Chapter 12 Openly Repairing the Plank Road
After speaking, Xiao Ling's gaze fell on a painting or calligraphy in the room, and he suddenly asked:
"Mom, my dad said he got a nice piece of calligraphy to give to me, but I haven't seen it yet."
Following Xiao Ling's gaze, the princess saw the calligraphy and painting in the room, and Xiao Ling successfully changed the subject.
"Oh, you mean that calligraphy and painting your father recently acquired..."
It is the courtesy name of Xie Yuntang, a newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) last year, who is the eldest grandson of Xie Zian, the former Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.
It is said to be an original font called Slender Gold Script.
Because of his excellent calligraphy, although he only ranked sixteenth in the second class of the imperial examination, he was granted special permission by His Majesty to enter the Hanlin Academy.
Your father saw his calligraphy at His Majesty's place, liked it very much, and asked for two pieces from the Emperor. He was completely captivated by them.
I'll have someone pick it up and bring it to you later.
"Xie Yuntang? The old Grand Tutor's grandson? How come I've never heard anyone mention him?" Xiao Ling asked, feigning surprise.
“You spend all your time on the mountain, what do you know?”
The eldest princess rolled her eyes at him.
The two exchanged a few more words, and then the princess left. Shortly afterward, someone delivered a piece of calligraphy by Xie Yuntang.
The moment Xiao Ling opened it, he was reminded of the handwriting he had seen on the stone table in the viewing pavilion; it was exactly the same.
If there is any difference, Xie Yuntang's handwriting is more robust, while Xie Yunyu's handwriting is more delicate.
Xiao Ling knew this was because the woman lacked wrist strength.
He stared at the calligraphy copybook in his hand for a long time before putting it away.
In the afternoon, the eldest princess asked those around her, "What has the Prince been doing since he returned?"
"Your Highness, I am looking at the calligraphy you sent over," replied the eunuch Wang Yong.
The eldest princess smiled upon hearing this: "Just like his father, he becomes completely obsessed with these paintings and calligraphy once he takes a liking to them."
The next morning, Xiao Ling was home, a rare occurrence. The Princess prepared a lavish breakfast, and the three of them sat down to eat.
The eldest princess looked up and asked Xiao Ling with a smile, "Ling'er, what are you planning to do today?"
"I'm going to pay a visit to the owner of the calligraphy copybook."
I tried to imitate his calligraphy yesterday, but I couldn't quite get the hang of it. I'd like to go and ask him for advice in person.
The eldest princess smiled and said, "He is currently working at the Hanlin Academy, so you will have to wait until he finishes his official duties before you can pay him a visit."
Xiao Ling replied, "It's alright. I'll go to the Ministry of Personnel to report for duty first, and then go directly to the Hanlin Academy to find him after I'm done."
The eldest princess listened without saying anything and did not pursue the matter further.
Instead, Qi Guogong Lin Changqing, who was standing nearby, smiled and said:
"Ling'er, go and learn from this, then come back and teach it to your father."
"Without mastering the essential techniques, it's indeed difficult to capture the essence of his calligraphy in a short time."
Xiao Ling nodded in agreement.
Then he asked Lin Changqing, "I often saw the old tutor and my master playing chess on the mountain before, but I've never heard him mention it."
Duke Qi smiled and said, "Grand Tutor Xie is a man who doesn't like to show off."
His eldest grandson isn't considered very successful yet; I heard he also has a pair of twins, a boy and a girl.
That second grandson of the eldest son has already achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination. If he hadn't been unwell last year, he would likely have been the youngest person in our Great Yong Dynasty to achieve the "Triple Crown" (a top scholar in all three levels of the imperial examinations).
The eldest princess, who was listening nearby, sighed and said:
"The Xie family is the same. Since the old Grand Tutor retired, only his third son remains in court, and he is just a minor official of the sixth rank in the Ministry of Revenue."
A great Confucian scholar and a master of literature, yet there was no successor to him.
If the grandson becomes successful, that would be good.
If they fail to amount to anything, the Xie family's status will inevitably decline, and they will have no place to stand in the capital.
Xiao Ling was shocked by his mother's words.
Suddenly, I remembered Xie Yunyu's words: "Our two families are not a good match in terms of social standing."
Then he remembered the Crown Prince's words of advice: "In the capital, spittle can kill."
Alas, for now, the best course of action is to secretly lend a helping hand to the Xie family!
If Xie Yunman can truly achieve the highest honors in all three categories, things will naturally take a turn for the better.
Then he asked Lin Changqing, "Dad, what's wrong with the second of the Xie family's twins?"
"It is said that she was born weak and has been recuperating all these years."
After Lin Changqing finished speaking, he suddenly asked Xiao Ling, "Why are you asking this?"
"I'm going to ask Xie Yuntang for advice on calligraphy, so I have to bring a presentable gift."
This Xie family's second son sounds like he has a congenital weakness, just like me. The recuperation method my master taught me can be used right away.
Lin Changqing nodded in agreement: "Yes, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda, especially since Xie Yunman is a man of great talent."
If you need to trouble someone, it's only right to bring a suitable gift.
In the eyes of the eldest princess, these were all trivial matters; she would just listen to them and move on, not taking them seriously at all.
Xiao Ling's plan to befriend Xie Yuntang has been officially approved by his parents.
After the meal, Xiao Ling got up, changed into a bamboo-green dress, put on a jade hairpin of the same color, and went to the Ministry of Personnel with a green jade pendant.
As soon as he entered the Ministry of Personnel, everyone from the junior clerk at the gate to the Left Vice Minister recognized his astonishingly handsome appearance.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"May the Prince be well."
Xiao Ling walked forward expressionlessly, nodding slightly to the people around him as he went.
As soon as I walked over, the people behind me gathered together and began to whisper among themselves:
"This person usually stays on Wan'an Mountain, so what is he doing at our Ministry of Personnel?"
"You don't know yet? His Majesty was afraid he would become a monk, so he sent him down the mountain to work in the Ministry of Personnel."
"To work in our Ministry of Personnel?"
"Yes, Ren is the Right Vice Minister."
"I was wondering why the Right Vice Minister was transferred to the Court of State Ceremonial. It turns out it was to make way for this man."
"Shh... Don't talk nonsense. This man's surname is Xiao, and he is a member of the royal family."
Another insider said, "By the way, he was also a 'beautiful lantern' (a type of female lantern), and he was sickly since childhood, which is why he was sent to the mountain."
Offending the Crown Prince is fine, but if you offend this man, and something happens to him, His Majesty could have you skinned alive.
In short, it's best not to provoke him unless absolutely necessary.
The Left Vice Minister happened to be passing by and overheard this, whispering, "He's just here to make a show of things; he won't stay long."
Moreover, given his status, he doesn't need to compete for credit or achievements.
Treat him like a Buddha statue, and don't provoke him in daily life.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Lu Junchen, the Minister of Personnel, was over fifty years old, with gray hair and beard, a plump, round face, and a very kind appearance.
While sitting in his office reviewing files, he suddenly saw Xiao Ling enter, and stood up with a smile to greet him.
"The Prince has arrived."
Xiao Ling respectfully returned the greeting and said, "Greetings, Minister Lu."
"I, Xiao Wang, have come today to report for duty. From now on, we will be working together in the Ministry of Personnel. As I am new here, I hope Your Excellency will give me much guidance."
Upon hearing this, Lu Junchen quickly helped Xiao Ling up.
"Your Highness is too kind. I wouldn't call it guidance. If you have any questions about official matters in the future, please feel free to ask me."
Xiao Ling nodded.
After briefly learning about his job and receiving his official robes and badge, Xiao Ling turned and went to the Hanlin Academy.
Once inside the gates of the Hanlin Academy, the scene from before played out again.
The group continued their discussion, but this time the main focus was on Xiao Ling's appearance.
"This Prince of Shou'an is truly handsome!"
"In terms of looks, our Hanlin Academy has quite a few third-place scholars every three years, and they are all handsome."
However, compared to the Prince of the County, he still falls short in some ways.
"Hmm, it's a bit lacking. What do you think is lacking?" one of them asked, stroking his chin.
"That's a very poor question!"
Who is the Prince of Shou'an? He is a member of the imperial family and a nobleman, who grew up in luxury and privilege.
The air of arrogance and self-restraint that comes with power and wealth is something that is cultivated from childhood.
In addition, he has lived in Xiyun Temple for many years and studied Buddhism under Master Tianyi. He has a Zen-like understanding of the emptiness of the four elements, which is not something that everyone can have.
This is why the Prince is different from the third-ranked scholars in our Hanlin Academy.
Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood.
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