The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 260: Big Brother Rescue

Chai Zhen smiled slightly and interrupted Cen Jiexiao: "Don't worry, Dean Cen, I will not restrict your freedom. You can continue to develop your products in Jinxiu Yantang, and just come to the palace occasionally to provide care and maintenance for me and the concubines. I don't want you to completely give up your current life." His tone was gentle, with a hint of comfort.

Cen Jiexiao was about to refuse, wondering how to phrase it in a way that would be both polite and clearly express her wishes. But then Chai Zhen said, "I heard that Dean Cen has developed an ointment that can heal scars. Is that true?"

Cen Jiexiao's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden thought. Scars? Scar ointment? Could it be...

It turned out that there was a small scar on Shai Zhen's face, which was left by an accidental burn when he was young.

Although the scar is not obvious, it has always been a source of worry in his heart, often reminding him of the past that he could not bear to look back on. He has always hoped to find a way to remove the scar, but he has never been able to do so.

Now, hearing that Cen Jiexiao had developed an ointment that could heal scars, a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart. Could it be that Chai Zhen wanted her to help him heal his facial scars? Was this his true purpose?

Cen Jiexiao thought for a moment and decided to continue according to Chai Zhen's words.

She replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have indeed developed an ointment that can heal scars. It's called 'Jade Muscle Ointment.' However, the preparation process is very complex and requires some rare medicinal herbs. Furthermore, the effectiveness varies from person to person, so I need some time and more testing to confirm it's correct before I can offer it to Your Majesty."

After hearing this, Chai Zhen immediately said: "Don't worry, Dean Cen. As long as it is the medicinal herbs you need, no matter how rare they are, I will send someone to find them for you. This matter is of great importance, and I hope Dean Cen will do his best." There was a hint of urgency and expectation in his tone.

Cen Jiexiao's heartbeat was like a drum, pounding against her chest. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, a testament to her inner unease. Chai Zhen's words, though seemingly concerned, held a hidden agenda. Scar ointment, jade cream? His real purpose wasn't to heal her face; it was to keep her trapped in the palace!

"What on earth does he want to do, Your Majesty?"

Cen Jiexiao pondered secretly.

"Do you want to..."

As soon as this thought came to her mind, she quickly extinguished it. She didn't dare to think any further, and felt a chill running from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

If it were an ordinary request, she might have found an excuse to decline, but having to involve the emperor's face was a serious matter, and the slightest mistake could backfire. How could she refuse, saving herself without offending the emperor?

"The development of Jade Muscle Cream does require some rare medicinal materials, and the efficacy varies from person to person. I must..." Cen Jiexiao's brain was working rapidly, trying to find a solution.

"No, this reason is too far-fetched. Now that Chai Zhen has spoken, he will definitely not give up easily." She immediately rejected her idea.

"Do you want to... say that you already have someone in your heart?"

Cen Jiexiao bit her lip, a bold idea flashed through her mind, but she quickly rejected it.

"No, that's too risky!"

As time ticked by, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. Cen Jiexiao's breathing quickened, and her palms began to sweat. She felt like a butterfly trapped in a spider's web; the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

Just when she was in a dilemma, a voice suddenly came from outside the palace: "The inspector has arrived!"

This voice, like the sound of nature, instantly dispelled the haze in Cen Jiexiao's heart. She seemed to see a glimmer of hope, and her heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down.

Like a divine intervention, Chen Zigui's arrival brought a sigh of relief to Cen Jiexiao. Dressed in a cyan official robe, he walked with a steady gait, a subtle hint of fatigue between his brows, as if he had endured a long journey. He first performed the ritual of lord and subject to Chai Zhen, his every gesture filled with respect and composure.

Then, he turned his gaze to Cen Jiexiao, with a hint of concern in his eyes, as if silently asking: "Are you okay?"

Cen Jiexiao looked at him gratefully, her heart filled with warmth and strength.

"Your Majesty, I have inspected all the vehicles and supplies used by the royal family on their return to the capital of Qifeng. There are no problems. However, I suggest that the military class of Zhaoyin Academy be assigned some guards to escort them along the way. The anti-Japanese camp has a heavy coastal defense mission in the near future, and I am afraid that it is a bit short of manpower!" Chen Zigui's voice was low and magnetic, as if it could soothe people's anxiety.

After listening to Chen Zigui's report, Chai Zhen touched his chin, his eyes flickering, as if he was thinking about something. After a brief moment of deep thought, he nodded, indicating that he agreed with Chen Zigui's proposal.

Then, Chai Zhen glanced at Cen Jiexiao with a half-smile and said slowly, "I've heard that Dean Cen is highly skilled in invention, especially the Jade Muscle Cream she developed, which is said to have miraculous effects. Therefore, I would like to invite Dean Cen to the palace to serve me."

Chen Zigui frowned slightly upon hearing this. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter requires further consideration. The academy has only recently implemented its new policies, and further refinement and improvement are needed. There are still many specific decisions and measures that require the personal involvement of President Cen."

He paused and continued, "Besides, Dean Cen, as the Yuyang Province Academic Envoy, shoulders the heavy responsibility of promoting the Zhaoyin Academy model, and I'm afraid he's too busy to handle it."

Chai Zhen was a little displeased and was about to speak when Chen Zigui interrupted him, "Your Majesty, I do not mean to stop you. It's just that Dean Cen is very busy. If I rashly enter the palace, I'm afraid it will delay the development of the academy and the promotion of the Zhaoyin Academy model, which will not benefit the country or the people."

Chai Zhen pondered for a moment, and Chen Zigui's words made sense. Cen Jiexiao's Zhaoyin Academy was currently flourishing, and if she were truly trapped in the palace, it would likely cause controversy within the court and the public. Furthermore, he valued Cen Jiexiao's talent, not just her position as an imperial physician. With this in mind, he said, "Since that's the case, then let's do as the inspector says. Dean Cen, you can come to the palace once every two months. The rest of the time, you can focus on managing the academy and cultivating more talents for the Great Zhou."

Cen Jiexiao was secretly delighted and quickly thanked him: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. I will do my best to live up to your grace."

Chen Zigui's deft maneuvering, like gentle spring rain, quietly and invisibly dissipated an impending storm. Cen Jiexiao's heart was filled with gratitude. She looked up at Chen Zigui, only to find his gaze wasn't on her, but on Emperor Chai Zhen. His deep eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, a complex undercurrent of emotions surging, difficult to grasp.

Leaving the magnificent palace, Cen Jiexiao and Chen Zigui walked side by side along the bluestone path outside the palace walls. As the sun set, the blazing sunset glowed like fire, painting half the sky a brilliant crimson. This warm light also fell upon the two of them, as if draping them in a golden robe.