NOVPUBQiao Xun’s identity couldn’t be exposed easily; once revealed, he would undoubtedly lose his life.
As for the relationship between Qiao Chuyi and Luo Yunzhi, Shen Roujia had no right to expose their secrets.
Xu Zening revered his mother as a saintly figure. Revealing the truth would undoubtedly cause him pain.
This wasn’t the first time Xu Zening had given her this impression.
Initially, Shen Roujia always thought Xu Zening was fragile, someone who could perish at any moment.
Thinking back, she remembered that Xu Zening eventually committed suicide, and after a fierce struggle for the throne, it ultimately fell to Xiao Sinian.
Realizing this, Shen Roujia felt Xu Zening seemed even more delicate.
He appeared strong but hid his vulnerabilities well.
Xu Zening’s loneliness was something no one could truly understand.
Knowing the outcome, Shen Roujia didn’t want to hurt him by revealing the truth.
How could she let him know that his parents’ supposed fairy-tale romance was a fabrication, orchestrated by his naive and kind mother?
Shen Roujia decided to keep her thoughts to herself. It was better to let the story unfold naturally than to hasten his demise with a few words.
Xu Zening, unaware of her thoughts, tightened his grip on the cloak, his gaze downcast to hide the harsh expression in his eyes.
Shen Roujia accepted the cloak.
“Why are you here alone, Your Highness?”
Xu Zening smiled softly, as if chiding her for making him wait so long.
“I’m bored.”
He pointed to the armrest. “Let’s go back.”
Shen Roujia habitually followed his instructions, gently pushing his wheelchair.
Though she wasn’t naturally obedient, she had unconsciously fallen under Xu Zening’s influence.
...
The next day, the sun shone brightly.
Shen Roujia was especially busy, as the White Stone Academy began admitting new students.
She had to find time to leave the palace, but fortunately, the Emperor and Xu Zening were out of the palace for a rain-seeking ritual.
Whenever she left the palace, it was for the whole day.
White Stone Academy was relatively quiet, but she dreaded running into Shen Hexuan, always ensuring he wasn’t around before showing up.
Looking at the students in front of her, drowsy from reading, she sighed softly.
She worried about misguiding them.
Clearly, these students weren’t interested in policy essays. The academy had only brought out Jia Shen as a gimmick to attract new students.
The best students wouldn’t be assigned to Shen Roujia.
Instead, she got the younger children of noble families.
Shen Roujia didn’t force them to study. On the first day, she promised to teach them to the best of her ability.
They could read freely but had to write their impressions.
Shen Roujia didn’t believe in rigid exam-oriented education. Every child had unique talents.
Allowing them to develop freely could be beneficial.
They might even produce someone extraordinary for this era.
She only asked them to read what interested them and to ignore everything else.
