Chapter 264: Chapter 200: Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning, Public Opinion Reverses! Father-in-law Ascends to the Twelfth Realm, An Audience with Emperor Yong’an

"Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning? Could what Chen Ke said be true?"

"How is that possible? I heard Prince Huai’an is uneducated and nothing but a wastrel. How could he possibly articulate such a profound school of thought?"

"Chen Ke said it himself, so it must be true. He’s the Wen Sheng’s True Disciple now. Surely he couldn’t have been coerced, right?"

Hearing the name of the new school of thought, the crowd erupted in an uproar, their faces filled with disbelief.

They believed that given Lu Mingyuan’s disposition, it was impossible for him to have participated in the research for the Learning of the Mind, let alone comprehended such a revolutionary philosophy.

Thus, they were skeptical of Chen Ke’s words, even suspecting that Prince Huai’an had coerced him in order to take credit for founding the Learning of the Mind and build up his own reputation.

Lu Mingyuan breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the crowd’s doubtful murmurs.

Why hadn’t he cultivated the Confucian Dao from the start, choosing the path of the Martial Dao instead?

For one, his body’s original owner was not a man who enjoyed studying. If he suddenly started speaking eloquently, quoting classics and spouting etiquette, he would undoubtedly expose himself.

For another, he had no Literary Qi. Without accumulating Literary Qi, he couldn’t practice the self-cultivation central to the Confucian Family, meaning he hadn’t even crossed the threshold of the Confucian Dao.

As far as Lu Mingyuan knew, this world’s Confucian Dao wasn’t something where you could become a Saint just by composing verses, reciting poetry, and spouting empty platitudes.

It required years of accumulated study—poring over the works of the great Saints, reading extensively, and cultivating one’s character to foster and build up one’s own Literary Qi.

Only then could one strengthen their Literary Qi by taking imperial examinations or teaching others. Awakening the Vast Righteous Qi was even more difficult.

Lu Mingyuan knew he wasn’t suited for this path. In his previous life, he had spent a lifetime taking exams just to land a stable government job. He had no desire to read so many books and take so many tests again. Besides, stuck in the Cold Palace, he wasn’t even eligible to take the imperial examinations.

But that didn’t stop him from cultivating a Saint himself.

Chen Ke was the perfect candidate.

Despite a life of hardship, he had managed to maintain a pure, untainted heart in the secular, bustling Imperial Capital City. He had read through the three hundred thousand scrolls in the Wenyuan Pavilion, the Royal Library, and under Lu Mingyuan’s guidance, had finally comprehended the Learning of the Mind. He deserved it.

What Lu Mingyuan never expected, however, was to be backstabbed by Chen Ke!

The Wen Sheng’s third disciple, Mr. Shuijing, stroked his beard and smiled at Chen Ke. "Little Junior Brother," he said amiably, "since you’ve named it Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning, does the ’Lu’ come from Prince Huai’an?"

"Yes."

Chen Ke nodded.

"And what about the ’Wang’?"

A reminiscent look appeared in Chen Ke’s eyes. "That, of course, would be Mr. Wang."

"A fine ’Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning’ indeed!"

Just as everyone was listening intently, a hearty laugh rang out from beside the palace wall.

"Wang He’fu?"

A young Confucian Scholar’s face filled with surprise as he saw a sedan chair stop at the entrance of Qingzhu Hall. A rugged, middle-aged man in a scarlet official’s robe with a Red Gold Fish Bag at his waist stepped out.

It was Wang He’fu, the Vice Chief Minister of the Cabinet and a Great Yan Prime Minister.

He had become an Advanced Scholar in the Twenty-First Year of Yong’an. Despite not placing high in the examinations, he had managed to rise to a high position through various means, a testament to his considerable skill.

"Grandfather?"

Lu Mingyuan also looked surprised to see the newcomer.

He hadn’t expected his grandfather to arrive so quickly.

"Mr. Wang."

Upon seeing Wang He’fu, Chen Ke bowed respectfully. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The Wang Family had taken him in and given him a position through patronage, allowing him to study continuously in the Wenyuan Pavilion. They had recognized his talent when no one else would, and this bow was well-deserved.

As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring.

Seeing this, a Great Scholar couldn’t help but curse under his breath:

"Birds of a feather, indeed."

Wang He’fu did not have a good reputation among the Great Scholars. This was mainly because the world of scholars was divided into utilitarian and academic factions. The academic faction had always looked down on the utilitarians. They despised officials like Wang He’fu, who led a group that used their education for personal gain and contributed little to the Imperial Court.

The Great Scholars of the academic faction, accustomed to the righteous scholarly atmosphere of the academies, had always disdained social climbers, and Wang He’fu was chief among them in their eyes.

Although Wang He’fu’s status was extremely high—a Prime Minister of the nation, second only to the Chief Minister of Great Yan—they still held their prejudices. They wouldn’t dare curse him openly, but they cursed him silently in their hearts.

"Lord Wang, with this new school of thought manifesting in the world, surely you don’t have a share of the credit as well?" a Great Scholar from Luochuan Academy in a black robe asked with a faint smile.

There wasn’t a single foul word in the entire sentence.

But the sarcastic intent was self-evident.

Wang He’fu was intelligent and shrewd to the core; how could he not hear it? His gaze was profound as he smiled. "I never said such a thing. It was all Chen Ke’s own comprehension. I was merely the one who showed him the path."

"Besides, given Chen Ke’s family background, before my grandson recommended him and he came to live with my Wang Family to pursue an official career, none of the major academies paid him any mind. Shengjing Academy even expelled him. Chen Ke has a kind and honest heart. He hasn’t held a grudge over past grievances and merely used ’Wang’ to name the Learning of the Mind. What right do any of you have to interfere?"

The Great Scholars present had not expected Wang He’fu’s sharp retort.

The subtext was clear: You major academies act so high and mighty, but when Chen Ke was in need, why didn’t any of you take him in? Was it because he never sought you out? Of course not. He must have been rejected, the slots filled by students with connections. What future was there for a lower-class youth? But now that the Wang Family had recognized his talent, he had become a dragon among men. Were they all simply jealous now?

He had just put it very tactfully. Most people present were intelligent enough to understand.

After listening, Lu Mingyuan secretly marveled at his grandfather’s sharp tongue.