The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 116: Dark Clouds Gather Again

"What exactly happened? Senior Brother, shouldn't you be resting in the guest hall of the palace now?" Seeing Chen Zigui's mysterious look, Cen Jiexiao couldn't help feeling nervous.

Chen Zigui walked over to Cen Jiexiao and said in a low, serious voice, "The Empress Dowager wrote a secret letter to the Emperor, saying that after a peace treaty is formally concluded with Xixiang, she won't have to worry about the border war anymore. Then the Emperor can implement the reforms he wants."

Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao frowned slightly and asked, "Did the emperor tell you the contents of this secret letter?"

Chen Zigui said with a slight smug look on his face, "Of course. After the Emperor received the secret letter, he summoned me to the palace to discuss this matter. As you know, after all, I am an inspector appointed by the Emperor himself, not someone on the Empress Dowager's side, so the Emperor is relatively more confident in me. He summoned me to the palace this time because he wanted to hear my opinion."

Cen Jiexiao nodded and listened to Chen Zigui continue.

"The emperor said that judging from the current situation, there must be a force that does not want this ceremony to be completed smoothly, and even more so does not want Da Zhou and Xi Xiang to sign a peace treaty. But the emperor cannot be sure who is behind it, so he asked me to investigate the matter secretly." Chen Zigui said.

"So, did the emperor ask you to focus on protecting Prince Xixiang?" asked Cen Jiexiao.

Chen Zigui nodded and said, "Sister Cen, you are truly prophetic. Indeed, the Emperor has ordered me to secretly protect Crown Prince Xixiang and investigate this matter."

"Then why did you come back to the academy to tell me this? Since it is the emperor's order, we are all officials appointed by the emperor himself, and we will certainly do our best to complete the task." Cen Jiexiao asked, with a hint of confusion in her tone.

Chen Zigui walked to the window, looked at the bright moonlight outside, and was silent for a moment. Then he turned around, looked at Cen Jiexiao affectionately, and said, "Sister Cen, I think with my ability, there may be some problems in completing this. But with you, I can confidently say that it is 'absolutely safe'. There is another reason. I am worried about you."

Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled. She avoided Chen Zigui's gaze and said calmly, "Worried about me? What do I have to worry about?"

"I'm worried about your physical condition, worried that you will be involved in this storm, and worried about your future." Chen Zigui said, walking up to Cen Jiexiao, patting her shoulder and saying.

"Sister Cen, I know you've emerged from your cocoon like a butterfly. You're incredibly smart now, and you're very decisive and efficient. But this matter is of grave importance. You must be extremely careful and cautious. Don't..."

"Big Brother, you don't have to worry about me and the academy for now!" Cen Jiexiao used a soft tone to comfort the worried Chen Zigui and continued, "After all, the academy has hundreds of people, and the people in Zhaoyin Academy are definitely not ordinary people. Big Brother, don't worry. However, the matter entrusted by the emperor is of great importance. If we don't handle it well and our enemies catch us or take advantage of us, it could be a bottomless abyss!"

Chen Zigui was shocked by Cen Jiexiao's sudden words. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end nothing came out.

"Big Brother, you'd better go back earlier. Don't let anyone find out that you've left your post without permission. Maybe every step we take is being watched by someone, just waiting to find something to hold against us. I'll take what you told me to heart, but don't tell anyone else to avoid complications." Sister Cen Xiao said softly, her tone full of instructions and concern.

Seeing this, Chen Zigui slowly took out a jade pendant from his bosom, placed it on the table, and said, "Take this jade pendant, Sister Cen. As long as it can keep you safe, I will do anything."

Cen Jiexiao took the jade pendant and looked at it carefully, then said with a hint of sarcasm: "Is this considered a token of love? Haha..."

What Cen Jiexiao didn't expect was that Chen Zigui actually replied, "If you think it is, then it is."

Chen Zigui, worthy of being called a topic terminator, had just been responding to one another's questions. Suddenly, both of them blushed and stared at each other in silence.

However, it was Chen Zigui who broke the silence first.

"Sister Cen, please believe me. No matter how hard I try, as long as I do this, one day the academy will truly be as you described. Your wish is the direction of my efforts. Then I shouldn't stay for long. You should take good care of your injuries and rest early. I will... be back as soon as possible!"

Chen Zigui looked at Cen Jiexiao deeply, then turned and left, disappearing into the endless dark night.

Cen Jiexiao watched Chen Zigui leave with mixed feelings. Faced with Chen Zigui's sincerity, she really...

"Big Brother, if one day I could go back..." Cen Jiexiao murmured to herself, her voice full of sadness and helplessness.

After Chen Zigui left, Cen Jiexiao sat alone in her study, caressing the smooth jade pendant in the dim candlelight. His words, his eyes, his worries, like a tangled mess, disturbed her.

"Worried about my future?" Cen Jiexiao whispered to herself, a hint of self-mockery in her tone. "I'm a stranger from the modern era. What future can I have in this inexplicable ancient world?"

She shook her head violently, throwing away those negative thoughts. No, she couldn't continue to be depressed like this! Chen Zigui was right. She was not alone now. She still had Zhaoyin Academy and so many people who needed her protection.

The next day, despite feeling unwell, Cen Jiexiao arrived early at the meeting room. Soon, Yulan, Xiaozhi, Wenkuan, and the rest of the Qiming team arrived. Looking at these familiar faces, Cen Jiexiao felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

"Big Brother came last night," she said straight to the point, her tone serious, "He brought a piece of news..."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

"What?!" Wen Kuan slammed the table and stood up, shouting angrily, "If this goes wrong, won't our academy become cannon fodder for those powerful people?"

"How can we make decisions about the court?" Yulan also shook her head and sighed, "Dean, just tell me what you want us to do."

Cen Jiexiao told everyone Chen Zigui's instructions in detail, and ordered the Qiming Group to strengthen their vigilance and pay close attention to the developments inside and outside Linkang Prefecture.

"Lu Qingyun, take the remaining members of the Qiming team to the various observation points in Linkang Prefecture and keep an eye on them in shifts 24 hours a day. If you find any suspicious people, report them immediately!" Cen Jiexiao looked at the leader of the Qiming team and said in a deep voice.

"Yes!" Lu Qingyun clasped his fists and accepted the order, a gleam of light in his eyes. He loved this kind of exciting challenge. He would definitely pull out those rats hiding in the dark!

"Teacher Wen, the safety of the academy is in your hands. You must ensure the safety of teachers and students!" Cen Jiexiao looked at Wen Kuan again and said seriously.

"Don't worry, Dean Cen! If anyone dares to act wildly in our academy, I will be the first to say no!" Wen Kuan promised, patting his chest.

After arranging everything, Cen Jiexiao looked at Xiaozhi, who was sitting beside her. Xiaozhi was now the head of the News and Media Department. He was quirky and had the most creative ideas.

"Xiaozhi, this time, it's our turn to put on a good show!" Cen Jiexiao raised the corners of her mouth and revealed a sly smile.