Chapter 384: Tang Shuyi is Fit to be the Imperial Tutor

Chapter 384: Tang Shuyi is Fit to be the Imperial Tutor

Inside the palace, Li Jingyi listened to the ritual officer explaining the procedures of the coronation ceremony and his role at each step. In fact, these matters had been repeatedly explained to him over the past few days, and he had even rehearsed them twice.

But Minister Hu was extremely conscientious; he had arrived at the palace before Li Jingyi even got out of bed, rousing him to go through the steps once more. Li Jingyi was somewhat impatient, but seeing that Minister Hu's hair and beard had turned white, he kept his temper in check.

He understood that if anything went awry during today's coronation ceremony, the entire Ministry of Rites could potentially be jeopardized. All he could think was that it wasn't easy for anyone.

"Your Majesty, please recite the speech once more," Minister Hu said cautiously. He was grateful that the young emperor was cooperative and lacked any sign of unruliness.

Li Jingyi was about to recite when Ye Deben hurried in and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, Princess Kang Le has arrived."

Li Jingyi's eyes lit up, and he stepped towards the door, saying to Minister Hu, "Minister Hu, I have memorized it well, no need to go over it again."

Seeing the emperor hurry off, Master Hu was visibly anxious and stepped forward to follow. Ye Debeng quickly intercepted him, saying, "Master Hu, it's enough. Hasn't the emperor been cooperative?"

Master Hu's face turned a shade of red, "This official is merely concerned about any mishaps."

Ye Debeng remarked, "The emperor is considerate of your age and earnestness, which is why he’s been so cooperative. His Majesty is wise; he has memorized that material long ago."

"Yes, yes, yes," Master Hu quickly agreed, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. He now feared being accused of taking advantage of the emperor's youth.

Indeed, there were some old ministers in the court who, seeing a young emperor easy to speak with, harbored the thought of "raising" the emperor, aiming to mold him to their liking. But he was just a ceremonial officer with no real power or desire, never having entertained those improper thoughts.

Ye Debeng stood aside, watching him wipe the sweat from his brow, and scoffed internally at these ministers for their wild fantasies.

Meanwhile, Emperor Li Jingyi entered a side hall and saw Xiao Yuzhu seated at the table enjoying pastries. He approached with a smile and sat beside her, asking, "Do they taste good?"

Xiao Yuzhu nodded, "Did the Empress Dowager make these?"

Emperor Li Jingyi also took a pastry to taste, "Grandmother moved into the palace yesterday. Knowing you would come today, she made your favorite pastries."

"After the ceremony, I will go talk with the Empress Dowager, no, the Grand Empress Dowager," Xiao Yuzhu said.

"Grandmother will surely be delighted."

Xiao Yuzhu swallowed her pastry and looked at Li Jingyi, "Are you nervous?"

Emperor Li Jingyi nodded, "A bit."

That's why, even though he knew the ceremonial words by heart, he took Master Hu's advice to rehearse seriously. He feared that nervousness might cause him to forget during the actual ceremony.

"Then think of happy things, and when you’re in a lighter mood, you won't feel as nervous," Xiao Yuzhu suggested.

Her eyes sparkled with concern for him, filling Li Jingyi's heart to the brim. He thought to himself, there was no need to think of something happy; he was already content, just seeing her brought joy.

After chatting for a bit longer, Ye Debeng came to inform that the coronation ceremony was about to begin, and it was time for Li Jingyi to leave. Xiao Yuzhu walked him to the door, saying, "I’ll be watching you from the Star-Gazing Pavilion."

Li Jingyi nodded firmly, and, unable to resist, took Xiao Yuzhu's hand, declaring, "I don't feel nervous at all now."

Xiao Yuzhu glanced down at their tightly clasped hands, her face flushing, "You better go, don't let the important matters wait."

Reluctantly releasing her hand, Li Jingyi turned and walked away, while Xiao Yuzhu was led to the Star-Gazing Tower.

The coronation ceremony was lengthy and complex, and many ministers feared that the young emperor, just fourteen or fifteen, might err. However, throughout the ceremony, Li Jingyi remained composed and majestic, with not a single slip.

The coronation ceremony concluded, and the new Emperor, along with his courtiers, proceeded to the Golden Throne Hall. What followed was the Emperor's first act of conferral. Li Jingyi sat firmly upon the dragon throne, gestured with his hand, and Ye Deben presented the imperial edict, beginning to read the first decree, "I, in accepting the mandate of heaven and ascending the throne, and contemplating the grave matter of imperial succession, do hereby declare the appointment of the Empress Dowager..."

After the proclamation that elevated the imperial consort to the Empress Dowager, Ye Deben unfolded another edict and commenced reading: "I, having faced adversity in my youth, was confined to the cold palace from the age of four, where my only education began. Eight years in seclusion with only the 'Three Character Classic' to read, I knew not the ways of the world, the principles of courtesy and righteousness, much less the affairs of state governance.

However, it was my great fortune to be taught by the Lady of the Duke of Ding, Madame Tang Shi Yi, who instructed me in literacy, thus enabling me to discern right from wrong, comprehend affairs of state, cultivate personal virtue, manage household affairs, and govern the country with peace. Without the guidance of a teacher, there would be no 'me' today. Therefore, Tang Shi Yi is rightfully the Imperial Tutor..."

As the edict reading concluded, a hush fell over the Golden Throne Hall, and all eyes turned to Tang Shi Yi. Only now did they understand why the Lady of the Duke of Ding had been present in the court in official attire.

And it was only now that they comprehended why the Duke of Ding had been such a staunch supporter of the current Emperor. There had been connections long established! The Duke and his wife had played a grand game indeed!

At that moment, Tang Shi Yi stepped forward, lifting her robes to kneel, "Your subject offers profound thanks to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, may you reign for ten thousand, ten thousand years."

Li Jingyi rose and descended the steps, bending to help her up, "Master, please rise."

A harmonious teacher-disciple bond was evident between them, but a voice shattered this cordial atmosphere, "Your Majesty, I beg to differ."

The Senior Minister of the Cabinet, Minister Zhao, stepped forward, glancing at Tang Shi Yi, and said, "Throughout history, never has a woman taken official court duties, let alone the role of Imperial Tutor. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider this command."

Li Jingyi's brow furrowed, ready to speak, but Tang Shi Yi gave him a look, signaling that he need not intervene; she would handle it. Li Jingyi cast a deep glance at Minister Zhao, then turned and ascended the steps to sit back upon the dragon throne.

Meanwhile, Tang Shi Yi faced Minister Zhao and asked, "Is there any law in Daqian that states women cannot hold office or be the Imperial Tutor?"

"No," replied Minister Zhao, "but historically, it has been men who take up roles outside the home, while women are to care for the family and teach the children. For thousands of years, which dynasty has allowed a woman to hold office?"

"Minister Zhao, your ancestral home is Ning Shui, correct? Before your grandfather, didn't the Zhao family earn their living by tilling the fields?" Tang Shi Yi inquired, fixing her gaze on Minister Zhao.

Minister Zhao did not anticipate the conversation taking this turn towards his ancestry, but as it was the truth, there was nothing to refute or need to, and so he nodded, "Yes."

Tang Shi Yi nodded, "Minister Zhao's family rose to prominence through the imperial examination system, a benefit that changed the standing of your household. I suspect many here have had similar fortunes."

With her statement hanging in the air, a profound silence ensued, leaving the assembly puzzled as to why she had suddenly broached the topic of the imperial examination.

PS: When I used AI to generate images, I described a boy wearing a yellow dragon robe and a girl wearing blue attire, yet several attempts resulted in the AI swapping their colors. No matter, it will have to do.