The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 281 Chess Game

The suggestion they ultimately chose was not any of the initial recommendations.

The one who came up with the idea was Qin Yue, a senior official in our court.

This old fogey... no, I mean this cunning old fox, offered the most moderate suggestion.

Since it's impossible to cripple the Brown Kingdom in one fell swoop, it would be best if this probing didn't arouse their suspicion.

After carefully considering the details and assigning tasks, the plan was carried out in an orderly manner, and all that was left to do was wait.

After feeling better, Zheng Xun decided to visit Yuanxiu Academy.

She left the palace discreetly, only taking Lü Mengying and Wei Yanxing with her.

Upon arrival, it was discovered that the academy had expanded to a much larger area. The buildings, which were not particularly outstanding to begin with, suddenly exuded a majestic aura due to their sheer size.

They could hear the sound of children reading aloud coming from inside the courtyard, even from outside the courtyard wall.

Even Lü Mengying's expression softened considerably.

Zheng Xun turned to look at her: "Do you like it here?"

"like."

They all thought Yuanxiu Academy was good, but Zheng Xun had many worries.

She knew that it was able to grow to its current scale because of three reasons: first, the protection and support of her, the person in power; second, the systematic supervision; and third, the presence of managers like Zhao Hou and Shen Canglan, who possessed both virtue and skill.

All three are indispensable, yet they are all things that can only be encountered by chance.

The fear is that with the passing of this generation of founders, the academy will decline or even lose its original character.

She knew that as long as humanity existed, there would be no completely effective way to supervise in this world. She could only do her best to improve everything about the academy, but she could not foresee its future.

The Red Eagle Guards on duty spotted Zheng Xun early on. The captain in charge greeted her and saluted, saying, "Greetings, Princess Yuanjia!"

Zheng Xun smiled and said, "I remember you, Zhang Dairong, Captain Zhang."

Although Zhang Dairong was calm and composed, she was still somewhat excited when she heard Zheng Xun's words.

Zheng Xun walked towards the academy, and Zhang Dairong quickly followed: "Does the princess need to announce her arrival?"

“No need,” Zheng Xun turned his head to look behind him. “You did a good job. Is there any reward you would like?”

"It is our duty, and we do not deserve any reward. Princess, rest assured, the academy and the general have never treated us unfairly."

The general she was referring to was naturally Jianyang.

As Zheng Xun spoke with her, they gradually stepped into the academy gate.

There is an open space at the entrance.

In the center, there was a huge statue.

Zheng Xun slowly raised his head, saw the statue's face clearly, and asked in confusion, "Me?"

"It's the princess."

"What happened?"

"Carved by hundreds of craftsmen."

Zheng Xun gasped, clutching his chest in distress: "This must have cost a fortune..."

"Princess, don't worry, the statues won't be paid for by the academy. It was just a whim of the women at the academy who wanted to build two statues for you and Marquis Zhao. At that time, money was scarce, and they didn't intend for them to be so large..."

"Later, the news somehow got out and reached the mouth of Marquis Zhao. Marquis Zhao rejected the proposal to build a statue of herself. Under her strong opposition, everyone finally decided to build only one."

Zheng Xun: Is that right?

For a moment, she suspected that Zhao Hou had some kind of problem with her. After all, such a large statue was placed there, and in the dim light of the night, it was bound to be frightening.

If only she really had a problem with her, she might not even be able to stand seeing this thing displayed in the academy.

Zhang Dairong continued, "Who knew that after the news spread, officials came to donate silver the very next day, and later some wealthy merchants and powerful figures also contributed. The amount of silver raised kept increasing, and the statue that was to be built was getting bigger and bigger..."

Zheng Xun frowned: "Didn't Marquis Zhao stop it?"

Zhao Xiulan couldn't possibly be that inconsiderate.

Small statues are out of the question, but this statue is so big. The combined manpower and material costs would be enough to keep Yuanxiu Academy running for at least two years.

Think about it, and you'll know how to make a choice.

"The branch hospital in Wuzhou has just been built and everything is in need of improvement. We would like to invite Lord Zhao to take charge."

This is not because Shen Canglan is incompetent.

Since there is a successful example, we can avoid many unnecessary detours.

Therefore, I'll trouble Lord Zhao, who is familiar with this matter, to lend a hand.

Who would have thought that, so soon after she left, the matter of the statue would begin to spiral out of control?

Zheng Xun scoffed, "I had no idea that the Great Yong Dynasty had such a talent. How long have I been gone, how long has Marquis Zhao been gone, and yet such a large statue has been erected! Impressive skill!"

Upon hearing Zheng Xun's increasingly cold tone, Lü Mengying and Wei Yanxing both took a step back.

Don't ask, the first reaction of a martial artist when they sense danger is simply this.

"If Marquis Zhao is not here, where is Zhao Lingyin? Where is Jianyang? Surely Father made some arrangements before he left?"

"Before leaving the capital, the Emperor entrusted the Grand Tutor with the care of the academy."

Zheng Xun raised an eyebrow.

Qin Yue? That old fox wouldn't do something so stupid.

She withdrew her gaze, put her hands behind her back, and said, "Let's go."

Zhang Dairong did not move.

Her gaze slowly moved upward from the folds of the clothing on the statue's legs. The statue's face was brightly lit by the midday sun. After a moment of daze, the blurry outline jumped into her eyes.

Her gaze shifted downwards, landing on the top of Zheng Xun's head, and she was surprised to find that even her silhouette seemed to be imbued with a touch of divinity by the vibrant sunlight.

There are rumors in the capital that Zheng Xun is a minor deity, and people in the Fuzhou area worship a goddess who looks like her.

Perhaps the princess really is a goddess who shoulders both the burdens of ghosts and gods and the burdens of all living beings?

She shook her head, feeling that she was somewhat obsessed.

However, her steps unconsciously became lighter, and her waist bent even lower.

Zheng Xun walked slowly past the classrooms. Apart from the larger area and more unfamiliar faces, the academy had not changed in any other way.

Everything was still in good order, and the people coming and going all had smiles on their faces.

Two little girls are playing chess under the shade of a tree.

They went back and forth, and at first they were very quick, but later they even showed signs of boredom.

With a "thud," the chess piece landed on the chessboard.

With a "crack," the branch snapped underfoot, and Zheng Xun stood beside them.

A little girl asked, "When will this end?"

"Wait until the winner is decided."

Zheng Xun smiled faintly: "The battle will continue, and the struggle will be fierce. It all depends on who has the upper hand in the first few steps and who is cornered in the end. It will be clear at a glance who surrounds and traps whom."

A little girl said impatiently, "Don't you understand the principle of 'not speaking while watching a game'?"

Zheng Xun: ...

The profound scene she had envisioned was gently shattered by this single sentence.

Zheng Xun shrugged and turned to walk to the next place.

Everything at the academy was as usual, and their trip was unusually smooth.

After leaving the academy, Lü Mengying asked Zheng Xun, "The princess's words while watching the chess game seemed to have a deeper meaning..."

In short, it doesn't sound like a discussion of a chess game.

“Even a taciturn person can be curious one day,” Wei Yanxing closed his folding fan and rubbed the edge of the fan against the slightly itchy back of his neck. “I know, just ask me!”

Lü Mengying ignored him and waited quietly for Zheng Xun to explain.

Zheng Xun glanced back at the statue he hadn't noticed on the way here: "Mengying, listen slowly, look slowly, and think slowly."

She didn't give an answer, but jumped onto the carriage and lifted the curtain: "To Grand Tutor Qin's residence."

Lü Mengying and Wei Yanxing sat in the front, and the carriage slowly drove off.