Chapter 49: The Grand Preceptor is Here?!

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The moment Zhao Wenyuan laid eyes on the two pieces of Yin-Yang jade agate, his heart skipped a beat.

Damn it, I’ve become a thief.

His pupils trembled as he looked up, meeting Gu Fangchen’s gaze just as he turned to look over.

Gu Fangchen’s eyes held a faint, teasing smile:

“What’s wrong, Zhao Wenyuan? Why don’t you come with me?”

Zhao Wenyuan’s heart sank. He took a deep breath, sensing the hidden meaning behind those words.

Gu Fangchen’s invitation could never have been found by chance; it must have been endorsed by the Yong’an Emperor or the Imperial Tutor.

But the fate of the Yin-Yang jade agate was firmly in Gu Fangchen’s hands.

Now, with just a word from Gu Fangchen, Zhao Wenyuan would be labeled a thief stealing from the Imperial Tutor...

As for the truth?

If both the Yong’an Emperor and the Imperial Tutor sided with Gu Fangchen, then truth no longer mattered.

Power held the truth.

Zhao Wenyuan had been keeping a low profile for many years, never giving his elder brother any leverage—because he understood this perfectly.

Just like today’s Qionglin Banquet: only the Yong’an Emperor could decide the outcome.

Gu Fangchen’s meaning was clear: either stand with me, or I will ruin you now.

Zhao Wenyuan tucked away the Yin-Yang jade agate and immediately put on a fawning smile.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, didn’t I come? Please wait for me...”

Gu Fangchen shook his fan and sighed.

“Oh? I thought Second Young Master Zhao would abandon me, leaving me alone to face the tigers and wolves at the Qionglin Banquet.”

“Not at all, impossible! We’ve been partners in petty crimes since childhood...”

Gu Fangchen smiled.

To be able to outwit Gu Yuye in the future, Left Chancellor must have quite the thick skin.

...

Inside Qionglin Garden.

This expansive garden, continuously expanded by successive emperors, was specially reserved for banquets celebrating newly minted Jinshi scholars. It was filled with pine, bamboo, plum, and cypress trees, with a clear pool planted with lotus flowers stretching to the horizon.

A nine-turn corridor led to the central courtyard.

At this moment, the courtyard echoed with the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, glasses clinking, as Wei officials and various cultivators gathered, surrounding Gu Yuandao at the center to offer congratulations.

“I’ve long heard of the saint’s disciple—an extraordinary talent in literature and morality, a rare genius in a millennium, illuminated by the Heavenly Star of Literary Arts. Meeting you today, I see it’s no exaggeration!”

“The first triple first in our dynasty, and the only son of the Northern King—a true prodigy. Ah, if only my son were as successful.”

“Alas, once a bright pearl clouded and hidden in darkness for so many years, now finally the hardships have borne sweet fruit.”

“What hardships? This is simply restoring the true source!”

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One official raised his cup and finished it with a cold sneer.

“It’s already certain that Gu Fangchen colluded with the demonic sect. The Northern King has investigated for three days, and today the verdict should be made public.”

The official said angrily, “That bastard has usurped the position of the Northern King’s heir for so many years and committed countless crimes—it's time to settle the score!”

Those nearby quickly pulled him aside, whispering:

“Brother Lin, be careful what you say!”

“Wait until the imperial decree comes, then you can speak your mind...”

The official surnamed Lin snorted coldly, lifted his cup again, and loudly addressed Gu Yuandao in the center:

“Top Scholar Gu, I must toast you!”

The center of all eyes was the newly crowned Top Scholar Gu Yuandao, dressed in the Top Scholar’s robe, wearing a golden flower official’s hat, and embroidered black boots with cloud patterns, standing tall among the banquet guests.

Elegant and refined, anyone who saw him would say he was a gentleman as steadfast as pine and bamboo.

He raised his cup in return, smiling lightly.

“Gentlemen, you flatter me. I am merely fortunate to have the emperor’s favor and only hope to contribute my humble effort to the great Wei.”

Everyone responded enthusiastically:

“Top Scholar Gu’s essay on the livelihood of the people shines with a righteous spirit, surely a pillar of the nation—no need for modesty!”

Surrounded by praise, Gu Yuandao felt the knot in his heart untie and exhaled a breath of relief.

This was right—the treatment he deserved after returning to the prince’s mansion!

Everything disrupted by Gu Fangchen would return to normal.

Gu Yuandao smiled and toasted each in turn.

As the atmosphere peaked, representatives from Yao Mountain Academy stepped forward to congratulate him.

Gu Youren, Gu Yuandao’s elder sister and a lecturer at Yao Mountain Academy, was naturally among them.

She watched the crowd praise Gu Yuandao and the Northern King’s mansion’s reputation improve, as if the tainted world had been purified.

Her heart, once stirred by Gu Fangchen’s unpredictable actions, calmed.

Gu Youren bit her lip, recalling how Gu Fangchen had torn up scriptures painstakingly copied by their master and thrown them into the water, her gaze growing colder.

Even if their master had other plans—using Gu Fangchen for the nation’s grand strategy—

Such an insult surely exceeded the master’s limit of tolerance!

She must already know that Gu Fangchen was a hopelessly corrupt soul, a rotten root and hopeless cause.

How could one scheme with such a scoundrel?

Gu Yuandao had already told her that today they would use the Confucian “rules” to test their conscience, and Gu Fangchen’s true nature would be exposed.

Sitting beside Gu Youren was Li Qingguang of the “Poetry Lineage.”

She looked around, somewhat disappointed, and couldn’t help but ask:

“Mr. Gu, will the Imperial Tutor not attend?”

Though Gu Youren taught at the academy, and held other titles, students like Li Qingguang still addressed her respectfully as “Teacher.”

Li Qingguang had longed most to see the legendary female Imperial Tutor’s presence.

After all, as the prophesied Sage of Destiny, she was the most powerful cultivator among women in the world.

“Master’s temperament is cold; she never cares for these festivities...” Gu Youren replied faintly.

Before she could finish, the sound of guards announcing outside interrupted:

“Welcome, Imperial Tutor, your arrival—”

“The Imperial Tutor is here?!”

The crowd erupted in surprise, the whole garden abuzz.

Over many years, the Imperial Tutor had never attended such banquets, yet today she made an exception?

An old minister stroked his beard and sighed to Gu Yuandao:

“The Imperial Tutor’s personal appearance to celebrate the new Top Scholar shows how profoundly your talent moves the fate of the nation!”

Though some thought the flattery cloying, the words were true.

It was well known that the Imperial Tutor could foresee five hundred years past and future, controlling the fate of the world. Except when the emperor consulted her, she would sit quietly at the Pillar of Solitude, indifferent to worldly affairs.

Now, her personal attendance to celebrate Gu Yuandao was the greatest affirmation of his talent and potential.

Officials and cultivators alike cast warmer, admiring gazes at Gu Yuandao, their compliments and congratulations flowing nonstop.

Though surprised, Gu Youren felt even more certain of her thoughts.

Their master must have been extremely disappointed in Gu Fangchen and shifted support to Gu Yuandao—Gu Youren exhaled sharply, relieved that matters had not taken a more absurd turn but returned to a rightful course.

Everyone straightened their garments and waited eagerly for the Imperial Tutor’s arrival.

A figure appeared at the entrance.

Gu Yuandao smiled, pride swelling, and raised his hand in salute:

“Student Gu Yuandao, pays respects—”

But suddenly a familiar voice rang out, teasing:

“Oh, isn’t this the Top Scholar of Great Wei? Why such a formal salute to me? Could it be that you like to claim fathers wherever you go?”

Gu Yuandao’s smile froze.

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