Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

"I seem to recall... that you’ve already resigned."

Xiao Yang’s eyelid had been twitching wildly ever since she woke up. When she saw Grand Tutor Xu enter the Imperial Study carrying a stack of books, she finally understood the source of her impending doom.

Grand Tutor Xu bowed unhurriedly. "Your Majesty went to great lengths to save Xingchen, not even hesitating to use precious medicine. This old subject has no way to repay you, other than to impart my lifetime of knowledge to Your Majesty."

"Stop right there!" ’Always giving me things I don’t want.’

Xiao Yang was so agitated she nearly climbed onto the desk. "Is this how you repay a favor? This isn’t gratitude, it’s revenge!"

Grand Tutor Xu, clearly prepared for this, calmly stroked his beard. "For Your Majesty to say such things only proves that this old subject has not taught you well. It seems I have a long road ahead of me."

Xiao Yang was fuming. "But didn’t you already resign? Why are you back?"

Grand Tutor Xu said, "After I left, I thought it over and decided that abandoning Your Majesty would mean failing Emperor Taizhong and the late Emperor. Thus, I have returned, and from now on, I will dedicate my life’s learning to properly guiding Your Majesty."

Xiao Yang tried to reason with him. "I can govern the country perfectly well now. I don’t need you to teach me."

’All that pretentious classical prose is completely useless to me now.’

’It’s not like I’m trying to become a literary scholar.’

Grand Tutor Xu replied, "There is no end to learning. It is always good to learn more."

Xiao Yang was speechless. "You... Don’t think I won’t touch you just because you’re old."

Grand Tutor Xu was unconcerned. "It matters not. This old subject is advanced in years. Whether I go sooner or later, it makes no difference."

’As expected of the Grand Tutor, so wonderfully broad-minded.’

Xiao Yang: "..."

’He’s old, unafraid of death, and has committed no crime.’

’He’s a respected mentor, an elder statesman of three reigns, and single-mindedly devoted to teaching.’

’His armor is so thick, not even Hou Yi could pierce it with an arrow.’

"I’m not cut out for studying. Grand Tutor, why put yourself through this ordeal?"

Grand Tutor Xu disagreed. "Your Majesty is intelligent, kind-hearted, and respects the elderly while cherishing the young. You are a rare and good child, the most outstanding student this old subject has ever taught."

’The corner of Xiao Yang’s mouth twitched. He just said he hadn’t taught me well. He must be getting senile, contradicting himself like this.’

"Praising me is useless. I don’t care who you are, get out of Grand Tutor Xu’s body right now."

’She strongly suspected Grand Tutor Xu was just back for revenge—revenge for his grandson getting kidnapped, and revenge for the gash she’d given his son.’

In the Imperial Study, the old man and the young woman were locked in a stalemate. One was determined to teach, and the other would rather die than learn.

The silence was broken when a little eunuch entered. "Your Majesty, Mr. Xu, Xu Shikai, requests an audience."

Xiao Yang asked, "What is your son doing here?"

Grand Tutor Xu replied, "He is your courtier."

Xiao Yang’s temples throbbed. She ordered the man to be brought in.

"This subject greets Your Majesty."

Xu Shikai bowed, his attitude even more reverent than before.

Her head aching, Xiao Yang’s expression was grim. "What is it?"

Xu Shikai answered, "This subject’s health is restored. I can continue to serve Your Majesty. I ask for Your Majesty’s permission."

’He wants his position back.’

Before Xiao Yang could decide, Grand Tutor Xu spoke up. "This has nothing to do with this old subject. You need not give me any face. If you find him useful, then use him. If not, send him back to our hometown to be a teacher."

Xiao Yang shot him an irritated glance. "Do you think saying that will convince me to keep your son?"

Grand Tutor Xu replied, "Your Majesty does not require this old subject’s consent to retain a courtier."

The two of them were locking horns, leaving Xu Shikai standing awkwardly in place. ’I really shouldn’t have come at a time like this,’ he thought.

’And Dad... hadn’t he resigned? What is he doing here now?’

’Aside from being overly rigid, Xu Shikai was actually a good fit for Minister of Rites.’

’But just because he was a good fit didn’t mean Xiao Yang had to employ him.’

"Bafang City needs a governor. If you’re willing, you can go take up the post."

Bafang City was in the bitterly cold borderlands. This was clearly a demotion, an exile.

Xu Shikai looked to his father, but Grand Tutor Xu was true to his word and showed no intention of pleading on his behalf.

Xu Shikai could only lower his head. "This subject... will obey!"

After Xu Shikai left, Grand Tutor Xu opened a book. "Your Majesty’s lessons can be delayed no longer."

Xiao Yang: "..." ’Where is my sword?’

’Xiao Yang wasn’t about to suffer the torment of studying all by herself.’

Xiao Hong, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Cheng were dragged in to be irrigated with knowledge alongside her.

’Those three were conveniently close at hand.’

When Xie Liuzheng and Xiao Lv arrived later, they were immediately assigned seats as well.

Xiao Jinsu and Song Qingyi couldn’t escape either. Any courtiers who showed up had to listen to a segment of Grand Tutor Xu’s lecture before being allowed to leave with the day’s homework.

The Imperial Study had instantly transformed into Grand Tutor Xu’s grand lecture hall.

There were a few odd ones out, like Xiao Hong, Xiao Lv, and Xiao Jinsu, who listened with rapt attention, thirsty for knowledge.

But there were also those who were in absolute agony, like Xie Liuzheng, Xiao Lan, and Xiao Cheng.

Xie Liuzheng was much like Xiao Yang; having finally escaped school, being forced to study again was a nightmare. As for Xiao Cheng and Xiao Lan, they were martial artists, and their literary skills were so poor that the lecture was like listening to a foreign language.

’As for Xiao Yang, as long as she wasn’t the only one suffering, she felt perfectly at ease.’

Grand Tutor Xu truly was good-natured. No matter how many people the Emperor roped in, it didn’t seem to affect his lecture. He didn’t care whether he was teaching men or women, and he answered every question that was asked.

’Xiao Yang looked like she was listening to the lecture, but in her mind, a little abacus was furiously clacking away with schemes.’

’For the Grand Tutor to have so much energy at his age, he must be bored. I have to find a job for him.’

The day’s lessons concluded in a bizarre atmosphere. Some felt they had gained a great deal, while others felt completely drained.

After leaving behind a pile of homework, Grand Tutor Xu took his leave with impeccable courtesy.

’Just looking at the homework gave Xiao Yang a headache. Tomorrow, I’ll definitely post a sign at the palace gates: No Grand Tutor Xu Allowed.’

’This every-other-day torture session was seriously affecting her mental health.’

When Grand Tutor Xu returned to his residence, he sensed a somber atmosphere the moment he stepped inside.

The old butler informed him that the Ministry of Personnel had delivered Xu Shikai’s letter of appointment. Everyone now knew he had been demoted.

"Father, weren’t you at the palace? How could you let Your Majesty demote my older brother?"

Grand Tutor Xu had just sat down in his study when Xu Yunzhou walked in.

Grand Tutor Xu said, "Her Majesty has her own plans. Your brother accepted the demotion himself."

Xu Yunzhou said urgently, "Her Majesty is punishing him because of what happened to Xingchen, isn’t she? We don’t blame him. Can’t we ask Her Majesty to show some leniency?"

Grand Tutor Xu paused, his sharp gaze falling upon his second son. "You... are overestimating your own importance."

’The Emperor passed this sentence because she doesn’t want to employ Xu Shikai. It has nothing to do with who forgives whom.’

Xu Yunzhou assumed his father meant his status was insufficient. It was true; he held no official position and couldn’t even enter the palace gates.

"I’ll ask Xingchen to persuade Her Majesty. He’s already forgiven his uncle, so Her Majesty can’t keep holding a grudge."

Even now, Xu Yunzhou still thought this was a private family matter.

Grand Tutor Xu explained, "When Xiao Sheng caused a scene at Jinluan Palace, your brother stood firmly behind Prince Jing. That was tantamount to betrayal. Then, to prevent Xingchen from supporting the Emperor, he imprisoned the boy, which indirectly led to him falling into treacherous hands. The fact that the Emperor has only demoted him now—and has still given him the position of governor—is already a great show of face to the Xu Family."

Grand Tutor Xu saw the truth of the matter clearly, which was why he hadn’t intervened.

Moreover, now that he had returned to court, Xu Shikai would be under his protection for as long as he served.

Bafang City might be remote and harsh, but it had just suffered a great calamity. Everything was in ruins and needed to be rebuilt, making it the perfect time to score political achievements.

If Xu Shikai handled things properly and satisfied Her Majesty, he could definitely return within two years with an even more stable position.

Grand Tutor Xu was thinking of the long term, but Xu Yunzhou remained fixated on the immediate situation.

"Her Majesty is a woman. My brother made the right choice. Besides, he wasn’t the only one who chose Prince Jing back then. What happened to Xingchen was an accident. If he hadn’t been used by Her Majesty, why would he have met with such a disaster?"

His tone was full of resentment toward the Emperor.

Grand Tutor Xu had always known his second son was simple-minded and lacked guile, so he had never placed high hopes on him. He hadn’t stopped him from his leisurely travels, thinking that roaming the world might broaden his horizons.

It now seemed that after all those years of travel, he had done nothing but play.

"You are not to involve yourself in Shikai’s affairs, and Xingchen is forbidden from interfering as well. You’ve had enough fun over the years. I will find a minor official post for you. After that, your future will be up to you."

To be so self-righteous at his age was simply unacceptable.

’Since traveling couldn’t broaden his horizons, then he could go to the court and receive a harsh lesson from reality.’