spend time

Half an hour later, Jiang Shaohua came out of Jingyang Palace and went to Ning'an Palace.

Li Fangfei was not treated coldly in Jingyang Palace, but it was very different when she arrived at Ning'an Palace. Empress Dowager Li looked at her niece with gentleness and kindness, and took the initiative to ask: "Have you adapted to the past few days of working in the palace?"

Li Fangfei hurriedly responded respectfully: "Your Majesty, I, Lu Sheren and Wang Sheren, learn to work during the day and live together at night. We have everything we need for food, clothing and daily life. It's just that I am a little dumber than Lu Sheren and Wang Sheren, so I learn the job slowly."

Empress Dowager Li laughed and said, "When doing work, the first thing you need to do is loyalty, and the second is loyalty. As long as you think about the emperor wholeheartedly and obey his orders in everything, you will be able to do your job well."

Otherwise, why do they say that older ginger is spiciest?
Li Fangfei still regretted not being able to rush out of the palace to broaden her horizons today, and her words revealed some uneasiness that she was not as good as her colleagues. When Empress Dowager Li heard her voice, she guessed a little bit and smiled to comfort her.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and continued, "What the Queen Mother said is right. The three new servants who have entered the palace have different personalities and strengths. Lu Sheren is loyal and capable, Wang Sheren is bold and upright, and Li Sheren is gentle and meticulous. With the three of them around me, I feel much more at ease."

Li Fangfei's cheeks flushed with praise, and her eyes sparkled: "I will do my duty diligently and will never let down the emperor's favor and love."

Queen Mother Li smiled and said, "That's enough. There's no need to say more to show your loyalty. Strong winds reveal strong grass, and time reveals a person's true heart. If it's real gold, it will show itself over time."

Li Fangfei blushed and nodded, then tactfully avoided the situation.

Queen Mother Li then spoke to Jiang Shaohua from the bottom of her heart: "Fang Fei is a girl that I have watched grow up since she was a child. She is good in every way, but her personality is restrained. She is not as bold as the girl from the Wang family, nor as aggressive as the girl from Lu Zhen."

Three newly-appointed female scholars served beside the emperor, attracting a lot of attention. Lu Zhen was born in Nanyang, and was a loyal member of the emperor's team. Her loyalty was beyond doubt, and she attracted the most attention. Wang Shu was also a wonderful person. She was obviously a lady from a wealthy family, but she had a straightforward and hard temper, and was not afraid of the important officials in the court.

In comparison, Li Fangfei was indeed a bit softer. In the inner house, she was a model of virtue. As an official, walking in the court and working in the palace, she was inevitably a bit inferior.

Empress Dowager Li saw this and was secretly worried. Today, she encouraged her niece and privately interceded for Li Fangfei.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Everyone has different personalities and temperaments. There is no need to compare them. I really admire Li Sheren for knowing his limits and how to advance and retreat."

Empress Dowager Li smiled and sighed, "Just think of it as my selfishness! I always hope that she will stand out and be the most capable among all the servants."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "She knows that her aunt loves her very much. She will work hard in the future."

Queen Mother Li also smiled and turned to talk about trivial matters in the palace.

Empress Dowager Zheng was once again bedridden, so the palace affairs naturally fell to Ning'an Palace. Empress Dowager Li took advantage of the time she was in power to release another group of palace maids. Now, she was planning to release another group.

"Eighty people were released in the first batch, and ninety in the second batch. I plan to release a hundred palace servants in the third batch." Empress Dowager Li said, "The palace servants and eunuchs in the palace add up to nearly eight thousand people. The number of serious masters in the palace can be counted on one's fingers. There is really no need for so many people."

"After a few years, when Baoer grows up and needs more people to work with, we can select a group of young and capable eunuchs and palace maids."

The key point is to take advantage of this opportunity to slowly clean up the harem and gradually remove the people of the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng and replace them with your own people.

Jiang Shaohua nodded: "I'll trouble you to worry about these things, aunt. I deal with state affairs every day and really have no time to take care of these things." "Release 20% to 30% of the palace maids and eunuchs, as long as it does not affect the operation of the palace. If you really need manpower in the future, just choose palace maids, and don't use eunuchs."

Why do we need eunuchs in the palace?
Because there are many concubines in the harem, and even more palace maids. The eunuchs have been cleansed and will not pollute the palace. It also ensures the purity of the bloodline of the royal princes and princesses.

Jiang Shaohua didn't have these troubles. She didn't like to be surrounded by feminine eunuchs. Those who had been castrated and served in the palace could stay. There was no need to do evil and turn men into neither male nor female.

Queen Mother Li obviously misunderstood Jiang Shaohua's meaning and laughed, "It's fine if you don't need eunuchs. After the three-year mourning period is over, I will select some gentle and handsome young men to serve you in the palace."

Jiang Shaohua remained calm and replied with a smile: "There's no rush for this, let's talk about it later."

……

In the evening, Chen Sheren brought Lu Zhen and Wang Shu back.

After spending most of the day in the palace, even Chen Sheren was beaming. Lu Zhen was lucky, as he was born in the countryside and there were no rules at home, so he could go wherever he wanted.

Wang Shu grew up in the inner house of the Wang family. His words and deeds were controlled on weekdays. When he went out occasionally, he was watched by a bunch of elders and maids. Today, he left the palace so openly and walked around for most of the day. He was like a colt that had just broken free from its reins. He felt very happy.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and glanced at Chen Sheren: "How was the work today?"

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Chen Sheren replied in all seriousness, "Your Majesty, Principal Cui has chosen a large house to build a girls' academy. The owner of this house was a criminal who was exiled from the capital a long time ago. It is now under the name of the Ministry of Revenue. It is just right to build a academy without spending a penny."

"The house needs some minor changes, and the cost won't be too high. We have already hired eight female teachers, all of whom are widows like Principal Cui. The monthly salary is tentatively set at three taels of silver. After the academy is established, we will give the female teachers another reward based on the students' academic performance each month. The amount will vary, depending on their ability."

By this calculation, a female teacher can receive more than three taels of monthly salary, which is really not low.

Jiang Shaohua nodded: "The academy is well run, and I have a reward here."

Chen Sheren said with a smile, "Then I, on behalf of Mr. Cui, would like to thank the emperor for his great grace." He paused, then smiled again, "In the Ministry of Revenue, Ji Shang readily approved the note."

"I took the note to the Ministry of Works, and they promised to send a dozen craftsmen. The house will be rebuilt in a month at most."

This efficiency is truly amazing.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and hummed. He saw Lu Zhen eager to try and couldn't help but smile: "Mr. Lu, what do you want to say?"

Lu Zhen had the aura of a newborn calf who was not afraid of anything, and said, "I would like to ask the emperor to give a name to the women's academy." (End of this chapter)