My Wife Turns Out to be an Empress of the Dynasty

As long as the selection of Little Princess's tutor was not settled, there remained an insurmountable chasm between the second and third positions on the Celestial List.

Grand Tutor Su Hua, with an air of haughtiness, lifted his chin and stroked his beard, appearing somewhat ashamed to be associated with his own junior brother.

Witnessing this scene, the onlookers fell into a puzzled silence once again.

The contention between two Masters for a disciple was indeed the prime amusement in the court recently.

The spectators relished the spectacle, reluctant to take sides themselves.

A three-generation Imperial Tutor and a Master from the Jixia Literary Academy, both from the same school...

Those eligible for court appointment were acutely aware that this was not the time to pick sides.

To do so would be inviting trouble upon oneself.

Despite the appearance of rivalry, both Masters regarded each other as allies deep down, and anyone unwise enough to test them would likely be ignored.

They were not on the same level, and thus, they would not concern themselves with you.

Though the Masters might not hold grudges, it was certain that officials with backgrounds from the Jixia Literary Academy would not be well-received in the future.

...

However, refraining from picking sides did not preclude enjoying the spectacle.

The performance of the two Masters was not something witnessed every day.

At this moment, during Little Princess's Zhuazhou ceremony, she did not choose any item presented by Grand Tutor or Master Zhang.

So, who would be chosen as Little Princess's tutor?

The gazes of the crowd unanimously landed on Gu Lan.

According to custom, the first item Little Princess seized was the Spirit Fruit presented by Prince Jingyang.

However, the Spirit Fruit was evidently a daily favorite of Little Princess, and Prince Jingyang hadn't placed it on the Zhuazhou ceremony table beforehand, thus it could not be considered a ceremonial item.

However, the subsequent animation projected by the shadow-carved stone was... peculiar.

The civil officials expressed their confusion... yet were greatly impressed!

This item could indeed be considered a ceremonial piece, though all ceremonial items typically held symbolic significance.

The Great Chancellor's intricate puzzle ball symbolized endless ingenuity and embodied the choice of wisdom.

The exotic Eight-Tune Music Box from Zhang the Prosecutor encompassed melodies from across the realm, symbolizing the choice of harmony.

The Grand Tutor's governance strategy symbolized the choice of homeland.

Master Su's kaleidoscope symbolized the choice of the natural world.

But what symbolism did Prince Jingyang's animation hold?

At this point, several officials couldn't help but envision several chubby dolls dressed in peculiar attire.

"The Gourd brothers all possess remarkable abilities. Could it symbolize martial prowess?"

"I don't think so. Since when has the symbolism of a princess's Zhuazhou ceremony been martial prowess?"

"If this were to be known in other small kingdoms, wouldn't it invite ridicule? Clearly, it also embodies wisdom and intelligence. Aren't these symbols quite appropriate?"

"I rather think it could represent benevolence. Compared to the malicious monsters, the kindness of the gourd brothers and the old man seems particularly compassionate."

...

Observing the officials rack their brains to forcefully find a positive symbolism for the gourd brothers, Grand Tutor Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei exchanged a glance, each seeing a trace of desolation in the other's eyes.

Their squabble for discipleship ended with neither of them being chosen for a Zhuazhou ceremony item... Such dismal performance would likely never earn Gu Lan's precious daughter as their disciple.

Their familial joy seemed to be dashed!

Previously, they had shared a sympathetic smile, but now both elderly men were equally crestfallen.

"Both Masters, the Zhuazhou ceremony is just for show."

"Prince Jingyang can present Zhuazhou ceremony items beloved by Little Princess because he is her father."

"With father and daughter united in heart, we are all outsiders. How can we compare?"

"Besides, Prince Jingyang is already Little Princess's father, so it would be inappropriate for him to also act as her tutor. If that were the case, it would be overly indulgent."

At this moment, Sima Qin spoke up to console Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei, while also offering her opinion.

Was there more to her words?

Upon hearing this, the two old men's spirits lifted.

Then, the cold voice of the Empress resounded, settling the matter:

"Yes, in my heart, both of you Masters are unparalleled in knowledge, and whichever two are chosen to be Little Princess's tutors will be a blessing to our Jing Nation."

"Your Majesty is wise."

Sima Qin nodded.

Clearly, this was the Empress's intention.

And undoubtedly Gu Lan's as well...

Both of them would be Little Princess's tutors!

Hearing this, Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei exchanged a hopeful and surprised glance.

While ordinary folk might suggest having only one tutor, Little Yong Le was extraordinary. Who said she could only have one tutor?

Moreover, considering her innate talent...

With a father like Gu Lan, it might require both of them together to tutor Little Princess!

"Great Chancellor, your words have awakened us from our reverie! Let us go and seek an audience with Her Majesty!"

"Come, junior brother! Let us go together!"

"Very well, senior brother!"

Grand Tutor Su Hua took the lead, leading Zhang Qingwei towards the direction of Mu Yuyan.

Zhang Qingwei naturally allowed his senior brother to lead him, striding forward with purpose.

Two elderly men, with a combined age approaching two hundred years, strode with remarkable vigor!

Their momentum was extraordinary!@@novelbin@@

Approaching Mu Yuyan, they had barely voiced their intentions when someone nearby produced a prepared decree.

"Grand Tutor Su Hua, and Zhang Qingwei from the Jixia Literary Academy, receive this decree!"

"By decree of Her Majesty, Grand Tutor Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei from the Jixia Literary Academy shall jointly assume the responsibility of educating the Imperial Princess..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei promptly received the decree and expressed their gratitude.

"Both teachers, henceforth, when Yong Le resides in the Eastern Palace, both of you shall take care of her education," the Empress said with a smile.

Grand Tutor Su Hua looked up at the Empress, once a disciple of the Eastern Palace and now a ruler whose political acumen far surpassed his own, feeling both emotional and relieved.

The Empress's governance had become much more sophisticated and gentle compared to before.

Perhaps this was related to Prince Jingyang and the birth of Little Princess?

Su Hua cast a deep glance at Gu Lan, who was not far away, feeding Little Princess Spirit Fruit.

A complex mixture of awe, joy, and curiosity welled up within him.

Rolling up the decree, Su Hua heaved a sigh of relief.

Regardless, with a husband like the Empress and a prodigious daughter like Little Princess, coupled with her benevolence, it was truly a blessing for the nation.

"Junior Brother, this is the gift bestowed upon you and me by Her Majesty," Su Hua said.

"In the future, you and I must diligently educate Little Princess, not a single day wasted!"

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother and the Jixia Literary Academy will spare no effort in educating Little Princess, without holding back!"

Little Princess: "..."

Satisfied, Su Hua nodded.

"Well said, truly my good junior brother!"

"Senior brother!"

Their eyes met, the camaraderie of fellow disciples, long-time friends.

Now, they were to be tutors to the same disciple, a feeling of intertwined destiny difficult to express.

Not far away, Sima Qin saw their hands tightly clasped together, a smile playing on her lips.

If not for the urgency of Jing Nation's affairs, he also wanted to be Little Princess's tutor, undoubtedly putting even more effort into her education than he did with his own Jingwen...

At today's birthday banquet, the various extraordinary aspects of Little Princess had deeply moved him.

With such astonishing talent, her future achievements would surely be recorded in history.

As Little Princess's tutor, he would naturally leave his mark in the annals.

As a scholar, he naturally aspired to such historical renown.

Like Sima Qin, everyone else looked at Su Hua and Zhang Qingwei with envy.

Who wouldn't want to be Little Princess's tutor if given the chance? It would be an immense honor!

At this moment, Little Princess sat on Gu Lan's lap, her chubby face earnestly gnawing on the fruit core, unaware of the envious glances directed towards her as if she were a treasure.

And in the midst of the crowd, only Gu Lan looked at her daughter with a hint of sympathy.

"Mumu, your days of hardship may be many in the future... Don't blame your father, your father endured even more hardship during those nine years..."