The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 428 - 356, Academy Discourse: Confucian Heart Learning, yes, this knowledge is what I’m talking about (two combined into one)

Isn't that perfect, your reputation is tarnished, and so is mine... We might as well be dubbed the "scandalous couple," like those "villainous husband and wife" in TV dramas, which sounds pretty cool, right...

Zhao Douan's mind was swirling with confused thoughts, already seeing that the Empress had no confidence in the debate three days hence.

What Xu Zhenguan was considering now was how to minimize the negative impact after losing the debate.

After thinking it over, Zhao Douan said:

"Your Majesty, before the result is out, we should buoy morale. Perhaps that Zhengyang will be too fearful to fight, scared of death or something, and may concede on the spot during the debate."

Expect the other party to concede on the spot?

Xu Zhenguan found it funny but barely held back her laughter, not believing it in the slightest. She took it as his way of comforting her, smiled, and said, "Let's hope."

She talked like this, but harbored no hope in her heart.

She had even less hope that the lapdog by her side could exert any effort in this matter.

Zhao Douan had fired off a bullet yesterday and had not yet received any feedback, and naturally, he also said nothing.

The monarch and her subject listened quietly for a while, and when Grandmaster Dong had finished his lecture, they quietly departed.

...

...

The same morning, outside the inn where Mr. Zhengyang was staying.

Lu Cheng rushed over once again, asking his fellow disciples, "Has the master risen?"

The disciple hesitated and said:

"He hasn't come out yet. After you left last night, brother, the master's room light never went off; perhaps he is catching up on sleep?"

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Lu Cheng felt a sinking feeling in his heart, an ominous premonition unexpectedly emerging along with a sense of regret.

If the master's mind became disturbed as the academic debate approached, or if he even fell ill, it would be a grave misstep.

He hurried into the courtyard and took the initiative to knock on the door.

"Thump thump thump... Master? It's Lu Cheng."

He knocked several times, drawing the attention of many fellow disciples.

Suddenly, the room door opened inward, and Lu Cheng was startled.

There he saw Mr. Zhengyang wearing an overcoat, his face weary and his eyes bloodshot, his spirit sagging, yet seemingly brimming with excitement.

The beautiful beard beneath his chin was disheveled and lacking luster.

"Master... have you not slept all night?" Thinking of this possibility made Lu Cheng's heart tremble.

Mr. Zhengyang's face was stern; he did not respond, but glanced at the many eyes looking from a distance, suddenly reached out, grabbed Lu Cheng's arm, and dragged his disciple into the room.

Only then did he ask in a heavy tone, "Those questions you asked last night, where did they come from?"

Lu Cheng stuttered, "Junior Brother Song told me; he said he heard it from someone familiar."

"Take me to him!" Mr. Zhengyang immediately decided, putting on his robe, pulling Lu Cheng, and they left the inn from the back door in a carriage.

When they arrived, many disciples were already out and about at the inn where the scholar Song was staying. After asking around, they learned that Scholar Song hadn't gone out with them today.

When the master and disciple opened the door of the inn room, they saw Scholar Song bent over the desk poring through book after book, seemingly also having pulled an all-nighter.

"Master? Why are you here?" Scholar Song looked up, startled.

Without mincing words, Mr. Zhengyang strode forward, staring at him and repeated the question.

Scholar Song was also stunned for a moment, not expecting that Zhao Douan's few words would prompt the master to come in person; he nervously said:

"It indeed was I who heard it from an outsider. Last night, the more I thought about it, the more I couldn't understand it, so I reviewed the classics..."

Mr. Zhengyang bluntly interrupted him, pressing:

"Who told you this? Where is that person now? Can we meet him?"

Scholar Song opened his mouth slowly and uttered the name "Zhao Douan," and emphasized by explaining his identity and their encounter yesterday.

Zhao Douan?

That notorious Favored Minister of the Empress from the Capital? The unscrupulous and merciless dog of the court?

A... Martial Artist?

Both Mr. Zhengyang and Lu Cheng were taken aback, filled with strong doubt.

Hearing further from Scholar Song, Zhao Douan claimed to have heard it elsewhere. The two exchanged a look, forming a guess.

"Master, could it be that Dong Xuan?"

Lu Cheng speculated:

"Did Dong Xuan come up with this explanation to counter the debate? And Zhao Douan overheard? Being merely a Martial Artist, it's no surprise he didn't understand and thus asked Junior Brother Song?"

Halfway through his theory, he shook his head, negating himself:

"No! It's probably not that simple. Although this person has superficial learning, it's said he's cunning and malicious; he wouldn't be foolish to this extent. Intentionally seeking out Junior Brother Song might be deliberate, perhaps purposely spreading the word, using ambiguous and obscure words, to undermine our scholarly aspirations? Master, if that's the case, be sure not to be deceived."