Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

Chapter 539 The reason behind Zhu Gang hiring Su Mingzhi as the teacher in the palace

Xu Miaoyun sat alone in front of the window, looking at the watery moonlight, her heart filled with melancholy.

She thought to herself, "I am wholeheartedly planning for the palace and striving for perfection in everything, so why do they always misunderstand my intentions?"

In this royal palace where the patriarchal system is deeply rooted, every attempt is made to make changes that conform to true etiquette norms.

They are all walking on thin ice and facing many difficulties.

Every step is like walking on a thorny road full of traps. If you are not careful, you will fall into an abyss from which there is no return.

After all these twists and turns, Xu Miaoyun gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of the palace and the strength of traditional forces.

She has gradually adapted to this cautious way of doing things, but deep down she misses her past self who was confident and free-spirited, like the warm spring sun.

Whenever there was no one around at night, with the moonlight falling in front of the window like silver gauze, Xu Miaoyun would always gently play the strings of the zither.

The familiar melody, like a lively elf, dances in the air.

Every note seemed to carry her thoughts through time and space, back to the good old days when she and Zhu Gang discussed classics, history, and literature without restraint, and to the past when she confidently recited poems and painted in front of everyone, shining like a bright star.

However, the reality of the palace was like cold shackles that did not allow Xu Miaoyun to have the slightest willfulness or escape.

Although Xu Miaoyun has now learned to carefully deal with the complex interpersonal relationships that are like a spider web, her nostalgia for the past is like a bright star that never goes out.

It shines brightly in the night sky of her heart, always reminding her not to forget her original intention and not to lose herself.

At this moment, Xu Miaoyun saw Zhu Gang and Xie Yuer enthusiastically discussing Zhu Jihui's enlightenment teacher.

She felt as if a thousand emotions were churning in her heart, like a tangled mess that could not be cut or sorted out.

Under the Ming Dynasty's patriarchal system, the education of offspring was regarded as the light of hope for the family's future.

The choice of the enlightenment teacher is of paramount importance.

Just like laying the foundation stone for the future building of the palace, strict standards of family background, knowledge and morality must be followed.

Xie Yuer said to Zhu Gang with a smile: "My husband, I have heard that Master Li is knowledgeable, virtuous, and comes from a famous family.

If he could be invited to be Jihui's enlightenment teacher, Jihui would definitely benefit a lot.

In the future, your knowledge and character will be worthy of the noble status of the palace."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly, with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Well, I have also heard of Master Li's reputation.

I just wonder if he is willing to come to the palace to teach Jihui, given his status?"

Xu Miaoyun's heart was moved, and she couldn't help but stepped forward, bowed slightly and said: "My husband, although what Sister Yu'er said makes sense, the enlightenment teacher must not only be knowledgeable and moral, but more importantly, he must be compatible with the child's temperament.

Ji Xi is lively and active by nature, and I think this matter needs further consideration."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang glanced at Xu Miaoyun with a complicated look in his eyes.

He slowly opened his mouth and asked, "What do you think, Madam? Why don't you tell me?"

Xu Miaoyun took a deep breath and said in an orderly manner: "I have heard that Master Zhang, although his family background is not as good as Master Li, has a unique teaching method, especially good at teaching students in accordance with their aptitude.

For someone as lively as Ji Xi, perhaps Master Zhang can better guide his interest in learning and stimulate his potential."

Xie Yuer frowned slightly and looked displeased when she heard this.

"Sister Xu, the choice of this enlightenment teacher is related to the reputation of the royal family, how can we not choose someone with a high family background?

If we invite a teacher from a low-class family and spread the news, wouldn't people laugh at our palace for not knowing the rules?"

Xu Miaoyun patiently explained: "Sister Yu'er, the child's education is the key. If you only focus on family background and ignore the child's own characteristics, it may not be beneficial to Ji's growth.

As elders, we cannot ruin our children’s future just for the sake of our temporary reputation.”

Zhu Gang fell into deep thought, pacing back and forth in the hall, and after a moment he slowly said: "What Madam and Xie Yu'er said makes sense.

This matter is of great importance and requires long-term consideration.”

The three of them expressed their opinions and discussed for a long time.

In the end, Zhu Gang considered that the two had too big differences on the choice of Zhu Jihui's enlightenment teacher, and each had his own reasons and it was difficult to make a decision at the moment, so he decided to hire Su Mingzhi as the tutor of the palace.

Seeing that the situation had been decided, Xu Miaoyun lowered her eyes slightly.

Like a window that closed quietly, it carefully concealed the surging emotions in her heart.

Xu Miaoyun knew very well that in this palace where the situation was as unpredictable as a chess game, patience and waiting were the ways of survival that one must learn, just like a tenacious traveler who silently waited for the dawn in the darkness.

Although the pressure of life has changed Xu Miaoyun's way of dealing with things like a huge rock, her passion for playing the zither and painting is like a burning fire buried deep underground, which has never been extinguished no matter how many years it has been covered in dust.

On those days when boredom was like a dark cloud, Xu Miaoyun would immerse herself in the world of piano music.

Let the lively notes be like warm sunshine, penetrating the gloomy clouds and illuminating the forgotten corner deep in your heart.

Or you can pick up a paintbrush and paint freely on the rice paper.

Let the emotions and thoughts in your heart flow slowly along the brushstrokes like a gurgling stream.

The gorgeous flowers blooming on the rice paper became Xu Miaoyun's spiritual home in the complex life of the palace, like a quiet harbor for tired travelers.

When Xie Yuer first entered the palace, she was as innocent as a flower blooming in spring, and knew nothing about the world.

She played leisurely in the palace every day, flying between pavilions and towers like a free bird, and was completely unaware of the complicated maze-like affairs in the palace.

Xie Yuer was even less aware of the profound impact that the patriarchal system, like an invisible giant net, had on the life of the royal palace.

It was not until that time that the palace held a grand banquet and Zhu Gang invited many dignitaries.

This banquet, like a grand stage show, carries the glory and honor of the palace.

However, the scheduled opera troupe unexpectedly broke their promise on the eve of the banquet, like a bolt from the blue.

In the social etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, this change would most likely be regarded as a serious disrespect to the guests.

It was like tearing a glaring hole in a gorgeous brocade, affecting the reputation of the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

When Xie Yuer heard the news, her heart skipped a beat.

It was as if a huge rock was suddenly thrown into the calm lake, causing layers of chaotic ripples.

But she quickly calmed herself down, like a general who remained calm in the face of danger.

Xie Yuer knew very well that in this palace where etiquette and regulations were as strict as iron laws, she had to come up with a plan to deal with the situation immediately.

Otherwise, it would violate social etiquette and bring unpredictable troubles to the palace, which would be like putting the palace at the center of public opinion.

With her courage and intelligence, she immediately arranged the musicians and skillful maids in the mansion to prepare for the performance as if she was commanding thousands of troops.

Xie Yuer was conducting the music while saying, "Master Li, the sound of the stringed instruments needs to be more melodious and graceful to match the atmosphere of tonight."

Then she turned around and instructed the maids: "And Cui'er, Hong'er, your dance movements must be in unison, and your expressions must be natural and friendly."

(End of this chapter)