The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 160 Princess Jue Ling's Transformation

These female students, clad in specially designed new uniforms, couldn't conceal the intellectual gleam in their eyes and the intelligence between their brows. Some were intently observing the microscopic world under a microscope, some were absorbed in grinding herbs, and some were enthusiastically discussing mechanical structures. Each face was filled with youthful energy, a thirst for knowledge, and a vision for the future.

This thriving vitality deeply moved Princess Jue Ling. She seemed to see seedlings breaking through the soil, nurtured by the sun and rain, diligently growing and climbing upward, eager to one day bloom into brilliant flowers. And Sister Cen, like a diligent gardener, used her wisdom and sweat to provide these seedlings with fertile soil and abundant nutrients, nurturing their growth.

This intense emotional impact sent shockwaves through Princess Jue Ling's heart, leaving her unable to calm down for a long time. She had grown up in luxury, pampered and doted on, never having experienced the hardships of life, let alone such pure passion for knowledge. These children, born into poverty, some even lonely and helpless, had to struggle for survival, yet they never gave up their thirst for knowledge or their vision of a brighter future.

They are like tenacious seeds, still striving to absorb nutrients in the face of adversity, longing to one day break through the darkness and embrace the light. Compared with them, the wealth and splendor I possess seem so pale and meaningless.

"Dean Cen, you've done very well." Princess Jue Ling's voice trembled slightly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I used to think that a woman's virtue lay in her lack of talent. Now, it seems that women who are literate can achieve great things, even change their own destiny and create a better future."

Cen Jiexiao smiled slightly, her eyes filled with relief, "I am relieved that Your Highness the Princess understands this."

Princess Jue Ling looked at Cen Jiexiao, a strange light flashing in her eyes. She suddenly asked, "Dean Cen, have you ever thought about leaving this academy and going to a bigger stage to do more?"

Cen Jiexiao was startled and looked up at Princess Jue Ling, only to see her staring at her intently, her eyes full of expectation and...ambition?

Cen Jiexiao pondered for a moment, her tone humble yet neither servile nor overbearing, "Your Highness, I am too kind to compliment you. I am a humble servant with limited talent and knowledge. All I have done is to teach and educate people. How can I possibly be worthy of such a weighty term as 'great ambition'?"

She paused, glancing at the eager female students around her, her eyes revealing genuine concern. "Besides, my only wish is to run this Zhaoyin Academy well, so that these children can have the opportunity to learn to read and write. In the future, whether they serve as officials in the court or raise their children at home, they can live a decent life with their own abilities. As for the affairs of the court, the emperor and the other gentlemen will take care of them. As a woman, I dare not make any rash comments."

Princess Jue Ling heard the refusal in Sister Cen Xiao's words and said nothing more. She just gave her a meaningful look and said with a smile, "Dean Cen is indeed a man of character, caring about the women of the world. This is admirable. In that case, I will not force you. However, if there is anything you need in the future, I hope Dean Cen will be willing to give you advice."

Cen Jiexiao nodded slightly: "Your Highness, you are too kind. I will do my best."

Princess Jue Ling exchanged a few more words with Sister Cen Xiao, then stood up to say goodbye.

Before leaving, Cen Jiexiao asked Yu Lan to bring two exquisite wooden boxes and hand them to Princess Jue Ling.

"Your Highness, this is a small gift from your humble servant. I hope you will accept it."

Princess Jue Ling curiously took the two exquisite wooden boxes from Yu Lan's hands. They felt slightly heavy and soft to the touch, like fine huanghuali wood. She gently opened the first box and saw a crossbow of unusual shape resting quietly on a bright yellow satin mat. The crossbow was pitch black, slender yet faintly chilling. It was intricately carved with patterns, and upon closer inspection, it revealed a lifelike phoenix, wings spread, ready to take flight.

Princess Jue Ling reached out and gently stroked the phoenix pattern. It felt cool to the touch, clearly crafted from a special metal, a truly extraordinary piece. She couldn't help but marvel inwardly, this Dean Cen was truly extraordinary, willing to gift such a precious treasure. Then, she opened a second wooden box, revealing a copper tube about two feet long, each end inlaid with a crystal-clear lens. She wondered what it was used for. The tube felt cool and heavy to the touch, clearly a delicate object. Princess Jue Ling turned the tube over and over in her hands, but she couldn't figure it out, and her curiosity grew.

She looked up at Cen Jiexiao and asked softly, "Dean Cen, these two gifts are so exquisite, I wonder what they are?"

Cen Jiexiao smiled faintly and explained, "Your Highness, this crossbow is called the 'Mysterious Crossbow'. It can be loaded with ten arrows at once, allowing it to fire ten arrows in a burst, with immense power. This brass tube is called the 'Wucheng Telescope', and it can bring distant objects closer for easier observation. Both are newly developed products from the academy's workshop, and I'm giving them to Your Highness today as a keepsake."

Princess Jue Ling accepted the two novelties and couldn't let them go. She felt even more admiration for Cen Jiexiao's talent. She smiled and said, "Dean Cen is truly thoughtful. I would be very rude to refuse."

After seeing Princess Jue Ling off, Cen Jiexiao returned to her study and gently closed the door. Yu Lan followed her, placing her teacup on the table. She asked with some concern, "Miss, why do you refuse the princess's kindness? If you could enter the palace to assist the emperor, wouldn't you be able to accomplish greater things?"

Cen Jiexiao slowly walked to the window, looked out at the azure sky, and let out a long sigh, as if wanting to let out all the frustration in her heart. She shook her head gently and sighed softly, "Yu Lan, we don't fully understand this princess yet, so if it's a trap, are we going to jump into it on our own initiative?"

"A trap?" Yu Lan was even more confused. She didn't understand why the lady, who was always decisive and wise, would be so hesitant in the face of the princess's invitation today.

Cen Jiexiao turned around and looked at Yu Lan with a deep gaze, her tone filled with helplessness: "The affairs of the court are far more complicated than you can imagine. As a woman, if I rashly get involved in it, I will only become the target of public criticism."

"But..." Yu Lan wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Cen Jiexiao.

"Yu Lan, there's no need to mention this matter anymore." Cen Jiexiao walked to the table and sat down, picked up the teacup and took a sip, her tone calm but with a certain unquestionable firmness.

"Yes, Dean." Seeing that Cen Jiexiao had made up her mind, Yu Lan said no more, but her heart was still full of doubts.

Cen Jiexiao put down her teacup and gazed out the window at the towering imperial palace in the distance. A complex expression flashed across her eyes. She knew her refusal today was merely a temporary solution. Women interfering in politics has been taboo since ancient times, especially since she came from another world. If she showed off too much, she would inevitably attract unnecessary trouble. She needed to plan everything carefully, wait for the right opportunity, and bide her time.

"Dean, what are you thinking about?" Yu Lan couldn't help asking when she saw Cen Jiexiao staring out the window in a daze.

Cen Jiexiao came back to her senses, smiled faintly, and said, "Nothing. It's getting late, let's go back."

"Yes, Dean." Although Yu Lan still had doubts in her heart, seeing that Cen Jiexiao was unwilling to say more, she had to suppress her doubts in her heart and followed Cen Jiexiao out of the study.

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

A dark shadow sneaked into Zhaoyin Academy silently and went straight to Cen Jiexiao's room.