Chapter 18

Accompanied by the sound.

Inside the Zhenxin Palace.

The smile on Empress Dowager Zhou's face diminished slightly.

Gu Jinnian noticed this, but he did not say anything. It was best not to get involved in adult matters.

Otherwise, he might not come out well.

"Mother Empress, what's the matter with Empress and Sister-in-Law?"

Princess Ningyue also sensed something and looked at Empress Dowager Zhou with curiosity.

"What else could it be? It's about the Grand Prince's enrollment in the Daxia Academy."

"He has already come to my Zhenxin Palace more than a dozen times in recent days."

Empress Dowager Zhou said with a hint of helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Princess Ningyue immediately understood.

The Grand Prince of Daxia, who is now about the same age as Gu Jinnian, is just a few months away from turning sixteen. If Gu Jinnian is considered poor at studies, then the Grand Prince is even worse.

He has inherited all his grandfather's traits, often running to the military camp, and Emperor Yongsheng also indulges him, often taking him to the military camp.

Thus, he has developed a competitive and combative nature from a young age, skilled in fighting, and not entirely ignorant of studies, but certainly not good at them.

Now, the Daxia Academy is about to recruit new students, and theoretically, neither Gu Jinnian nor the Grand Prince should be able to enter.

But due to the near-drowning incident, the Minister of Rites offered a very precious direct admission quota as compensation.

However, the Grand Prince has no such luck.

There are not many direct admission quotas, and on the surface, the emperor does not have such a quota. Of course, this is just on the surface.

After all, who would dare to defy the imperial will if the emperor really spoke up?

But the emperor generally does not speak up, and to set an example, he would not do so, as everyone is watching.

Oh, the emperor's grandson can directly enter the Daxia Academy, and you still call yourself a wise ruler?

Scholars also have their pressures.

Are scholars not supposed to uphold justice? Are they not supposed to fear no authority? How can you accept someone with such poor grades as the Grand Prince?

Of course, the most important point is that these scholars dare not teach the Grand Prince. If they teach him well, everything is fine.

But if they teach him poorly, who can bear such responsibility?

The emperor also knows this, and everyone knows, so it is very troublesome. It is best to handle it officially and avoid causing trouble for anyone.

But can such matters be handled officially?

Does the Crown Prince agree? Does the Crown Princess agree?

Who doesn't want their child to enter the highest academy? Who doesn't want their child to become a dragon?

Every family has its own difficult scriptures to chant.

The imperial family is no different, nothing unusual.

Gu Jinnian only needed to hear a few words to have a general idea.

But he does not want to get involved in this matter.

He does not want to get involved at all.

It has nothing to do with him.

"Will Mother Empress see her or not?"

Princess Ningyue asked.

Empress Dowager Zhou fell into a brief silence and finally sighed.

"See her. If I don't, she will come again tomorrow, and I can't stop her."

Empress Dowager Zhou said with a hint of annoyance.

As soon as she finished speaking, a maid went to inform.

"Come, Nian'er, have some pastries, look how thin you are."

"Ningyue, what about you? Does the Gu family have no cooks?"

"Look at how thin Nian'er is. That someone, oh, the grandson of the Minister of War, is only sixteen and as strong as a bull. Look at our Nian'er, if he gets into trouble in the future, won't he be at a disadvantage?"

Empress Dowager Zhou said with some reproach.

But this line of thinking is a bit strange, Empress Dowager, can't you think of something better? Your grandson is a scholar, why compare him to the son of the Minister of War?

Hearing the Empress Dowager's reproach, Princess Ningyue could only nod, with nothing to say.

The older generation dotes on their grandchildren, which is normal. A few scoldings are nothing.

Just then.

A voice sounded.

"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager live for a thousand years, a thousand, a thousand thousand years."

The voice sounded, and Gu Jinnian looked over.

It was a graceful woman, about forty years old, with some traces of age on her face, but it was not hard to see that she was once a top beauty.

This was the Empress of Daxia, Empress Guo.

She was the daughter of a former state duke.

Empress Guo had a gentle demeanor, and a young man, about the same age as Gu Jinnian, followed her, wearing a golden dragon robe, with clear features but a hint of arrogance.

This was the Grand Prince of Daxia, Li Ji.

If nothing goes wrong, he will be the emperor of Daxia in thirty to fifty years.

He is one of the most noble people in the world.

However, in comparison, Li Ji seemed a bit casual, and upon seeing Empress Dowager Zhou, he did not bow but stood to the side, sizing up Gu Jinnian.

"Meeting Empress and Sister-in-Law."

Princess Ningyue's voice also sounded, smiling at Empress Guo.

"Ningyue, why are you here today?"

"It's been a while since we last met."

Hearing Princess Ningyue's voice, Empress Guo immediately smiled. She and Princess Ningyue had a good relationship, after all, she was the emperor's sister.

"Meeting Empress Aunt."

"Empress Aunt, why do you look so good? You seem much younger."

In the hall.

Gu Jinnian also spoke appropriately, smiling at the Empress, and the good words were not lacking.

Indeed.

Women love to hear compliments about their appearance, especially from younger generations like Gu Jinnian.

Upon hearing this, Empress Guo's eyes clearly showed genuine joy.

She had indeed been working on her complexion recently, but apart from the servants who would praise her, others were generally indifferent.

But she did not expect Gu Jinnian to praise her first, which made her heart bloom.

"It's Nian'er."

"Let Aunt take a look, what a sweet mouth. Fuer, quickly bring out the beauty-preserving pastries I made, let the Empress Dowager and Nian'er try them."

Empress Guo, full of joy, came directly to Gu Jinnian, showing her affection for him.

First, Gu Jinnian's handsome appearance was naturally endearing.

Second, Gu Jinnian was deeply favored by Empress Dowager Zhou.

Third, the Gu family was not a small clan, and they needed to be appeased.

Considering these three points, Empress Guo naturally reacted this way.

At that moment, a maid brought out the pastry box and respectfully placed it on the table.

Empress Dowager Zhou had no interest in these pastries, but looking at Gu Jinnian, she smiled and picked up a piece, handing it to Gu Jinnian to eat.

From this, it was clear that Empress Dowager Zhou truly liked Gu Jinnian, from the bottom of her heart.

In contrast, the Grand Prince was obvious.

However, it was not that Empress Dowager Zhou did not like her grandson; it was just that with Gu Jinnian here, comparisons were inevitable.

"Are you here today for the Grand Prince's matter?"

Empress Dowager Zhou spoke directly, without any beating around the bush.

Upon hearing this, Empress Guo did not feel embarrassed but smiled and nodded.

"Mother Empress, although the Grand Prince is mischievous, he is still of royal blood and very intelligent."

"Mother Empress, the Daxia Academy is of great significance this time. If it were in the past, it would be fine not to go, but this time, I hope Mother Empress can speak to the emperor on behalf of your grandson."

Empress Guo spoke, perhaps having mentioned it several times before, this time directly.

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhou frowned slightly.

Princess Ningyue knew that her mother did not want to get involved in political matters, especially since the current emperor was filial, and she did not want to be used by others.

Therefore, Princess Ningyue looked at Li Ji.

"Grand Prince, take your uncle for a walk outside."

Princess Ningyue spoke.

The next topic involved political matters, and it was not convenient to have two children around, so Princess Ningyue sent them away.

Li Ji, the Grand Prince, being of the fourth generation, had to call Gu Jinnian uncle due to the generational difference.

"Oh."

Li Ji was somewhat unwilling, but between staying here and taking Gu Jinnian away, he preferred the latter.

"Grandmother?"

Gu Jinnian did not go directly but looked at Empress Dowager Zhou, waiting for her approval.

This small gesture carried different meanings.

It made Gu Jinnian appear more respectful to Empress Dowager Zhou.

Indeed, this small gesture warmed Empress Dowager Zhou's heart. Her grandson was close to her, and even his mother's words were not as effective as waiting for her to speak.

This behavior made Empress Dowager Zhou like her grandson even more.

Empress Guo watched all this silently, inwardly marveling at how Gu Jinnian had changed after the near-drowning incident. He was now obedient, eloquent, and meticulous.

Looking at her own grandson, he was too playful.

Should she also throw her grandson into the water to see what happens?

Some杂念 flashed through Empress Guo's mind, while Empress Dowager Zhou smiled at Gu Jinnian.

"Nian'er, go and play well."

"Bai Ying, follow Nian'er and make sure he doesn't get hurt."

Empress Dowager Zhou spoke, instructing her personal eunuch to follow Gu Jinnian, fearing he might get hurt.

"Yes."

Eunuch Bai Ying smiled and answered, then led Gu Jinnian and the Grand Prince out of the Zhenxin Palace.

As they left, the atmosphere in the hall became more serious.

Gu Jinnian did not care about the elders' matters.

He followed Eunuch Bai Ying, and as soon as they left the main hall, the Grand Prince's voice sounded.

"Gu Jinnian, find a place to play on your own. I have something to do and can't accompany you."

Li Ji's voice sounded, and he called Gu Jinnian by his name, showing no respect.

In comparison, Gu Jinnian was a month older, but due to the generational difference, Li Ji had to call him uncle or little uncle.

But clearly, this guy did not like him.

This would not do.

If it were anyone else, Gu Jinnian would let it go, but who was this? The Grand Prince.

Within a hundred years, this guy would basically be the emperor of Daxia. If he did not build a good relationship now, it would be troublesome later.

"Grand Prince, you can do whatever you want."

"However, I am your uncle. If you call me by my name again, don't blame me for being unfriendly."

Gu Jinnian spoke.

A little brat, should he indulge him?

Being polite was out of respect for his future status as emperor, but if he was not respectful, Gu Jinnian did not care.

Throughout history, how many crown princes have been deposed? What about a grand prince?

If he did not suppress him now, it would be even worse later.

Make him bow and scrape?

Eat shit.

Besides, what could happen if he really offended him? As a穿越者, he was not afraid of him.

Indeed.

Upon hearing this, the Grand Prince was taken aback.

He did not expect Gu Jinnian to respond this way.

Instantly, Li Ji felt annoyed and even a bit disgusted with Gu Jinnian.

He did not have a good impression of Gu Jinnian to begin with.

First, they did not interact much.

Second, his grandmother liked Gu Jinnian but not him.

Third, Gu Jinnian's behavior just now made him unhappy.

Although his mother and Empress Grandmother had reminded him to be nice to Gu Jinnian, the more they did, the more rebellious he became.

"Hmph."

Li Ji huffed and prepared to leave.

But Eunuch Bai Ying, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Grand Prince, you must not do this. The Empress Dowager has ordered that you play together, and you will have a meal together later. If the Grand Prince is not there, it will be troublesome for me."

Eunuch Bai Ying, with his white hair and smiling face, was no ordinary person.

Hearing this, Li Ji frowned.

He understood Eunuch Bai Ying's meaning and was somewhat displeased. After some thought, Li Ji looked at Gu Jinnian and continued.

"You can follow me, but don't talk nonsense. There are many people in the Tianxiang Hall, don't embarrass yourself."

Saying this, Li Ji turned and left, giving Gu Jinnian no chance to respond.

Instantly, Gu Jinnian found it amusing.

It seemed this guy was not easy to get along with.

Fine.

Then don't blame me, Gu Jinnian, for not showing family respect.

At that moment, Gu Jinnian followed Li Ji.

Eunuch Bai Ying watched all this, still smiling, but he was somewhat disappointed in the Grand Prince.

The grandson of a state duke, not knowing how to cultivate relationships, truly lacked imperial skills.

However, he kept these thoughts to himself and did not speak.