Chapter 274: The Empress's Predicament

Zhang Jian's eyes revealed a hint of interest, and he cupped his hands.

"I dare not presume to instruct, but I do not know what Your Highness wishes to ask?"

Seeing this, Lan De Fei's jade-like countenance remained unchanged, merely carrying a faint smile.

She glanced at the female officials beside the East Study, her eyes flickering, but ultimately did not let them leave.

The eleven or twelve-year-old prince's expression was solemn, yet at this moment he performed the disciple's salute and asked.

"May I ask, sir, what is 'Zhang Learning'?"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered as he stared directly at the Third Prince Wei Cheng before him; he did not know whether today's encounter with the Empress here was the idea of this Lan De Fei beside him, or that of her strategist, but regardless of whose idea it was, he temporarily did not wish to become involved with these princes.

To become involved with them usually meant the beginning of trouble.

Zhang Jian is the Dao.

"Zhang Learning lies in investigating things to extend knowledge; the sage said all things must have substance and form, fineness and coarseness, every blade of grass and tree contains the utmost principle, and again said the sage can learn and attain it, thus it can be seen that the utmost principle of all things in heaven and earth must necessarily be 'investigated' out!"

Zhang Jian smiled slightly.

To investigate the root of heaven and earth's myriad things, in fact at this time only cultivators can achieve it.

Ordinary worldly scholars can achieve very little.

Most can only indulge in philosophical speculation, but this is actually idle fancy.

Investigating things to extend knowledge requires detailed theoretical data as support.

Thus, after Zhang Jian debated with a portion of the court's pure currents, he could only take its finest part; to point out investigating things to extend knowledge is to know clearly, to know the what and the why.

All things must be ordered, forming systematic knowledge.

As the sage said, sincerity, rectifying the heart, cultivating the self, governing the state, pacifying the world—these must be carried out clearly.

Zhang Jian could see that this Third Prince clearly had little interest in his 'Zhang Learning,' yet he still voiced his own views.

He pointed out that Zhang Learning not only advocates investigating things and extending knowledge, but also sincerity, rectifying the heart, cultivating the self, regulating the family, governing the state, and pacifying the world.

Wei Cheng listened, at times frowning, and by the end clearly could not bear it, soon suffering a 'defeat'!

He slightly bowed, unable to restrain his youthful nature, and hurriedly departed.

Lan De Fei watched this scene from the side, seeing Zhang Jian solemn and grave-faced, she harbored some doubt in her beautiful eyes, yet still smiled and said.

"'Zhang Learning' is indeed learning for governing the world and benefiting the people; this palace, though I am but a humble woman, can also sense its profundity; if such learning cannot be used by the royal house, how regrettable; I do not know if sir would be willing to serve as tutor to this palace's royal child? Cheng'er is naturally lively and active, yet not lacking in intelligence, alertness, and indeed needs a master such as sir to guide him back to the right path!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"Empress Dowager De Fei flatters me; the Third Prince is intelligent and lively, active—this is merely youthful nature, not wickedness; moreover, all the senior gentlemen in the palace are elders to the juniors, and in terms of learning and insight, their foresight far surpasses that of the juniors, and under them are countless disciples, all excellent teachers!"

Lan De Fei, upon hearing this, was not dissuaded and still wished to speak to test the waters, but at this moment she saw an eunuch outside shouting loudly.

"The Empress arrives!"

Seeing this, Lan De Fei furrowed her brows and finally stopped speaking.

Yet in the distance, the Empress's carriage had already arrived at the East Study gate; Empress Qi wore a full red regular robe, her azure phoenix-like countenance at this moment slightly increased makeup, yet carried a trace of composure and dignity.

"Your servant Lan clan pays respects to the Empress!"

"Your humble servant bows to the Empress!"

Zhang Jian also slightly performed the salute, yet did not kneel as Lan De Fei did.

And it was not just him alone; officials in the court have always done so, facing the inner court consorts only needing to bow slightly.

Unless the official is of low rank, then they must perform the full kneeling ceremony.

And he at this moment is a high-ranking official in scarlet and purple.

Empress Qi's gaze seemed to smile yet not smile as she glanced at Lan De Fei; her eyes held a trace of scrutiny, for the commotion in the East Study earlier had been reported to her.

Lan De Fei's scheme, she naturally understood clearly—digging at the wall right under her very eyes.

Under Empress Qi's clearly scrutinizing gaze, Lan De Fei's expression remained unchanged, merely finding an excuse before turning and departing.

After Lan De Fei left, Empress Qi's expression eased slightly; after the outsiders departed, her face at this moment actually regained a few traces of playfulness.

"Brother-in-law, how is Second Sister lately!"

Zhang Jian heard this and slightly nodded.

"She is well; she has recently conceived and is currently nurturing the fetus in her mansion!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Qi's jade countenance showed some joy, but instantly this joy was suddenly overwhelmed by worry.

Zhang Jian saw Empress Qi's expression, his eyes flickered, and he roughly guessed the pressure on her heart.

Being this Empress is no easy task.

From Lan De Fei's actions today, one can see that in the inner palace, as numerous princes begin to reach adulthood, the struggle has already begun early.

Emperor Jingwu has many sons and daughters; the princes already number seven or eight; under the assistance of the Wonderful Method, the survival rate is high, basically all can grow up smoothly, except for a small portion with disabilities or congenital intellectual defects, or flawed temperaments; princes with core competitiveness number at least five or six.

Among them, the Eldest Prince Wei Yuan is a son of a concubine, born of a consort, and has now reached the verge of adulthood, already fourteen years old.

The Second Prince Wei He comes from the palace of Consort Xian Liu, also fourteen years old, and was born almost the same year as the Eldest Prince.

The Third Prince Wei Cheng is now eleven years old; his mother Lan De Fei is shrewd and capable, likewise a rival.

And Empress Qi has shared the bed with Emperor Jingwu for two years, truly monopolizing favor, yet still has no issue; this is already falling behind at the starting line by too much.

How could one not worry?

An Empress without a prince by her side has no hope at all.

Zhang Jian, seeing her expression, comforted her: "Empress Dowager, you need not worry; your forehead's destiny palace is broad and open, the purple star shines alone, your destiny must include offspring; only need to relax your mind, properly nourish yourself, and conceiving the dragon seed is not difficult!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Qi's eyes slightly relaxed, and she smiled charmingly.

"Brother-in-law, your divine powers are vast; I naturally believe your words, Jade Pearl!"

She glanced around, seeing many female officials standing to one side, and sighed in her heart; she actually still had many words she wished to ask Zhang Jian, and many doubts in her mind.

But here, some words are indeed inappropriate to mention.

After thinking, Empress Qi could not help but ask again: "Brother-in-law, palace news is blocked; you tell me, how is our Qi family now?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered, and he slowly shook his head.

"My maternal grandfather has already ordered all my uncles to divide the household!"

For the Qi clan of Fengyang Prefecture, these past two years have been fraught with disaster.

Although the Qi clan has not lost any able-bodied men in these two years, there have been casualties, and they have repeatedly suffered misfortunes.

Fortunately, Marquis Shenwei Qi Yi divided the household in time; otherwise, there would surely have been casualties.

But even so, they still frequently encounter bandits, greenwood outlaws paying visits, or else get dragged into conflicts between cultivators and demons, affecting the family's estates considerably.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuzhu's expression actually improved considerably; as long as there are no casualties, this is the best news.

But in an instant, her gaze turned to Zhang Jian, and she suddenly smiled and said.

"Brother-in-law, I also want a piece of wind-blood jade; I don't know if you have a way?"