After the two groups entered the main road into the capital, they each went in different directions.

One toward Prince Yi’s Manor.

One toward Prince Rong’s Manor.

Not interfering with each other!

As soon as Jingrong and Ji Yinshu returned to the manor, a servant came to report.

“Your Highness, Minister Shang requests an audience.”

“Minister Shang?”

After searching through his mind, was there such a person in the court?

The servant bowed at the waist and said, “It’s Minister Shang from the Hanlin Academy, an editor. He came once yesterday, but Your Highness had gone to the city outskirts, so this humble one asked him to return. Now he’s come again.”

Oh!

So it was Shang Zhuo from Mingshan Academy.

The servant inquired, “Will Your Highness see him or not?”

By rights, Shang Zhuo had only recently taken office, and coming to Prince Rong’s Manor to make connections now would inevitably invite gossip.

But after all, they had met once before. Now that he had come, they couldn’t very well drive him away, could they?

Jingrong glanced at Ji Yinshu. “What do you think?”

“Since he’s come twice, whether for important or trivial matters, it wouldn’t hurt to have him come in and sit.”

“Mm.”

So he allowed the person to enter.

Shortly after, Shang Zhuo followed the servant who led the way inside.

He wore plain clothes and held a long box, his eyes downcast and not looking around.

One could vaguely see the appearance of a minister being respectful and deferential.

He walked into the room and performed a deep bow. “I pay my respects to Prince Rong.”

Not having seen him for several months, he now bore more of the official manner and etiquette.

“Minister Shang, no need to be so formal.”

“Originally, I should have come to pay my respects on the day Your Highness entered the capital, but many matters kept me occupied. When I finally had time, I came yesterday, only to find Your Highness was busy with the dry well case and not at the manor. Therefore, I’ve come again today. I hope I haven’t disturbed Your Highness.”

Still the same as before—modest and courteous.

Jingrong looked him up and down. “Not having seen you for several months, you’ve already achieved high rank. This prince should congratulate you.”

“It’s only through Your Highness’s great fortune and protection that this official was able to enter the Hanlin Academy and become an editor.”

“It should be because you yourself have capability!”

Jingrong’s words were not mere politeness.

What kind of talent Shang Zhuo possessed, everyone knew—learned and accomplished, exceptionally gifted, and also possessing outstanding copying abilities.

He painted excellent paintings and wrote excellent calligraphy.

The position of Hanlin Academy editor was truly beneath his talents.

The corners of Shang Zhuo’s mouth turned up in a smile. He lowered his eyes, then turned to look at Ji Yinshu beside him and similarly performed a bow.

“Greetings, Master Ji.”

Ji Yinshu rose and returned the courtesy. “Minister Shang, you’re too kind.”

“I never expected to meet you again in the capital. It’s Shang’s good fortune.”

“When we parted at Mingshan Academy, I was confident Minister Shang would achieve high rank. Now that it’s come to pass, it’s well-deserved.”

“I accept your auspicious words with gratitude.”

Shang Zhuo was courteous.

Then he presented the box he had brought toward Jingrong, saying, “Knowing Your Highness never accepts court gifts, what this official has brought is a token of sincere sentiment. I hope Your Highness won’t disdain it.”

Not a court gift, but sincere sentiment.

This reason made it impossible not to accept!

Jingrong took it, opened the box, and inside was a scroll.

He untied the cord and unrolled it.

It was a painting.

A painting of a hundred birds!

In the painting, birds in the forest either played, spread their wings, or perched on branches…

Lifelike.

Shang Zhuo said, “Not knowing what Your Highness likes, I painted what this official does best.”

Jingrong admired the painting in his hands and couldn’t help nodding in praise. “Indeed, Minister Shang’s painting can be called a divine work. The objects in the painting are as if reflected before one’s eyes, exquisitely lifelike.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s praise. It’s merely a humble work. As long as Your Highness likes it, that’s good.”

“This prince likes this painting very much.”

He passed the painting to Ji Yinshu, letting her also appreciate it.

Even Ji Yinshu had to admit she was inferior to the essence captured in that painting.

“I believe in this world, only Minister Shang could paint white birds so vividly.”

Spoken from the heart.

Shang Zhuo lowered his head in acknowledgment.

The scroll was closed.

She suddenly asked, “By the way, I wonder… how is Lin Shu now? I heard he achieved top scholar and became a compiler. Since you’re both at the Hanlin Academy, you should know something.”

At the mention of that person, Shang Zhuo’s expression darkened.

He answered truthfully, “Not to hide anything from you and Your Highness, since the day the Emperor issued the decree announcing the rankings, Lin and I are no longer like we were at the academy with our minor squabbles and foolishness. And he and I… though both at the Hanlin Academy, he is a compiler official handling imperial documents, while I’m merely an editor organizing matters of the Six Ministries, so… we rarely communicate.”

There was subtext in his words.

Jingrong said, “Is it because of Prince Yi?”

Getting straight to the point.

Uh!

Shang Zhuo was shocked. “How did Your Highness know?”

He was a prince—how could he not know?

“Matters of the court are visible to anyone with eyes. Moreover, on the day this prince entered the capital, Vice Minister Yu of the Court of Judicial Review mentioned matters concerning Minister Lin. It seems he was able to achieve top scholar status because he received Prince Yi’s favor.”

Jingrong referred to Lin Shu as Minister Lin!

“That is indeed the case.” Shang Zhuo sighed, greatly distressed. “Just one day before His Majesty decided on the first-rank graduates, Prince Yi sent someone to bring him to Prince Yi’s Manor. I should have tried my utmost to dissuade him, but what Lin Shu’s temperament is like, both Your Highness and Master know. When he becomes stubborn, no one can hold him back.”

“Everyone has their choices—they cannot be forced. However… this prince worries you harbor resentment.”

“What does Your Highness mean by this?”

“Whether in terms of learning or character, you absolutely excel and surpass him by three parts. The title of top scholar should have been yours by rights. But Minister Lin became top scholar because Prince Yi secretly pulled strings. Inevitably, you must have a thorn in your heart.” Jingrong said.

But Shang Zhuo smiled and said with relief, “This official was content just to achieve first rank. How could I have complaints? Even if there truly is a thorn in my heart, it’s merely an insignificant thorn, not worth counting. Moreover, we’re both officials serving the court, exerting ourselves for the court—there’s no distinction in rank.”

Broad-minded.

Without petty thoughts.

Jingrong said, “That you can think this way is naturally best. A title is merely a title. If one truly has capability, even if relegated to mountains and wilderness, one is still usable talent.”

“Your Highness speaks truly.”

“As expected, this prince didn’t misjudge you. That you can set aside resentment and serve as an official with peace of mind—such temperament is possessed by very few.”

Shang Zhuo smiled.

Jingrong waved his hand again. “Enough, let’s not discuss this matter anymore.”

After all, now that Lin Shu was Prince Yi’s person, discussing it privately had no meaning.

After this topic ended, the three exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Shang Zhuo, having official business to attend to, couldn’t stay long.

Before leaving, he said, “If Your Highness has any need of this official, just send word, and this official will certainly do his utmost, sparing no effort.”

Declaring his stance!

After he left, watching that departing figure, Jingrong said, “Shang Zhuo has a steady temperament and distinguishes right from wrong. Although currently just an editor at the Hanlin Academy, if he serves this prince, in the future he will naturally be this prince’s right and left arms in the court.”

High praise!

Actually, Jingrong had long harbored this intention.

Of course, Ji Yinshu also expressed her approval.