The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 300: Testing (Part )

"I will put a note with your latest research findings in the book. This will attract Mr. Chen's attention and make it easier for you to communicate with him in the future." Yu Lan added.

"Good idea!" Cen Jiexiao agreed readily.

"Xiaoman, after you enter the palace, in addition to finding out the emperor's true thoughts about the teacher and his recent movements, you should also pay attention to the situation in the harem to see if there are any other concubines who are doing anything bad to the teacher." Yu Lan reminded.

"Don't worry, I will pay attention to it." Xiaoman answered confidently.

"Xiaoman, after entering the palace, we should try our best to keep in touch with each other. In this way, we will meet at Luoxia Pavilion in the west of the city every three days to exchange information. If there is an emergency, we will go to Qingfeng Teahouse in the east of the city to leave a secret code." Yu Lan made detailed arrangements.

"Isn't once every three days too frequent? The entry and exit of the palace are strictly controlled, I'm afraid..." Xiaoman was a little worried.

"I know, but this is the only way to keep abreast of the situation. Every time you leave the palace, choose a time when there are fewer people around and change your route. It shouldn't arouse suspicion." Yu Lan explained.

"Okay, I'll try to be careful." Xiaoman nodded solemnly.

Cen Jiexiao added, "Also, if you encounter a problem you truly cannot resolve, cease action immediately and prioritize your own safety. Remember, your safety is most important to me."

The three of them went over their plan again to make sure everything was foolproof. It wasn't until late at night that they went back to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, Xiaoman changed into a modest palace maid's attire, bid farewell to Cen Jiexiao and Yulan, and set off for the imperial palace. Yulan began preparing the "Commentary on the Classic of Mountains and Seas" and contacted a reliable intermediary to deliver the book to Chen Zigui, silently praying that everything would go smoothly and that Cen Jiexiao would be happy.

One afternoon a few days later, sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Cen Jiexiao leaned against the window, lost in thought, her slender fingers unconsciously fiddling with a potted orchid on the windowsill. For days, she had been worried about Xiaoman's trip, feeling uneasy.

Suddenly, the sound of brisk footsteps approached from afar, breaking the afternoon's tranquility. Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled. These brisk steps were clearly Xiaoman's return! Then, there was a gentle knock on the door. Two short knocks and one long knock were the code they had agreed on beforehand.

"Come in." Cen Jiexiao whispered, trying to make her voice sound calm, but her hand holding Lanhua tightened unconsciously.

The door creaked open, and Yulan and Xiaoman walked in together, both with a hint of excitement that was hard to conceal. Yulan was still dressed in a simple and elegant outfit, while Xiaoman had changed back into her usual dress, looking particularly energetic.

"Are you back? How did things go?" Cen Jiexiao turned around and looked at the two of them, with a hint of exploration and expectation in her eyes.

Xiaoman stepped forward quickly and lowered her voice with a hint of mystery: "Teacher, guess what I discovered?" She paused deliberately, a cunning light flashing in her bright eyes, observing Cen Jiexiao's expression.

Cen Jiexiao smiled slightly and said casually, "You're just being mysterious. Come on, tell me."

Xiaoman then vividly recounted her experiences in the palace. She did not tell the story in chronological order, but instead focused on describing Emperor Chai Zhen's evaluation and attitude towards Cen Jiexiao.

"Teacher, guess what I heard in the palace?" Xiaoman blinked mysteriously, moved closer to Cen Jiexiao, and said in a low voice, "When I was strolling in the imperial garden, I happened to meet two guards chatting. Guess what they were talking about?" She paused deliberately to whet Cen Jiexiao's appetite.

Cen Jiexiao was amused by her mysterious look and asked cooperatively, "What are you talking about?"

Xiaoman cleared her throat and, imitating the guard's gruff voice, said, "Hey, let me tell you, the Emperor has been really diligent lately. He spends every day in the Imperial Study studying the memorials annotated by Dean Cen. Wow, he's so serious!"

Xiaoman changed back to her own voice and continued, "Another guard asked, 'Is it true? What did the emperor say?' Then, the first guard lowered his voice and said mysteriously, 'I tell you, the emperor is very appreciative of Dean Cen's views, and he even said, "Dean Cen is truly a pillar of the country!"'" Xiaoman said this and made an exaggerated bowing gesture.

Xiaoman continued, "Later, I heard a few palace maids discussing something. They said that once, the emperor was discussing matters with several ministers and mentioned the war on the border. The emperor sighed and said, 'If Mr. Cen were in the court, he would definitely be able to offer good advice!'"

Xiaoman took a sip of water to moisten her throat and continued, "I also heard that the emperor has recently become obsessed with a new chess game, which is said to be extremely difficult. He has been studying it day and night, even delaying his bedtime and leaving his most beloved concubine aside."

"Then what?" Cen Jiexiao was attracted by Xiaoman's description and couldn't help asking.

"Then, I heard from the emperor's personal guard that this chess set was specially prepared by the emperor for playing against you! He also said, 'Ms. Cen's chess skills are superb, and I must have a good competition with her!'" Xiaoman imitated the guard's tone, her eyebrows beaming with joy.

"What else?" Cen Jiexiao continued to ask, with a barely perceptible expectation flashing in her eyes.

"I also heard... that the emperor has recently often summoned scholars from the Hanlin Academy to discuss your articles and poems. He praised your talent and said that your calligraphy is comparable to Wang Xizhi!" Xiaoman deliberately lengthened his voice and said mysteriously.

"Really?" Although Cen Jiexiao asked this, she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes and eyebrows.

Xiaoman nodded seriously: "It's absolutely true! I also heard that..."

She lowered her voice again.

"The Emperor even secretly ordered someone to copy your calligraphy and hang it in his study so he can admire it every day!"

"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed across Cen Jiexiao's face.

Xiaoman observed Cen Jiexiao's expression and saw that she seemed very interested, so she continued to exaggerate, "It's said in the palace that the emperor admires you so much that he can't wait to invite you back to the court to assist in the administration!"

Yu Lan smiled and added, "Yes, teacher, I have also heard a lot about the emperor's high praise for you."

When Xiaoman said this, her tone suddenly became subtle: "Teacher, I feel that the emperor really cares about you, but when he mentions you to people around him, he mostly praises your talent and outstanding ability to assist in government affairs, and rarely mentions other aspects of you. It's as if... it's as if he values your value more, rather than..." Xiaoman didn't continue, but her meaning was already very clear.

Yu Lan nodded slightly and agreed, "I feel the same way. The emperor's attention to the teacher is more like appreciation for a capable assistant, rather than..."