The playboy county magistrate

He gently gripped Li Xuanzhi's hem and said softly but firmly:

"The student will study diligently and strive to live up to the Emperor's expectations and the teacher's teachings."

Seeing this, the emperor finally showed a relieved smile on his pale face.

A night passes in the blink of an eye.

The events that occurred after Li Xuanzhi left the palace yesterday have already spread throughout the court and the country. Everyone knows that the young prime minister Li Xuanzhi not only wields immense power in the court, but also bears the enormous responsibility of educating the crown prince and assisting the Eastern Palace.

The various forces that had been lying low last night were all shaken upon hearing that the Crown Prince would be moving to the Li residence.

The concubines in the harem who had sons and their maternal families stayed up all night, everyone knowing that this move would completely rewrite the future course of the Great Yong Dynasty.

As long as the Crown Prince resides in the Li residence, he will have complete protection.

With the most powerful minister in the court providing strong support, his position as heir apparent will be secure and his foundation solid, making him unshakeable by anyone.

This was the path paved by the emperor for the crown prince, and also a tactic to completely sever the ambitions of various factions vying for the throne.

Just as the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) arrived, an elegant and understated blue-curtained carriage slowly came to a stop outside the Zhengyang Gate of the Imperial Palace.

Pei Qingyuan, dressed in an elegant moon-white brocade dress with a light gauze cloak over it, stood calmly before the palace gate, her makeup light and appropriate, awaiting her summons.

Yesterday, the Emperor personally ordered her to enter the palace today to pay her respects to the Empress, to hand over matters concerning the Crown Prince's daily life, and to escort the Crown Prince out of the palace to settle in the Li residence.

The imperial guards at the gate had already received their orders and dared not be negligent in the slightest. Upon seeing Pei Qingyuan arrive, they immediately bowed and quickly informed the inner court.

Before long, the chief eunuch personally came out to greet him, his face bearing a respectful smile.

"Madam Pei, you must be tired from your journey. Her Majesty the Empress is already waiting for you in Kunning Palace. This servant will guide you inside."

"Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Pei Qingyuan nodded slightly, her tone gentle and measured. She showed neither the arrogance of a powerful official's relative nor the timidity or restraint she displayed, remaining as composed and calm as ever.

Passing through layers of vermilion gates and palace walls, one arrives at long white jade steps.

The palace servants hurried along the way, yet none dared to casually glance or spy. But the curiosity and awe in their eyes were impossible to conceal.

Everyone knew that from this day forward, the gentle woman before them would be the tutor of the Crown Prince. She was one of the key figures who secretly protected the heir apparent and indirectly influenced the foundation of the nation.

As we walked to Kunning Palace, the palace doors were wide open, and a warm and inviting atmosphere filled the air.

The Empress had already dismissed all the palace servants around her, leaving only her personal maidservants to attend to her.

Having not slept all night, she had faint dark circles under her eyes, but she had already composed herself with dignity and calmness, showing no trace of the disappointment she had felt yesterday.

Upon seeing Pei Qingyuan enter the hall, the Empress rose with a smile, her tone gentle and kind.

"Qingyuan is here, please have a seat."

Pei Qingyuan gracefully curtsied, displaying impeccable manners.

"This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress."

"No need for formalities." The Empress personally stepped forward to help her up, her gaze lingering on her with obvious satisfaction.

"Now that the Crown Prince is in your care and upbringing, Your Majesty and I are completely at ease."

The Empress nodded slightly and gestured to her maid to summon the Crown Prince, who was waiting quietly in the side hall.

After spending the night together, it was time for mother and son to part ways.

The five-year-old prince was dressed in a brand-new plain brocade robe, and was neatly dressed.

The small backpack contained only a few primers and personal accessories, without any extravagance or bulk.

He remained remarkably sensible, showing no signs of crying or clinging. He simply walked quietly to the Empress, bowed deeply, and performed a respectful salute.

"Mother, I will study diligently and be self-disciplined, behave properly and respectfully, and not cause Father and Mother any worry."

The child's words, though simple, were spoken with a calm and steady hand, which touched the heart and brought tears to one's eyes.

The Empress suppressed the tears welling in her eyes, raised her hand and gently stroked the child's soft hair, her voice tender, yet filled with deep reluctance.

"My son is intelligent and sensible, and your mother has never worried about your character. However, life outside is not like the inner palace, so you must be careful with your words and actions, and respect your teachers. Follow Lord Li and Lady Pei to learn your skills."

"Remember, do not contend with short-term gains or fleeting pleasures. Stay true to yourself, remain steadfast, and you will achieve your goal."

This was the Empress Dowager's last instruction, and after so many years of navigating the treacherous waters of the palace, it was the most sincere advice she could give the Crown Prince on how to conduct himself in the world.

"Your subject will remember Your Majesty's teachings." The Crown Prince nodded solemnly, his little face full of seriousness.

The mother and son exchanged only a few words, both restrained and composed. There was not a trace of crying or parting, yet it was more heart-wrenching than a tearful embrace.

The Empress withdrew her hand, looked away, and refused to gaze at the child any longer. She was afraid that she might lose her temper and ruin her child's only chance of survival.

She turned to look at Pei Qingyuan and solemnly entrusted her with the following:

"The child is now in your care. Please take good care of his daily life and conduct. All rewards and daily supplies from the palace will be delivered to the residence by the inner court on time every month. The guards have also been properly arranged and will not cause you any trouble."

Pei Qingyuan solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I treat the Crown Prince as my own son, protecting him thoroughly and teaching him the right path without the slightest oversight."

"With your words, I am at ease." The Empress breathed a long sigh of relief, a great weight finally lifted from her heart.

Just as the two finished their handover and were preparing to leave the palace, a series of light footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall, accompanied by a palace servant's announcement.

"Consort Shu has arrived!"

The atmosphere inside the hall was slightly tense.

Consort Shu was one of the most favored concubines in the palace. She had two sons, who were about the same age as the Crown Prince.

He used to covet the position of empress, and in recent years he has secretly coveted the position of crown prince.

The Crown Prince's move to the Li residence was tantamount to cutting off her lifeline, completely eliminating any possibility of her sons vying for the throne.

Their visit at this moment is by no means a casual visit. They are clearly harboring resentment, testing the waters, and waiting for an opportunity to cause trouble.

In the blink of an eye, Consort Shu, dressed in a magnificent palace gown, slowly walked into the hall. Her makeup was exquisite, and her smile was gentle, but her eyes concealed calculation and scrutiny.

She first bowed to the Empress, then her gaze fell on the young Crown Prince and Pei Qingyuan, her smile warm and her tone affectionate.

"Having heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is going to move to the Li residence to study, I have come here to bid him farewell."

"It must be very difficult for the Crown Prince to leave the palace to study at such a young age. Lady Pei is exceptionally talented and of virtuous character. With Lady Pei looking after His Highness, everything will be perfectly safe. However..."

"Your Highness is the Crown Prince of the country, a man of noble status. It is ultimately a bit of a disservice for him to reside in the residence of a subject. Moreover, the outer palace is not the same as the inner palace. If the Crown Prince stays outside the court for a long time, it will inevitably attract criticism."

The Empress's gaze turned slightly cold as she remained seated. Before she could speak, Pei Qingyuan calmly stepped forward and spoke softly.

"Your Highness, Consort Shu, you are mistaken."

"The nobility of the crown prince lies not in residing in the deep palace, but in possessing virtue commensurate with his position, outstanding knowledge, and a steadfast character."

"Your Majesty is wise to order the Crown Prince to leave the palace to study under a master. This is to temper his character, understand the ways of the world, and learn the true skills of governing the country. It is a long-term consideration for the foundation of the nation."

"Even wise rulers of old sought knowledge as commoners and practiced diligently among the people. The Crown Prince's pursuit of true knowledge, practical skills, and moral integrity is a blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty and the nation. How can this be considered a loss of face or an invitation to criticism?"