Chapter 241: The Tianjin Palace

Chapter 241: The Tianjin Imperial Residence

On the tenth day of the eighth month of the first year of Emperor Zhaoxin's reign, the Tianjin New Academy officially marked the beginning of its history.

This was the first institution in China's history that did not primarily focus on classical texts and historical records but instead aimed to cultivate multidisciplinary talents. Over the centuries to come, it would stand unwavering alongside the land through storms and upheavals, shining like a radiant gem as it accompanied the country through the tides of changing eras, nurturing generations of individuals who would lead societal progress.

This special day, along with all the speeches by esteemed scholars, the inscribed poems, and the roster of attending students during the academy's opening ceremony, would be forever engraved in China's history.

With all the children away at school, the vast residence suddenly felt half-empty, leaving Qiu Huanian struggling to adjust.

After careful consideration, Yuan Jia resigned from her position as an archivist in the Imperial Library and came to teach mathematics at the Tianjin New Academy.

She was the first woman to hold a formal teaching position in an officially backed institution. Because she had previously served as an archivist in the Imperial Library, held a minor official rank, and was the lead author of *Elementary Mathematics*, her reputation helped quickly silence any opposition.

Following Yuan Jia's precedent, the academy gradually introduced several other talented women and men as instructors. Chi Qinghe and Bai Chenghuan made the trip together from the capital to teach at the academy every five days—one instructing poetry and literature, the other medicine.

The scale and innovative measures of the Tianjin New Academy quickly drew widespread attention. Those with vested interests felt threatened and began employing various tactics to undermine the academy's reputation and that of Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse.

What complicated matters for them was Emperor Zhaoxin's unexpected appearance at the academy's opening ceremony—and his subsequent decision to remain in Tianjin for good.

Within Tianjin's city walls stood a small imperial residence, built by previous emperors for seaside retreats. Though modest and long overdue for major renovations, it was a far cry from the grandeur of the imperial palace.

Fortunately, Jia Hongyuan had no imperial harem or children, so the Imperial Household Department and Tianjin officials only needed to focus on renovating the halls for the emperor's living quarters and administrative work.

Tianjin was close to the capital, and reports from across the country could be delivered directly to the Tianjin residence within a day.

The daily morning court was put on hold. Officials with matters to report could submit memorials to Tianjin, and the emperor occasionally summoned trusted officials for discussions at the residence.

Many emperors of the Yu Dynasty had the habit of leaving the palace for extended summer retreats, so the administrative system already had a well-oiled system for handling governance outside the palace. No one could find legitimate grounds to criticize Jia Hongyuan's prolonged stay in Tianjin.

Even if they could, any remonstrance would be meaningless unless the emperor willed it.

After over a year on the throne, the court officials who had not been demoted or lost their heads had a clearer sense of the emperor’s nature.

Qiu Huanian, wary of Mei Wangshu's presence in Tianjin, remained cautious about Emperor Zhaoxin's extended stay.

He did not know the emperor's reasons for remaining or his daily activities. Guarded by the empire’s finest, even the faintest disturbance near the emperor would not escape notice, and the crime of snooping around the emperor was not one Qiu Huanian could afford to risk.

When Qiu Huanian asked Mei Wangshu about it, Mei Wangshu showed no reaction upon hearing of the emperor's prolonged stay in Tianjin.

However, from then on, Mei Wangshu's visits to the prefectural residence to see Qingmei noticeably decreased. When questioned, Mei Wangshu explained he was focusing entirely on hunting down Qiu Chuanzong and his wife.

It seemed Qiu Chuanzong and his wife had spotted Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng that day, recognizing them as children closely connected to Qiu Huanian. Frightened, they vanished into hiding and had not resurfaced since.

Of course, having fallen into the hands of Mei Wangshu, who was driven by vengeance for his sister, it was only a matter of time before they were caught and punished.

Another morning arrived as autumn deepened, the air growing colder. The sun had yet to rise, and overnight dew clung to door handles and roof tiles. The damp air chilled their lungs with every breath.

With limited lighting in ancient times, people generally retired early and rose early. By this hour, Tianjin's city streets were already stirring, especially in the bustling International Quarter, where crowds moved about.

Shop managers, clerks, and traveling merchants hurried through the lanes, occasionally yawning, their breath visible in the crisp air.

Mei Wangshu opened the narrow shop door from within. With a creak, the dawn light rushed inside, revealing a figure cloaked in black standing outside, having waited for some time.

Mei Wangshu's gaze swept over the thin layer of dew on the fur trim of the cloak, pausing briefly at the dark circles under the man's eyes before lowering his own.

"You shouldn't drink coffee anymore."

Jia Hongyuan paused, then chuckled softly. "It makes no difference. Whether I drink it or not, sleep eludes me either way. At least this way, I can come see you earlier."

"I have something to do."

"Is it about tracking down the two murderers who killed your sister?"

Mei Wangshu looked at Jia Hongyuan, who met his gaze frankly. "I won’t send people to secretly interfere or overstep. I know this is something you want to do yourself."

"But you have to take me with you."

"What?" For a moment, Mei Wangshu doubted his own hearing.

"How about a deal? You take me along to investigate the killers’ whereabouts, and in exchange, I’ll make sure Yun Se and Qishu County Princess don’t suspect a thing—and I’ll stop drinking coffee. How does that sound?" Jia Hongyuan said sincerely.

Mei Wangshu paused for a moment. "...Why?"

"In the past, you were always by my side, but I never truly took the time to understand you. I want to make an effort to see... what you’re like when carrying out a mission."

"..."

The man before him was of imperial nobility, the most powerful man in the land, whose every move sent tremors through a vast network of power, with no margin for error. Countless people were born destined to look up to him, to submit to him, to sacrifice everything to protect him.

Mei Wangshu had once been among those people. Even now, he still felt anxious for the other’s safety—a reflex so deeply embedded in him that its origin was no longer distinguishable.

Like now, his instincts screamed at him to reject this proposal, which carried the risk of danger. Certain dark affairs were never meant to fall under the emperor’s gaze.

A cold wind blew, and Mei Wangshu hid his face in the fur of his cloak.

He nodded, barely noticeably.