Chapter 1226: Recruiting the Teacher (Part 2)

Chapter 1226

Zhao Junyao waved his hand.

"What virtues and talents does my daughter need?"

"The only thing she needs is..."

"What is it?"

Xia Ruyi asked eagerly.

Zhao Junyao smiled faintly.

"She just needs to be happy!"

Xia Ruqing: "..."

Her mind buzzed for a moment, leaving only one thought.

’Your husband’ the doting father is online.

She twitched the corner of her mouth.

"Emperor, you just go ahead and spoil her!"

"What if she really becomes a fool? Everyone will laugh at her!"

She didn’t expect Yue Er to master everything.

But she should at least know some things to present herself well, so as not to be laughed at.

How can it be so difficult!

Zhao Junyao quickly patted her shoulder to comfort her.

"Don’t worry!"

"I was just joking earlier!"

"She naturally has to learn everything, just not right now."

"When she’s older, I have a plan. You don’t have to worry, just focus on getting healthy, okay?"

"When Jiangnan is well-governed, I’ll take you out for a stroll."

Xia Ruqing quickly waved her hand.

"Last time, I nearly lost my life; going again!"

"I don’t dare to anymore!"

Zhao Junyao gently ruffled her hair.

"Last time was last time, this time it’s different!"

"Just wait!"

"It’s getting late, let’s go have dinner!"

He spoke as he stood up.

Xia Ruqing could only get up and follow him.

After dinner.

The two of them leaned against the warm couch by the bed, reading and writing.

The room was peaceful and quiet.

Zhao Junyao, absorbed in reading a military book, suddenly remembered something.

"Commander of the Southwest, Shi Yang, submitted a request for retirement the other day!"

"He said he’s been in declining health these past two years and wants to return to the Capital City to retire! I’ve granted it!"

Xia Ruqing raised her head upon hearing this, somewhat puzzled, and asked.

"This is a matter for the court, why are you telling me, Emperor?"

Zhao Junyao chuckled.

"Before he requested retirement, yes, it was a court matter!"

"Now... it’s related to you?"

Xia Ruqing was even more puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

Zhao Junyao couldn’t help but laugh.

"That old fellow claiming his health is declining is just an excuse!"

"The southwest has been peaceful the past two years, no battles to fight!"

"He estimates he won’t see any battles in his lifetime!"

"So he wants to return to the Capital City to enjoy a lazy life!"

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing nodded.

"Though that’s true, General Shi was indeed a meritorious follower of the Late Emperor, an old general who dedicated his life to the Great Chu Dynasty!"

"His desire to be lazy in his later years is only natural!"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

"If it weren’t for this, how could he return so easily whenever he wants?"

He closed the book in his hand and walked to the window, continuing to speak.

"I’ve already appointed him as a First-Rank Protectorate General, promoted him to Second Class Marquis of Zhennan, and bestowed a residence upon him!"

"First, to honor my father, second, so his lifetime of diligent work isn’t in vain, and third, to maintain the morale of soldiers across the nation!"

"One action with three benefits!"

Xia Ruqing silently sighed in her heart.

’Emperors really do get craftier!’

’Managing people’s hearts and playing political games with such skill!’

’Ideas directly pop from their brains without even thinking, amazing!’

While marveling, Zhao Junyao continued.

"I considered that he has a lot of ceremonial titles and no real duties, wasting his skills!"

"I’m thinking of appointing him as the martial arts teacher for the children!"

"Definitely better than those in the Ministry of War who have never fought a battle, just playing with knives and spears! Qingqing, what do you think?!"

The shock came too fast, like a tornado.

Xia Ruqing was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

’A Great General as a teacher? That’s good, but what about Yue Er?’

"I’m afraid Yue Er will be even less willing to learn, Emperor, are you really going to raise her like a boy?"

Zhao Junyao patted her shoulder.

"Don’t worry, Yue Er is smart, she knows what’s what!"

Xia Ruqing helplessly shrugged.

"Alright then! I don’t care!"

"Probably, Yue Er will be ecstatic!"

"You just tell her, don’t come crying if people laugh at her!"

Zhao Junyao laughed heartily at her words.

"Alright!"

The two chatted casually for a while.

When nightfall came, they washed up and went to sleep.

...

Time quickly passed.

After the Yuan Festival went by.

General Shi, oh no, now referred to as General, took office as the teacher for the several princes.

At the Imperial Palace Training Ground.

The old General Shi, dressed in vigorous attire, stood like a hundred-year-old pine tree.

On the opposite side stood several princes and young masters from the Royal Clan.

Princes Zhao Qichen, Zhao Qihong, Zhao Qiheng, and Zhao Qiye stood in the front row, the rest behind them.

Everyone held a serious expression and maintained tidy movements, resembling the solemnity of a military camp.

General Shi scanned them with a stern face for a while before speaking firmly.

"From now on, horse riding, archery, martial arts, all will be taught by me!"

"Regardless if you’re the Crown Prince, Prince, or Princely Heir!"

"In this place, before me, there are only students and teachers! Understand?" ’

"Understood!"

Everyone immediately responded in unison.

General Shi was very satisfied.

"Good!"

"On the first day, show me what you’ve got! Stand in a horse stance!"

"Right!"

The young men, each adopting the most standard posture, began to stand in the horse stance.

Zhao Qichen, having practiced diligently for many years, naturally found it easy.

Second Prince Zhao Qihong, although not as good as his big brother, didn’t neglect his past lessons, so standing in the horse stance wasn’t too hard!

Fourth Prince Zhao Qiye also loved martial arts practice, trained often, and seemed quite relaxed.

Only Zhao Qiheng.

He loved reading the most, disliked martial arts, and despised wielding weapons!

In the past, he avoided practice whenever he could.

Now, facing such a strict teacher, he was simply...

Whether his stance was stable or not was one thing.

But looking at his endurance, barely a quarter of an hour had passed, and he was already struggling, sweating profusely in the frigid weather.

...

A morning went by.

Zhao Qichen remained relaxed.

Others were tired but barely managed to persist.

Only Zhao Qiheng was swaying, face flushed, nearly drenched in sweat.

"Ha ha ha!"

"Ha ha ha ha... Third brother, what’s happened to you?"

Yue Er rushed from the Harem and burst into laughter upon entering the training ground.

Seeing Yue Er arrive, Zhao Qiheng.

Immediately lost balance, fell to the ground, his legs weak and exhausted, unable to get up.

Yue Er stepped forward, laughing while helping him up.

"Third brother, if you dislike martial arts, why not join me in studying?"

Zhao Qiheng tapped her head.

"Who said I don’t like it?"

"Just for that comment, I’ll come here every day!"

Yue Er laughed heartily again, causing quite a chaotic scene.

At that moment, a voice filled with ill intent came forth.

"Hmph! Where is this little girl coming from, barging in disrespectfully!"