The Pheonix and The Dragon

2.The Emperor's Teacher

"It is a good thing." Jiyong caressed his relatively short beard. "In a few more days, the emperor wants to reward the subjects who have merit. Our family is fortunate to be valued by the emperor and will receive some awards."

Lisa knew that a reward that could cause her father to show joy would not be any gold, silver or pearls. It could only be a noble title of substance or an official position.

The Kim Family was barely considered a second-tier aristocratic family. No important people had come from the family in the last two generations. Even Father's first-rank count title had been elevated from a third-rank count after Jieun entered the palace and his paintings came to the attention of the emperor.

Right now, Empress Dowager Jieun held power. It was possible for her to take care of her paternal family. But in terms of relation, that would be the Jieun Family. What did the Kim Family have to do with this?

Lisa could not understand and was too lazy to do so. With her soft chubby face, she showed a sweet smile to her father. "Daddy, tell me what the emperor is going to reward us?"

If the two sons were unable to hold their composure like this, Jiyong would have lectured them. But the one who spoke was his favourite daughter. Facing his daughter's clear eyes, he did not tease. He said with an unconscious smile, "Today, when this father was greeting the empress dowager, the empress wished for this father to become the emperor's tutor to teach him painting and calligraphy, and become a second-rank marquis."

Jiyong's painting and calligraphy was highly regarded among the scholars, especially his calligraphy. Even the famed scholars of the Yi Dynasty praised it as "rare style, like coiling dragons and flying phoenixes." Due to this, in the Kim Clan, their branch in the capital was the most respected and revered.

"Really?" Lisa's eyes immediately turned into half-moons. "This is great. When the emperor can govern on his own, you will be able to get a ducal title."

"This is good but also bad." Chaerin sighed. "Husband, have you seen the emperor?" They could not blame her for pouring cold water at this time. Her husband was really too innocent and unaffected, born an optimist. Among the four children, only her youngest daughter had his personality. If father and daughter continued to give free rein to their imagination like this, the Kim Family would become one of the first-tier aristocratic families in Jing tomorrow.

Empress Dowager Jieun and the emperor were not biological mother and son. The emperor was young and sickly. This emperor's tutor position looked glorious, but she feared it would not be so glorious on the inside.

"How would I not have? In the past, I just saw him a few times during court, and we only talked privately today." Jiyong said with a complimentary expression, "While the emperor is young, his speech and bearing are extremely elegant. His appearance is like jade and the moon, so people will forget the mortal world when they see him. He is also pleasing to talk to."

"The emperor is very good-looking?" Lisa heard the words about jade and the moon, and became alert. She asked, "He really is that handsome?"

"Naturally. Even more importantly, the emperor is an extremely polite and compassionate child. The emperor dowager has raised him well." Jiyong said emotionally, "Pity that Princess Consort Cheng died so early. Otherwise, the emperor would be even more stunning."

The emperor's birth mother came from the Jung Clan. The Jung Clan was one of the first-tier aristocratic families, whose members were usually respected and emulated by others.

Chaerin looked depressedly at her husband and daughter, those of the "appearance faction", happily discussing the young emperor's appearance and presence. Fortunately, the other three children were not as innocent as their father. Otherwise, her heart would break from worry.

"Madam, no need to be so worried. The matter has already been decided, and there is no benefit to thinking more." Jiyong, who had been chatting with his daughter, said to Chaerin, "Also, I am only teaching the emperor painting and calligraphy. There is nothing to worry about."

Chaerin stilled. She glanced at her husband and then laughed. She didn't know if he really was innocent or if he knew. While he had appeared innocent and unaffected in these past years, whether by the heavens or coincidence, their branch achieved increasingly better living over the years.

Bohyun and his younger brother Taehyung silently listened as Father and Younger Sister moved from the emperor's appearance to the pastry shop on Eastern Street. Taehyung said painstakingly, "Mother, when will the meal start?"

Chaerin helplessly had someone go send for the food. She turned and said to Jiyong, "Wash your hands and eat. Our daughter is young—do not speak of this to her." How would it look to have him speak to his young daughter about how handsome a youth was?

Jiyong also realized this and coughed dryly. He forcibly changed topics. "Lili, how has your writing been recently?"

Lisa looked silently at Jiyong. Jiyong's heart softened at his daughter's gaze and he said with a smile, "Eat, eat."

While the Kim Family took great care in public, when they were behind closed doors, they did not hold to such troublesome etiquette. Chaerin was usually gentle and did not like to be the evil mother-in-law. So the two daughters-in-law could be seated at the table and did not have to follow unnecessary etiquette.

After the noon meal, Jiyong suddenly said, "Right, I forgot to mention something. When I was leaving the palace today, Empress Dowager mentioned Lili. She said that she hasn't seen Lili for many years and wants her to visit the palace."

"Did the empress dowager say which day?" Chaerin was not surprised at hearing this and asked.

"She did not say. It should be in the next few days. Prepare the things Lili needs to enter the palace. When the empress dowager makes her summons, we will not be in such a panic." After Jiyong said this, he said to Lisa, "The empress dowager is a gentle elder. You do not have to be nervous. Just be like you usually are when you are in the palace."

Lisa blinked her eyes at her father. Did he mean that their family did not have to curry favour with the empress dowager?

Seeing what his daughter was thinking, Jiyong blinked as well and gave an expression of unspoken mutual understanding.

So Lisa understood that her father had a good outlook on the young emperor. There were still misgivings so he was not in a hurry to take sides, but he would not have the emperor misunderstand him.

After learning the family's position, Lisa was reassured. She had originally been slightly worried that her family, due to the connections of the past generation, would become firm supporters of the empress dowager. Then it would be troublesome.

It wasn't that she understood governance so well, but in the histories she had learned in her past life, she had seen too many bloody cases caused by taking the wrong side.

The blood of history told everyone a truth—one should not pursue momentary glory. Only the correct path led to long-lasting prosperity.

When she thought of this, Lisa couldn't help but think that, if the young emperor was really as good as her father described, it would be better if he lived longer.

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Jiyong's expectations were correct. After two days, Empress Dowager Jieun sent two fifth-rank female palace officials to welcome Lisa into the palace.
The carriage the empress dowager had arranged for Lisa was not an ordinary carriage but one for a county mistress. No one knew if the empress dowager wanted to honor her or if there was deeper meaning.

Translator Ramblings: The moral of this chapter is – appearances is everything, just keep everything out of sight.