Ten years later

A gust of spring breeze blew, bringing the fragrance of locust flowers for miles, and red peach blossoms filled the city. It was May, the most beautiful month of the year in the capital.

Today, the weather is warm and the sky is high with clear skies. All the officials in the court are happy. It is not just because of the pleasant weather, but also because the emperor, under the persuasion of many officials, finally agreed to reopen the imperial lectures.

The Imperial Lectures were specially set up by the emperor to lecture on classics and history. They began in the Han and Tang dynasties and have been passed down to this day. They were a place for the emperor to lecture, to open the mind and to inspire the spirit. They were important events in the court. If the ruler was diligent, the Imperial Lectures would be held every day, and learning would not stop every day.

However, the emperor often refused to hold the imperial lectures, citing the emperor's health problems, the extreme heat and cold weather as reasons. It was rare to hold three or four lectures a year. The court officials were very dissatisfied and wrote to the emperor to remonstrate with him, accusing him of being lazy and dislike of learning, which violated the emperor's way. The emperor may have been fed up and finally agreed to reopen the imperial lectures, but it was unknown how long it would last this time.

After the morning court session, the officials moved to the Wenhua Hall. To reopen the imperial lecture, a ceremony was necessary, and the Honglu Temple had already prepared everything. In the hall, documents were ready and the scene was solemn.

All the officials stood before the prince and discussed in low voices.

"Who is the lecturer today? Have you heard about it?"

"It is said that they are two young Hanlin scholars, both of whom passed the imperial examination last year and were selected by Master Yan himself."

"Your Majesty is resuming the imperial lecture after a year, which is of great significance. Why did you choose two young Hanlin scholars?"

"You don't know, the emperor said..." Minister of Personnel Liu An leaned over, sighed, and whispered, "He said... 'Don't look at those old faces anymore.'"

The officials could only smile bitterly.

"Be quiet..." The former eunuch cleared his throat, "Welcome His Majesty to Wenhua Palace."

All the officials knelt down and bowed: "We respectfully welcome His Majesty."

Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Zhao (pronounced Zhao), walked into the Wenhua Palace surrounded by his attendants and sat on the throne. "Stand up."

As soon as the officials stood up, they saw Emperor Zhaowu half covering his face with his sleeves and yawning.

Yan Zilian, the chief minister of the inner cabinet, stepped out of the line, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty's return to the imperial lecture is truly a move to show virtue and uphold propriety. It is a gesture that will set an example for the world. We are very pleased."

Emperor Zhaowu laughed twice, but his face showed his displeasure: "Can you let me go now, my dear minister?"

Yan Zilian said respectfully: "The most important thing for an emperor to do is to teach, and the most important thing to teach is to attend the imperial lectures. If the imperial lectures are not abandoned for one day, then the holy learning and holy virtue will advance by one day. If they are not abandoned for one month, then..."

"Alright, alright." Emperor Zhaowu waved his hands impatiently, "Let's get started."

Yu Ji, the former eunuch, said loudly, "Please invite the official who will give lectures today, Shen Hexuan, the editor of the Hanlin Academy."

I saw a thin man, wearing a red sutra-teaching robe, holding a hu (read hu) in both hands, walking in solemnly. He was no more than thirty years old, handsome and elegant, with a sense of righteousness flowing between his eyebrows. At first glance, I felt that he was a man of open mind.

This person was the new champion of the imperial examination last year, and he was no ordinary champion. He was the second person in the nearly 300-year history of Da Sheng to have won the top three places in the imperial examination. The imperial examinations were carried out in every dynasty, but for thousands of years, there were only a dozen people who could win the top three places in the imperial examination.

As a minor editor, he should not have the chance to see the emperor again except for the palace examination and the top scholar ceremony. However, Shen Hexuan's face was extremely calm. He was neither overwhelmed by the fact that he could lecture to the emperor, nor was he terrified by the prospect of seeing the emperor. He just knelt down and performed the ceremony with neither arrogance nor servility.

Emperor Zhaowu became interested. Not only did he lean forward, he also wanted to lift up the jade tassel in front of him, wanting to take a closer look at Shen Hexuan: "My dear, aren't you the rare talent who won the top three prizes in the imperial examinations?"

Shen Hexuan bowed and said solemnly, "As a ruler, how can you not be respectful?"

Emperor Zhaowu was stunned, probably because he had not expected a small editor to be so upright. He felt embarrassed, put down the jade pendant, sat up straight, and looked at Shen Hexuan with impatience.

The court officials below were discussing quietly. Some praised Shen Hexuan for his courage to speak out and for not losing the spirit of scholarship, while others said that he was rigid and would suffer losses sooner or later.

Shen Hexuan could hear the whispers on both sides, but he didn't even blink. But after waiting and waiting, the emperor didn't tell him to stand up, so he frowned, not because he was worried about being punished, but because the current development was not in accordance with etiquette.

Yu Ji glanced at the emperor secretly, and Emperor Zhaowu said reluctantly: "Stand up and speak."

Shen Hexuan then stood up and walked to the lecture table. If he was a distinguished lecturer, the emperor would give him a seat, but a seventh-rank official like him could only stand and lecture. He held the case file in his hand, and today he was talking about the gentleman's way in the Doctrine of the Mean, "If you want to go far, you must start from near; if you want to climb high, you must start from low."

When he spoke about learning, his voice was rhythmic and clear, like the sound of jade and stone. What he said was both profound and connected with the ancient ways and modern principles, and he also had his own unique insights. All officials were impressed by his talent.

But Emperor Zhaowu obviously did not understand it that way. He yawned continuously while sitting on the dragon throne. No matter how well Shen Hexuan spoke, it was still boring to him.

After Shen Hexuan finished speaking, Emperor Zhaowu gave him a few perfunctory compliments. He showed disappointment on his face and bowed and left.

Yu Ji's voice echoed in the hall: "Please welcome today's lecturer, Hanlin Academy Editor Yan Sikong."

Most of the court officials had never heard of this person, so they became suspicious. How could this person, who was not even in the top three and was a newly-minted Jinshi, receive such an honor?

One must know that those who lectured at the Imperial Lectures were either already in important positions and well-versed in classics, or were selected by the inner cabinet to serve as tutors for the emperor or the crown prince. It was reasonable for Shen Hexuan to have won the top three places in a row, so it was natural and logical for him to have this opportunity. What virtue and ability did this person have?

The only explanation is that this person was appreciated by Yan Zilian. After all, the emperor did not attend the palace examination in person last year, and Yan Zilian took the exam on his behalf. Therefore, all the successful candidates in the imperial examination this year were considered his disciples.

After a while, a tall man walked in. He was wearing the same dark red court robe and holding a tablet in both hands. However, he did not walk as stiffly as Shen Hexuan. Instead, he looked more casual.

The officials were curious and turned their heads to look, and were somewhat surprised.

The man was no more than his early twenties, but he was handsome and unparalleled. His red clothes made his fair skin seem to glow, and the rippling light revealed the bearing of a talented and romantic man.

Emperor Zhaowu became curious again, but thinking about how Shen Hexuan had just reprimanded him in public for his sitting posture, he just coughed lightly.

Yan Sikong knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times, saying in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, I, Yan Sikong, pay my respects to His Majesty."

This was actually the first time Yan Sikong met Emperor Zhaowu. The palace examination was presided over by Yan Zilian, but he claimed to be ill and did not attend the ceremony.

"My dear, please stand up."

Yan Sikong stood up.

"My dear, raise your head."

Yan Sikong raised his head as he was told. He looked at the True Dragon Emperor sitting on the Golden Luan Palace. His cloudy eyes, emaciated face, and bloated body, even though he was wrapped in a graceful and luxurious yellow robe, could not hide the corruption and stupidity that was sweeping over his face.

Yan Sikong secretly tightened his hands holding the bamboo tablet, and a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.

Emperor Zhaowu was unaware of this and exclaimed, "My dear, you have the appearance of Pan An."

Yan Sikong said respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I dare not be so arrogant."

"What's your rank in the imperial examination?"

"Your Majesty, Ninth."

"My dear, you are both talented and beautiful. Are you ready to get married?"

Yan Zilian cleared his throat vigorously.

Zhaowu curled his lips and said, "Okay, let's start talking."

Yan Sikong walked to the lecture desk and opened the prepared case file. What he was lecturing on today was also The Doctrine of the Mean, which said, "The way of a gentleman is not far from others," and "'Chopping wood, chopping wood, its principle is not far away.' Picking up a stick to chop wood, looking at it from a distance, it still seems far away."

Yan Sikong's voice was clear and came slowly. Although not as dignified and solemn as Shen Hexuan's, he also quoted from classics and was well-versed in ancient and modern times. He would sometimes add some interesting words. Slowly, Emperor Zhaowu actually listened to him.

"The way of a gentleman is pure, and his inner and outer qualities are the same. When he looks up, he observes the sky; when he looks down, he observes the earth. It is better to be strict with yourself than to be harsh with others. The way of loyalty and forgiveness is, do not impose on others what you do not want others to do to you." At this point, he told a funny story, which made Emperor Zhaowu laugh so hard that he actually gave him a seat.

After Yan Sikong finished speaking, Emperor Zhaowu praised him repeatedly: "My dear minister, what you said is very interesting. Where did you hear these stories? Are they true?"

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I am not talented, I like to read some unofficial history and miscellaneous articles, Your Majesty, please stop talking about it with a smile, but when it comes to the meaning of learning and the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, I dare not say a single word of nonsense."

"Haha, good, well said." Emperor Zhaowu pointed at Yan Sikong and said to Yan Zilian, "My dear Yan, this person is your student."

Yan Zilian bowed and said, "Yes, it is my student."

"You made a good choice today."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am very pleased that you can experience the joy of teaching. I hereby ask Your Majesty to restore the imperial lecture to once every three days."

Emperor Zhaowu refused to buy it and said, "Let's discuss this later."

Yan Zilian was not discouraged and wanted to say something, but Yu Ji received Emperor Zhaowu's signal and announced loudly: "Today's lecture ends here. The lunch has been set. Please go to the banquet."

Yan Sikong silently followed the officials out of the Wenhua Hall. After taking a few steps, he suddenly turned around quietly and glanced at the emperor who was moving. He looked like a wolf with extremely sharp eyes.

——

Yan Sikong was praised by the emperor at the imperial lecture and became a big star. Officials who wanted to make friends with him couldn't help but exchange a few words with him on the way. He smiled and responded respectfully and tactfully.

Seats were assigned to the banquet according to rank. Those who could attend the imperial banquet were at least officials of the third or fourth rank or above, and the lowest rank among them were naturally Yan Sikong and Shen Hexuan.

The two of them sat at a table farthest from the throne.

After sitting down, Yan Sikong bowed and said, "What Brother Shen said today has given me new ideas. I have benefited a lot from it."

Shen Hexuan returned the gift and said calmly: "Thank you for the compliment, my brother. What you said today was full of quotations from classics and interesting. I can't compare to you."

The two of them exchanged a few pleasantries when they sat down, and hardly spoke again during the lunch.

Yan Sikong had been drinking and chatting with Yang Yue, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, while Shen Hexuan was drinking and eating alone.

Yan Sikong actually knew in his heart that Shen Hexuan looked down on him. It had nothing to do with his rank in the imperial examinations. What Shen Hexuan looked down on was his sweet talk. He envied Shen Hexuan, who was pure and upright, and who entered the crowded officialdom with an untainted integrity. He didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse.

"Hey, have you heard that Prince Jingyuan is going back to the capital?"

Yan Sikong was stunned, turned his head suddenly, and asked Yang Yue who was chatting with his colleagues: "Master Yang, what did you just say?"

"Oh, the prince of Jingyuan. I heard that he is going back to the capital."

"Is this the 'Little Wolf King' Feng Ye mentioned in the legend? This kid is incredible..."

Yan Sikong clenched the wine glass tightly, his head going numb.

Close the wild...

A name that was so distant, as distant as the nightmare that had haunted his entire life, but also just as clear.