Chapter 24: Winning the Heart of Xu Mingyi

At Yuyitang, the crowd was abuzz with talk that the Princess of Liang intended to open a tuition-free academy. It was said that any child over the age of seven, provided they were eager to learn, could enroll for free as long as they brought their own desks, chairs, and writing supplies.

The local women remarked that as soon as the academy opened, they would send their unruly children there.

At first, Yingtao did not pay much attention to whom they were talking about, but upon listening closely, she discovered that the academy they mentioned was actually being opened by the Princess herself.

After finally waiting for her young mistress to emerge, Yingtao immediately relayed the news to Xiao Yunji.

Xiao Yunji had been feeling quite lucky that day to have encountered such a skilled physician, but upon hearing this, her brows furrowed immediately.

"Is this true?"

"It is absolutely certain. They said this news was announced to everyone by Manager Yuan himself."

"Oh no, we must return to the estate immediately and tell the Dowager!"

Xiao Yunji had always assumed the Princess was merely acting out of spite by refusing to return to the estate. Although the Princess had repeatedly claimed she would no longer provide financial support to the Prince’s residence, Xiao Yunji had never truly believed it.

Despite the Princess's cold, distant exterior, her heart was actually quite warm. She would never have the heart to watch everyone scrape by, tightening their belts to make ends meet.

Having harbored a sliver of hope until now, the news served as a harsh wake-up call. The Princess was truly in earnest this time.

When she broke the news to the Dowager and the Prince, both were left stunned. Zhao Shenxing, in particular, could not believe his ears.

"What did you say? She intends to open an academy in the name of the Ning family!"

The Dowager remained dazed for a long time before regaining her senses. "The accounts are about to run dry, and she is playing the saint elsewhere, opening a free academy of all things!"

"Just because she has a few pieces of stinking silver, she thinks she’s so capable!"

Zhao Shenxing roared, "I am still the master here! Since when is it her turn to lose face for the city of Liangzhou!"

Xiao Yunji sighed. "I originally wanted to ask my sister to return early to take charge of the situation, but she said she wanted to stay a few more days."

Seeing the anger of the Dowager and the Prince, Xiao Yunji dared not tell the full truth.

"Stay a few more days!"

Zhao Shenxing was incensed. "No, I must go find her."

"She is currently in the heat of her anger; if you go now, it will only be counterproductive." The Dowager twirled her prayer beads, coldly reminding him, "I told you to apologize earlier, and you refused. Now you’re in a hurry?"

"I’m just worried she’s bringing shame upon me!" Zhao Shenxing retorted irritably.

"Do you think an academy can be set up in ten days or a fortnight?" Dowager Xu sighed. "Yunji just went there today; you should wait a couple of days."

Inside Ning'an Inn, Ning Junruo and Nianfang were tending to the flowers in the courtyard.

Nianfang held a pair of shears, trimming the withered branches and leaves of a rosebush. "I never expected that a small cutting taken from the rosebush in our courtyard back in the capital, planted in a clay pot, would grow into such a large tree in just three or four years."

Noticing her young mistress staring at the orchid, Nianfang smiled and said, "This orchid was also divided from the pot in your room."

Ning Junruo had heard such remarks quite often over the past two days. Her heart was moved by more than just sentiment.

The Ning family had given her so much, and she, in turn, owed them far too much.

In her previous life, the Ning family had been executed by the Emperor—the very man who was now the Prince of Jin.

This time, for the sake of the Ning family, her father, her mother, and her brother... even if it meant sacrificing her life, she would put up a fight!

Ning Junruo thought to herself: this time, whoever sought the lives of the Ning family, she would take theirs in return! Even the Emperor would be no exception.

"Mistress, Manager Yuan requests an audience. He says the tasks you entrusted to him have been successfully completed." Huaixi suddenly arrived to report.

Ning Junruo set down the water ladle and wiped her hands on a cotton cloth. "I was just looking for him. Tell him to come in."

When Huaixi brought him into the room, Ning Junruo had just taken her seat.

After Yuan Wenxiu bowed and sat down, he said with a troubled expression, "Mistress, not even an hour has passed, and hundreds have already come to register. I fear the three hundred spots we planned for will not be enough."

Ning Junruo pondered for a moment. "Then add another condition: in addition to bringing their own stationery and desks, they must also provide their own food and water. The academy will not provide any meals or school supplies."

Due to the climate, academies in Liangzhou typically provided lunch. Hearing that the Princess’s academy was free, everyone assumed lunch was included as well and had rushed to sign up.

Yuan Wenxiu’s eyes brightened. "You are as thoughtful as ever, Mistress. If it weren't for the requirement to provide their own supplies, I fear even more people would have signed up. This condition will likely filter out quite a few."

"By the way, what about the age limit?" Ning Junruo suddenly remembered. "Post a notice later stating that classes begin in three days and that the school will only recruit children between the ages of seven and twelve."

"If we only take children under twelve, I worry we won't even fill the three hundred spots." Yuan Wenxiu asked, "Is opening in three days too rushed?"

"There is no time like the present, and three days from now is an auspicious day for everything. Does Manager Yuan feel it is rushed because the teachers haven't been finalized?"

"The teachers have already been secured. Speaking of which, I must praise Young Master Xu. To avoid suspicion, he didn't even let us mention who recommended them. Although he didn't take credit, these men are of good character; upon learning the academy was funded by the Ning family, they didn't even ask to raise their monthly salary, saying they would come to support the opening whenever it was ready."

The people at the Prince of Liang's estate must have already heard the news.

With no money in the coffers, they could not wait much longer, and Ning Junruo only hoped the academy would open as soon as possible.

"The building is ready, and students are required to bring their own desks and benches; all that’s missing are the teaching materials, but three days is enough time to prepare," Ning Junruo said.

"Then I shall go and make the preparations," Yuan Wenxiu said, rising to take his leave.

In the small Xu courtyard, it was unusually lively today.

The wife of the local magistrate’s registrar, Chen, had come to visit again, bringing her beautiful daughter.

This Madame Chen had previously sought to act as a matchmaker many times, claiming her daughter was both talented and beautiful—a perfect match for Xu Mingyi.

If a marriage could be arranged with the Xu family, the Chen family would provide a generous dowry.

Xu Mingyi was a successful candidate in the recent provincial examinations, and passing the exam meant he held official status. Even if he chose not to serve as an official, he was still entitled to a government stipend.

Not to mention that Xu Mingyi was handsome and refined, his vast knowledge promised a bright future. Should he succeed in the upcoming palace examinations, his wife might even be granted a noble title.

Ever since Xu Mingyi returned to Liangzhou, the threshold of the Ning family’s small courtyard had been worn down by matchmakers.

However, regardless of the candidate’s background, Xu Mingyi refused them all. The Xu family assumed he had a sweetheart back in the capital and did not force the issue, merely putting off the marriage talk until after the palace examinations.

Madame Chen’s husband was an honest man who had spent his life as a registrar at the government office with no hope of promotion.

Madame Chen herself was originally from the south, and after spending half her life in Liangzhou with her husband, she had grown to fear the biting winters. She truly did not want to see her daughter trapped here for the rest of her life as she had been.

For her daughter's future, she had reviewed all the eligible young talents in Liangzhou and concluded that only Xu Mingyi had the potential to take them away from this godforsaken place.

Although clearly rejected by the Xu family, she refused to give up.

Before arriving today, she had repeatedly urged her daughter, Longyue, reminding her that Young Master Xu would be heading to the capital for the palace examinations after autumn.

She urged her to win Young Master Xu’s heart by any means necessary.

This young lady, Chen Longyue, was not only beautiful but also sharp-witted. She knew that once Xu Mingyi excelled in the palace examinations, he would be targeted by noble ladies in the capital, and she would have no further chance.

Thus, after chatting with Mother Xu for a while, she used the excuse of taking a walk to sneak off and find Xu Mingyi’s study.

Xu Mingyi was busy writing when he saw the unexpected guest, and his expression darkened immediately. "Has the young lady come to the wrong place?"

"No, I have come to find you, Young Master."