Chapter 27: A Rather Thick Skin

The room had been completely refurbished, with all the stationery—brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books—supplied by her own shop. The tutors had also been hired. Everything seemed to be in order, yet Ning Junruo still felt something was missing.

The academy had already been named: Changning Academy. It was derived from the surnames of her mother and father, a name Ning Junruo chose to remind herself never to forget the feud between the Chang and Ning families in her past life. Beyond that, it also symbolized the impermanence of the world and the importance of maintaining inner peace and self-restraint.

Outside the window, the pomegranate tree was in full bloom, its fiery blossoms vibrant, while birds perched on the branches, chirping incessantly. Amidst the curling incense smoke from the burner on her desk, Ning Junruo stood, brush in hand, practicing her calligraphy for the academy’s plaque.

Manager Yuan entered to report that Young Master Xu Mingyi had come to see her. Recalling his flippant and irreverent demeanor from their last meeting, Ning Junruo refused without a second thought.

Manager Yuan quickly handed her a small booklet. "Young Master Xu said you should look at this before making your decision."

Ning Junruo set down her brush and took the booklet. Upon reading its contents, she immediately said, "Let him in."

Xu Mingyi had been waiting outside. Nianfang soon ushered him in. The usually dashing and handsome Xu Mingyi looked as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant, having lost his former radiance. His eyes, rimmed with bloodshot veins, made him appear exceptionally weary.

Ning Junruo glanced at him, then fixed her gaze on the booklet in her hand. "Did you compile all of this yourself?"

"I stayed up for two nights straight to finish it." Xu Mingyi pulled a thumb-thick volume from his robes and handed it to her. "Everything in that small booklet is included here, along with the regulations of Bailu Academy and the specific rules and doctrines I drafted for Liangzhou. You may use them as a reference, Your Highness."

No wonder he looked so haggard. As Ning Junruo took the book, which still held the warmth of his body, her heartstrings were lightly tugged.

"You have gone to great trouble, Young Master."

"You are too kind, Your Highness," Xu Mingyi said, cupping his hands in a salute. "Seeing your great devotion, I am more than willing to serve you in any way I can."

Ning Junruo leafed through the pages and discovered that it contained not only academy rules and doctrines, but also recommended curricula for children of different age groups, as well as lists of classic texts to be studied. Looking closer, she even found sections on the teachers' stipends and codes of conduct.

She had been wondering what was missing; looking at the book, she finally understood. This thick volume would have taken several days just to copy, yet he had completed it in less than three.

Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Ning Junruo felt a touch of emotion. "It just occurred to me that the academy still lacks a headmaster. You are a man of profound learning and have shown such dedication to the management of the academy. Would you be willing to serve as the Headmaster of Changning Academy?"

Manager Yuan nodded in agreement. "That is an excellent proposal, Your Highness. I am in full support."

"I am deeply honored by your regard, but I fear I am not up to the task." Xu Mingyi bowed deeply, his hands clasped. "However, I do have a candidate in mind for the position."

Given his previous frivolity and his current display of weariness, Ning Junruo had little affection for him. "Then pray, tell me." She set the book down.

"Master Li Tailai, who has retired to his hometown," Xu Mingyi said. "Master Li was once the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. While it might be considered beneath his station to serve as headmaster of Changning Academy, if you could persuade him, the future of the academy would be secure."

*One studies literature and martial arts only to sell them to the emperor's family.* Ning Junruo had assumed he went to such lengths to win her favor for personal gain. Although Master Li Tailai was over sixty, he was a giant in the literary world of the Yun Kingdom, and even the Chang family had to treat him with respect. Hearing this, she realized she had wronged him.

"Your words have cleared my clouded mind. Thank you for your guidance. I shall call upon Master Li personally later today."

Ning Junruo turned to Manager Yuan and said, "Young Master Xu refused the silver and tea last time. Go to the shop and wrap up several sets of the finest stationery as a token of my gratitude."

Xu Mingyi’s expression darkened. "To speak of gratitude is to treat me as a stranger. I am merely in awe of your courage and resolve, and I wish to offer my humble support. This is entirely voluntary; please, there is no need for such formalities."

"It is but a small gesture, of little monetary value. Do not give it another thought."

Manager Yuan nodded, his eyes filled with respect for both Ning Junruo and Xu Mingyi, and he hurried off to prepare the gifts.

In the room, the atmosphere grew subtle. Ning Junruo gazed at Xu Mingyi again, a complex swirl of emotions rising within her. "Your dedication is something I never anticipated. I previously thought you were merely a man of empty reputation, but I see now that you possess great depth. You have truly earned my respect."

Xu Mingyi understood her implication perfectly. He gave a wry smile and shook his head. "What others see in me is but a facade. It is my honor that you possess such keen insight. If I can assist you in making Changning Academy a beacon of culture in Liangzhou, would that not be a wonderful thing?"

*Keen insight...* She had no interest in exploring that.

"I never imagined you possessed such breadth of spirit. It is I who judged a gentleman by the measure of a petty person," Ning Junruo said, rising to her feet. "It is getting late, and I intend to visit the Li residence. I hope you will not take offense."

For some reason, every time he saw her, he wanted to linger a little longer. Yet, she always maintained this icy distance, deliberately avoiding him. The more she did so, the more he felt drawn to her.

Xu Mingyi smiled and cupped his hands. "It so happens that I have matters to discuss with Master Li as well. If you would not mind, I would like to hitch a ride in your carriage."

How could this man be so thick-skinned! She had clearly given him the cold shoulder; how could he still have the nerve to ask for a ride?

Ning Junruo was speechless. "If we travel together, are you not afraid of gossip?"

"You have more than one carriage, do you not? A clear conscience needs no defense. What is it that you are worried about?"

Seeing her irritation, Xu Mingyi quickly bowed in farewell. "If you wish to avoid suspicion, I shall hire my own carriage. Let us meet at the Li residence in half an hour."

Ning Junruo did not respond, only sighing as she watched him depart. She always felt as though his eyes held some unspoken, indefinable sentiment. It was a dangerous feeling, and she feared that if she were not careful, she might lose herself in it.

Perhaps it was the toll of anger, or some other cause, but the Dowager Consort Xu’s old ailment had flared up again. For the past two days, she had been lightheaded and unable to keep any food down, leaving Zhao Shenxing in a state of exhaustion.

Usually, it was Ning Junruo who served her with the utmost devotion, sleeping on a small bench beside the bed, which had pleased the Dowager greatly. Zhao Shenxing, however, could not stand the smell in the room; he would not stay there at night, and even during the day, he fled at the first sign of trouble.

Thinking of how devotedly the Princess Consort had served her in the past, the Dowager Consort Xu was furious, repeatedly demanding that he go to the inn and bring Ning Junruo back. But Zhao Shenxing, in his stubbornness, refused to budge.