pretended to carefully select items, but their eyes were always glancing at Feng Yue.

Feng Yue’s gaze searched around several times, but he couldn’t find the figure that haunted his dreams. He was immediately bored, stood up and bowed to the Empress, his tone carrying a bit of depression, “Empress Mother, this son remembers that there are still important matters to be dealt with, so I will return to the mansion first.”

“Leaving so soon?” The Empress was surprised. He had been looking forward to this morning, waiting for the *ge’er* to finally arrive, but now he was in a hurry to leave?

“This son will come to see you again tomorrow.”

The Empress nodded thoughtfully, thought for a while, and her mind cleared. Could it be that the *ge’er* he liked wasn’t among them?