Chapter 585: Guozijian's First Sacrificial Wine

The instant the sound fell, the courtyard fell silent.

The murmurs and exclamations that had just risen and fallen abruptly stopped, and even the wind seemed to pause for a moment.

All the students simultaneously held their breath, their gazes flashing toward the courtyard entrance.

The previously slightly swaying formation instantly stood upright, even their fingertips tensed unconsciously, and the eager anticipation turned into tension and urgency at this moment.

On the high platform, the former Guozijian Sacrificial Wine Zhang Lejian had already arranged his official robes; in his forties, his face was lean, his brows and eyes bore a scholar's gentle warmth, yet a hint of restraint could not be hidden.

He quickened his pace at the front, his steps featherlight, his eyes repeatedly turned back to the two companions walking side by side behind him, his face full of respect; he turned aside, raised his hand to guide, and said in a modest yet solemn tone: "Chen Zhuguo, Prince of Ancheng, this way, please!"

As he spoke, the three had reached the steps of the high platform; Zhang Lejian halted his steps, leaned slightly, his gaze falling on the steps, and kindly reminded: "You two, watch the steps!"

The steps were not high, yet they bore the gazes of all the students in the courtyard.

Chen Yan, dressed in a Purple Robe, walked on the left; the robe was embroidered with subtle auspicious clouds, a jade belt cinched his waist, from which hung a jade pendant that chimed lightly as he moved, clear and pleasant to the ear.

He stood tall as a pine, shoulders broad and waist narrow, making his figure even more lofty.

The sharpness that made him famous as a youth lay hidden within his gentle brows and eyes; his gaze was clear and steady, showing no flamboyance, needing no words, he naturally exuded dignity.

On the right, Yuwen Ze wore a purple python robe, its hem embroidered with intricate patterns; his face was handsome, his brows and eyes bore a hint of noble air and ease, his steps were unhurried, and a faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.

The two ascended the steps at a leisurely pace, each step steady and unhurried.

In just a moment, they walked side by side onto the high platform, standing firmly at its center, facing the sea of students below; their silhouettes grew clearer in the morning light, instantly crashing into everyone's sight.

The first to notice their figures were the students from the Imperial Academy.

A few students in the front row, after seeing Chen Yan's appearance, had their pupils suddenly contract, first stunned, then reacting sharply, unable to hold back a shout, their voices full of excitement and disbelief: "Lord Chen Yan!"

"It is Lord Chen Yan!"

"Lord Chen Yan has arrived!"

That exclamation, like a stone tossed into a lake, instantly shattered the courtyard's silence.

The Imperial Academy students tiptoed, their gazes burning toward the platform, faces full of excitement and eagerness.

The previously orderly formation wavered slightly, but no one cared; everyone's attention was firmly fixed on Chen Yan atop the platform.

Song Tingwu, standing in the middle of the formation, usually composed, could not conceal his excitement now; his eyes fixed on the figure on the platform, unflinching, his Adam's apple bobbed as he shouted loudly: "Is it really Lord Chen Yan?!"

His voice carried a tremor, full of delight.

The light in his eyes almost overflowed, even his fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of his robe, clearly at the peak of excitement.

Duan Yixu, standing beside Song Tingwu, had long lost his usual composure.

He trembled all over with excitement, his mouth unable to stop curving upward, his eyes filled with an intense, unshakable admiration and worship.

His voice was tinged with a choke and brimming with joy: "After all this time, I still get to see Lord Chen Yan up close!"

As he spoke, memories of past scenes involuntarily flashed through his mind…

When Lord Chen Yan first quelled the rebellion in Hezhou and then led his army to a crushing defeat of the Tuyu Hun, upon his triumphant return he personally rushed to Outside City to welcome him.

But at that time, the crowds of civilians and officials were sea of people; he was squeezed at the outer edge of the crowd, only able to see Lord Chen Yan from afar, a vague figure riding a great horse…

Even his features were indistinct then; now to see him up close in the courtyard, the excitement and joy were beyond words.

Nearby, Tian Xihe also clenched his fist, instinctively tiptoeing, his gaze fixed on Chen Yan, his tone full of praise and excitement: "Who says it isn't?"

"Lord Chen Yan in person is far more heroic than in any portrait!"

He had seen many portraits of Lord Chen Yan.

The figures in the portraits were gentle and refined, exuding a scholar's bearing.

But seeing him in person revealed that beneath the gentle exterior lay a heroic spirit forged by years in court and battlefield, the steadiness and sharpness in his brows and eyes far beyond what a portrait could capture.

He paused, unable to stop praising: "Truly the Poet Immortal of Great Zhou!"

"Such bearing, such demeanor—truly the name lives up to its reputation!"

The Imperial Academy students' excitement had not yet subsided, and the Guozijian students also erupted, their gazes on the two on the platform, discussions and exclamations rising and falling.

Pei Shenyin, standing at the front of the Guozijian formation, after seeing Chen Yan's appearance, instantly straightened his chest, his face full of pride and honor, raised his hand forcefully toward the platform, and shouted loudly to the surrounding Guozijian students: "Look!"

"That's my brother‑in‑law!"

"My own brother‑in‑law!"

"Chen Yan, Chen Zhuguo!"

His voice was booming, fearing others might not hear, his face full of flaunting.

The pride in his tone could not be concealed.

Though his studies at the Guozijian were not top‑tier, at this moment, mentioning that he was Chen Yan's brother‑in‑law made his back straighten considerably.

The surrounding students, hearing this, turned to look at him, their eyes full of envy.

While Pei Shenyin was basking in his pride, a similarly smug voice came from beside him; Du Xunxiang, arms crossed over his chest, chin slightly raised, his gaze on Yuwen Ze, said with arrogance: "Next to Chen Zhuguo, it's still my brother‑in‑law!"

"Prince of Ancheng! Grand Preceptor's heir!"

His elder cousin married Yuwen Ze as his principal wife and is already pregnant.

Now that his brother‑in‑law serves as the Guozijian's Director of Affairs, he naturally shares the glory.

His words were confident, not at all inferior to Pei Shenyin's.

Pei Shenyin, hearing this, raised an eyebrow instantly, turned to Du Xunxiang, and retorted with a hint of dissent: "Your brother‑in‑law can compare to mine?"

Du Xunxiang, upon hearing that, immediately became displeased, gritting his teeth as he glared at Pei Shenyin: "You!"

In the center of the Guozijian formation, Xue Ji stood quietly, not cheering like the others, his eyes merely narrowed.

His gaze fixed tightly on Chen Yan atop the platform.

His expression held a mixture of complexity—respect, sentiment, and an indescribable stirring.

After a moment of silence, he sighed softly: "I never imagined that one day I would become Chen Zhuguo's student…"

The journey through Jingzhou erased Xue Ji's former arrogance.

After returning, his father sent him to the Guozijian, and over these years he settled his mind to study, learning with extraordinary diligence.

Zhang Lejian stood at the side of the high platform, saw the scene slightly restless, furrowed his brows, immediately raised the simple megaphone in his hand, took a deep breath, and shouted into it sternly, "Silence!"

The rebuke resonated through the megaphone, heavy and loud, instantly drowning out all sounds in the courtyard.

It rolled like startling thunder, making everyone's eardrums tingle.

The students below, hearing the voice, all stiffened; those who had been whispering immediately fell silent, and the restless ranks instantly fell back into order.

The previously excited expressions all subsided, and they lifted their eyes together to focus on Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze atop the platform, even their breathing unconsciously lightened.

The entire courtyard fell silent, only the soft rustle of breeze through the treetops remained, and a solemn atmosphere spread quietly.

Most of the students present were familiar with the academy's assembly rules and knew that after Zhang Lejian's call for silence came the briefing by the new officer.

Many felt their anticipation intensify, their gazes fixed tightly on Chen Yan.

Seeing this, Chen Yan took a slow step forward and took the megaphone from Zhang Lejian's hand.

He raised his hand and lightly pointed to himself, a faint warm smile curling at his lips, his gaze sweeping over the students below; his voice, transmitted through the megaphone, was gentle yet clear, and he asked unhurriedly, "Students, I suppose you are all familiar with the Duke, aren't you?"

When the words fell, the students below could no longer contain their excitement, responding in unison with neat, resonant voices that echoed through the courtyard, "Not unfamiliar!"

That response was full of respect and enthusiasm, an unhidden reverence spreading through the sound.

Even the students standing in the back shouted with all their might.

Fearing that Lord Chen Yan on the platform might not hear them.

Song Tingwu, standing amid the Taixue ranks, nudged with his elbow upon hearing this; beside him, Shen Zaizhou, with a smile in his eyes, lowered his voice teasingly, "Look at how Lord Chen Yan asks!"

"In this vast Chang'an city, could anyone not have heard his fame?"

"Exactly!" Shen Zaizhou nodded repeatedly, a smile at his lips, echoing the tease, "Perhaps only those hidden enemies of the state would not have heard of him!"

As the two finished speaking, Lin Wu Ke beside them lightly shook his finger, a hint of mockery on his face, his voice even lower, "You're wrong about that!"

"Those enemy spies probably know even better; Lord Chen Yan's prowess is legendary—his battle record shines, striking fear into the enemy. They'd love to memorize his résumé thoroughly, how could they not know?"

The three exchanged smiles, their eyes full of admiration for Chen Yan, their pride in the words unable to be concealed.

A few Taixue students nearby, hearing their conversation, also nodded in agreement, faces full of approval.

On the platform, Chen Yan, hearing the students' response, let his smile deepen, lowered his hand pointing at himself, then pointed to Yuwen Ze standing beside him, and asked loudly again, "You also know the Prince of Ancheng, right?"

The students below still responded in unison, their voices still resonant, without hesitation, "We know!"

Yuwen Ze, as the Grand Preceptor's heir, already drew attention for his status as Prince of Ancheng.

Usually accompanying Lord Chen Yan on campaigns, most students in Chang'an had seen his figure and knew his rank, so their reply now was naturally crisp.

Chen Yan slowly nodded, withdrew his finger, his grip on the megaphone tightening slightly, his tone becoming steadier, no longer the earlier gentle teasing, and he said loudly, "Very well!"

"The Duke and the Prince will forgo self‑introductions and spare the waste of superfluous words…"

After a brief pause, he lifted his gaze over the students below, his eyes growing more solemn, his voice gaining authority, and through the megaphone it rang clearly to every ear, "Today we have gathered you to announce two matters!"

The students below instantly held their breath, their previously relaxed expressions all withdrawn.

One by one they stared intently at the platform, eyes full of focus and seriousness, even their blinking slowed.

Lest they miss any word that Lord Chen Yan would say next.

Students from both Taixue and Guozixue were alike; whether they had previously heard rumors or were completely unaware, now they locked their attention firmly on the platform…

They wanted to know what the two matters concerning the future of the Guozijian were.

Chen Yan cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping the courtyard again, and spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful, "The first is, from today onward, Guozixue and Taixue merge into the Guozijian!"

"The Duke will serve as Sacrificial Wine, and the Prince of Ancheng will take the position of Director!"

When those words were spoken, though no clamor rose in the courtyard, many students quietly exchanged glances, eyes full of understanding and excitement.

Lin Jing Shu was even more thrilled; he immediately raised his thumb to point at Chen Yan on the platform, turned to Song Tingwu, Shen Zaizhou, Lou Guan Xue and others beside him, his face beaming with pride, his voice hushed yet unable to hide his triumph, "Listen! My information is accurate!"

He said, puffing out his chest, his pride unmistakable, eyes full of admiration and pride, "Lord Chen Yan is our Guozijian's first Sacrificial Wine!"

Shen Zaizhou, seeing this, immediately raised his thumb, his face full of praise, and said, "It has to be Brother Jing Shu!"

Tian Xi He beside them quickly echoed, his face full of admiration, "Impressive, impressive!"

A few Taixue students nearby, hearing the conversation, gathered over, quietly echoing praise for Lin Jing Shu's keen information.

But more than that, they were drawn by Lord Chen Yan's excitement…

Flattered by the crowd, Lin Jing Shu's smile deepened, yet he feigned modesty, raising his hand to press his chest, waving it off, his tone teasingly proud, "Just average! Keep it low‑key!"

Song Tingwu watched Lin Jing Shu's smug expression, smiled and shook his head, but a thought suddenly flashed in his mind.

He was suddenly illuminated, instinctively raised his hand to cover his mouth, eyes wide with astonishment, his voice hushed yet unable to conceal his excitement as he said to those beside him, "Then in the future, won't we all become Lord Chen Yan's students?!"

Lou Guan Xue, hearing this, slowly nodded, eyes full of joy, a smile tugging his lips, his tone bubbling, "Indeed!"

"Guozixue and Taixue merge into the Guozijian, Lord Chen Yan serves as Sacrificial Wine, overseeing all the Guozijian's students…."

"From now on, whether we were Taixue students or Guozixue students, we are the Lord's disciples and may call Chen Yan our master!"

The excitement and anticipation in their words could not be concealed.

On the platform, Chen Yan, holding the megaphone, his gaze steady as it swept the breath‑held students below, spoke at an even pace, each word clear and forceful, "As for the second matter, after graduating from the Guozijian, one may sit the unified examination, and those with outstanding results will be granted official posts!"

"Everyone can compete with their abilities and knowledge!"