The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 252 Chatting with the Queen

Until He Yunshu's gentle voice came to her ears, flowing through her heart like a clear spring: "President Cen, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."

This voice seemed to have some kind of magical power, which made Cen Jiexiao's originally tense nerves relax a little. She took a deep breath, tried to suppress her inner anxiety, and slowly raised her head. However, she did not dare to look directly at He Yunshu. She only glanced at her cautiously and quickly.

Just this one glance made Cen Jiexiao's heart skip a beat.

He Yunshu was dressed in a light purple palace dress, the hem of which was embroidered with delicate orchid patterns. It swayed gently with her movements, accentuating her elegance and grace. Unlike the other women in the harem, she wore no heavy makeup, simply sculpting her eyebrows and applying some lipstick. This made her appear even more refined and elegant, like a celestial being.

He Yunshu noticed Cen Jiexiao's gaze, but didn't care. She just smiled slightly, and that smile was like a spring breeze blowing across the water, rippling the water and making people intoxicated. She asked softly, "What's wrong? Is Dean Cen scared by me? It seems that I also need more care and maintenance from Dean Cen."

Cen Jiexiao finally realized her own loss of composure and hurriedly lowered her head. Two blushes appeared on her fair cheeks as she stammered, "No... no, Your Majesty, you misunderstood. I just... just..."

"Just what?" He Yunshu did not pursue the matter, but instead asked with interest. There was a hint of ridicule in his tone, but it did not make people feel oppressive at all.

Cen Jiexiao bit her lower lip and finally mustered the courage to speak, "I just... I've never seen a woman as beautiful and graceful as Your Majesty. I was stunned for a moment. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

He Yunshu couldn't help but chuckle when she heard this, with a smile on her face: "You are such a sweet girl."

Seeing that He Yunshu wasn't angry, and was actually joking with her, Cen Jiexiao finally felt relieved. She secretly looked at He Yunshu and saw that she had a warm smile and gentle eyes. She didn't act like a queen at all, but rather like an approachable sister next door, making people want to get close to her.

Cen Jiexiao sighed inwardly, no wonder Chai Zhen opposed He Yunshu as the queen. Which man could resist such a woman?

He Yunshu gently placed the teacup in his hand back on the table. The bottom of the cup collided with the table, making a crisp sound that was particularly clear in the elegant room.

She raised her eyes and her gaze fell on Cen Jiexiao. A gentle smile played on the corners of her mouth, and she said softly, "I heard that Dean Cen's new store opened today and business is booming, so I came here specially to congratulate him."

He Yunshu's posture was elegant and calm, and there was no trace of the queen's airs in her words, as if she was just visiting a friend casually.

Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao hurriedly bowed in greeting, but was secretly surprised in her heart. She did not dare to show it on her face. She just said modestly: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. 'Jinxiu Yantang' is just a small matter. I am sorry to have embarrassed you." As she spoke, she calmly observed He Yunshu's expression, trying to guess her true purpose of coming this time from her subtle changes in expression.

Seeing Cen Jiexiao's modesty, He Yunshu's smile deepened. "Don't be so modest, Dean Cen," she chuckled, a subtle hint of inquiry in her tone. "I've come here today because of your reputation. I've heard that Dean Cen has a pair of hands that can transform any woman into a peerless beauty. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is truly well-deserved."

He Yunshu picked up the teacup and sniffed the faint tea fragrance emanating from the cup, with a hint of inquiry in his tone.

"I've long heard that Dean Cen is knowledgeable and talented, and that he has run the Zhaoyin Academy to great success. Now he has opened this 'Jinxiu Yantang' to benefit the women of our Great Zhou. This is truly a great blessing for our Great Zhou."

"Your Majesty, thank you for your kind words. 'Splendid Beauty Hall' is just my humble attempt. I hope it can help more women regain their confidence and live their true selves."

Cen Jiexiao paused, then continued in a sincere tone, "At the same time, I also hope that I can help relieve the worries of His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress."

He Yunshu set down the teacup in her hand. The delicate peony-patterned cup touched the rosewood tabletop with a soft sound. The smile in her eyes faded slightly, and she turned her gaze to Cen Jiexiao with a look of scrutiny.

"I heard that Dean Cen and Inspector Chen are old acquaintances?" She paused slightly, with a barely perceptible tentativeness in her tone.

Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled. The Queen's sudden question caught her off guard. She tried hard to control her inner turmoil and maintain a decent smile on her face.

"Your Majesty, I do know Lord Chen." Cen Jiexiao bowed slightly, speaking in a respectful tone.

She paused, then continued, "He is my father's student, my senior brother, and now the vice-dean of Zhaoyin Academy."

He Yunshu didn't say anything, but just looked at Cen Jiexiao quietly, as if he wanted to see through her thoughts completely. His eyes were sharp and deep, making Cen Jiexiao feel an invisible pressure.

After a moment, He Yunshu chuckled, with a meaningful tone in his voice.

"Oh? I see. No wonder."

She gently shook the teacup in her hand and continued, "I heard that Master Chen is very caring towards you."

She raised her head and looked directly at Cen Jiexiao, with a subtle hint of temptation in her tone.

"Not only did he speak well of you in the court many times, but he also frequently visited Zhaoyin Academy, discussing academic matters with you by candlelight late into the night?"

At this moment, Cen Jiexiao secretly cursed Chen Zigui for being nosy. Even though he was an official appointed by the imperial court as the Inspector General, he always went to Zhaoyin Academy for no reason, and he always chose to go late at night, as if he was afraid that others would not know about their close relationship!

But she still maintained a proper smile on her face, and calmly explained, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. Lord Chen cares about the people and is wholeheartedly dedicated to the country and its people. He cares about the development of Zhaoyin Academy for the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and it has nothing to do with my personal relationship with him."

He Yunshu did not respond, but just looked at Cen Jiexiao meaningfully, as if he did not completely believe her explanation.

Facing He Yunshu's gaze, Cen Jiexiao continued, "Whether Lord Chen stays in Linkang Prefecture temporarily or is later transferred back to the capital of Qifeng, as long as he cares about the emperor and the people, I will naturally remind the emperor to support him."

"Thank you very much, Queen, for your recognition and appreciation. We, the more than 700 people in Zhaoyin Academy, will always remember the kindness of the Emperor and the Queen, and will make more contributions to the Great Zhou in the future to repay the Emperor and the Queen!" Cen Jiexiao knelt down to express her gratitude.

He Yunshu didn't say anything, but just looked at Cen Jiexiao steadily, his eyes seemed to be able to see through everything.