The princess was ordained by Heaven.

Chapter 181 Mr. Fu

Dean Cen turned around, completely bewildered, to find Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi wolfing down a large mouthful of soup.

He thought it was because his cooking skills were too good, and his face immediately lit up with a smile.

"Oh, no need to rush. If you like it, I'll make it for you next time."

Both Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi went black in both eyes.

Or they should just stay at a guesthouse; no one told them that they had to suffer like this just to find a place to stay...

Zheng Jiu suddenly stood up excitedly: "Dean Cen, your cooking is absolutely amazing! Could you please copy down the recipe for me so I can make it myself? Of course, this request is a bit presumptuous, but if you don't mind, I can buy it with silver!"

Zheng Shi: ...

She looked at him with admiration, realizing for the first time how imposing Zheng Jiu's physique was.

If his courage could shine, he would have blinded her by now.

Cen Wan's expression turned serious, and she even began to suspect Zheng Xun.

Do they have ulterior motives?

No normal person could possibly like the food her dad makes!

Zheng Xun met her scrutinizing gaze and calmly explained, "My guard is rather mischievous; he probably wanted to use this food to play a trick on me."

Cen Wan understood.

Then I understand.

Huh?

Why didn't she think of this idea before?

Zhou Ming should be allowed to eat her father's cooking; after a few days, he'll want to stay as far away from her as possible.

Once she understood this, it was as if she had opened the door to a new world.

Dinner ended in a dramatic fashion.

Zheng Xun, along with Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi, fled back to rest as fast as they could.

On the way, Zheng Shi couldn't contain his curiosity any longer: "You really like the dishes that Dean Cen makes?"

Zheng Jiu asked in surprise, "How is that possible?"

"Then what do you need the prescription for?"

"Take this back to Lord Liao and give it to him to enrich the ways he interrogates prisoners."

Zheng Shi: "I only realized tonight that you're incredibly smart!"

"Of course! Only a genius could come up with this idea!"

Zheng Xun: ...

On the other side, Cen Wan looked earnestly at Dean Cen: "Dad, teach me how to cook!"

Dean Cen was overjoyed: "You're finally willing to inherit your father's skills! I've told you before, my skills are even better than the imperial chefs in the palace! If I hadn't been so good at studying, I would definitely have become a chef!"

Cen Wan nodded perfunctorily, but inwardly she thought: "Luckily you're good at studying, otherwise you would have harmed so many people..."

……

The next day, Zheng Xun and his two companions went out with the Cen family father and son.

The Cen family father and daughter were the dean and teacher, respectively, and the academy couldn't do without them. However, they both got up late, so Zheng Xun and the others had to hurry along with them.

At first, Dean Cen was a little embarrassed: "Miss Guan, you don't need to rush. We'll go ahead first, and you can catch up slowly."

Guan is Zheng Xun's alias, taken from the left half of the character Zheng. Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi are outwardly known as her bodyguards.

"No problem, we're fast on foot, we can keep up."

As it turned out, Zheng Xun wasn't exaggerating; she was much faster than Dean Cen, who was practically an old man, and Cen Wan, who was a frail female teacher.

Dean Cen, for some unknown reason, had a competitive spirit. Once they reached the foot of the mountain, he insisted on competing with her to see who could climb it faster.

Zheng Xun kindly advised, "Dean, I am a martial artist. It would be too much of a bully for me to compete with you."

Although Dean Cen didn't quite believe that she could learn kung fu so well at her age, he still cautiously said, "Not to brag, but I look thin and weak, but I am actually skilled in both literature and martial arts. You don't need to use your internal energy, let's have a contest."

Beside him, Zheng Shi said with utmost respect, "I didn't realize that Dean Cen actually possessed martial arts skills."

Cen Wan looked away, unable to bear the sight.

Her father was truly bold in his words, and this tenth daughter was truly bold in her beliefs.

She explained helplessly, "My father is quite old, but he still acts like a child. Just listen to what he says."

I don't understand how an adult could have the nerve to compete in physical strength with a child.

She felt a little embarrassed and blushed as she explained.

Zheng Shi's mind went blank for a moment: "So he doesn't know martial arts?"

"Martial arts?" Cen Wan mercilessly exposed her father's bluff. "As far as I know, he has participated in two martial arts competitions, both of which ended in defeat. His record is verifiable."

Zheng Shi said sympathetically, "At least they have the courage to start a war, which is already quite remarkable."

Cen Wan suddenly laughed: "The most recent time was when I chased the dog and failed, so I lost. The last time was when I fought with the rooster at home and lost."

Zheng Shi and Zheng Jiu: ...

"It's alright, Master will let him have his way."

Cen Wan waved her hand and said loudly, "Miss Guan, you don't need to let me win. If you do, my father will be angry. It doesn't matter if we compete fairly or not!"

Zheng Xun raised an eyebrow: "Okay."

However, she had to concede when necessary; if Dean Cen lost too badly, she was afraid he would cry.

Wuzhou Academy is located halfway up a mountain, where there are many sycamore trees. Although the sycamores are withered and yellow in this season, they still have a unique charm.

Zheng Xun strolled leisurely, maintaining a position several steps ahead of Dean Cen, and occasionally turning back to chat with them.

However, Dean Cen ignored her, believing that her chatting with him was a blatant delaying tactic.

However, some of the students from the academy went up the mountain yesterday, and the rest only returned today. They also needed to get up early, but even if they were in a hurry, they had to slow down and bow when they saw the Cen family father and daughter.

Dean Cen could ignore Zheng Xun, his "enemy," but he could not ignore his students.

As a result, his speed slowed down considerably.

In the past, he thought that his disciples' behavior was respectful and polite, but today he cursed in his heart as "red tape".

Upon arriving at the academy gate, Zheng Xun admired the scenery on the mountain to his heart's content, while Dean Cen, panting heavily, was unable to utter a single word for a long time.

Because Zheng Xun was only a few steps ahead of him, he had the illusion that he could overtake him if he put in more effort. However, he did not expect that this was not Zheng Xun's limit.

The good news is that he broke his previous record for the fastest ascent up the mountain; the bad news is that he was so exhausted that his legs were trembling and he could hardly maintain his composure.

However, just as Cen Wan said, he was not angry.

He seemed to care only about the process of the fight, not the result.

After resting for a while, he returned to normal.

Cen Wan had a class and left first. Dean Cen also had some important matters to attend to, so Zheng Xun suggested that she go for a stroll by herself.

Dean Cen was somewhat uneasy, mainly because he was worried that Zheng Xun and the others would disturb the students' studies.

So, after thinking it over, he finally decided to have the vice dean, who was currently free, lead the way for them.

Before they left, he pulled Zheng Xun and the others aside, worried: "The vice dean is getting old, so sometimes he gets confused and says crazy things. Don't take it to heart."

"Nonsense?"

Dean Cen said with concern, "He said a while ago that the Great Yong Kingdom was on the verge of collapse. How could you say such things so casually? He was confused at the time and didn't really think that way. Now he rarely talks nonsense. If you hear anything, please forgive him."

He didn't notice that Zheng Xun and the others had somewhat subtle expressions when they heard his words.

The vice president was a kind old man, like a wild crane leisurely in the mountains.

Zheng Shi praised him for his otherworldly demeanor, saying he was like an old immortal who had attained enlightenment.

The vice-dean stroked his beard, beaming with pride at the praise: "I lived in a Taoist temple for several years, so I'm considered a half-Taoist disciple. I dare not presume to call myself an old immortal."

He then changed the subject: "In our Great Yong Dynasty, there is only one person who can be called a deity."

Zheng Jiu also became interested: "Who is it?"

"Of course, it's our Princess Yuanjia. Her fortune-telling is incredibly accurate. There's a rumor that she is the embodiment of the destiny of the Great Yong Dynasty."

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi exchanged glances, while Zheng Xun deliberately feigned indifference: "Isn't that just a rumor?"

“There’s no smoke without fire,” he said, his tone strangely ethereal. “This Great Yong Dragon Vein was originally showing signs of decline, but after the princess appeared, it was revitalized. If it weren’t for divine power, how could it reverse the course of events?”

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi once again stood in awe.

The Wuzhou Academy is full of talented people, and they are all a bit tired of "respect".

Zheng Xun's heart stirred slightly, and he quickly retrieved this person's information from the system.

After seeing a certain page, her expression became increasingly unreadable.

She closed the system and looked at the vice dean: "You..."

Her voice was hoarse, and she paused for a moment before continuing: "You said that the dragon vein of Dayong is showing signs of decline. Have you thought about how to deal with it?"

The vice dean was even more surprised than Zheng Xun and the others upon hearing this: "Yes, of course!"

In the past, no one liked to hear him mention these things. They said he was worrying unnecessarily and that he was senile. But although he was old in age, he was not old in spirit, and his eyes were still bright.

But he could tell that the young girl in front of him trusted and respected him.

His expression softened considerably, becoming much more loving.

He happily pulled a thin booklet from his pocket.

The booklet has been worn and frayed, but the corners are neat, showing that it has been carefully preserved.

Zheng Xun took the booklet with both hands, and when she saw the name she expected on it, she suddenly smiled.

Her expression showed relief and excitement, and her eyes held admiration and respect.

She suddenly bowed deeply to the vice president: "Mr. Fu, there is something I have been keeping from you."

Zheng Jiu and Zheng Shi didn't understand why she treated this old gentleman with such courtesy, but they still followed her and performed a proper bow.

The vice dean was slightly taken aback, and quickly helped them up: "You children, just say what you have to say, there's no need for such a grand gesture."

"In fact, I am Yuan Jia."

The vice president was somewhat surprised, but his reaction was not intense.

He had no doubt that Zheng Xun was lying, and quickly raised his hand to bow to Zheng Xun.

Zheng Xun quickly helped her up, saying, "You shouldn't have. Just treat me as a junior and don't worry about your status."

"Yes, yes!" He stroked his beard proudly. "I could tell at a glance that you were no ordinary person. My judgment was never wrong!"

Zheng Xun couldn't help but chuckle: "The old gentleman certainly has a discerning eye."

Accustomed to the sarcasm of others, Mr. Fu was somewhat uncomfortable with her submissive attitude: "Well, I haven't asked yet what brings the princess to the academy."

Zheng Xun didn't elaborate on the patrol, but instead said earnestly, "It's a small matter, but there are more important things to do now."