Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 237 - 235

Amidst a crowd of ladies and young misses exchanging pleasantries, Shangguan Xuanyi walked in carrying the two-year-old little prince.

After the greetings, Shangguan Xuanyi told the Empress, "The Seventh Prince insisted on coming to see you, Mother."

The tiny Seventh Prince, Shangguan Xuanqu, had by then wriggled out of Shangguan Xuanyi’s grip, scurried towards the Empress with his short little legs, and nestled into her embrace.

"Mother! Father will not let me run around! I want to play in the Imperial Garden." complained the little prince, his face full of grievance.

The Emperor wouldn’t allow him to wander off, and he found it incredibly dull sitting there and listening to everyone’s chit chat.

Only his Sixth Royal Brother was good to him, bringing him to see their Mother, and telling him that she had a cute little sister for him to play with.

Being so young, he had absolutely no idea that he was being used as a bridge to connect others.

Soon, the little prince spotted the little miss with a rosy face and her lips in a cute pout, showing clear signs of discontent at sitting still on her mother’s lap.

"Mother, can I go to the Imperial Garden to play with this little sister?" the little prince asked, pointing at Xi’er.

Upon hearing him, little Xi’er instantly perked up and said, "Mother, I want to go play in the Imperial Garden."

This left Mrs. Liu in a quandary. This was the Imperial Palace, after all - they couldn’t just let the children frolic about.

However, the Empress just laughed and said, "Let them go, Xuanyi, take them and keep an eye on Yao’er. Xiao’er, you should also go along and help Xuanyi to look after the two little ones. Girls tend to be more meticulous in taking care of children."

"Understood." Although Shangguan Xuanyi maintained his cool expression, a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, indicating his good mood.

Considering the Empress’ words, Mrs. Liu naturally wouldn’t object.

Xiao’er was speechless. Didn’t ancient people value modesty between the sexes? Why was the Empress so blatantly providing her and Shangguan Xuanyi with an opportunity to be alone together? However, it was good timing since she didn’t want to continue discussing rouge and gossipping about others.

Li Yunning, sneaking glances at her beloved, noticed that he had only briefly glanced at the Lady of Rui’an County upon entering, ignoring the others. As she watched the departing figures, the pain in her heart was so intense that she couldn’t help clutching her chest.

"What’s the matter, Yunning? Do you feel unwell?" The Prime Minister’s wife asked in a low voice.

The Empress noticed too and suggested, "Yun Ning looks pale. Shall we let her rest in the side chambers, and call her when the banquet begins?"

The Prime Minister’s wife looked at her deathly pale daughter and quickly nodded her thanks.

"Ziyun, please accompany Mrs. Li and Miss Li to the side chambers for some rest."

...

During the heart of winter, even the renowned Imperial Garden was a desolate sight.

With a group of maids and eunuchs trailing behind the little prince, there was hardly a need for the two of them to actually watch over him.

The two walked side by side, watching from a distance as the two little ones played, followed by maids and eunuchs constantly reminding them to "be careful, go slowly, don’t trip over."

"This year, the sandstorms in the Imperial Capital are less severe than previous years. Those protective forests have grown nicely."

"After spring arrives, we’ll still need to plant more trees, and keep doing so each year. In a few more years, the trees that have reached maturity can be cut for lumber, but new saplings must be planted."

"Wood from trees that have only grown a few years isn’t very strong. It’s better to keep them for blocking the sandstorms," chimed in Shangguan Xuanhao’s voice.

He and Di Shaowei seemed to have popped up from nowhere.

Shangguan Xuanyi glared at the two of them. He hadn’t had a moment alone with this girl in days!

"Not all wood needs to be used for beams!" Xiao’er disagreed with Shangguan Xuanhao’s words.

"Wood that can’t be used for beams isn’t good wood!"

"Oh, I see. So in your house, apart from a few beams that are good wood, the rest is all scrap wood. You sit on a scrap wood chair, sleep on a scrap wood bed, write on a scrap wood desk..."

Shangguan Xuanhao quickly raised his hands in surrender: "Stop! Stop! Stop! I got it wrong! All wood is good wood! Even the branches can be put to important use, can’t they?"

As long as she stopped implying that all the things he used were made of scrap wood, he wouldn’t mind even if she claimed that wood could reach the heavens!

Di Shaowei couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Of course! You shouldn’t underestimate those little trees and branches. On a small scale, they can serve as firewood for cooking and heating, and their ash can be used as a fertilizer for crops, nourishing the world. On a larger scale, they can be reduced to pulp to produce paper, record knowledge, and make possible the achievements of scholars and writers. Used properly, even a small twig can change the world."

"That doesn’t make sense! Show me how you can change the world with a twig!" This girl was talking nonsense! As if anyone can really change the world with a twig!

When Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Shaowei heard this, they exchanged a glance, their hearts stirred.

"Is he really your brother? Why is his brain capacity so much less than yours? I’m having difficulty communicating with him!" Xiao’er looked at Shangguan Xuanyi in disbelief. She’d explained so clearly, and yet he still didn’t understand!

Shangguan Xuanhao: "..."

Shangguan Xuanyi glanced at Shangguan Xuanhao with contempt.

Di Shaowei cleared his throat and put his hand on Shangguan Xuanhao’s shoulder: "Brother, how much does a sheet of paper cost now? Why can’t many people afford to study?"

With such a clear hint, he should understand now!

"Top-grade Xuan paper costs two hundred coins per sheet. Without money, how can one study!" After he spoke, Shangguan Xuanhao’s eyes widened!

He understood! He got it!

"Girl, you can make paper? Even twigs can make paper?"

The paper-making technology of this era was quite backward, and the technique was known only by three major families: the northern martial families, the southern literary families and the Yue family located in the south-north boundary. With such a monopoly, paper remained an expensive commodity.

Studying requires tuition, but it varies among academies. Some small-town academies even charge as little as three to four taels a year, which many families can barely afford. But how does that matter? The paper and books needed for daily learning are the most expensive items. Over the years, many families haven’t been able to bear these costs.

Not to mention sitting for the Imperial Examination, just the travel and lodging expenses alone are quite a lot. Besides, not everyone would pass the examination on their first try. Those who passed after three or four attempts are considered lucky. Some people even spend half of their life taking the exam without ever qualifying even as a scholarly candidate!

Upon calculating all of these layers, the Imperial Examination largely serves the rich and powerful. Very few candidates from poor families pass it. Even if they do, they’re mostly funded by some large families and have been recruited as backroom staff.

The Emperor has always wanted to reform the Imperial Examination, to benefit the citizens and attract more genuine "Sons of Heaven." He hasn’t been able to find the right approach yet!

Real scholars from poor families, promoted by the Emperor, would be loyal to the Emperor directly, which should be more reassuring for the Emperor than having them pledge loyalty indirectly.

Furthermore, if more children from poverty-stricken families can study, more families could lift themselves out of poverty sooner.

If paper gets cheaper, that hope will draw closer!