After Lin Shu left Prince Yi’s manor.

Jing Yi held his tea and took a sip.

This tea truly refreshed the heart and mind!

After Lin Shu left, Dou Quan stepped forward and asked, “Your Highness, this subordinate doesn’t understand. Now that most of the ministers in court stand on your side, why win over someone who has just entered the court?”

You don’t understand me!

Jing Yi said, “It’s precisely because he just entered the court that his background is clean. This kind of person can truly be made to serve one’s own use.”

“But, doesn’t Your Highness worry there might be betrayal? People who just entered the court have unsettled minds. This subordinate worries…”

“Dou Quan.” Jing Yi said, “If you want to win people over, you must understand what the other party wants most. As long as you give him what he wants, he will naturally work for you with his life. This Lin Shu wants the top scholar title. This prince will have the Hanlin Academy memorialize the Emperor to recommend him. He gets what he wants, and this prince can also control him. The Hanlin Academy compiles records, compiles national history, manages the compilation of veritable records, records conduct history, and drafts ceremonial documents. In the future, this prince will still need him to add a few more strokes about this prince in the conduct history.”

Dou Quan understood.

Bowing his head, “Your Highness’s consideration is still thorough.”

He smiled cunningly and sinisterly.

…

When Lin Shu returned to the inn, he still hadn’t quite collected himself.

In the evening, everyone ate together on the inn’s first floor. Shang Zhuo saw him absent-minded, the chopsticks in his hand seeming about to fall to the ground, so he asked, “Lin Shu, what’s wrong with you?”

His voice was very soft!

Lin Shu acted as if he hadn’t heard.

“Lin Shu?”

“Ah?” He suddenly raised his head, his eyes clearing.

“What’s wrong with you exactly? You look like your soul has left your body.”

He shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong.”

Then he picked up a piece of meat randomly with his chopsticks.

That appearance clearly showed something was on his mind.

Shang Zhuo leaned forward, continuing to press, “Where did you go earlier? When you came back you looked like this?”

“I just went out for a walk.”

“You’re clearly lying. You can fool others, but you can’t fool me. Speak—what exactly happened?”

“I already said nothing happened. Why are you like the teacher? So annoying.”

He threw down his bowl and chopsticks, turned around and went upstairs.

Little brat, showing temper now!

Shang Zhuo was puzzled.

A few scholars who hadn’t left yet happened to hear the two’s conversation. One of them came over carrying a bowl of rice.

“Shang Zhuo, I saw earlier that someone came looking for Lin Shu. He got in a carriage and went somewhere.”

“Who was looking for him?”

“If I’m not mistaken, it was someone from Prince Yi’s manor.”

“Prince Yi’s manor?” Shang Zhuo was shocked.

That person then gossiped, “Do you think Prince Yi…”

Before that person could finish speaking, Shang Zhuo interrupted, “Walls have ears. Don’t speak recklessly.”

“Oh.” That person quickly covered his mouth and smiled awkwardly.

Shang Zhuo glanced upstairs, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and went upstairs.

He pushed open Lin Shu’s door and went in, then closed the door behind him.

Lin Shu was lying on his back on the bed, seemingly lost in thought about something, not noticing someone had entered at all, until a shadow fell across his line of sight.

Only then did he quickly sit up.

Frowning, he asked, “Why didn’t you make any sound when you came in?”

“I’ve been in for quite a while.”

“Ah? Oh! You’re looking for me about something?”

Shang Zhuo directly pulled him up from the bed.

Questioning seriously, “You tell me, did you go to Prince Yi’s manor to see Prince Yi?”

“Just asking this?” He shook off Shang Zhuo. “Who I go to see—what business is it of yours?”

“What did Prince Yi say to you?”

“Is it related to you?”

“Lin Shu.” Shang Zhuo called his name in frustration. “Have you forgotten what the teacher instructed before we came to the capital? After we enter government service, we must not climb up by improper means. Doing our duties diligently is our proper role. Once we get involved in factional struggles and step into them, in the end, we’ll only die without a burial place.”

“Enough, it’s not as terrifying as you say.” He said impatiently, “You don’t need to repeat Master’s words to me again.”

“I want to remind you.”

“You don’t need to remind me.” Lin Shu waved his sleeve. “If you want to peacefully be your official, I won’t stop you. But I want to rise in position, want fame and fortune—you shouldn’t stop me either. Although we’re classmates, in some matters we take different paths. You can’t think my choice is wrong just because of this.”

Classmates, different paths!

These five words truly hurt painfully!

Shang Zhuo’s temperament was originally that cool and detached kind. Now hearing these words, for a moment, he was truly speechless.

After a long while, his steps retreated backward. “Fine, if you want to do this, I won’t stop you. But from now on, you’d better have your own plans. Don’t wait until you’re forced into a dead end before thinking about a way out.”

“Don’t worry, in this world, you Shang Zhuo aren’t the only smart one. I know how I should plan for myself.” He said, “No matter what, you and I are classmates. When I achieve success and fame in the future, I won’t leave you out.”

Hehe!

Shang Zhuo smiled. “No need. As they say, those whose paths differ cannot make plans together. Since you’ve chosen Prince Yi, I can’t say anything either. Anyway, what should be said, I’ve already said. Take care of yourself.”

Having said this, he pushed open the door and left.

Lin Shu’s brows drooped. He clenched his fist and pounded it on the table.

The Hanlin Academy!

Grand Secretary Yan of the Hanlin Academy received a secret letter sent by Prince Yi. The secret letter clearly indicated that the Hanlin Academy should recommend Lin Shu as top scholar.

Receiving this information, Grand Secretary Yan didn’t dare not comply.

He immediately went to see Emperor Qizhen in person.

Prince Yi had just finished his grand wedding, and Emperor Qizhen was also planning to determine the top scholar. Grand Secretary Yan came over.

“Your Majesty, after joint discussion throughout the Hanlin Academy, everyone believes that Lin Shu’s scholarship and talent are slightly superior to Shang Zhuo.” He spoke directly.

Emperor Qizhen looked at the registry beside him and nodded. “Shang Zhuo’s essay is rigorous, while Lin Shu’s essay is very meticulous. The position of compiler in the Hanlin Academy records conduct history and is a confidential position of great importance for Great Lin. It should indeed be carefully considered to select a careful candidate. Since your Hanlin Academy also recommends Lin Shu, and I’ve carefully considered for several days—Lin Shu is indeed excellent. Since the announcement has been delayed for so long… then let it be decided thus.”

Lin Shu claimed the top scholar position!

Grand Secretary Yan bowed. “Yes.”

The next day.

The imperial edict was sealed and sent to the inn.

Everyone gathered to watch, firecrackers and gongs and drums shook the heavens.

Lin Shu achieved top scholar, Shang Zhuo achieved second place.

The former entered the Hanlin Academy as compiler, the latter entered the Hanlin Academy as editor.

Everyone congratulated them. The scholars who had stayed at the inn also began to curry favor, every sentence carrying flattering intent.

Lin Shu was delighted, calling out to treat everyone to drinks.

Everyone was happy and harmonious, but Shang Zhuo stood to the side with a heavy heart.

It wasn’t because he only achieved second place, but because he worried that once Lin Shu stepped into Prince Yi’s camp, there would be no turning back.

Thinking of this, he could only let out a long sigh.

Indeed, he couldn’t require classmates to also share the same path.