Chapter 6: I Don

Da Xia Capital.

Xifang District.

With the arrival of the Gu Family's jade carriage, the curiosity of the townsfolk was inevitably drawn; once they saw it was the Gu Family's jade carriage, some unfriendly remarks also rose.

The topics discussed were nothing surprising—just talk of wealth without benevolence, officials protecting each other, being young and wayward, a debauched rake, and the like.

One could say the original self has already been labeled, and if not handled properly, the impact will be huge.

From now on, whatever I do will be labeled.

If I do a good deed, others will say, "What's the point of doing a good deed?" Moreover, they'll claim that while I appear to do good on the surface, I'm up to some unsavory deeds behind the scenes.

If I make a mistake, a flood of scoldings erupts, with people saying they'd known this person was like that all along, that they'd known since childhood he wasn't any good.

That's how it is.

There's a saying that's spot on: preconceptions in the human heart are a mountain; no matter how hard you try, you can't move it.

That statement is absolutely correct.

Public opinion can melt gold; words are fearsome, and this isn't a joke—the sharpest knife in the world is indeed the endless chatter of the masses. The comments of the capital's citizens serve as a warning, constantly reminding Gu Jin Nian to be careful.

If this matter isn't handled well, it will be troublesome for me.

And just then,

the steward's voice rang out.

"Crown Prince, the study hall has arrived."

As the steward's voice sounded, Gu Jin Nian snapped out of his thoughts.

He looked up.

Wenxin Study Hall appeared before his eyes.

At a glance, two exotic beasts stood outside Wenxin Study Hall—a Bai Ze and a Blue Ox.

Bai Ze, the chief of exotic beasts, understands humanity and discerns good from evil; the Blue Ox serves as a saint's mount—most academies, big or small, have similar arrangements.

The entire Wenxin Study Hall occupies 1,300 mu in Xifang; although it lies near the edge of Xifang, establishing such a study hall in the capital is certainly no ordinary feat.

The director of Wenxin Study Hall is a highly esteemed Great Scholar and a student of Da Xia Academy.

He is also the sculpted figure in the Da Xia Imperial Academy, with great reputation, truly a person of high virtue and esteem.

He stepped down from the jade carriage.

A household servant came up to tidy Gu Jin Nian's garments.

At the study hall's entrance, some guards watched Gu Jin Nian's arrival; their expressions shifted slightly, but they quickly returned to calm.

Soon, after tidying his appearance a bit, Gu Jin Nian headed toward Wenxin Study Hall.

The elite on either side also stepped forward.

But soon, the guards outside the study hall spoke up to block him.

"Greetings, Crown Prince."

"The study hall has rules; guards may not enter."

"We hope you will forgive us, Crown Prince."

The study hall guard lowered his head, his face full of sneering laughter as he spoke.

He is merely a guard, daring not to provoke the Crown Prince, but with the rule in place, they dare not defy it.

Just then, the steward's voice rang out again.

"Crown Prince, a few days ago you faced a great disaster inside the study hall; these guards were personally assigned by the Duke."

"Your protection was weak; the Duke didn't even blame you, and yet you dare to block here?"

Wang's voice was not loud, yet it carried authority.

He stared at the study hall guards, coldness in his gaze.

There was no issue with that; a few days ago Gu Jin Nian nearly drowned, so bringing a few guards was no problem at all.

"This—"

The latter fell silent; anyone serving here isn't foolish.

But at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"What a big mouth!"

"Which Duke has such power to disregard even Wenxin Study Hall?"

"Truly impressive."

Accompanying the voice,

a middle-aged scholar, holding a scroll, appeared not far inside the doorway; it was unclear whether he was passing by or had come intentionally.

His words were laced with sarcasm and chill.

"Greetings, Mr. Zhou."

In an instant, the guards all bowed to the middle-aged scholar.

Even Wang, upon seeing the man again, couldn't help but frown slightly.

This is Zhou Ning, a favored disciple of the Minister of Rites and one of the teaching masters at Wenxin Study Hall; at only forty, he already holds such a position, which is no ordinary feat.

His sudden appearance was clearly due to the earlier incident.

After all, he is a pupil of the Minister of Rites, so defending his master is understandable.

"Mr. Zhou, your words are a bit heavy; the Duke is only concerned for the Crown Prince's safety."

Wang didn't raise a fuss, but the dispute still needed a couple of words.

Oh, it turns out he's the heir of the Duke who guards the state.

"…"

The Duke of the State lived his life with integrity and openness, achieved great merit for Da Xia, and is truly a model for us scholars.

It's a pity, but rules are rules; please tell the Duke that the study hall has its own rules, and hope you understand.

Zhou Ning's voice sounded.

He constantly praised the Duke of the State, yet the meaning behind his words was clear: the Duke of the State is upright and his family loyal, but Gu Jin Nian is continually lacking; he would yield for anyone else, but not for Gu Jin Nian.

Enough.

Steward Wang, just guard outside the study hall; it's not some dragon's pool and tiger's den.

I, the Young Master, came to study, not to argue.

It's already late; delaying further will miss the morning lesson, and then they'll say the Young Master doesn't know the rules.

At the critical moment, Gu Jin Nian's voice sounded.

He didn't argue with Zhou Ning about anything.

Especially outside the study hall, people come and go; if we keep arguing like this, gossip will spread.

That's unnecessary.

In these critical times, don't act recklessly; otherwise, you won't settle one matter before getting tangled in another.

But regarding Zhou Ning, Gu Jin Nian has kept him in mind.

This guy has ulterior motives; not understanding the situation, he comes looking for trouble, likes to show off, right? Fine, there's still time, no need to rush.

Inside the study hall, seeing Gu Jin Nian lower his head, Zhou Ning also had no expression, merely speaking slowly to remind those guards.

The study hall's rules: no one may trample them, not even a Duke or a Prince; it is a holy place for scholars, unsullied by the slightest impurity.

He spoke, his words laced with mockery.

Now Gu Jin Nian felt somewhat displeased.

Saying a sentence or two would be fine, but why act so arrogant? Do you really think I'm giving you face?

Hah.

What the Master said is completely correct; what matters most for scholars is upholding righteousness—being a gentleman, firm and unyielding, not fearing authority. It's a pity that the loyal ministers of the Junde Rebellion lack such awareness; if they had it, tsk tsk, there wouldn't be so many troubles.

A voice sounded.

Full of mockery.

Gu Jin Nian's meaning is also simple: you have such integrity, why didn't you die together during the Junde Rebellion?

The Minister of Rites is a former dynasty's veteran official; although Zhou Ning wasn't a minister of that dynasty, he also received its favors—if he truly had integrity, he should have died together.

You talk benevolence and righteousness, yet at the crucial moment you didn't step forward? Indeed.

Upon saying this, both Steward Wang's and Zhou Ning's faces changed.

Steward Wang was somewhat startled, thinking Gu Jin Nian had gone too far.

While Zhou Ning was simply angry.

The problem is he doesn't know how to respond, because what Gu Jin Nian said is correct: the current emperor launched the Junde Rebellion, and the truly loyal scholars have already died.

Would rather die than surrender.

Those who survived cannot be said to be solely afraid of death, but they are certainly condemned.

Gu Jin Nian brought this up, leaving him truly without temper.

Do you, brat, understand?

Unable to speak for a long time, Zhou Ning could only clench his fists and shout a sentence irrelevant to the matter.

Ah, yes, yes, yes.

I don't understand, I don't understand, the Master understands, the Master understands, Master, you understand best.

Tomorrow I'll tell my grandfather that the Minister of Rites is old and muddled, no longer fit for duty, and let you, Master, take over.

Believe that with someone like Master Zhou in charge of the Ministry of Rites, the people of Da Xia will all be like dragons, all be gentlemen, upright and unyielding gentlemen.

Steward Wang, spread the word: Master Zhou has grasped the way of the gentleman, the Confucian essence, and will soon become a sage; have everyone prepare, and also urge the Minister of Rites to resign quickly—at his age, clinging to the court, not giving young people a chance.

Truly, old but not dead.

Gu Jin Nian nodded repeatedly, praising Zhou Ning as an understanding brother, and moreover directly mocking the Minister of Rites.

Upon saying this, Zhou Ning became so angry he felt dizzy.

He had merely been passing by, intending to lecture Gu Jin Nian, but didn't expect to be met with Gu Jin Nian's sarcastic tone.

Brat.

In an instant, Zhou Ning let out a loud shout, somewhat flustered.

Arrogant.

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian's gaze also turned cold, he shouted two words with immense momentum.

Clang clang clang.

At the same time, twelve elite guards of the Gu Family drew their blades immediately; beneath the armor lay a chilling killing intent.

Facing such terrifying killing intent.

Zhou Ning's momentum was instantly shattered, a flash of fear in his eyes, though he quickly concealed it.

Don't cause a disturbance.

It's almost time for the morning lesson.

The Young Master should go study first.

A voice sounded.

He is an old man wearing a blue‑orange scholar's robe, the Chief Teacher of Wenxin Study Hall, whose status is far higher than Zhou Ning's.

His appearance broke the deadlock.

However, the old man's appearance did not rebuke Gu Jin Nian or Zhou Ning; instead, he spoke gently, informing Gu Jin Nian that the morning lesson time was near, and told him to go study first.

Give both sides a way to step down.

"Student, I have seen Master Lu."

Seeing the chief teaching master appear, Gu Jin Nian also restrained himself a bit; after bowing to him, Gu Jin Nian then looked toward Zhou Ning.

"After all, I am the heir apparent; entering the study and calling you 'Master' is to honor the sage's way, not because I truly fear you."

"If you dare speak nonsense again, not even the Minister of Rites, the whole court will see who dares to protect you."

The voice fell, and Gu Jin Nian walked into the interior of the study.

Too lazy to bother with this guy.

However, just as Gu Jin Nian had just walked away.

A stream of black qi flew out from Zhou Ning's body, at extreme speed, and entered his own body.

"What's going on?"

Gu Jin Nian was startled, he took a few steps back, furrowed his brows, and looked at Zhou Ning.

Apart from his gloomy complexion, he showed no other expression.

Looking at Wang Guan Jia and the others, they had no reaction; if anything, they were merely curious to see why I suddenly stopped walking.

Before Gu Jin Nian could think further, an image suddenly appeared in his mind.

A towering ancient tree, a stream of black qi entered the first branch on the left, like nutrients, and in an instant a fruit appeared.

The fruit was not large, even somewhat small, about the size of a fingernail.

"What is this?"

In an instant, Gu Jin Nian's heart was filled with curiosity.

He did not know what function the ancient tree in his mind had, and planned to find time to study it properly.

He never expected such a thing to happen suddenly.

"Heir apparent, what is this?"

At that moment, Wang Guan Jia's voice sounded, his eyes full of curiosity.

It is obvious that he saw nothing, and even the others saw nothing; otherwise they would not have reacted this way.

"Nothing."

Gu Jin Nian shook his head; he did not know what the ancient tree was, but also knew this thing could not be spoken of, as it would easily invite trouble.

Thus, filled with doubt, Gu Jin Nian walked into the interior of the study.

(End of chapter)