Sheng Lengshuang had no desire to speak to this shameless man. She once again toured the academy, checking if there were any areas that needed improvement or rectification.
Mo Lingxi accompanied her. "I've discussed it with Zicheng, and for those who will handle miscellaneous tasks at the academy, we plan to hire impoverished individuals from within the student body. This will be a way to increase their income."
Sheng Lengshuang nodded in agreement, her gaze towards him softening considerably. "That's a very good idea. By the way, have the public carriages and coaches been arranged properly?"
Mo Lingxi replied that some had been arranged, while others were still in the process. "Arranging these matters is not an easy task, and some court officials are opposed."
Seeing his handsome face turn several degrees colder, Sheng Lengshuang knew without asking the reason for the opposition. In any era, there were always a small number of people who considered themselves superior and did not allow those they deemed lowly to be on equal footing with them.
She said nothing. These were matters of the court, and she had no intention of getting involved.
After they had finished touring the academy and arranging matters, they left, chatting as they went.
"We thank His Highness Prince Mingrui for his great kindness, and we thank Her Highness Princess Mingrui for her great kindness!"
Startled by the sudden chorus of thanks, Sheng Lengshuang jumped.
She turned her head and saw a vast crowd of commoners kneeling before her and Mo Lingxi, their faces filled with gratitude. Among them were many boys and girls, all crying tears of joy.
With a moment's thought, she understood what was happening.
"Please rise quickly," she said with a gentle smile.
The surging crowd of commoners bowed deeply three times before slowly standing up. Everyone looked at Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi as if they were benefactors.
"Your Highness Prince Mingrui, Your Highness Princess Mingrui, if not for your kind hearts and consideration for us common folk, how could we ordinary people have such good fortune to learn a trade, or even to read and write, within our limited years."
"I never dared to dream that my children could read, write, and learn a trade someday. Since I learned of this, I've been too excited to sleep at night."
Sheng Lengshuang could understand the feelings and thoughts of these people. For those at the very bottom of society, education was the only path to changing their fate. But in this ancient era, how many ordinary families could afford to send their children to school?
Now that there was finally an opportunity for their children to learn to read, write, and acquire a trade, it was natural for these people to be grateful and seize it.
It was only human nature.
Sheng Lengshuang raised her hand to signal for quiet, smiling. "Everyone, please don't get too excited. The academy doesn't admit children as young as one or two, nor does it accept elderly people of seventy or eighty. Furthermore, to enter the academy, one must pass a certain assessment."
The commoners understood this point, but a very small minority disagreed.
"Your Highness Princess Mingrui, wasn't it said that the academy accepts everyone? Why has it become that there's also an assessment?"
"Exactly, exactly. This is clearly a way to prevent us commoners from entering. I suspect the court is merely putting on a show. Once they gain the goodwill of us commoners, they'll recruit disciples from aristocratic families."
"What are you saying? I think you people are not good individuals. Who decreed that a school established by the court must accept everyone? If they accept trash, what kind of place would the academy be?"
"You're absolutely right. The academy isn't a slum where any dirt or filth can enter. Besides, Her Highness Princess Mingrui isn't wrong. The academy should have a certain assessment. Otherwise, with so many people, the academy wouldn't be able to accommodate them all."
"Don't you understand yet? These people want to get something for free, to take advantage of the court. Perhaps they even plan to extort the court after entering the academy, so they can live a prosperous life in the future."
"Everyone, we cannot let these kinds of people off easily!"
Amidst the surging emotions, those who were clamoring against the academy's assessment were severely beaten.
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi did not intervene, standing aside and watching with cold eyes.
They were well aware that this was unavoidable. In this world, there would always be a small number of people who stood on the so-called moral high ground, acting as arbiters and criticizing everything.
After the group that was causing trouble had been beaten and chased away, Sheng Lengshuang slightly raised her voice. "We understand everyone's intentions. However, as everyone has said, the academy has limited space. We must prioritize children, right?"
The commoners strongly agreed with this point. Everyone hoped their children would have a chance to succeed or learn a skill so they wouldn't have to worry about their livelihood in the future.
"What Your Highness Princess Mingrui said is very pleasing to hear. Whose family isn't doing it for their children? Who doesn't wish for their children to have a chance to succeed one day."
"I just hope my child won't have to struggle for a living like me every day, and at least be able to eat enough and be warm, and have a better life."
"I think the same way. For us ordinary folk, we don't expect our children to become officials or get rich. At least they won't have to go hungry every day like us."
Sheng Lengshuang looked at the masses, feeling a pang of emotion. Not long ago, she was like these people, doing everything she could to get enough to eat, and even devising many ways to have a bite of meat.
Perhaps, the academy would be a good place to change some destinies.
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi exchanged a smile.
When they returned to their residence, Xiao Feng came running towards them with cheerful little steps.
"Daddy, Mommy, I want to go to the academy!" he exclaimed, bouncing with excitement.
Mo Lingxi didn't understand, thinking Xiao Feng wanted to switch to a different academy.
Sheng Lengshuang understood. She squatted down, stroked Xiao Feng's head, and said softly, "Xiao Feng, why do you want to go to the academy?"
Xiao Feng said with a serious, milky voice, "There will be many, many little friends at the academy. Unlike at home, where it's just me, Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng is so lonely."
Sheng Lengshuang couldn't help but laugh and cry. She lightly flicked his forehead. "Others wish for private tutoring, and you find it lonely."
Xiao Feng fiddled with his fingers, pouting. "But Xiao Feng prefers having friends. It's really, really lonely being alone."
Sheng Lengshuang knew her son's thoughts well. She said with mock sternness, "It's because you can't be lazy or sneak around and do things when you're alone, that's why you want to go to the academy."
Seeing his secret exposed, Xiao Feng shrunk his neck and stuck out his tongue. "Mommy, I promise I'll study hard."
Like him, with his tutor teaching only him, he couldn't do anything he wanted during class. He was constantly being watched by his tutor during lessons.
That feeling was truly unpleasant.
Sheng Lengshuang didn't agree immediately. "Mommy needs to think about this. Even if you do go to the academy, Mommy will ask the tutor to take good care of you and won't give you any opportunities to be lazy."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng's little face fell. He whined and tugged at his mother's sleeve, not wanting his mother to be like this.