Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 536 - 261. Celestial Master Mansion Settles Accounts (Two-in-One Chapter)_4

Chapter 536: 261. Celestial Master Mansion Settles Accounts (Two-in-One Chapter)_4

Fang Zhu was the elder brother of Fang Jian, a disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion, and the eldest son of Fang Huansheng, the great elder of the Fang Clan. He was also the most outstanding member of the younger generation in the Fang Clan.

In the great battle that quelled the demonic chaos in Guanlong, he had also performed exceptionally well.

After the battle, unlike Zhang Taigang from Mount Shu who left directly, Fang Zhu first accompanied his clan’s elders to Chang’an for an audience with the Emperor.

However, after the audience, Fang Zhu did not stay much longer. He left Guanzhong ahead of the other Fang Clan members and returned to their ancestral land in Jingxiang.

It was said that the most promising young individuals from the various top-tier powers had all begun to advance toward the Eighth Heavenly Layer.

Yue Xiling, the young prodigy from the Pure Yang Palace, the Sacred Land of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect, had been in a life-or-death closed-door cultivation session, severing all outside communication. It was presumed this retreat was an effort to reach the Eightfold Heaven Realm.

"Speaking of the Fang Clan from Jingxiang, there’s another matter," Yuan Mobai said. "Layman Fang Yongsan has successfully cultivated to the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm of the Confucian Chanting Sect, reaching the Enter Divinity state. He has also taken over as the Minister of Education at the Luoyang Academic Palace in the Capital City. Considering his age, he’s quite young too."

Lei Jun nodded. "Not even forty years old yet."

Fang Yue, styled Duanfeng, titled Yongsan.

Like Fang Zhu and Fang Jian, he was from the Jingxiang Fang Clan.

But in recent years, having devoted himself to the Scholarly Mansion, his name had almost become a taboo within the Fang Clan.

Known for his prodigious talent since childhood as a "Qilin child," this fine seedling from the Fang Clan’s fields was harvested by the scythe of the Tang Imperial Court.

In the Scholarly Mansion, the Grand Libationer was the head, supported by the Minister of Education, under whom served Scholars and Teaching Assistants.

When the Scholarly Mansion was first established, its status was lower than the original Imperial College and on par with its affiliated branches like the Grand School and the National School.

However, the Scholarly Mansion gradually rose in status and began to stand on par with the Great Tang’s Imperial College.

Since its inception, the Academy Libationer had been Xiao Chunhui, the second son of the Xiao Clan from outside Longwai.

When the position of Minister of Education was created, it was initially held by an official from a noble family, who was one of Fang Yue’s clan uncles.

Fang Yue, who taught Confucian Studies; Lin Shan, who taught Taoist studies; and a high-ranking monk from Tianlong Temple, who taught Buddhism, all served as Scholars of the Scholarly Mansion.

Now that Fang Yue had achieved an Upper Three Heavens cultivation, he replaced his clan uncle of the same surname, Fang, to become the new Minister of Education at the Scholarly Mansion.

This essentially signaled that he was set to take over from Xiao Chunhui. He was currently serving as an assistant to Xiao Chunhui, a transitional role to help him first familiarize himself with the situation.

Xiao Chunhui had already entered the Imperial Court to formally participate in political affairs, so a large volume of the Scholarly Mansion’s affairs was gradually being handed over to Fang Yue.

It was believed that after a while longer, Xiao Chunhui would step down from his original duties, and Fang Yue would formally become the second Academy Libationer.

"They say that when General Xiao acts, she acts astonishingly, but her elder brother, Academy Libationer Xiao, is even more reserved," Lei Jun said to Yuan Mobai, then suddenly laughed. "Aside from the incident involving the Xiao Clan from outside Longwai when they, brother and sister, first made their striking debut at court, this Academy Libationer Xiao has not made a move since."

No matter how low-key Xiao Xueting usually was, she would occasionally cause a significant stir.

In recent years, Xiao Chunhui had been far more inconspicuous than his sister.

Yuan Mobai’s tone remained as gentle as usual. "There is truth in simplicity. It is not necessarily a bad thing, merely rare."

Lei Jun agreed deeply. "Master speaks the truth."

「 」

At this moment, inside the Scholarly Mansion, Xiao Chunhui was sitting opposite Fang Yue.

Xiao Chunhui, slender and with a handsome, youthful appearance, sat in the main seat and smiled. "From here on, it’s going to be a lot of hard work for you, Duanfeng."

Fang Yue, who was actually much younger but appeared middle-aged, replied, "I dare not take credit; I am merely continuing the tasks previously arranged by Your Majesty and Teacher."

When Fang Yue first joined the Scholarly Mansion, he not only taught Confucian Studies to the students but also attended Xiao Chunhui’s classes. Thus, he often paid his respects to this elder contemporary as if to a teacher.

Xiao Chunhui had corrected him several times, but Fang Yue persisted, making it difficult for Xiao Chunhui to insist further.

"Teacher, your entry into the Council Hall to participate in political affairs is a blessing for the nation," Fang Yue said. "As for the Scholarly Mansion, I will naturally do my utmost to alleviate the burdens of Your Majesty and yourself."

Xiao Chunhui responded, "Duanfeng, you exaggerate. I believe that during your tenure, the Scholarly Mansion is bound to experience greater and faster development."

After a few more words on teaching-related matters, Fang Yue took his leave.

However, just before departing, he hesitated unusually, as if there were something he wanted to say but then held back.

Xiao Chunhui said, "Duanfeng, if you have something to say, speak freely. Between us, there’s no need for such reticence."

Fang Yue nodded. "Teacher, I think that perhaps we should reconsider Qingyan’s situation."

Xiao Chunhui replied, "Hmm, I will give it some thought."

"Teacher, you must have your considerations; I was being impertinent," Fang Yue said and immediately took his leave.

After sending Fang Yue off, Xiao Chunhui’s expression flickered slightly.

This was indeed a case of ’speak of the devil.’ No sooner had they mentioned someone than that person appeared.

The very Meng Shaojie, also known as Meng Qingyan, whom he and Fang Yue had just been discussing, was now seeking an audience.

"Teacher," Meng Shaojie greeted Xiao Chunhui with a bow.

"No need for formalities," Xiao Chunhui smiled. "I recall you went home to visit family. Have you returned early? Have you already reported back from leave at the Eastern Palace?"

Meng Shaojie respectfully answered, "I have already reported back from leave at the Eastern Palace. As I have not yet been assigned any duties there, I came to see you first, Teacher."

Having said that, he fell silent.

His gaze flickered as if he were engaged in an intense inner struggle.

Seeing this, Xiao Chunhui did not press him.

After a good while, Meng Shaojie finally spoke again, "Teacher, I have come today to report a confidential matter."

The Empress had departed the new capital, Luoyang, for the old capital, Chang’an.

Currently, Crown Prince Zhang Hui was acting as regent in the Imperial Capital, Luoyang.

The Eastern Palace Supervisor and Imperial Tutors, naturally, remained in their positions for the time being.

However, study companions like Shangguan Zhengqing and Ye Song were given low-ranking positions and served as assistants to Zhang Hui.