The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 183 Threatening to Reveal Information

Putting everything else aside, we definitely need to eat the gossip first.

"Where should we begin? How about we start with Dean Cen's bedwetting when he was twelve years old..."

Dean Cen almost jumped up: "I didn't!"

Zheng Xun: "Dean Cen, why are you so agitated? I haven't said anything yet."

Dean Cen: "Then you can't ruin my reputation..."

"Okay, let's start with the time when Dean Cen was fifteen and climbed over his neighbor's wall and got bitten on the butt by a dog..."

“Actually!” Dean Cen interrupted Zheng Xun, “The princess is clearly the princess herself! How could she not believe you?”

Zheng Xun nodded, then shifted his gaze to Cen Wan: "When Master Cen was seven years old..."

Cen Wan felt a chill run down her spine and quickly kowtowed: "This humble subject greets Your Highness! May Your Highness be blessed with boundless fortune!"

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi hung their heads in disappointment.

Can't they have any backbone? Bowing their heads so quickly... they didn't hear anything at all.

The Cen family father and daughter said that integrity can't put food on the table, but if they lose face, how will they maintain the dignity of their teachers?

The students laugh at them as soon as they see them, so how can they manage them?

Zheng Xun looked regretful.

Cen family father and daughter: What are you regretting? What exactly are you regretting?!

"Is it okay if we notify you of the assessment tomorrow and the exam is held the day after tomorrow?"

Dean Cen: I think you're making things difficult for me, Cen.

If he were facing an ordinary nobleman, he would probably have already started cursing, but Princess Yuanjia is different.

She has something on him.

He considers himself to be upright and honest, and has never done anything wrong. However, sometimes he has a moment of madness and does something embarrassing.

Hmm... just a little bit.

If word gets out, he might be talked about for ten or twenty years.

So he could only force a smile and say, "Yes, that's great."

Zheng Xun nodded with satisfaction: "I knew Dean Cen was different from other scholars."

Dean Cen: If I didn't have so many weaknesses, I would want to do the same as everyone else.

Amid Zheng Xun's gratified praise and Dean Cen's bitter smile that seemed to bring him to tears, the matter was settled.

However, Zheng Xun was a good person, so she gave them a sweet treat.

“Cen Wan”.

Master Cen looked up in confusion.

"You are exceptionally talented, decisive, and resourceful. You have insights into politics that rival those of others. Is your ambition to be a teacher for life?"

Dean Cen glanced cautiously at his daughter.

Actually, he knew about her aspirations.

But if someone notices or reminds you that something is impossible, isn't that a kind of cruelty?

Noticing his daughter's dejection, he felt a pang of heartache: "Wanwan doesn't only have one option; she can also inherit the academy and become its headmaster."

After listening to his words, Zheng Xun still stared intently at Cen Wan: "Cen Wan, is this also your ambition?"

Cen Wan looked away: "So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?"

Zheng Xun didn't speak, but waited quietly for a moment.

If she can't even seize this opportunity right in front of her, then Zheng Xun won't extend an olive branch to her.

At this moment, Cen Wan was trying to convince herself not to have any delusions.

However, she gave up after trying for a short while.

It's completely unconvincing.

She finally relented and admitted, "Of course, it's not just that."

Cen Wan's true nature is nothing like the gentle and graceful person her name suggests.

She is a resilient weed that will spread its roots even in the cold wind, and when spring arrives and flowers bloom, she will break through the soil without hesitation.

Zheng Xun did not show his appreciation, and said in his usual tone, "Do you want to participate in the imperial examination? Do you want a chance to stand in front of others with dignity?"

Cen Wan pursed her lips and remained silent.

A fair chance to compete...

How could she not want to?

But she knew it would be extremely difficult, as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Seeing that she remained silent, Zheng Xun continued to ask, "Do you know Marquis Zhao?"

“I know…” Cen Wan suddenly realized something and chuckled, “You don’t actually think there will be a second Marquis Zhao, do you?”

"Why not?"

"Marquis Zhao is different. If it weren't for the princess's scheme, and if the establishment of Yuanxiu Academy hadn't been so truly remarkable, this title wouldn't have fallen to her. Most importantly, her success is unrepeatable. Everyone knows she's an exception, and that's precisely why some people haven't crossed the line."

Seeing that Zheng Xun was listening to her quietly and patiently, she continued, "But allowing women to participate in the imperial examinations is different; it touches on their very interests. Only so many people can be selected in an imperial examination, and more competitors mean more pressure."

Moreover, in that instant, she thought of many, many more obstacles she might encounter.

For example, if a woman has been exposed to power, who would be willing to have children for them?

For example, many people have become accustomed to the status of women as appendages, and many are unwilling to be trampled on by their former vassals.

For example, those in high positions hope that those in lower positions will have children to maintain the stable situation where men are in charge of external affairs and women are in charge of internal affairs, so that women lose their power and obediently give birth to more donkeys that can be exploited.

All these problems ultimately boil down to interests.

Therefore, making her participate in the imperial examination was much more difficult than making Zhao Xiulan become the Marquis of Zhao.

Zheng Xun slightly raised her chin, her expression arrogant: "If I say it's possible, then it's possible."

At this moment, Cen Wan felt that Zheng Xun was too naive.

She, too, once had many ambitions and aspirations, just like her.

She thought she was different; she believed she could change the world.

But the older she got, the more she realized how difficult it was to climb the mountain in front of her.

Once people realize their own insignificance, they will inevitably develop a sense of fear.

But after repeated setbacks, she had to admit that she was just an ordinary person who looked slightly more capable.

She stared blankly at the somewhat dark sky: "But what if we can take the imperial examination? Lin Yu, the young lady of the previous dynasty, also participated in the imperial examination, but she only received the title of Lady."

They were like coaxing a child who was trying to prove herself; they gave her a piece of candy and wiped away her ability and ambition.

Lin Yu, such a brave person, took the exam with integrity and came in first place, but was still excluded from power.

Zheng Xun said in a relaxed tone: "You are different from her. In Lin Yu's era, there was no Princess Yuanjia."

Cen Wan was amused by her confidence.

She laughed loudly and wildly, but her eyes were filled with darkness.

Dean Cen suddenly patted her on the shoulder: "Alright, why make such a gesture?"

He turned to look at Zheng Xun: "Does the princess have any ideas?"

Zheng Xun nodded: "I have a brilliant idea. I'll arrange an identity for you, and you can disguise yourself as a man to participate in the imperial examination!"

The Cen father and daughter's lips twitched slightly: "What a brilliant idea!"

Cen Wan said, "But I am not willing to earn glory as a man."

"Wait a minute, I haven't finished speaking yet."