Yan Zilian finally chose Shen Hexuan and Yan Sikong as the prince's tutors, which was not surprising to everyone.
The crown prince Chen Yi (read as Chen Yi) has just turned 13 years old. It is actually a few years too late for him to go out of the palace to study, because he was just conferred this year. Although Chen Yi is the eldest son of the emperor, his mother is only a palace maid and is not favored by the emperor. The mother and son have been neglected in the palace for many years. The empress has no children, and the emperor has always wanted to establish his favorite concubine's son, but was opposed by the ministers. The emperor and his ministers have been tug-of-war for several years. Xie Zhongren interfered and Yan Zilian fought with his life. The war of establishing the crown prince once burned throughout the court and the country. How many people ruined their future and even their lives for this, and only then did the tradition of "establishing the crown prince if there is a legitimate heir, and establishing the eldest son if there is no legitimate heir" in Dasheng be preserved.
These were all things that happened before Yan Sikong entered the officialdom. He had no chance to witness the battle for the throne with his own eyes.
However, establishing a crown prince does not mean that he can succeed to the throne safely and securely. The current emperor is at an advanced age and is not yet forty. This long road ahead will definitely not be smooth, and the little crown prince will have an easy journey.
Now, the Crown Prince has a total of five lecturers, headed by Yan Zilian, assisted by Wang Shengsheng, the second assistant of the inner cabinet, and Huo Li, the left vice minister of the Ministry of Rites and the grand scholar of Longtu Pavilion, and then there are the two tutors, Shen Hexuan and Yan Sikong.
As the chief minister of the inner cabinet, Yan Zilian had a heavy workload and was mostly in figurehead position. Wang Shengsheng was from Xie Zhongren's faction and was sent in by Xie Zhongren to monitor the prince. The actual speakers were only Huo Li and Shen and Yan.
Everyone in the court is aware of this.
Before entering the officialdom, Yan Sikong spent two or three years investigating the resumes, hometowns, and party affiliations of officials of all ranks in the court, not only Beijing officials, but also sent inspectors and important officials in various prefectures, counties, and cities. Although his information was not exhaustive, he already understood the overall political situation of the court. After entering the Hanlin Academy, he spent a lot of time reading all past official documents. In addition, after more than a year of field observation, he had a clearer understanding of the bureaucratic situation in Dasheng. He was able to gain Yan Zilian's appreciation in such a short time because he had figured out Yan Zilian's likes and dislikes, expectations, and concerns. Now being able to stand outside the East Palace is only the first step of his plan, and this step is under control.
After standing there for only a moment, they heard the eunuch calling them.
Yan Zilian led the two of them into the East Palace and knelt down to pay his respects: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Crown Prince."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
A clear young voice came from above his head: "Sir, please stand up." He paused, then said, "You two should stand up too."
Yan Sikong then stood up and looked up. On the main seat sat a handsome young man with porcelain-white skin and dark eyes. Even when he was meeting court officials in his own palace, he would straighten his back. Despite his young age, he already had the majesty of a king.
"Give the sir a seat." said Prince Wu.
The two eunuchs hurriedly moved a stool in front of Yan Zilian. Yan Zilian thanked them and sat down.
"I heard that Your Highness caught a cold a few days ago. I hope Your Highness will take good care of yourself."
"Thank you sir, I am fine now."
After a few pleasantries, Yan Zilian got down to business. He said, "These two are the two tutors that I have selected for Your Highness. They are both newly admitted Jinshi last year. They are very talented. Among them..." He looked at Shen Hexuan, "Your Highness should have heard of the name Shen Hexuan."
Prince Wu nodded: "I heard that you are a rare talent who won three first prizes in the imperial examinations. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary."
Shen Hexuan bowed and said, "I am an incompetent official, but I thank you very much, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"This Yan Sikong, in the imperial lecture, was praised by the emperor. His lectures were profound and interesting."
Prince Wu's eyes fell on Yan Sikong, and he looked him up and down with some curiosity: "I know that too. I heard that you can tell some unofficial history and anecdotes."
Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Your Highness."
"I chose these two because they are talented and young. Compared with me and Lord Huo, Your Highness may feel more relaxed." Although Yan Zilian did not say some other things, they both knew what was going on. The Crown Prince's foundation was shaky and he had to start building his own power early. Shen and Yan, who had clean backgrounds and promising futures, were just the right people.
Prince Wu nodded and said, "In the future, it will be up to you two, Lao."
The two of them bowed and said in unison: "I will not let your highness down."
Yan Zilian stroked his beard and smiled.
Yan Sikong saw that the Crown Prince Yi would secretly look at him from time to time, but he remained calm. He had been outstanding in appearance since he was young, and he was used to the excessive attention from others. He was also looking at the Crown Prince Yi. He wanted to hold on to this little prince in the deep palace, which might be his biggest bargaining chip in the future.
——
The emperor's birthday was approaching and the editing work was nearing completion. Yan Sikong was finally able to go home early one day and rest for half a day.
But he did not go home. Instead, he bought two pots of good wine and went directly to Feng Mansion.
The concierge didn't know who Yan Sikong was, and as per custom, he directly refused, "Sir, I'm sorry, but my prince is not feeling well and won't see guests. I hope you will forgive me."
Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I'm not here to ask for an audience." He raised the wine pot in his hand, "I just passed by here and remembered that His Royal Highness invited me to drink a pot of good wine. As a courtesy, I also want to give His Royal Highness a gift in return. You can give him these two pots of wine."
"My prince also refuses any financial gifts."
"Just two jugs of wine, what kind of gift is that?" Yan Sikong laughed, "It doesn't matter, I'll put the wine at the door. If Your Highness doesn't like it, just throw it away." After saying that, he walked away in a leisurely manner.
The doorman looked at Yan Sikong hesitantly, then looked at the wine pot at the door, and was undecided for a moment.
When Yan Sikong returned home, a man in his forties with an ugly and scary face came out to greet him. Yan Sikong said, "Ali, prepare a table of wine and food tonight."
The man called Ali nodded and gestured with his hands. It turned out that he could not speak.
Yan Sikong smiled faintly and said firmly: "Yes, there are guests coming."
He has made up his mind.
When dealing with Feng Ye, he should neither actively flatter him nor be too distant. The two of them are no longer young and naive. If Feng Ye thinks that he has other intentions, then their old friendship, which has already been almost worn away by time, will immediately disappear.