Chapter 259
**Chapter 257: A Step Ahead**
After Shen Fei ascended to her position, she boldly reformed the monthly silver system in the harem. Not only was the monthly silver distributed on time, but additional rewards were also given based on the palace maids' seniority and performance.
Those capable and diligent maids received more silver and bonuses.
Liu Qiao'er, deliberately avoiding favor, came from a modest background and lived on plain meals every day. The maids who followed her naturally received little in terms of rewards, and their savings over the years were meager.
However, with Shen Wei's new system in place, the head maid in Liu Qiao'er’s quarters received not only her monthly silver but also an extra two coins as a "bonus" this month. These savings would allow the maids to live well outside the palace once they turned twenty-five.
Many servants in the palace were grateful.
...
The rumors about the Eighth Prince being sick due to Yang Xuanji's words did not spread far in the palace and quickly died down. On one hand, the lower-ranking maids were thankful to Shen Wei and did not participate in spreading the gossip; on the other hand, Shen Wei acted decisively, expelling a group of gossipy maids from the palace.
The number of servants in the harem was already saturated, and there were many who merely occupied their positions without contributing. Shen Wei had long wanted to cut down on the staff, and this situation provided her with the perfect opportunity.
"Master, this rumor is quite strange," Cai Lian said. "I suspect someone is deliberately tarnishing the prince's reputation."
Shen Wei took a sip of her cold drink, lost in thought. There were only one or two palace consorts capable of such scheming.
Cai Lian suggested, "Master, should we report this to the Emperor? We could ask him to punish the rumor-mongers."
Shen Wei slowly shook her head.
Li Yuanjing, the Emperor, was focused on state affairs and had no time to deal with trivial matters in the harem. Moreover, even if it were discovered that Lu Xuan was behind it, she would simply shift the blame to her chatty subordinates and would not face any punishment.
"A gentleman takes revenge; it’s never too late," Shen Wei mused, stroking her chin. "She has provided me with an idea. When Shu Fei's son reaches four or five years old, I will return the favor in kind."
Lu Xuan came from a noble family, and the Duke of Lu had high hopes for her son. By the time Lu Xuan's son was four or five, the Lu family would surely select a tutor to provide him with an academic education. At that point, Shen Wei would have her opportunity.
After a while, Cai Ping rushed back to Yongning Palace.
"Master, I brought the imperial physician to Mr. Yang's residence. Mr. Yang told me himself that he wasn't sick because of the Eighth Prince; he caught a chill from the wind by the lake. He also said that once he recovers, he will come to the palace to teach the prince."
Shen Wei was taken aback. "Is that true?"
Cai Lian nodded quickly. "Yes! Mr. Yang is diligently recovering, taking his medicine on time, hoping to get better soon."
Shen Wei inhaled sharply. There was no need to refute the rumors; once Yang Xuanji entered the palace to meet the Emperor, all gossip would be dispelled.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping, "Tell Physician Mo to ensure Yang Xuanji's chill is treated properly!"
Cai Ping replied, "Rest assured, Master. Physician Mo will personally prescribe medicine and administer acupuncture. Yang Xuanji will definitely recover within five days."
Cai Lian, overhearing, furrowed her brow and couldn't help but remind Shen Wei, "Master, the Emperor issued an edict this morning, appointing Grand Tutor Zhang and Scholar Zheng from Hongwen Academy to teach the two young princes. They will teach for two hours every afternoon."
Shen Wei fell silent.
Li Chengtai, at such a young age, already displayed political acumen, but Li Yuanjing had not forgotten his other son, Li Chengyou. The Emperor valued both sons and chose tutors for them with great care.
Grand Tutor Zhang Fenghua, having traveled extensively in his youth, was well-versed and broad-minded;
Scholar Zheng from Hongwen Academy, once a military general, had lost his right leg and was forced to abandon the martial path for the literary one, excelling in both.
Both had their strengths and could provide the princes with a well-rounded education, ensuring their moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor development.
Now, it was too late for Yang Xuanji to teach Li Chengtai.
Shen Wei also sensed a deeper crisis. The Emperor's open favoritism towards his two sons would inevitably attract envy, and there would be those who harbored malicious intentions, seeking to harm Li Chengtai and Li Chengyou.
Shen Wei immediately said sternly, "Cai Ping, go to Cining Palace and inform the Empress Dowager that the palace attendants around the children must be on high alert, preventing anyone from having the opportunity to harm the princes and princesses."
Cai Ping hurried off to Cining Palace.
...
At Luoyue Lake, Yang Xuanji was diligently recovering, taking his medicine seriously.
A servant brought him some bad news: "Master, the Emperor has decreed that Grand Tutor Zhang and Scholar Zheng will be the Eighth Prince's tutors."
Clatter—
The medicine bowl in Yang Xuanji's hand fell to the ground.
He threw off his covers and shouted, "To the palace! To the palace! I must see the Emperor! That Zhang Fenghua is not even thirty, and he hasn't read more books than I've eaten salt! How can he teach? And that Zheng Yuandong can barely walk; I could outrun him... cough, cough, cough... to the palace!"
The servant hurried to support Yang Xuanji, frowning, "Master, you haven't recovered from your chill!"
Yang Xuanji paid no heed to his own illness!
A golden opportunity was slipping away, and the student he wanted to teach was snatched away by others!
He, Yang Xuanji, was learned and esteemed, priding himself as the foremost scholar of Da Qing; how could he endure such humiliation!
Dragging his ailing body out of bed, he dressed and prepared to enter the palace. The servant couldn't stop him and had to call for his wife, Luo Shi.
Luo Shi was in her chamber, applying a new concealer from Qi Xiang Zhai, when she heard that her husband wanted to enter the palace. She grabbed a white jade comb and rushed after him.
"Stop right there!" Luo Shi shouted angrily, pulling Yang Xuanji's collar back. "If you want to go to the palace, I won't stop you! But first, drink your medicine and prepare your petition to see the Emperor. At your age, have you forgotten all manners and etiquette?"
Luo Shi was a fierce woman, and while Yang Xuanji could outtalk a crowd of scholars, he couldn't win against his own wife.
Reluctantly, Yang Xuanji returned to his room to take his medicine and write the petition to meet the Emperor. Once the petition was submitted to the palace, news quickly came back that the Emperor wanted him to rest at home and that the teaching duties for Li Chengtai would be handled by Grand Tutor Zhang and Scholar Zheng.
Yang Xuanji was furious, fuming with indignation.
He didn't believe he was inferior to those two!
Stubborn by nature, Yang Xuanji would not give up on this matter. He tirelessly submitted petitions to the Emperor, day after day, until Li Yuanjing, unable to bear the disturbance, finally allowed him to enter the palace to meet the Emperor.
After causing a ruckus for several days, Yang Xuanji had recovered from his chill. He quickly bathed and dressed, arriving at the palace in a carriage.
He could hardly wait to rush to Chang'an Palace.
At that moment, a delighted voice called out from behind him, "Mr. Yang, what a coincidence to see you in the palace today!"
Li Chengzhen was sending his uncle out of the palace when he unexpectedly spotted the elderly Yang Xuanji at the palace gate.
Li Chengzhen felt a surge of joy and hurried over to greet Yang Xuanji.
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