Chapter 366: Girls’ School

Chapter 366: Women's Academy

After Mei Zhuyu finished speaking, Emperor Jingyang was utterly mortified.

He picked up his teacup to hide his embarrassment.

Going by what Mei Zhuyu was saying, since the emperors of the other three nations didn't charge fees, if he alone did, he'd be the odd one out in the eyes of the people of the four nations.

Emperor Jingyang dared not imagine how terrible his reputation would be at that point.

He cleared his throat, set down his teacup, looked at Mei Zhuyu, and regained his previous composure.

"Director Mei, don't read too much into it. I was just joking with you. The peace of the four nations depends on all of us working together."

Mei Zhuyu raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a knowing smirk. "So Your Majesty has changed your mind and won't be collecting fees for the designs?"

Emperor Jingyang quickly said, "I never intended to collect design fees."

He glanced at Concubine Li out of the corner of his eye and suddenly added, "It was Concubine Li who put the idea of charging fees into my head. That kind of womanly thinking is utterly absurd, and I was momentarily confused, which made me say the wrong thing in front of Director Mei."

"Honestly, no one wants Dongchen to become a great cultural nation more than I do, and the four nations to enjoy lasting peace."

Although minor skirmishes continued, they were just border clashes. Since Luo Junhe had defeated the enemy army, no major wars had occurred.

For the Dongchen Kingdom, this was already the best they could hope for!

After all, none of his military commanders could hold a candle to Luo Junhe.

The Dongchen Kingdom hadn't fully regained its strength. If a real war were to break out, the consequences would be disastrous.

When Concubine Li heard Emperor Jingyang's words, she nearly choked on her own anger.

She had not expected that when it really counted, he would dare to shift all the blame onto her, making her the scapegoat.

This man never ceased to amaze her with how low he could sink.

Concubine Li would be lying to say she was not angry, but for now she could only swallow her resentment and keep a low profile.

Emperor Jingyang shot Eunuch Zhang a look, and Eunuch Zhang immediately understood.

He stepped forward and bellowed, "The first round of woodworking demonstrations is now over. Next is the second segment. Princess Ye, please come forward and share your proposal with His Majesty."

"Keep in mind, you only get one shot at this. Princess Ye, so make it count."

Ji Yuntang already knew exactly what she wanted to say. She stepped forward to the center of the grounds, her tone neither groveling nor pushy.

"I want to speak up for all women. Since ancient times, it's always been incredibly hard for women to get an education. Men can go to school, but women can't."

"I hope Your Majesty will lead the way in setting up women's academies, building schools throughout the nation to allow more women to receive an education. Only when the people are more educated can the nation truly thrive."

Emperor Jingyang's brow furrowed. His first thought was, how much is this going to cost nationwide?

And that's not even counting the cost of teachers and books.

If all of that came from the national treasury, the treasury would be drained by at least half.

It pained him just thinking about it. He frowned and said, "A woman's virtue is in having no talent. In the future, they'll all get married, run the household, and raise kids. What's the point of all that reading?"

"Princess Ye, I'll give you another chance. Come up with something more reasonable."

Ji Yuntang narrowed her eyes and said firmly, "Your Majesty just stated that you hope Dongchen will soon become a great cultural nation. In that case, my suggestion isn't asking for too much."

"This kingdom isn't just made up of men—there are women too. What men can do, women can do too. A lot of them just never had the chance to learn."

"If Your Majesty can grant them this opportunity, I believe more women will step up and do their part for the country."

Cheng Rushan nodded approvingly at Ji Yuntang and said, "I think Princess Ye makes a great point. Twenty years ago, the previous head of the Royal Academy made an exception and let women in. But it was only for noble families, and they had to pass entrance exams, so it was really hard."

"If noble ladies can study, why can't regular folks?"

"I think we should get rid of these biases and give more women who want to learn the chance to do so."

"One generation influences the next. When parents are educated, their kids will naturally grow up with a better education. If kids are better at learning, how could the nation not thrive?"

As the head of the Royal Academy, Cheng Rushan was already highly respected, and his words now resonated with many.

They all urged Emperor Jingyang to establish women's academies and give women a chance to pursue education.

Backed into a corner by everyone, Emperor Jingyang had no choice but to agree.

"Then let us first establish women's academies in the nearby counties of Ping'an, Qili, and Taoyuan, with two in each county. We shall observe the enrollment results for now, and if they prove effective, we will expand further. This matter shall be entrusted to the Minister of Works."

The Empress stood up and said, "Has Your Majesty forgotten one thing? If women's academies are established, they should be named after Princess Ye."

"In my opinion, why not name them all Yun Tang Academy?"

Since the academies were already being opened, what was a name? Emperor Jingyang readily agreed.

"Then let it be done as the Empress suggests."

Ji Yuntang knew that two women's academies per county was already the greatest concession Emperor Jingyang could make.

She naturally wouldn't push her luck further.

She thought the second segment had passed, and the reward segment would come next.

Ji Yuntang waited with anticipation...

Unexpectedly, a guard rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, a Taoist priest from Baiyun Temple has arrived outside, saying he saw a mass of black mist above the palace and fears that an evil entity is causing mischief. He wishes to enter and exorcise it for Your Majesty."

Emperor Jingyang's heart jolted with alarm upon hearing this. He first looked up at the sky and indeed saw a mass of black mist condensed overhead.

A cold wind blew, dead leaves swirled in the air, and a large flock of crows circled in the sky, making harsh cries.

The originally clear sky suddenly darkened as sunlight was blocked by the massive flock of crows, blotting out the sky and covering the sun.

Emperor Jingyang had always believed in ghosts and spirits. Now, seeing such an eerie sight, he cast aside all other concerns and hastily said, "Quick, invite the master from Baiyun Temple inside."

Madam Meng and Ji Nanchuan exchanged a glance, both seeing the satisfaction in each other's eyes.

By the Taiye Pool, panic spread among the crowd.

Ji Yuntang pursed her lips. Wasn't that just an ordinary, perfectly normal dark cloud?

What ghosts and monsters were they talking about?

She looked up at the flock of crows in the sky and caught a faint scent of blood in the air through her nose, which dispersed with the wind.

Ji Yuntang sneered coldly. "Heh, interesting."

It seemed there would be another good show to watch soon!

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