Grand Tutor Xu resigned from office.

Ouyang Ye became the new Grand Tutor.

The court situation instantly underwent subtle changes.

Chu Rui’s eyes darkened with gloom.

Originally, among the five Regent Ministers, four were his people. Now, the Grand Tutor had become Yun Chu’s person, and Grand Secretary Li was a pure scholar belonging to the neutral faction.

Yun Chu had only expended a little effort—first eliminating Gongsun Ning, using that opportunity to rule from behind the curtain, then immediately kicking Grand Tutor Xu out of the game.

He had truly underestimated this woman.

After court was dismissed, Yun Chu had someone arrange comfortable accommodations in the palace for Ouyang Ye. The old gentleman was advanced in years—going in and out of the palace every day would definitely be too much for his body.

If Ouyang Ye were an adult male, living in the palace would naturally be improper, but he was nearly ninety years old. Even people who were particular about propriety couldn’t find fault with it.

In the afternoon when the time came, Ouyang Ye went to the Imperial Study for lessons.

As soon as he entered, the young Emperor inside plus the eight study companions all sat up straight obediently.

Ouyang Ye assessed the children before speaking. “Today we won’t read books. Your Majesty, this old subject will just ask you one question. Suppose among the eight study companions beside you, three are villains, two are moles sent by enemy forces, and only three are loyal to Your Majesty. How would Your Majesty find the bad people?”

Chu Hongyu fell into deep thought.

The other eight children helped think together.

Ouyang Ye stroked his beard. This question was to assess the young Emperor’s foundation, to see whether he was mediocre or excellent, so he could devise a study plan accordingly.

“I’m definitely loyal to His Majesty,” Lin Dongdong immediately declared his loyalty. “The bad people are among those seven.”

Chen San, the third legitimate son of the Minister of Works, said irritably, “The teacher said this is a hypothetical. Do you even understand what hypothetical means?”

Lin Dongdong said stubbornly, “Anyway, I’m not a bad person.”

“Fine, then we’ll hypothetically assume you’re a good person.” As soon as Chu Hongyu spoke, the chattering children immediately quieted down. “And you and you—you three are loyal subjects. You three are villains. You two are undercover moles. But you don’t know each other’s identities. Now, from your respective positions, what would each of you do? I’m giving each of you fifteen minutes to think. Whoever tries to brush me off can stop being my study companion.”

When Grand Tutor Xu was previously the Imperial Tutor, Chu Hongyu would daily lead them in fooling around together.

Now that he was suddenly being serious, the children were a bit intimidated by this demeanor of his and immediately said they would obediently think it through.

Fifteen minutes quickly ended, and the group of children gathered together.

Chu Hongyu spoke first. “Not knowing anything, I wouldn’t do anything.”

“We villains number three,” Chen San said. “If the three villains join forces, we can directly eliminate His Majesty. So I think I should first stir things up and reveal my identity to my allies. If the three of us attack together to deal with His Majesty and the loyal subjects, our chances of winning are very good.”

“Not necessarily,” another slightly older child said. “We moles are from another force. We don’t want His Majesty to grow powerful, nor do we want the villains to seize power, so we would balance things from the middle…”

Because the Emperor was too young and had previously always fooled around and played with them, these children temporarily didn’t have deep concepts of ruler and subject, so their speech was relatively casual.

The group of children debated intensely like this, each speaking their piece.

Ouyang Ye was very satisfied. “Good, very good. Your Majesty’s method is excellent. This is just the simplest method in the art of rulership. In the future, this old subject will explain it in detail to Your Majesty… Today’s lesson ends here. Everyone is dismissed.”

Chu Hongyu glanced at the water clock—only half an hour had passed.

Previously, lessons lasted at least an hour and a half, taking up the entire afternoon, yet who knew what they had actually learned.

Now, in just half an hour, he had benefited greatly.

“Thank you, teacher.”

Chu Hongyu bowed with cupped hands and sincerely expressed his thanks.

Ouyang Ye stroked his beard. “Cough, if Your Majesty is truly grateful to this old subject, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare more good wine and good food…”

Chu Hongyu naturally agreed readily.

Because it was still early, Chu Hongyu didn’t let the study companions leave. He said, “A while ago, I had people make several boats. Come with me to take a boat ride on the lake.”

There was a very large artificial lake in the palace. In summer, it bloomed full of lotus flowers. In winter, the whole lake was filled with withered lotus. The water was very shallow. After the boats were put in, they immediately ran aground.

“Someone come!” Chu Hongyu said with his small hands on his hips. “I want to go boating. Immediately fill the lake with water.”

The palace attendants were sweating profusely. “Your Majesty, this lake is too large. To fill it with water would require a heavy rain. Relying on manpower is somewhat unrealistic.”

Lin Dongdong came forward. “There’s a big river in our village that doesn’t dry up even in winter. If Your Majesty wants to go boating, why not go play in our village?”

“His Majesty is noble and precious—how can he lower himself to play in a village!” Chen San glared at Lin Dongdong and fawningly said to Chu Hongyu, “The imperial villa does have a large lake, but going back and forth is really too far. If Your Majesty really wants to play, let’s secretly leave the palace and go to my house. My family’s back garden has an enormous lake!”

Chu Hongyu pondered briefly.

He was in a hurry.

He had to do it right now.

Only by knowing where the problems were could he continue to improve.

He immediately nodded. “I’ll have people bring young eunuch clothing. Everyone change. Bring these three boats and leave the palace discreetly.”

He paused and said, “Lin Dongdong, you’re responsible for diverting those people under your father’s command. If you do well, I’ll make you First Imperial Tutor when we return!”

Lin Dongdong patted his chest with thumping sounds. “Alright, leave this matter to me.”

The group of children changed into young eunuch clothing, somehow got hold of a large cart, found several guards, forced the guards to push the cart, and the group of little ones rode in the carriage. They smoothly left the palace like this, then changed into ordinary young master clothing and made their way to the home of the Minister of Works—the Chen Residence.

The guards at the Chen Residence entrance were about to inquire who the visitors were when they saw a child jump out of the carriage—it was their own young master!

“Shh!” Chen San pressed his lips together and whispered, “I’m bringing a few friends to play at home. You few—don’t tell my father. Don’t let my father know. Did you hear?”

“Yes!” Several guards hurriedly agreed.

The Chen Residence had three legitimate sons in total. The eldest young master served as an official at court, the second young master was currently preparing for the metropolitan examination, and only the third young master had no ambition at all. He finally became His Majesty’s study companion, yet he still brought dubious friends home to play. If the master knew about this, the third young master would probably be flayed alive.

If the third young master didn’t have it easy, they wouldn’t have it easy either.

So several guards helped conceal it, opening the side gate and respectfully welcoming the group of children into the residence, even helping carry the three large boats inside.

The Chen Residence indeed had a large lake in the back. Even in winter, it had very deep water. The three boats were immediately put in.

Chu Hongyu said, “We’ll divide according to loyal subjects, traitors, and moles, each occupying one boat…”