Chapter 19: The New Student of the National Education Academy (Part 2)
Whose spirit to comprehend? His Holiness the Pope’s. What kind of spirit? That required one to delve deeper into the meaning behind His Holiness’s seal and signature, to touch the very depths of one’s own soul, and only then might one barely approach His Holiness’s spiritual world, vast as the starry sea.
When Priest Xin left the Cardinal’s room, he was still thinking about that last sentence, his face pale, his mind unsettled. He had made many conjectures but still couldn’t determine which was more correct. Could His Holiness the Pope truly be determined to revive the National Education Academy? Why was there no rumor in the capital? Why choose such a young student to do this? The most critical question was: the historical issues of the National Education Academy remained unresolved—who would dare touch this matter?
When he reached Chen Changsheng, all his thoughts had to end. So, in the span of a dozen steps, he decided how to proceed. Pasting on a hypocritical smile, he said, “This is the roster and the keys. But you might not be aware—even if there are still names on the National Education Academy’s roster, it’s very difficult to bring them back.”
Chen Changsheng took the roster and flipped through a couple of pages. The pages were already very old, and most of the names above had the word “cancelled” written after them. He asked, “Then what should I do?”
Priest Xin thought to himself, Is this my problem too? That’s what he thought, but he would never say it out loud. He had already made up his mind: as long as he didn’t have to personally cheer for the National Education Academy or get involved in those schemes of the big shots, within his own authority, he would absolutely do this: give money if money was needed, give people if people were needed.
“Do you think… for studying at the National Education Academy, what else is needed now?” He looked into Chen Changsheng’s eyes and probed.
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, “Anything I want?”
“If you want me to transfer teachers from the Heavenly Dao Academy to the National Education Academy… that probably won’t work.”
Priest Xin said with a smile, though he knew the joke wasn’t funny and instead sounded somewhat helpless.
Chen Changsheng said, “I want people.”
Priest Xin’s smile gradually faded, and he said seriously, “How many people?”
Chen Changsheng replied earnestly, “A lot of people.”
Priest Xin’s expression didn’t change, but his hands grew cold. He thought to himself, Could it really be as the Cardinal guessed—that behind His Holiness the Pope’s revival of the National Education Academy… there are many hidden agendas? Otherwise, why would this young student ask for people right off the bat, and a lot of them at that? If something taboo were to happen, what then?
“May I ask… why you need so many people?”
He stared into Chen Changsheng’s eyes, speaking word by word, his expression extremely serious, ready to refuse at any moment and then turn and flee.
Chen Changsheng didn’t sense his tension. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have understood it. He said, “The National Education Academy covers a large area, and most of the buildings are old and in disrepair. Even if repairs can be done slowly, to study there, we still need to clean up. If there aren’t enough hands, it will probably take a lot of time.”
Hearing this, Priest Xin gasped, not out of fear, but out of surprise. Afraid that Chen Changsheng might change his mind, he said without hesitation, “The necessary subsidies will be allocated immediately, and the required personnel won’t be lacking. I’ll temporarily transfer some laborers over. No, I’ll personally lead the laborers to escort you back.”
After saying this, he warmly patted Chen Changsheng on the shoulder and, pretending to support his arm, guided him out of the main hall of the Papal Secretariat. The usually stern Priest Xin was suddenly so affectionate toward a boy who looked like a student—this scene drew countless gazes and naturally sparked some discussion.
…
…
“Did Chen Changsheng really enter the National Education Academy?”
“Yes… After Granny Ning left, he went to the Papal Secretariat not long after.”
In the study of the Eastern Divine General’s Mansion, after these two simple exchanges, a quick silence fell.
Xu Shiji, with an indifferent expression, looked at the somewhat uneasy Granny Hua and said, “Since that’s their intention, let’s not interfere for now.”
Madam Xu, standing by, said worriedly, “Why has there suddenly been such a change?”
Xu Shiji said, “I asked her to step in and resolve the issue with the Star Plucking Academy. It wasn’t to waste such a big favor for that kid. It was originally to tell her about the engagement and have her report it to Her Holiness the Empress. Since that’s the case, whatever she does is only natural.”
Madam Xu said with a troubled expression, “The problem is what Granny Ning said—that the kid should stay alive? Why would the palace care about such a trivial matter?”
Xu Shiji glanced at Granny Hua.
Granny Hua lowered her head and said softly, “Last night, Miss Shuang entered the palace. It’s said that the young lady sent a letter back.”
Hearing this, Madam Xu was displeased and said, “This child—why write to outsiders instead of her own parents?”
Xu Shiji frowned slightly, not wanting to hear such talk, and said, “Marriage is a matter for parents to decide. Even Her Holiness the Empress wouldn’t meddle. Why worry about those things? Give Miss Moyan some face and let the kid live for now. If he still refuses to behave, we can discuss it later.”
Madam Xu said, “I’m just worried that if that child really rises to prominence in the future, he might hold a grudge against the mansion.”
Xu Shiji suddenly laughed, a meaningful smile on his face, and said, “Rise to prominence?”
Madam Xu felt a bit frightened seeing her husband’s smile and didn’t dare to ask further. She waved for Granny Hua to withdraw and said in a low voice, “Earlier, Prince Chenliu sent someone to invite you to a banquet. Should you go or not? Although he is quite favored by Her Holiness the Empress, his status is special after all. It always feels a bit inappropriate.”
Years ago, after the last attempt by the imperial clan to remove Her Holiness the Empress from the dragon throne was brutally suppressed, all members of the imperial clan within three generations were expelled from the capital and placed under surveillance in various prefectures. Only Prince Xiang’s heir, Chenliu, was allowed to stay in the capital’s princely mansion because he was too young.
Precisely because he was so young, Her Holiness the Empress allowed him to enter the palace to study alongside the similarly aged Princess Pingguo and Miss Moyan. The three of them lived, ate, and drank together, forming deep bonds. He was essentially raised under Her Holiness’s watch, so she held him in high regard. Even after he came of age, she didn’t expel him from the capital and even directly made him a commandery prince.
Of course, many believed that Her Holiness the Empress treated Prince Chenliu so well not only because of their long-standing relationship and his excellent reputation among both court and commoners, but also—more importantly—because when she looked at his face, she could easily recall her own sons who had died years ago.
But regardless, Prince Chenliu was still a member of the imperial clan, with royal blood flowing through his veins. No one believed that Her Holiness the Empress had no wariness toward him. And as Xu Shiji, the Eastern Divine General trusted by Her Holiness, attending such banquets was indeed somewhat improper.
Hearing his wife’s words, Xu Shiji was silent for a moment before saying, “It’s fine. The commandery prince has repeatedly extended goodwill. If I continue to act aloof, the prince might be displeased, and the palace won’t think any better of me. A minister who is too solitary and aloof is not a good minister. Besides, Her Holiness the Empress has a clear mind. She knows that Prince Chenliu only wants to connect with the Qiu Shan family through me, to take care of Prince Xiang, who is enduring hard times in the south. It’s a matter of filial piety. Her Holiness’s heart is as vast as the sea—why would she care? Besides, Prince Xiang has been docile his whole life. It wouldn’t be unusual even if Her Holiness directly recalled him to the capital.”
Madam Xu said nothing, but her heart tightened slightly. She knew Xu Shiji’s temperament better than anyone. Normally taciturn and aloof, he had now spoken so much to explain himself. Naturally, he wasn’t explaining to her—then who was he explaining to? It could only mean that he himself wasn’t sure whether these words had any meaning.
But even so, he still intended to attend Prince Chenliu’s banquet. What did that imply?
After finishing his speech, Xu Shiji frowned slightly, realizing that his own behavior was somewhat problematic. Steadying his mind, he looked at his wife and said with a smile, “Don’t worry too much… That kid has no future ahead of him. Miss Moyan letting him enter the National Education Academy is precisely the point.”
The name “National Education Academy” did sound impressive. With “National Education” as its prefix, it seemed impossible for it to be inferior to the Heavenly Dao Academy or the Star Plucking Academy. In fact, over the past several hundred years—and even longer—the National Education Academy had always been the best and hardest academy to enter in the capital.
But now, the National Education Academy had long withered like autumn grass, forgotten by everyone, holding no status within the National Religion. If it had remained silent like in previous years, that would have been fine. But the moment it showed any sign of life, it would be met with endless humiliation. Otherwise, why would its teachers and students have scattered in such a short time?
The reason the National Education Academy had fallen to this state lay in an incident decades ago. Back then, the dean of the National Education Academy also served as the Grand Bishop of the National Religion. He was His Holiness the Pope’s fellow disciple, second only to the Pope within the National Religion, and highly revered. Even the Holy Maiden of the Southern Sect had to defer to him—a true anomaly in the history of the National Religion.
Logically, someone who had reached such a position should have been content. But the human heart is like the stars in the night sky—hard to count and impossible to see through. To compete for the papacy, and lacking the support of Her Holiness the Empress, the dean of the National Education Academy colluded with the remnants of the imperial clan, attempting to overthrow Her Holiness’s rule. In a single night of crushing defeat, the dean was reduced to ashes by His Holiness the Pope himself, and the National Education Academy, as his staunchest supporter, naturally suffered a bloody purge.
After that night, some tried to restore the academy’s glory. But under the watchful eyes of the two most supreme figures in the world—Her Holiness the Empress and His Holiness the Pope—students from the National Education Academy had no future. Within just two years, the academy could no longer recruit students, and the teachers naturally had to leave.
Thus, the once infinitely glorious National Education Academy became a gloomy ghost garden.
It wasn’t until over a decade later that the National Education Academy once again welcomed a new student.
That new student’s name was Chen Changsheng.
“Enrollment?”
“No, that’s exile.”
“New student?”
“No, that’s an abyss from which one can never climb out.”
Xu Shiji made his conclusion expressionlessly.