The two brothers ran out of the Hall of the Lesser Sage, avoiding the main road. They took a side path from the courtyard into the mountain forest, running for a long time before stopping.
Xu Qi An’s breathing was steady, while Li Xinnian leaned against a pine tree, panting heavily. Due to the intense exercise, a captivating flush rose on his fair cheeks.
“What should we do now?” Xu Qi An decided to consult his “methodical” younger brother, and probed, “Did I just solve an age-old problem for the academy?”
He hadn’t expected his casual remark to cause such a terrifying phenomenon, and he wasn’t sure what the consequences would be, so he had very sensibly fled along with Li Xinnian.
Li Xinnian, still catching his breath and trying to calm his heartbeat, scoffed proudly, “At most, it was a two-hundred-year-old problem.”
Xu Qi An took off his water pouch and handed it over.
Li Xinnian took a sip and continued, “If I were still new to the academy, I would advise you to stay put and wait for the adoration and gratitude of the academy’s teachers and students. But now, I just want to get you out of here quickly.” He tossed the water pouch back to his cousin and waited a moment, seeing no confusion on his face.
He felt a mix of disappointment and admiration.
Admiration, of course, because his cousin was quite intelligent, unlike his father’s rough nature. This genuinely pleased the self-important Li Xinnian.
Disappointment, because he couldn’t show off his intellectual superiority in front of his cousin.
Yes, even though his cousin had repeatedly composed astonishing poetry, even though he had just written such earth-shattering words on the stele… Li Xinnian still believed his intelligence was a notch above.
Without this mindset, he couldn’t have come up with the phrase “If Heaven hadn’t born me, Li Xinnian, Great Feng would be in eternal darkness.”
The two brothers quickly made their way through the woods, stealthily heading towards the stables.
Leaving without a word was the best choice at the moment.
If Xu Qi An had stayed, he might have been met with gratitude from the Yunlu Academy, perhaps even hailed as a great scholar… though that was unlikely.
That was the positive side.
The negative side was also obvious. The dispute between the Yunlu Academy and the Imperial College was one of orthodoxy. While accepting the gratitude of the Yunlu Academy, Xu Qi An would inevitably incur the hostility of scholars from the Imperial College.
The entire court was filled with graduates of the Imperial College.
One tax silver case had already caused endless trouble, and this was a hundred times more dangerous and problematic than that.
Cixiu’s thoughts align with mine… Xu Qi An chuckled, “Cixiu, you’re truly cunning.”
Very good, the Second Young Master isn’t a pedantic scholar. Perhaps it’s because of his intensive study of military strategy.
“Boor,” Li Xinnian retorted, then continued, “As long as we leave, I believe the academy won’t publicize this recklessly. They’ll keep it secret for us.”
He fell silent after that, hurrying along while deep in thought, appearing taciturn.
…
On the large clearing outside the Hall of the Sages.
Zhao Shou, dressed in hemp clothes with graying hair, suddenly made an unexpected move. He abruptly turned around, gazing intently towards the back of the academy.
Seconds later, the three great scholars made the same movement, looking gravely in that direction.
The Princess was confused and instinctively turned her head following their gaze, but saw nothing under the clear sky.
However, in the next instant, a visible surge of clear energy shot up into the sky, piercing through the clouds. The thick white clouds floating above Clear Cloud Mountain dispersed before everyone’s eyes.
Zhao Shou disappeared first, followed by the three great scholars who displayed their supernatural ability to move instantly, transporting themselves to the back of the academy.
The Princess frowned slightly, lifted her skirt, and followed with quick yet graceful steps.
Her tall figure and graceful curves created an indescribable charm as she moved swiftly.
…
In the Hall of the Lesser Sage, candlesticks had fallen, and wax flowed densely.
In the spacious hall, clear energy swirled like a spring breeze, revealing Zhao Shou’s figure. He quickly scanned every corner of the hall, then focused his gaze on the cracked stele of Lesser Sage Cheng.
This… The calm pools of the Chancellor’s eyes were stirred by turbulent waves as he quickly analyzed the cause of the surging clear energy.
The cracking of the stele that suppressed the hall had released the vast righteous energy contained within the Yunlu Academy, overflowing and causing the earlier spectacle.
The question was, how could Lesser Sage Cheng’s stele possibly crack for no reason?
Soon, Chancellor Zhao understood. His gaze was drawn to the stele he had erected in the hall years ago. As he looked at the content on the stele, he felt the entire world fading away, disappearing, leaving only that line of ugly characters deeply imprinted in his pupils.
Imprinted in his heart.
Becoming the sole reality of the world at that moment.
In the swirling clear energy that felt like a spring breeze, the figures of the three great scholars materialized. They instinctively scanned the entire hall.
When they saw the cracked stele of Lesser Sage Cheng, their pupils involuntarily contracted.
How could the stele crack so suddenly… No, this is a good thing, it means the seal suppressing the Yunlu Academy’s fortunes has been shaken… Li Mubo thought to himself, suddenly noticing that the Chancellor’s state was off.
It was a state of being immersed in his world, as if in a trance.
The stele cracked. In an era without sages, someone was able to shake Lesser Sage Cheng’s stele… Zhang Shen and Chen Tai exchanged a glance, seeing shock and confusion in each other’s eyes.
Then, like Li Mubo, they noticed the Chancellor’s unusual state.
“To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue lost teachings for past sages, to establish peace for all future generations…” Zhang Shen murmured.
He was completely overwhelmed by the spirit, character, and ambition contained in these words. Goosebumps erupted all over his body, and the blood in his chest seemed to boil.
“This is what a true scholar should do,” Chen Tai’s lips trembled. “To serve in office should be for the people, for the country, for all living beings under heaven, not for a single-family or a few individuals.”
This great scholar, renowned for his talent in governance, was shaking uncontrollably at this moment, his voice hoarse: “It’s like enlightenment, true enlightenment…”
Li Mubo took a deep breath to calm his emotions: “Who wrote this?”
All three turned to look at Chancellor Zhao Shou. The Chancellor had been in seclusion for over a decade, pouring his heart and soul into overturning Cheng’s Neo-Confucianism. If anyone in the world could create a new school of thought, it would be him.
But the Chancellor had been with them just now, and his current attitude had already said it all.
Their response was met with silence. After a long while, Zhao Shou said softly, “You all go out first. We’ll discuss this later.”
He then added, “A gentleman remains silent.”
The three great scholars bowed and left side by side.
As the hall doors closed, silence fell around. Zhao Shou stood silently before the stele, with the latticed windows behind him casting dappled sunlight.
Much later, he straightened his clothes and performed a disciple’s grand bow towards the inscription: “Having heard the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening.”
…
The Princess, holding up her skirt, finally arrived outside the Hall of the Lesser Sage, only to find that within ten zhang of the hall, a barrier like an inverted bowl enveloped the area, isolating it from the outside.
She didn’t rush, but calmly stood at the foot of the steps outside the hall, like a quietly blooming flower.
Soon, the three great scholars came out side by side, their expressions grave, but it was hard to tell if it was good or bad.
“Gentlemen, could you please inform me?” the Princess gazed at the hall from afar.
“Princess, please don’t ask,” Chen Tai bowed. “We are still unclear about this matter for now.”
The Princess smiled, her face as calm as ever, unable to hide her noble air.
After bidding farewell to the three great scholars, she walked alone towards the elegant pavilion. In the mountain breeze, her silk dress and ribbons fluttered, as if she were a mountain spirit or a fairy descending to play in the mortal world.
Two rows of armored soldiers still stood guard outside the elegant pavilion, like silent sculptures.
This squad of twenty-four Golden Feather Guards was her guard. There was also a team of seven Night Watchers at the foot of the mountain.
However, the academy deeply disliked Wei Yuan and didn’t allow the Night Watchers to come up the mountain.
The Princess led her guard down the mountain and found the seven Night Watchers waiting by the official road. In her clear, beautiful voice, she said, “Clear energy surged from the Yunlu Academy, and the Hall of the Lesser Sage has been sealed. Report this to Lord Wei, and tell him to keep a close eye on the academy and investigate this matter.”
“Yes!” The Night Watchers saluted.
The Princess continued, “Also, investigate someone for me: Xu Qi An, a constable from the Changle County office.”
“As you command.”