The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 427: Let the bullet fly for a while

But to someone like Song Juren, they could savor the subtleties…

However, for Mr. Zhengyang, there was no need for extended exposition or to lay out the problem; a few words were more than enough.

And as he voiced his doubts, the originally smiling Mr. Zhengyang slowly withdrew his smile.

The great scholar of the age furrowed his brows, at first pondering, then deep in thought, and eventually, becoming profoundly absorbed.

The room was silent, with only the chirping of insects from outside the window.

Both teacher and student sat across the desk lit by the dim lantern, wordless.

Lu Cheng didn't dare interrupt his mentor. These few statements were like a sharp dagger that had torn open the fortress built from decades of his study, causing a slight tremor in the theoretical framework of his heart.

Though not to the degree of a crisis of faith after a few sentences, Lu Cheng had a premonition that 'the heart is principle' was like a seed planted in the ocean of his heart.

Even if he deliberately ignored it or disagreed, from the moment he heard it, he could never forget it.

Even more so, that seed would take root and sprout, growing into a towering tree, to push open the sturdy city gates.

He even had a strong premonition that, if this seed were to spread like a dandelion in the wind, scattering across the land,

it might one day grow into a new entity that would shake and challenge the established 'orthodox studies.'

Precisely because he foresaw this possibility, he was sincerely filled with unease and fear.

Especially since his teacher was about to debate with Dong Xuan, yet suddenly this idea emerged that had the potential to fundamentally challenge 'orthodox studies'…

Was it a coincidence?

Lu Cheng couldn't afford to take it lightly. This was the chief reason he had come urgently in the night!

Time passed very slowly. Lu Cheng gradually became restless, with the fear in his heart spreading and growing wild like weeds.

Because his mentor still hadn't given an answer!

Could it be that even his mentor couldn't readily solve or refute it?

After a long while,

Mr. Zhengyang finally looked at him, his eyebrows tightly knitted, and slowly said,

"I need to think about it; go back for now and come again tomorrow."

Lu Cheng felt a wave of dizziness!

These words were all too familiar to him. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he got up, bowed, and walked out of the room with heavy steps, closing the door behind him.

After walking a dozen more steps in the chilly night, he turned around, only to see through the inn's window the reflection of his motionless mentor, like a statue's shadow.

The night passed without words.

As if nothing had happened, no one knew that the bullet Zhao Douan had fired had silently and deadly struck Mr. Zhengyang between the eyes.

...

...

The next day dawned, also marking the third-to-last day of the 'Mei Garden Debate.'

The tense atmosphere in the city grew even thicker.

Zhao Douan went early in the morning by carriage to the Xiuwen Pavilion, wanting to see how Grandmaster Dong's preparations were.

But he found the place empty and was informed that the Grandmaster had gone to the Imperial College.

Surprised, Zhao Douan also hastened for the first time to this highest learning institution of the Great Yu Dynasty.

He was received by the Imperial College Chief, a fourth-rank official, an old man with the elegant demeanor of a literatus, full of a scholar's grace.

"What an honor for Lord Zhao to visit – a rare guest indeed," the old sacrifice wine greeted him with a smile.

Zhao Douan smiled and went straight to the point,

"I heard that the Grandmaster has come here, so I followed to take a look."

The old sacrifice wine led him along a corridor filled with the fragrance of books. The walls, painted white and pink, were adorned with paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, and even the red-lacquered columns bore poetic inscriptions and verses.

As they walked along, they saw only a few tutors and students – the Imperial College seemed particularly deserted that day.

"The Grandmaster is lecturing in the main hall inside; all the teachers and students of the college have gone to listen," the old sacrifice wine explained.

Zhao Douan expressed his surprise, "Lecturing? At this time?"

The old sacrifice wine earnestly explained:

"Scholarly debate is not just about preparing behind closed doors. Although the Grandmaster does not need to go and drum up support, he still needs to rehearse and practice."

According to his explanation, in matters of scholarly debate, most of the time there is no point in hiding any 'secret weapons.'

After all, both sides of the debate are renowned Confucians, whose points of view and works have long been made public, not secret; thus, if one wishes to win, in addition to the depth of their knowledge, a certain amount of practice is necessary.

Grandmaster Dong is using the Imperial College to hone his scholarly views. Through teaching and organizing, he faces the students' challenges, looking to find and fill gaps and also to bring himself into a state of articulate and persuasive speech.

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"So that's how it is," Zhao Douan suddenly realized, feeling his lack of experience in such professional matters:

"Shall we go directly over there?"

He could already hear the faint sound of voices coming from ahead.

The old sacrifice wine chuckled, "If Lord wishes to listen, follow me."

With that, the old sacrifice wine led him on a detour down a small path and up to a two-story pavilion.

But when Zhao Douan went upstairs, he was taken aback:

"Your Majesty?!"

There at the edge of the second-floor railing stood the Emperor of Great Yu, Xu Zhenguan, dressed in ordinary attire with her black hair flowing elegantly!

"Your Majesty, what brings you here as well?"

Zhao Douan instinctively smiled and hastened to approach and give his respects.

Xu Zhenguan turned her head, her exquisite face framed by relaxed arching brows, and smiled:

"Just because you can come, does it mean We cannot come to watch?"

"This is not what your servant means!" Zhao Douan hurriedly waved his hands and curiously asked, "Your Majesty is also observing the Grandmaster..."

"Yes," Xu Zhenguan turned her gaze back, overlooking below.

Zhao Douan stood by her side and followed her gaze.

From this angle, over a rockery, one could see a spacious open-air lecture hall where Grandmaster Dong was sitting on the platform explaining, and below, a dense crowd of Imperial College teachers and students surrounded him, an impressive sight.

With the hearing of a Cultivator, one could hear Dong Xuan's voice lecturing, as well as the dialogue with the students in debate.

"Your Majesty, this servant will go down first," the old sacrifice wine, a wily figure, took his leave after leading the way.

Xu Zhenguan evidently arrived quietly and without attendants, now leaving only the sovereign and subject on the pavilion.

"To confront that Zhengyang, the Grandmaster has grown noticeably thinner in just these few days," Xu Zhenguan revealed a tinge of emotion in her voice, speaking softly.

Zhao Douan responded with solemn respect, "Your servant has also heard that the entire Xiuwen Pavilion is busy with this matter. Despite his age, the Grandmaster still shoulders this heavy responsibility, truly a pillar of the state."

Xu Zhenguan asked, "What is the sentiment outside the city?"

This was her way of talking shop.

Zhao Douan, a man who knew how to read the room, would not foolishly try to flirt under such an atmosphere and circumstance. Therefore, he seriously said:

"Generally, the voices are in support of the Grandmaster, but there are some scholars who like to be contrarian. Your servant has had people monitoring the situation and compiling reports, although right now, before the scholarly debate commences, there are too many people paying attention, so it is difficult to act. Your servant plans to wait until after the event concludes, then sift through them to see how many are restless."

Xu Zhenguan did not comment on this, signaling her tacit consent.

Suddenly, she said, "Xu Zudi came to the palace to plead for Yunyang, but I refused him."

There was such a matter... Zhao Douan was somewhat surprised, thinking this Princely Heir still seemed to care for his aunt confined to the nunnery...

This statement from the Empress was also a declaration... was it meant to put him at ease?

Zhao Douan concurred, "The Young Master will certainly understand the profound intentions of Your Majesty."

Xu Zhenguan gave a self-deprecating smile, a hint of a sigh visible in her beautiful eyes; it was unclear whether it was for what was said or for the multitude of uncles rushing to move against her.

"That Zhengyang was brought out of retirement by the Mu Prince, did you know this?" Xu Zhenguan said softly.

Zhao Douan nodded and curiously asked:

"Speaking of which, that Zhengyang's behavior is peculiar. If he harbors malice against us, why did it take three years to come down from the mountain to dissent? If he's been bought by the Mu Prince, then why did he refuse the court's invitation to join the Xiuwen Pavilion?

Could it truly be that he is unswervingly loyal to the Mu Prince? Yet his arrival to the capital doesn't seem like he's determined to fight to the death, leaving himself some leeway, quite odd indeed."

Since Zhenbao willingly brought up the Mu Prince, Zhao Douan did not need to be cautious about the topic anymore. He decisively stood on the side of the Empress, filled with righteous indignation.

Xu Zhenguan said softly, "It's because Zhengyang has received a favor from the Mu Prince."

"Oh?"

"Zhengyang comes from the official Shi family. While he himself served as an official in other regions with distinguished achievements and remarkable talent, his father served in Yunfu Road and later fell gravely ill. At that time, the Mu Prince helped by leveraging the power of his Royal Mansion to search for famous doctors and provide extraordinary medicines, exerting quite an effort to extend his father's life for two years.

After his father's death, Zhengyang resigned his post to return and pay respect, later immersing himself in scholarship, writing books, and gaining a reputation. He also lost the desire to serve as an official," Xu Zhenguan explained.

Zhao Douan was astonished:

"So, he came to the capital to repay this gratitude?"

This could explain why in the two years before the Empress ascended the throne, he hadn't come forth to dissent, but now he had.

"Perhaps," Xu Zhenguan sighed:

"Had We known it would come to this, We might as well have forcibly brought him to the capital back then, and saved today's trouble."

She paused, then turned to her confidant, "What do you think, who will win this time?"