"Indeed, Your Highness, you should keep your distance from the two princes for a while." Ever since Prince Chu returned to the capital, he felt that the atmosphere between Prince Chu and Prince Wei had beco increasingly... peculiar.
"After the Lantern Festival, I will visit Mr. ng in Jiangnan, staying away from the controversies of the capital." Zhao Yao had already made plans in his mind, "Then I’ll stay in Jiangnan for two or three years, and when I’m about to co of age, I’ll return to the capital, be crowned Queen, and head straight to Lingnan."
"Your Highness, that’s a great idea." Tong Xi’s tone beca excited upon hearing about staying in Jiangnan for a few years, "Your Highness, I’ve heard that Jiangnan’s scenic beauty and outstanding people make it a wonderful place. We must stay in Jiangnan for a few more years."
"That’s exactly what I intend to do." Zhao Yao thought happily, knowing that by staying in Jiangnan, he could avoid the bloody struggle for the throne. "You can start packing. Once the Lantern Festival is over, we’ll head to Jiangnan."
"Your Highness, I’ll start packing tonight."
Zhao Yao humd an odd tune, singing, "I’m going to Jiangnan, because Jiangnan is a good place..."
Upon returning to the palace, he went to Kunde Hall to find Lady Liang and told her about the plan to go to Jiangnan next year.
Lady Liang agreed to his trip to Jiangnan and also agreed for him to stay there for a few years.
"Mother, I’ll live with Grandfather and the others in Yangzhou for a few years and show filial respect on your behalf." Unfortunately, his mother could not accompany him to Jiangnan.
"Then you must be dutiful to them." Lady Liang said softly, recalling sothing and added warmly, "Yangzhou has many excellent academies, and you can choose one to study at when the ti cos."
Zhao Yao: "..." Everything was fine until the topic of studying ca up.
"Mother, I plan to discuss the imperial examination with Father tomorrow." He needed to change the topic quickly, or his mother would go into detail about the academies in Yangzhou.
Lady Liang did not object: "Then discuss it well with your father."
Zhao Yao chatted with Lady Liang for a while longer before returning to Xingde Palace.
Upon returning to Xingde Palace, Tong Xi was busy packing. By preparing in advance, they could set off for Jiangnan imdiately after the Lantern Festival.
The next day, after breakfast, Zhao Yao went to the East Warm Pavilion in Chengguang Hall to et the emperor.
"What wind blows the Tenth Prince to my East Warm Pavilion today?"
Hearing the emperor’s sarcastic tone, Zhao Yao wanted to roll his eyes at his father, but with Pri Minister He present, he had to restrain himself.
"Father, I have sothing to discuss with you."
Pri Minister He tactfully stood up to take his leave from the emperor.
Zhao Yao, however, called Pri Minister He back, asking him not to leave, since after discussing the imperial examination, the emperor would also need to consult with Pri Minister He, so it made sense for him to stay and listen.
The emperor, hearing Zhao Yao’s suggestion, had Pri Minister He remain.
"Speak, what do you want to tell ?"
Zhao Yao got straight to the point: "It’s about the selection of talents."
The emperor and Pri Minister He were first taken aback by these words, then both looked at Zhao Yao with curiosity.
"Selection of talents?" Although the emperor appeared calm, he was inwardly hopeful. He knew his youngest son wouldn’t bring up the topic of talent selection without reason. It ant his son was about to share his thoughts.
"Father, haven’t you been troubled about the selection of officials? I have a thod that will allow you to select officials from all over the Great Zhou."
Upon hearing this, the emperor’s eyes lit up. However, he maintained his composure.
"Let’s hear it."
Pri Minister He also assud a keenly attentive posture.
"The imperial examination. Let scholars from across the land participate, and those who pass the examination can beco officials..."
At just this half-sentence, the expressions of both the emperor and Pri Minister He changed imdiately.
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