Chapter 373: Raising One Who Plays the Fool to Catch the Wise

Chapter 373: Raising One Who Plays the Fool to Catch the Wise

Tang Shuyi was somewhat surprised to see Li Jingyi; his coronation was just days away, and he should have been very busy. However, Li Jingyi's eyes kept darting over to Xiao Yuzhu several times before he sat down to speak with Tang Shuyi. Xiao Yuzhu was biting her lip, trying to suppress her laughter.

Seeing the two of them like this, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the thought of young love!

"Have these few days been manageable for you?" Tang Shuyi inquired of Li Jingyi.

"There's still so much I need to learn," Li Jingyi admitted honestly. "There are many affairs I don't understand."

Tang Shuyi nodded, "At this stage, what's crucial for you isn't to understand every matter of the court, but to know how to employ the right people. Once you have the right people in place, many problems will solve themselves..."

She shared some of her experiences in personnel management with him, explaining how managing a country and a corporation can share many principles, such as how to foster loyalty among employees and maintain a balance between them.

Li Jingyi listened intently, and even later asked Xiao Yuzhu to bring over some paper and pen to take notes as he listened. The lesson continued until dusk.

Looking at the notes in his hand, Li Jingyi spoke earnestly to Tang Shuyi, "After my ascension, I would like to bestow upon you the title of Imperial Teacher."

Tang Shuyi was taken aback at first, then said, "Are you sure? Throughout history, no woman has served as Imperial Teacher, and this decision of yours may not be easily accepted."

"I am certain," Li Jingyi said with a firm gaze. "While no woman has been an Imperial Teacher in history, there is also no law that says a woman cannot be one."

Upon hearing his words, Tang Shuyi smiled with satisfaction and heard him continue, "Moreover, whom I choose as my teacher is my own affair, unrelated to state politics, and doesn't require me to heed the opinions of others."

"Hahaha..." This time, Tang Shuyi laughed heartily, pride evident in her voice.

She had worried that due to his youth, Li Jingyi might be manipulated by the seasoned politicians of the court. Now, it seemed there was no need to worry. As long as he was resolute and not easily swayed by others, he would be a stable emperor.

"In that case, I shall accept the role of Imperial Teacher," Tang Shuyi said with a smile, looking towards Xiao Huai, "Does the Duke have any objections?"

As she spoke, Li Jingyi also looked anxiously at Xiao Huai. He could handle the dissent of the ministers, but if Xiao Huai disagreed, he would truly be at a loss. And there was a significant chance Xiao Huai might disagree, as many men disliked the idea of their wives being so publicly prominent.

At that moment, Xiao Huai said, "Having such an outstanding wife is a matter of pride for me. Why would I object?"

Li Jingyi exhaled a sigh of relief at his response, while Xiao Yuzhu giggled on the side; her father always knew how to sweet-talk her mother.

It was getting late, and Li Jingyi needed to return to the palace. He stood up to take his leave, then couldn't help glancing towards Xiao Yuzhu. Tang Shuyi chuckled and gestured, "Yuzhu, escort Jingyi out."

Xiao Yuzhu didn't show shyness but stood up and walked out with Li Jingyi. Xiao Huai leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, "A grown daughter can't be kept at home."

Outside, Li Jingyi carried a lantern, leading the way with Xiao Yuzhu ahead and their servants trailing at a distance.

"...that Minister Zhao is the most long-winded, always lecturing me on what I can and cannot do, as if I'm a three-year-old child..."

"Why would he do that? You're to be an emperor, not a puppet."

"Exactly, so I let whatever he says go in one ear and out the other. I’ll deal with him later when the time comes."

………

In Xiao Yuzhu's presence, Li Jingyi shed all reservations, sharing the events of his recent days—both the joys and the frustrations. Xiao Yuzhu responded without much hesitation, their conversation as casual as chatting about daily life.

Unwittingly, they had reached the entrance of the residence and had to part ways; both halted in their tracks. Li Jingyi handed the lantern to a servant and fumblingly pulled out a hairpin from his sleeve, placing it into Xiao Yuzhu's hand while saying shyly, “I made it myself—it’s not very refined. Just keep it for now... I'm sure I can do better in the future.”

Xiao Yuzhu looked down at the jade hairpin in her hand; it was indeed not very exquisite. The petals were carved slightly askew and varied in size, feeling rough to the touch. Yet she found it more beautiful than any other hairpin she owned.

Clutching the hairpin, she said, "I’ll make a sachet for you in return, although my needlework isn’t great."

“It doesn’t matter; I’ll like anything you make,” Li Jingyi replied eagerly.

Xiao Yuzhu simply said, “Okay.”

Night had truly fallen, and after a few more words, they went their separate ways—Li Jingyi returning to the imperial palace by carriage, while Xiao Yuzhu went back to her own courtyard, beginning to look for fabric and patterns for the sachet.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi was discussing court affairs with Xiao Huai, “With the new emperor ascending, those old foxes won't just sit back, will they?”

Xiao Huai chuckled, “Madam, you've taught someone to play possum excellently. Those old foxes have been observing for days and think our new emperor is docile and compliant, eagerly teaching him ‘knowledge’ to shape him into the monarch they desire.”

Tang Shuyi snorted coldly, “Well, let's wait and see whose tune they dance to in the end.”

Xiao Huai wrapped an arm around her shoulder and reassured, “Don't worry, the lad is shrewd enough to know what to do. Besides, he has you, the Imperial Preceptor, doesn’t he?”

Tang Shuyi laughed, “I never thought I'd land an official position.”

“It's what you deserve,” Xiao Huai said earnestly.

Tang Shuyi had invested a great deal of effort into Li Jingyi, a fact Xiao Huai was keenly aware of. It could even be said that without Tang Shuyi, there would be no Li Jingyi as he is now.

“Let's not talk about this,” Tang Shuyi changed the subject, “Tomorrow I'll visit the Marquis of Li Guo's residence to discuss the wedding date for Yu Chen and Jia Ning.”

Normally, such matters should be discussed with the Prince of Duan, but considering his character, it was doubtful any constructive outcome would emerge.

“The imperial examinations are usually in February, followed by the palace exams in March. This year should be no different,” Xiao Huai suggested, “A wedding date in April or May would be suitable.”

Tang Shuyi nodded in agreement, “That was my thought as well, though we still need to pick an auspicious day.”

After agreeing, Tang Shuyi visited the Marquis of Li Guo's residence the next day. The old Marchioness’s face bloomed like a chrysanthemum upon hearing the topic of setting a wedding date. Given the current power of the Duke's family and Xiao Yuzhu’s esteemed status in the capital, she had been anxious about any potential changes to the marriage plans, but now she could rest easy.

However, even the old Marchioness didn’t dare to make a final decision on the wedding date; she would have to consult Princess Jia Ning. Tang Shuyi understood this, and the two tentatively settled on a period, agreeing to finalize the exact date later.

Tang Shuyi didn't linger after the matters were settled and rose to take her leave. Little did she know, upon returning to her estate, steward Zhao hurried to her, reporting agitatedly, "Madam, there are rumors everywhere that the second young master is lecherous, often frequenting brothels."