12dz Chapter 234 Xia Chenghao is here again
Chapter 234 Xia Chenghao is here again
With this thought, Chai Zhen's gaze fell upon Yu Lan again. Though young, the young girl exuded a heroic spirit. She had responded to his question with dignity and grace, evidently demonstrating Sister Cen Xiao's diligent guidance. She was sure to become his right-hand woman, serving the imperial court well in the future.
Considering the Zhaoyin Academy, despite admitting many women, it was truly remarkable that it had nurtured such exceptionally talented individuals. It seems that allowing women to study in academies isn't necessarily a bad thing. At the very least, the Zhaoyin Academy has produced a significant number of talented individuals for the imperial court.
Thinking of this, Chai Zhen's admiration for Cen Jiexiao deepened. This reward was perfectly appropriate, both publicly and privately. He nodded with satisfaction and was about to say something when he heard Li Dehai's voice beside him: "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Would you like to move to the palace?"
"Yeah." Chai Zhen withdrew his thoughts and responded lightly.
Li Dehai bowed and accepted the order, shouting loudly: "Go to the palace!"
After Chai Zhen left, Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan also stood up and took their leave.
"Sir Cen, congratulations! The title of Yu Zhou Ling is a great honor. I hope you will take good care of me in the future!" A middle-aged official in a green official robe, with a white face and no beard, bowed and congratulated with a smile. The followers behind him also nodded and bowed with smiles on their faces.
"Yes, yes, Lady Cen is truly as capable as any man. We admire her!" Another older official came forward, stroking his graying beard and saying with admiration, "Lady Cen is the first woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty to receive such an honor!"
"No, no, you are too kind, gentlemen. I, Cen, don't deserve it." Cen Jiexiao responded modestly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.
"Miss Yu Lan, congratulations! Congratulations on your promotion to a female inspector. This is truly a cause for celebration!" A young official walked up to Yu Lan, bowed and congratulated her, with a look of appreciation and curiosity in his eyes.
"Miss Yulan is so young, yet she has achieved so much! She's truly a formidable talent!" Another official said with a smile, "I hope Dean Cen and Miss Yulan will help each other in the future."
"Yes, yes, Miss Yulan, don't forget us old friends in the future!"
"..."
Yu Lan was surrounded by a group of officials. Listening to their compliments, she blushed a little embarrassedly, but she couldn't hide her inner joy.
"Your Excellencies are too polite. Yu Lan is only trying to contribute to the cause. I will work harder in the future and live up to the expectations of the emperor and the dean." Yu Lan said modestly, her eyes firm and confident.
Along the way, officials kept coming forward to congratulate Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan, and all kinds of praises were heard everywhere. The two of them responded modestly, not daring to show any arrogance, but they could not hide the joy on their faces.
As soon as the news came out, the entire Zhaoyin Academy was in an uproar, and the students ran around to tell each other and cheered.
"Have you heard? Dean Cen was awarded the Imperial Zhou Order by the emperor! This is a great honor!" A female student in a goose yellow school uniform excitedly pulled her companion's hand and said, her round face full of excitement.
"And, Sister Yu Lan has also been appointed as a female inspector! From now on, our academy will have the support of the imperial court!" Another female student said excitedly, with admiration shining in her eyes.
"It seems that we have to study harder and not let down the emperor and the dean's expectations!" A female student with beautiful braids clenched her fists and said in a firm tone.
"Yes! We must work harder and serve the court like Mr. Cen and Sister Yulan in the future, bringing honor to our family!"
The entire academy was immersed in a joyous atmosphere, and the students expressed their desire to follow Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan as examples, study hard, and serve the country.
News of Cen Jiexiao's imperial reward spread like wildfire throughout Linkang Prefecture within half a day. The wives of the highest officials, even the normally secluded ladies, flocked to Zhaoyin Academy, laden with rare treasures, as if on a pre-arranged schedule. They came to offer congratulations, but in reality, they were hoping to curry favor with Cen Jiexiao and get her to speak well of them to the emperor.
Cen Jiexiao hated this kind of hypocritical occasions the most, but those people were all well-known figures, and she couldn't just turn them away. She had to suppress her impatience and put on a kind and amiable appearance to deal with them.
Yu Lan looked at Cen Jiexiao's fake smile and felt secretly amused in her heart, but she didn't dare to show it. She could only help out from the side and block a lot of Cen Jiexiao's "enthusiasm".
After seeing off the last wave of "guests", Sister Cen Xiao suddenly felt as if her whole body was hollowed out. She slumped in the chair, unable to recover for a long time.
"Dean, have some tea." Yu Lan brought a cup of hot tea and handed it to Cen Jiexiao.
"You really understand me." Cen Jiexiao took the teacup, took a sip, and let out a long sigh. "These ladies usually look so dignified and virtuous, but I didn't expect that they are actually like this in private..."
"How about this?" Yu Lan asked with a smile.
"Such... hypocrisy, fawning!" Cen Jiexiao said angrily. "I don't know if they're here to congratulate me or to laugh at me."
"Miss, don't overthink it. They're just envious of you," Yu Lan consoled her. "It's because you've won the Emperor's favor. This is something so many people dream of!"
Cen Jiexiao gave a bitter laugh and said, "The Emperor's favor is not so easy to come by. Serving the Emperor is like serving a tiger. If you are not careful, you will be doomed."
"Miss, you're just overthinking it," Yu Lan said. "You're loyal to the Emperor. How could the Emperor..."
"I hope so." Cen Jiexiao sighed softly, but her heart was still filled with uneasiness.
At this moment, Xiaozhi hurried in, looking somewhat bewildered, and said, "Dean, Master Xia from the Xixiang clan is here!"
When Cen Jiexiao heard this, her face suddenly changed and the teacup in her hand almost slipped.
"What is he here for?" Cen Jiexiao frowned, with a bad premonition rising in her heart.
"They said...they said they came to congratulate you." Xiaozhi lowered his head and said cautiously.
"Congratulations?" Cen Jiexiao sneered, "He's quite well-informed!"
"Miss, then... then should we..." Xiaozhi asked tentatively.
"No!" Cen Jiexiao refused without a second thought, "Just say I'm not feeling well and can't see guests."
"Yes." Xiaozhi responded and turned to leave, but was stopped by Cen Jiexiao.
"Wait!" Cen Jiexiao thought for a moment and then said, "Forget it. If I don't see him, it will make me look guilty. Let him in. I want to see what tricks he has up his sleeve!"