Chapter 8: Taking Things Step by Step When It Comes to Love

Thus, everyone began to pick up their textbooks and head to the lecture halls.

Inside the Jing Yi Pavilion.

“Libationer, I have already given the instructions. This Lu Yuner is quite obedient and has submissively followed the arrangements.” Du Hongying bowed slightly, looking at the Libationer who was standing by the antique shelf, carefully wiping the porcelain with a brocade handkerchief, and continued to flatter, “Think back to when she didn’t know what was good for her and dared to slight you. She probably never thought she would end up like this. Now she has been demoted and works under you, Libationer. She must be filled with regret.”

“What do you know!” Hu Lanzhen put down the red-glazed willow vase in her hand and glanced at her coldly, saying in a chilly voice, “This Lu Yuner is not as simple as you think.”

In the second half of her sentence, her tone became icy, and a hint of sinister color flashed in her turbid eyes.

Hu Lanzhen turned around and sat on the official hat chair, with Du Hongying following closely behind.

Hu Lanzhen picked up the tea on the table and gently brushed the tea lid with it. “But come to think of it, this Lu Yuner is indeed an exceptionally talented woman. She has only been in the position of Minister of Revenue for a year, yet her political achievements are remarkable. She has accomplished so much at such a young age. Her abilities cannot be underestimated. Logically speaking, she should be rising steadily and having a successful official career. How could she suddenly be demoted?”

Du Hongying carefully speculated, “This… since the new Empress ascended the throne, there have been many changes in the officialdom. Lu Yuner has always been ignorant of the times. Perhaps it’s possible that Lu Yuner has offended Her Majesty in some way.”

After taking a sip of tea, Hu Lanzhen narrowed her eyes, and her gaze became a few shades colder. “The higher-ups have said that no matter what the reason is, we have to be careful. As long as this Lu Yuner behaves herself, we don’t need to bother with her for now. The main thing is that it has been a year since that item went missing. The longer we drag this out, the more dangerous it becomes. We must find it as soon as possible, otherwise, both our heads might not be safe.”

Hearing the Libationer say this, Du Hongying subconsciously swallowed deeply, and cold sweat began to form on her oily forehead. She responded, “Yes.”

Speaking of this, Du Hongying secretly cursed a few times in her heart. Over the past year, she had spared no effort and turned the entire Imperial Academy upside down, but found nothing. She could only blame that wretched woman for being good at hiding.

Hu Lanzhen slightly lifted her eyelids and looked at Du Hongying, a hint of a meaningful smile hanging at the corners of her eyes, which were covered with fine wrinkles. “I heard that your youngest son recently became a favored concubine. Congratulations, Supervisor!”

Du Hongying’s eyes shifted, and she instantly understood. She immediately flattered, “That’s right. My youngest son was recently bestowed the title of favored concubine by Her Majesty. By the way, when I just saw the Libationer, I noticed that there are still a few empty spaces on this antique shelf. I was thinking that I recently received some excellent Jun kiln porcelain from a friend.”

Du Hongying paused here and glanced at the Libationer’s expression. Seeing her eyebrows raised, she continued, “As people say, ‘entering the kiln as one color, exiting the kiln with myriad hues.’ The glaze of Jun kiln porcelain is crystal clear and gorgeously unparalleled. I want to offer it to the Libationer as a gift, hoping that the Libationer won’t disdain it.”

“There’s a saying: ‘Even if you have a fortune of ten thousand, it’s not as good as a single piece of Jun kiln porcelain.'” Hu Lanzhen smiled and said in a slightly raised tone, “This Jun kiln porcelain is extremely precious. Since it was a gift from a good friend to the Supervisor, how can I take what others cherish? That wouldn’t be very good, would it?”

Du Hongying fawned, “If it weren’t for the Libationer’s help, how could my youngest son have his wish fulfilled? This is my sincere intention. I hope the Libationer will accept it.”

Hu Lanzhen’s smile gradually widened, and the curve of her lips grew larger. “Alright, alright! Since it’s the Supervisor’s sincere intention, I’ll accept it. Send it to my residence another day.”

Du Hongying’s heart was actually as clear as a mirror. She smiled apologetically and said, “Yes.”

At this time, a cute-looking male student walked into Lexin Hall with a cheerful expression.

That cute male student waved his hand and said excitedly, pretending to be profound, “According to reliable information, our male academy will soon have a female scholar. Do you know who the female scholar coming to our male academy is?”

The students crowded around, asking curiously, “Who is it?”

The cute male student smiled sweetly, and his fair, delicate little face immediately revealed a pair of charming dimples. He reminded, “Do you still remember the white-clothed woman standing beside the Director of Studies on the day of the vegetable offering ceremony? The female scholar who is about to teach in our Lexin Hall is her.”

As soon as this student’s words came out, everyone began to discuss, and the place was in an uproar.

“It’s really her! That’s great!”

“Yeah! She’s really pretty.”

“I also heard that Scholar Lu used to be the Minister of Revenue! She’s a woman with exceptional talent.”

…

Suddenly, a clear and pleasant male voice rang out.

“Quiet, class has started. Please return to your seats. Zhen Keke, quickly sit back in your spot.” This male student had a gentle and beautiful appearance, with eyebrows and eyes as mild as jade, like a clear breeze and bright moon, making people feel extremely comfortable.

Zhen Keke obediently said, “I know! Monitor An.”

An Caihe smiled with satisfaction.

A moment later.

A figure in blue walked over gracefully, with flowing clothes and light steps, entering Lexin Hall unhurriedly.

Seeing someone enter, the male students immediately sat upright at their desks, all staring intently at the new economics scholar by the podium.

And a ripple appeared in An Caihe’s calm eyes.

Lu Yuner’s eyes and brows were filled with smiles, standing gracefully by the podium like a white magnolia flower, as white as clouds and snow, emitting a subtle fragrance that unconsciously attracted people to admire her.

She calmly faced the gazes of a group of youthful and lively students, and took the initiative to speak with a smile, “Hello, male students! My surname is Lu. From now on, I will be teaching you this economics class. Rest assured, my teaching style is relatively relaxed. If there are any questions I can answer, I will answer them one by one for everyone. Of course, I also hope that everyone can abide by the rules of the lecture hall, not leave early or arrive late. Lastly, I wish everyone a pleasant learning experience and may you all gain knowledge.”

Lu Yuner had looked over the teaching arrangements of the Imperial Academy, which were too dull and cumbersome. After all, she had also been a student, but she could only make appropriate changes within the scope prescribed by this world and acceptable to everyone.

After all, there were indeed few people who took learning as a hobby.

An Caihe stood up, with refined manners. “Scholar Lu, hello! My name is An Caihe, and I am the monitor of Lexin Hall. If Scholar Lu needs any help in the future, you can let me know.”

Lu Yuner looked at An Caihe, whose appearance was clear, beautiful, and mild, and who was polite and courteous. She smiled and said, “Mm.”

Lu Yuner’s gaze swept over the desks, taking a general look at the appearances of these male students. She noticed an empty seat in the second row, second column, and asked curiously, “Where is the student in this empty seat? Is he sick?”

Zhen Keke glanced at the empty seat and immediately said, “That’s Su Qingwan, Young Master Su’s seat.”

Lu Yuner frowned slightly. So it was that Young Master Su. She asked, “Did he request leave or sick leave?”

An Caihe: “Neither.”

Lu Yuner lowered her eyes in contemplation: Although Her Majesty has regulations for the Imperial Academy, and there are only teachers and students in the Imperial Academy, with teachers taking precedence, in reality, power and influence still prevail. However, there might be other reasons for this young master’s unexcused absence from class. Since I am a teacher, I should be responsible to the end. Moreover…

After thinking for a while, Lu Yuner said, “This class will be temporarily led by Monitor An. I’m going to the Jing Yi Pavilion.”

An Caihe: “Yes, Scholar Lu.”

On the way to the Jing Yi Pavilion, Lu Yuner saw a male student from afar, a small figure squatting by the lotus pond, enjoying the scenery and playfully teasing the fish, having a delightful time.

As Lu Yuner gradually approached, she discovered that it was actually Young Master Su. She couldn’t help but smile, thinking that she didn’t expect this young master to be so fond of playing. However, at this beautiful age of youth and springtime, one could indeed indulge a little. After all, youth only comes once, but one should still have a clear goal.

“Young Master Su, are you having fun?” Lu Yuner smiled gracefully.

“It’s you! You’re looking for me?” Su Qingwan stood up and turned around in response. He gazed at Lu Yuner, who was smiling like a flower in front of him. She stood like an orchid and jade tree, and her smile was like a bright moon embracing [1]. When she smiled, especially those peach blossom eyes, they seemed to sparkle with starlight, as bright as the stars, luminous and clear.

It seemed to be true, as that student had said, that if you looked at her for too long, you would fall in.

Suddenly, he realized something, his pupils slightly dilated, and his gaze flickered as he turned towards the lotus pond.