Chapter 1256: 23 Things About the Fake Emperor and the Powerful Officials
The Yuan Mansion is naturally different from the incredibly poor Xie Mansion.
The green bricks and tiles and the towering exterior walls are quiet and solemn. There are no strangers around, only one or two birds occasionally flying overhead.
Shi Li traveled light and took a carriage to the gate of Yuan's mansion. When she got off the carriage, she paid special attention to the gate.
The solid door had no paint peeling on any corners; it was not plain, but it was definitely not luxurious either.
There is nothing wrong with Mr. Xie being honest and incorruptible, but as a tutor to two generations of emperors and a loyal minister in the court, there is really no need for him to force himself into such poverty.
This time, Shi Li was on a secret visit and did not disturb anyone. After arriving at Yuan's mansion, he walked straight in amid the astonished gazes of the servants.
As soon as I entered the gate, I saw Yuan Chizhi coming towards me.
He had obviously just learned the news and had come in a hurry. He was casually dressed in a half-worn plain robe and no hat. He looked a little more easy-going and less distant and indifferent than usual.
"Why is Your Majesty here?"
The surprise on Yuan Chizhi's face was genuine. He originally thought that Shi Li would ask him to stay for a talk tomorrow, but he didn't expect that she couldn't even wait for a day and came directly to her house.
Shi Li looked around and saw no one else, so he answered simply, "I received a memorial proposing to open a girls' school and also suggesting that Xie Qingyun be in charge of this matter. I wanted to ask for your advice."
If this matter is accomplished, Xie Qingyun's name will definitely be passed down in the history of Jingchao, which will definitely be a great thing for Xie Qingyun.
When Shi Li said this, she suddenly glanced at Yuan Chizhi.
Could it be that this memorial was written just for Xie Qingyun?
[People who fall in love are always worried about gains and losses~]
[That’s right, if there was something going on between the two of them, how could Xie Qingyun enter the palace? ]
[How should I put it? Only those who are truly sincere would be so confused, right? ]
The comments were filled with a lot of gossip, which made Shi Li annoyed. She pursed her lips and said nothing.
"Your Majesty, please follow me to the study to talk."
A gust of wind blew in the yard. Yuan Chizhi led the way and took Shi Li to his study.
After walking in, the two stopped almost at the same time.
Shi Li looked at the items in the study, most of which were from her own private storage, and suddenly realized that she had given Yuan Chizhi so many things without realizing it.
Three or five days of casual rewards can add up to a lot.
Yuan Chizhi just remembered this matter. He turned around and glanced at Shi Li, not knowing whether he should mention it.
"Do you think it's feasible to open a girls' school?" Shi Li came to his senses and immediately changed the subject, pretending that he didn't notice the objects in the study.
A hint of darkness flashed across Yuan Chizhi's eyes, and then he raised his head and smiled, "Your Majesty, please take a seat."
He poured another cup of tea himself, and the light and long-lasting tea aroma wafted in the air, which was the unique flavor of the Mingqian Longjing tea bestowed by the emperor.
Shi Li paused with the teacup in her hand, pretending not to notice, and brought the cup to her mouth and took a sip.
The steaming water vapor stains the eyelashes, like the mist evaporating on the green grass in the early morning.
"Your Majesty, what do you think of Xie Qingyun's talents? Is he capable of taking on such an important task?" Before Shi Li noticed him, Yuan Chizhi withdrew his gaze and continued the topic.
Xie Qingyun had been working as a female official in the palace for several months. Even if she didn't show off deliberately, the talent she revealed inadvertently was first-rate. When she occasionally spoke, her words were no worse than those of the students in the palace examination.
Shi Li blinked her eyes and said carefully: "Her talent is indeed buried if she is only a female official in front of the emperor. But if she opens a girls' school, there will definitely be many people who oppose it, and even the censor will criticize her..."
"Your Majesty, are you afraid of the world's criticism?"
Yuan Chizhi suddenly interrupted her, took a step forward, and looked at her steadily with his deep eyes.
This distance is excessive, and the monarch and his subjects should never be so close. Shi Li was so nervous that she couldn't speak. She held the teacup tightly and looked at Yuan Chizhi's face so close.
What he asked was whether the government was afraid of being criticized for setting up a girls' school?
Shi Li's heartbeat suddenly quickened. She felt that Yuan Chizhi was not asking about this matter, but about...
I dare not think about it, I cannot think about it, it is impossible, there is no need!
I kept denying things in my mind, but I couldn't control my heartbeat which was getting faster and faster.
If...if...Yuan Chizhi really has that intention...
"I...I think that running a girls' school is beneficial to the country and the people. Girls are not necessarily inferior to boys."
In the end, Shi Li avoided her gaze and focused the vague question on the matter of running a girls' school.
After saying this, he didn't dare to look into Yuan Chizhi's eyes. He picked up the teacup and drank sip after sip silently.
Time seemed to pass very slowly and Yuan Chizhi did not speak.
Just when Shi Li was about to give up, she suddenly heard him chuckle.
"Well, if this is what your majesty wants, I will do my best."