YM778.TV Chapter 123: Tempest
One pavilion, four sages, thirteen constabularies, all along, these were the focus of the imperial officials and powers in the Great Xia Dynasty.
The Heaven Dao Pavilion was a place where powers gathered, and even containing scholars from the thirteen constabularies, hence news of Chi Guyan going down the mountain were simply unconcealable, even if one tried to conceal it.
Moreover, Chi Guyan didn’t intend to conceal it at all.
Based on the tradition of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, Chi Guyan first knelt before the Heaven Dao Tablet, then, knelt before the Heaven Dao Pavilion Head, "Mu Qingfeng", then kowtowed to the various places, the Heaven Academic Altar, the Divine Rain Pond... and so on.
Then finally did Chi Guyan officially leave the mountain gate of the Heaven Dao Pavilion.
...
Nobody thought that Chi Guyan would actually leave the Heaven Dao Pavilion at this time, because, there were still two years to the time of the divine message.
Going down the mountain?
To other scholars from the Heaven Dao Pavilion, it was just going down the mountain. However, to Chi Guyan, it wasn’t so simple...
Because, going down the mountain contained an unstable tempest!
Going into a tempest early?
No matter how one looked at this, it wasn’t a wise move.
Because, due to Chi Guyan’s status, she simply didn’t have to do such a thing. She only had to seclude herself in the Heaven Dao Pavilion for two years, then, no matter how the situations had changed, she was going to be a person of huge power and status, and enjoy the respect of the Great Xia Dynasty.
If this person wasn’t Chi Guyan, everybody would definitely feel that this person was the dumbest person in the world, stupid, idiotic...
But, these words could never be linked to Chi Guyan.
Because...
Chi Guyan was the Double Dragon Roll Champion, the real pride of the Heavens, and, the only powerful fourteen-year-old in the Great Xia Dynasty who had achieved Heavenly Reflection!
Then, why would Chi Guyan go down the mountain ahead of time? What was her purpose?
...
In the imperial city of the Great Xia Dynasty, in the Yan Capital.
Faint marks of battles and wars could be seen on the gigantic city wall, still as vivid as ever, but within the city walls, there was always a dryness that permeated the air.
The imperial city that had peace for an entire year seemed as if great trouble was brewing.
This could be inferred by the occasional sounds of cups breaking within the various palaces.
"What?! Chi Guyan went down the mountain, she went out of the Heaven Dao Pavilion!"
"What does she want to do..."
Two similar voices seem to have sounded out in the imperial capital at the same time. However, what was different was their expression. There was happiness, worry, doubt, and horror...
...
In the imperial capital training grounds of the patrol guards, within a huge military tent, a youth around the age of twenty-three to twenty-four was sitting at the main seat. The picture of a beast sewn in golden thread on his white brocade robe revealed his status.
The emperor’s family in the Great Xia Dynasty had the surname of "Lin".
He, was the sixth prince of the emperor, the imperial prince, King Duan, Lin Xinjue.
Such a powerful identity should be enjoying life in the palace, however, King Duan Lin Xinjue had long shifted his recreational area into the military tent, being among the military men.
But, at this moment. King Duan Lin Xinjue was frowning deeply, as if thinking about something.
On the military table, a delectable aroma was being emitted an exquisite furnace, and at the table sat two people, on its left and on its right. The one on the left was an elder wearing a black and white Dao robe, on the right was a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar.
Other than them, there was no other person.
"Don’t tell me even Elder Wen isn’t able to guess the intention of Chi Guyan?" Lin Xinjue’s expression seemed somewhat troubled.
"Replying King Duan, Chi Guyan’s move was too sudden, I indeed cannot guess it! However, I believe that Chi Guyan’s move might be related to the River of Trust Capital examination..." Elder Wen, wearing a black and white Dao robe, shook his head lightly.
"It is only a small capital examination, Elder Wen had also said that Chi Guyan’s criminal demand order was only to test the waters, why is there a conflict in intentions now?" The middle-aged scholar sitting on the right spoke.
"I have said that I can’t guess it. The reason I feel that it is related to the River of Trust Capital examination is only because that both their timings are too coincidental..." Elder Wen looked at the middle-aged scholar with a calm expression.
The middle-aged scholar didn’t speak further, and Lin Xinjue, on the main seat, started to ponder once again.
"Why not we follow Elder Wen’s previous suggestion and recruit this Fang Zhengzhi into the army early?" After a slight moment of deep thought, Lin Xinjue spoke again.
"If we could recruit him, naturally that would be good. However, this person had unexpectedly defeated Yan Xiu from the Yan family, and also attained the double roll champion of the River of Trust Capital examination. Furthermore, I heard that his abilities had already reached Star Conglomerate. It is a time when he is glowing the brightest, I feel that the respective powers would all have their own ideas, if your highness King Duan enters into this..." Elder Wen seemed somewhat worried.
"I understand, the army ranks people based on their military achievements. If we promised too much, it might waver the heart of the army. But if we offer too little and force the recruitment, he might rebel in the future!" Lin Xinjue heard this and instantly understood.
"Your highness King Duan is wise!"
"Your highness King Duan, based on the current circumstances, if we just stay dormant in the army, others might be able to take advantage and make the first move. I have an idea, I wonder if your highness is willing to try it!" The middle-aged scholar spoke again.
"Huh? Mister Hua, please speak!" When Lin Xinjue heard this, he looked at the middle-aged scholar, Mister Hua.
"Chi Guyan had gone down the mountain, and would definitely return to the Divine Constabulary. I’ve heard that three months later, the Divine Constabulary had set a constabulary feast inviting the imperial officials from the Northern Desert, and also inviting the first-class roll scholars from the River of Trust Capital examination to participate in it. If King Duan is able to personally attend it, there are three benefits!" When Mister Hua said this, he paused for a while, waiting for Lin Xinjue’s reply.
"Mister Hua, please teach!" Lin Xinjue’s tone instantly became as respectful as a student.
Mister Hua saw this, and a satisfied expression also appeared on his face. Then, standing up slowly, he walked to the middle of the military tent and bowed towards King Duan Lin Xinjue and Elder Wen.
"The first benefit: Even though Chi Hou pays allegiance to your highness, but he is far away in the Northern Desert. If your highness doesn’t go for this feast which gathers the imperial officials, the imperial officials would definitely see Chi Hou as the leader. But, if your highness attends this feast, they would definitely see your highness as the leader! It is to win their hearts!"
"Yes, not bad!"
"The second benefit: When Chi Guyan returns to the Divine Constabulary, if your highness is able to personally visit the Northern Desert to show your sincerity, even if you cannot win her heart, in the future when you achieve great things, it would also be of help! It is for building your career!"
"Good point, Mister Hua!"
"The third benefit: Even though the River of Trust Capital examination is a small one, but, it gathered scholars from the five capitals of the Northern Desert. Even though they aren’t very useful now, but in the future, it would only be something beneficial and without any harm! Furthermore, your highness would also be seen as someone who values talents! It is for the emperor’s intent!"
"Well said! Winning hearts, building career and emperor’s intent!" When Lin Xinjue heard Mister Hua’s words, he instantly stood up and respectfully returned a bow to Mister Hua.
"For your highness King Duan to be able to receive the help of Mister Hua, you would definitely achieve success! But, the three benefits Mister Hua said are indeed correct, but other than the three benefits... there is one harm. This time, I advise your highness King Duan to give up a benefit to avoid a harm!"
"Give up a benefit to avoid a harm?" Lin Xinjue felt somewhat confused.
"Yes, your highness, think carefully, what is the reason for Chi Hou’s feast? Naturally, it is to establish himself among the imperial officials! If your highness visits personally, there would be the intent of being the host, then, it would barge in the way of Chi Hou’s intentions..."
"He is just Chi Hou, even if he is one among the thirteen constabularies, how can he compete against your highness King Duan for honour?! Don’t tell me he even wants to be the king of the Northern Desert?" When Mister Hua heard this, he seemed slightly infuriated.
"No! Elder Wen’s reminder is timely. This harm, I must avoid! I understand Elder Wen’s meaning, and would definitely act carefully to ensure I don’t get in the way of Chi Hou’s intentions!" Lin Xinjue waved his hands, thought for a while, then bowed towards Elder Wen.
"Your highness King Duan is far-sighted!" Elder Win instantly returned the gesture.
...
In the Yan capital city of the imperial capital, the place where the tempest gathered, King Duan was discussing in the military tent, and the other palaces were also discussing spiritedly. Within the city, countless grand horse carriages continuously moved about.
There were those who went out of the palace, and some who had just returned.
Among those, the place with the most horse carriages was no doubt the Crown Prince Palace where the words "Eastern Palace" hung.
...
Of course, no matter how the situations changed, they weren’t important to Fang Zhengzhi at all. Because, he knew nothing about the news of Chi Guyan going down the mountain.
The River of Trust Capital which was far away in the Northern Desert naturally wouldn’t be as well-informed as the imperial capital.
Now, the thing that the scholars in the River of Trust Capital cared more about was, why would Yun Qingwu suddenly send an invitation to Fang Zhengzhi? That was the lecher who tore down her veil!
Could it be just because he is the double roll champion of this capital examination?
They weren’t satisfied!
Hence, at this moment, at the riverside of the River of Trust, countless scholars gathered. They all wished to see whether this number one lecher in the world would have to face to accept Yun Qingwu’s invitation.
The wind was somewhat cooling, and the willow branches continued to sway lightly.
But, the scholars all felt very hurt...
However, Fang Zhengzhi evidently didn’t care much about this. Those in the light never did dark things, even though he had very directly unveiled Yun Qingwu’s veil.
Hence...
Fang Zhengzhi appeared at the riverside of the River of Trust.
Yan Xiu wasn’t beside him. There was only him, alone. But, when he appeared, the attention of all the scholars surrounding the riverside were all drawn to him.
He was still wearing a blue robe, lightly swaying in the wind following Fang Zhengzhi’s leisurely footsteps.
"He really came?! Thick-skinned..."
"This lecher really revealed his true nature. I am indeed interested what presents would he have to give Yun Qingwu!"
The scholars who saw Fang Zhengzhi were very angry, and very jealous. However, nobody came up to stop him. Because, they were all very curious. Why would Yun Qingwu invite Fang Zhengzhi?
Could it be that Fang Zhengzhi had something that they all didn’t?
The pleasure boat anchored at the riverside, and a lady wearing a jade-green dress waited quietly. When she saw Fang Zhengzhi, she stepped out gracefully and welcomed him.