Upon hearing this, Qi Ying smiled faintly, then answered slowly: “On such a fine autumn day, Qixia Mountain rarely sees visitors, and entering the Buddhist temple we find no pilgrims—naturally it’s not difficult to deduce that distinguished guests have arrived. If His Majesty wished to leave the palace for incense offerings, he would be more likely to choose Jiming or Dingshan temples. Thus, it must be that several of Your Highnesses have come here incognito today.”

Xiao Zihuan clapped his hands and laughed: “Lord Qi truly lives up to his reputation for wisdom. This king is filled with admiration.”

Qi Ying cupped his hands, then asked: “Your Highness has personally come here, causing the people to withdraw, yet you didn’t have anyone stop this subject from ascending the mountain. Presumably you have something to convey—what instructions does Your Highness have?”

In the blink of an eye, he had thought this far. Xiao Zihuan’s admiration deepened even more.

Indeed, he did have something to say to Qi Ying.

Meeting Qi Ying at Qixia Mountain today was purely coincidental. He had originally come alone to the Buddha pavilion to offer incense, but his guards at the foot of the mountain sent word that Second Young Master Qi had brought female companions up the mountain, which truly surprised him considerably.

His surprise had two causes.

First, he hadn’t expected Qi Ying to come to Qixia Mountain.

Second Young Master Qi was widely renowned, and everything about him could become legendary tales. Xiao Zihuan had naturally heard that he didn’t believe in Buddhism, and in the past had even been unenthusiastic about the Buddhist ceremonies personally organized by his father the emperor in the palace. Yet today he entered a Buddhist temple, which inevitably surprised him.

Second, he hadn’t expected Qi Ying to bring female companions.

He had known before that Qi Ying kept a young girl in his private residence, said to be the daughter of his benefactor. Not many people knew about this, but it wasn’t few either. Those who knew were half-skeptical, speculating that this girl was most likely his kept lover. After all, he was troubled by that unclear marriage arrangement with Sixth Princess, yet couldn’t very well live like a celibate monk. Given his background and position, keeping a lover wasn’t improper.

However, he had always kept his lover quite hidden, never bringing her out openly before. This was presumably out of consideration for Sixth Princess’s dignity—not wanting to be too ostentatious and humiliate Xiao Ziyu. Yet today he brought this lover out with him, which naturally also surprised Xiao Zihuan.

However, these trivial matters seemed insignificant compared to the serious business Xiao Zihuan wanted to discuss, so at the time he had no mind to investigate further.

He merely smiled, the teardrop mole beneath his right eye appearing very dark, then casually pointed toward the direction of the relic pagoda: “Why not walk and talk?”

After speaking, he glanced at Bai Song and added: “Just the two of us.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Song’s entire aura darkened subtly, wariness flashing in his eyes. But Qi Ying remained composed, even taking the initiative to say: “After you, Your Highness.”

Bai Song was ordered to wait alone in front of the Great Buddha Pavilion, while Qi Ying walked slowly with Xiao Zihuan beneath the relic pagoda. The mountain had thin mist, the autumn breeze was cool—truly rare fine weather.

Xiao Zihuan walked with hands behind his back, suddenly seeming to feel something, and sighed: “Speaking of which, this year has been quite good—favorable weather and abundant harvests. I wonder if we can have such good fortune next year.”

Qi Ying’s expression remained unchanged, following his words: “His Majesty is benevolent, blessing all people, and will surely receive Heaven’s protection.”

This was truly too standard an official response. Especially since this person didn’t believe in gods and Buddhas, yet now spoke of Heaven’s protection, making the traces of officialese even more apparent. However, he always maintained such a sincere expression no matter what he said, making people feel he truly thought this way.

Although Xiao Zihuan knew this was officialese, he had to continue along these lines. He thought for a moment and said: “Father Emperor is indeed benevolent—a blessing for all people of Jiangzuo. But governing is not entirely dependent on the ruler alone; it still requires wise ministers to assist, like the North Star needing all stars to revolve around it. Only thus can the court achieve true clarity.”

After speaking, he looked at Qi Ying meaningfully.

He spoke so vaguely and mysteriously, but what kind of person was Qi Ying? Hearing one thing, he understood ten—he already grasped his meaning: so the Third Prince had specifically sought private conversation with him about the spring imperial examinations.

This matter was quite delicate.

The Third Prince’s discord with aristocratic families was already well known, but to ascend to the throne he still needed support, or else he wouldn’t be able to compete with the Fourth Prince alone. Looking at the current Great Liang court, those of aristocratic family background were the majority. Even if not from the three great surnames, the rest were mostly from scholarly clans, all distinguished nobility.

But since ancient times, in great struggles there were also talents who could break and establish. Now court officials from common families were gradually increasing. The Third Prince had seized upon this point and had been deliberately promoting them for several years, already achieving some success. Several prominent ones had reached the fourth rank, a great improvement from ten years ago.

Although the career paths of common families had improved, to truly become the Third Prince’s assistance in the succession struggle was still far from enough. They were still young, held low positions, and had shallow experience in the court—difficult to accomplish anything. Under such circumstances, to create a mighty trend naturally required great numbers: one official from a common family couldn’t make his voice heard—no matter, ten would suffice. When ants kill an elephant, once common family officials occupied half the court, who could ignore such a force?

And for common family candidates to enter office, the only path was the spring imperial examinations.

The Third Prince had been eyeing this matter for a long time. He had originally guessed that this year’s chief examiner would be one of those half-buried great scholars from the Hanlin Academy, so he had greeted them early, reviewing papers for several candidates he favored, being even more diligent and attentive than the candidates themselves.

As a result, after all this busy work, he was disrupted by that Hanlin Academician Mo Yufeng.

This dog official had truly invested his blood to curry favor with the young prime minister, twisting and turning to abuse public office for private gain, presenting the position of spring examination chief examiner to Second Young Master Qi. He even conspired with a group of officials from the Hanlin Academy to advocate before the emperor, and in the end actually succeeded.

This left the Third Prince utterly furious and bewildered.

He wasn’t just angry—more than that, he was anxious. The spring examinations occurred once every three years. Once those candidates were rejected, they would have to wait another three years to enter office. Qi Ying was thoroughly of aristocratic family background. Now that he held this examiner position, how would he allow common family candidates to rise? He would certainly find every way to obstruct them while secretly promoting aristocratic family relatives.

Without strong support from common family officials, how could he, Xiao Zihuan, stand in the court?

The Third Prince was burning with anxiety but had no solution. This matter was already settled—unless he could kill Second Young Master Qi before the year’s end, he would be this spring examination’s chief examiner. But who in the world today could kill Lord Qi, who controlled the Privy Council? Even that Gu Juhan from Northern Wei couldn’t kill him—where would he, Xiao Zihuan, get such ability?

The Third Prince was truly exhausted in body and spirit, to the point where he could only pray to gods and worship Buddhas. Coming to Qixia Temple today for incense was also to seek the Buddha’s protection for peace of mind.

Who would have thought he would encounter Qi Ying by such coincidence?

Although Xiao Zihuan also believed that talking too much with political enemies was pointless, since they met before the Buddha, he always felt there was some mysterious karmic connection, so he couldn’t help bringing up this matter with him.

Qi Ying naturally understood what Xiao Zihuan was thinking. Hearing this, his expression remained calm. After pondering for a moment, he answered: “Your Highness speaks truly. In such chaotic times, Great Liang especially needs wise ministers.”

His words were perfectly proper and beautiful, his expression upright and composed, making it impossible for Xiao Zihuan to tell whether this was officialese or not.

He truly didn’t want to continue fencing with words with Qi Ying. This Second Young Master had too much patience and was always good at concealing his thoughts. Maneuvering was pointless—no matter how much he said, he couldn’t see through his depths. Now he only wanted to speak a few sincere words with him, hoping to exchange for some sincerity in return.

Xiao Zihuan sighed deeply, his somewhat feminine features showing some genuine feeling, then said leisurely: “Learning is not easy for candidates, especially those from poor common families. From childhood they study diligently, reading by firefly light and reflected snow—very difficult. Unlike scholarly clan children, they lack broad experience and famous teachers’ guidance. They wholeheartedly read the books of sages, originally hoping to one day ascend to the Son of Heaven’s court and thereafter bring glory to their families and earn respect. But besides fame, position, and wealth, who can say they have no other ambitions?”

“They are different,” Xiao Zihuan’s tone was extremely deep. “They have seen Great Liang’s most broken places, emerging from poverty, often more resilient and ambitious. ‘Cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world’—everyone has read these words of the sages, but how many truly take them to heart? They take them to heart and truly intend to act accordingly.”

Xiao Zihuan sighed again, glanced at Qi Ying, paused, then continued: “This king is not saying scholarly clan children are inferior to them—only that within noble families there are indeed many whose virtue doesn’t match their position, relying on family protection to gain official ranks and titles, thereafter becoming parasites of Great Liang. Jingchen, not everyone among them is like you—you are an exception.”

This last sentence sounded like flattery at first hearing, but was actually Xiao Zihuan’s heartfelt words.

Even though he and Qi Ying held opposing positions, he had to acknowledge that he possessed talent to govern heaven and earth. Without Qi Ying, Great Liang might have long been unable to withstand Gao Wei’s iron cavalry.

He was someone anyone would respect and admire upon seeing.

But not all aristocratic family children were like Qi Ying. He, Xiao Zihuan, admitted he promoted common families to compete with his fourth brother for the throne, but who could say such private motives were harmful to the country? And who said Jiangzuo should only be controlled by aristocratic family clans? Common families rising would only make the court clearer and Great Liang stronger—good for both country and people.

Unfortunately… this path had thousands of difficulties.

Xiao Zihuan felt quite powerless in his heart, and his gaze toward Qi Ying now also showed helplessness.

He knew that before concrete interests and positions, no matter how eloquently he spoke it would be useless. He also knew Qi Ying had a determined character and wasn’t easily swayed. But there were some words he had to speak.

He rarely showed sincere expression, looking at Qi Ying: “If this king asked you to take care of common family candidates, that would truly be this king’s lack of understanding—such foolish words need not be said. But Jingchen, you are a reasonable person with principles. You won’t fail to understand the logic here. This king has only one unreasonable request: if in the spring examinations you truly encounter pillars of the state, please show mercy and judge fairly.”

Those in high positions are often taciturn, because taciturnity makes them appear unfathomable and easily inspire awe. But the Third Prince had spoken much today, with considerable lengthy discourse, which invisibly put him at a disadvantage and instead allowed Qi Ying, the subject, to gain the upper hand.

But Qi Ying didn’t become arrogant because of this. In such matters, he also had his sincerity.

He was indeed from an aristocratic family—such birth was predetermined and unchangeable, and it determined his position after entering office. In many cases, this actually had nothing to do with his personal will.

He indeed couldn’t allow the Third Prince to suppress aristocratic families, he would indeed protect his clan, but this didn’t mean he would reject those common family candidates who had studied hard in cold windows.

He was equally someone who treasured talent and was just.

Not for political maneuvering, not for balancing interests—ultimately he only hoped this country could become better, that a clear court could make wiser decisions, thereby benefiting all people of Jiangzuo. This was the most practical and important matter.

Although he thought this way, he had no intention of saying pleasant words to bare his heart, and he knew that no matter how beautifully he spoke now, Xiao Zihuan wouldn’t believe him. But in this matter he had no fear of being straightforward with him.

Qi Ying smiled faintly, his phoenix eyes showing some restrained brilliance, deeper than in his youth.

He said: “This subject has shallow talent, limited learning, and lacks virtue due to youth—unworthy to be chief examiner for all candidates under heaven. But holding this position and planning for its duties, I will certainly do my utmost without losing fairness. Spring examination circumstances are variable—this subject dares not boast that this selection will only consider talent and ambition without asking about background. But within this subject’s reach, I will certainly do my best.”

If Shen Xiling were here to see Qi Ying’s expression at that moment, she would naturally know these words came from his sincere heart. But Xiao Zihuan was not Shen Xiling—he didn’t understand him and couldn’t distinguish whether such a simple sentence was beautiful officialese or Lord Qi’s genuine intention.

He could only hope he was a person of noble character and expect that he would disdain to engage in fraudulent and unfair practices.

Author’s Note: Lord Qi, master of all forms of officialese, achieving the accomplishment of “speaking sincerely but still being seen as giving official responses”

PS: Thanks to the angels for comments, recommendation tickets, and nourishing liquid—I bow once, twice, thrice. I did want to add more chapters, but I’m really running low on drafts and feeling quite anxious. I’ve been quite busy recently with few opportunities to write. Once I’m through this busy period, I’ll definitely work hard to add more chapters (this sentence really isn’t officialese—it’s sincere!)