Chapter 323: Is the Monarch Holy or Foolish, Master?

Jiakangcheng.

Yuwen Liqian's party traveled unimpeded along the main road from the capital all the way to the relay station.

Today is already the third day!

The group had not set out for the Yan Prince's mansion because Yuwen Liqian was waiting for the Great Chu student delegation.

Yuwen Liqian had once studied at the Bai Lu Academy in Great Chu, and among these visitors was her former master.

Aside from Xun Li, the senior minister of Great Chu,

The leader of the Bai Lu Academy students was the direct descendant of the Gongsun family, now promoted to Academic Supervisor of Bai Lu Academy and concurrently serving as Vice Minister of Revenue—his reputation and lineage were both illustrious.

Liqian had no fondness for this man, due to his overly flamboyant conduct.

The master she truly admired, though he studied at the Bai Lu Academy in Great Chu and came from a poor family, possessed a bold and noble spirit, handled affairs with openness, studied diligently, understood state affairs, excelled in poetry, and had written several works that stirred all of Great Chu.

Yet this man was indifferent to fame and fortune, unwilling to entangle himself in court intrigues; after completing his studies, he retired to the countryside and opened a private school to teach young children.

Yuwen Liqian knew his talent and, after leaving Great Chu, personally visited him in a narrow alley.

She had once invited him to serve in Han's government, but he refused.

Unexpectedly!

This time, as the Great Chu delegation arrived in Yan territory, her master was among them.

Then again, it made sense—during his time at Bai Lu Academy, the five states had held this "Young Protector of Daqing" in the highest esteem.

The next day, the Qianyuan delegation arrived, led by Prince Wu Long, Qianyuan's third prince.

Wu Long wielded immense power in Qianyuan, head of the Nine Pillars of the Military, and deeply trusted by the Empress.

She had never met him during her travels through Qianyuan with students; she never imagined he would come here, a clear sign of Qianyuan's high regard for Yan territory.

Over these three days!

Yuwen Liqian did not linger in the relay station but changed into plain clothes and slipped quietly into Jiakangcheng.

She saw the people living in prosperity, their faces radiant with smiles.

At the riverside, she noticed laborers at the docks, busy yet pausing to rest, laughing and chatting, their robes half-open to reveal fine silk beneath.

Yuwen Liqian, accompanied by her maid, wandered through the bustling streets; the air along the road was fresh, thanks to dedicated drainage and cleaners.

The horses pulling carts varied widely in breed, even including scenes of seven or eight fine steeds pulling together—initially, Liqian found this astonishing, but now she took it for granted.

In the afternoon, Yuwen Liqian saw a group of children playing noisily in a place called "Gong Yuan."

This "Gong Yuan" was built by the city governor at a cost of several million taels of silver, exclusively for the people's gatherings and recreation; it contained cool pavilions filled with rare flowers and trees, spanning over a hundred mu.

Watching this scene, Yuwen Liqian could not help but feel puzzled.

In Jiakangcheng, where every inch of land was priceless, why build a place solely for the people's amusement?

In contrast, the city's government office!

Presented a completely different scene: the buildings were low and modest; without the large characters on its plaque, one might not recognize it as a government office.

It did not resemble the office of such a great city!

Confused, Yuwen Liqian asked a local merchant for an explanation.

"The Yan Prince said: government offices need not be tall, lest the people feel fear."

Hearing this, Yuwen Liqian glanced at the humble government office before her and silently compared it to Han's official buildings.

In Han, government offices were grand and imposing, with solemn stone lions at the gates.

Their purpose was to instill awe in the people.

Here, the principle was closeness to the people—the two philosophies were utterly opposite.

The two women continued walking to visit the Qingbang's headquarters.

But they did not expect!

This Qingbang branch was enormous—many times larger than the government office they had just seen.

There were even seven or eight such branches within the city.

Yuwen Liqian and her maid stood in the main hall of the Qingbang headquarters; the ceiling was adorned with brilliant glazed tiles, the furniture made of fragrant yellow sandalwood, exquisitely crafted.

Lu San, who had blocked their path three days prior, personally received them, showing great respect.

She also saw the portrait hanging in the center of the hall.

Not "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, Teacher."

The only portrait displayed in the main hall was one single image.

It depicted a tall, slender young man.

He stood naturally, clad in a Daoist robe, left hand behind his back.

Right hand holding a scroll.

His features were handsome, his expression calm, his gaze lowered, filled with gentleness.

Colorful clouds surrounded him, radiating peace.

Yuwen Liqian naturally recognized him—merchants and commoners throughout Jiakangcheng hung this same image in their homes.

The Yan Prince, Lu Chen!

Incense curled above it; the man in the portrait was the Yan Prince in his youth.

The scroll in his hand was said to be the "Essentials of Governing Beibei," written by the Yan Prince in a single night.

Yuwen Liqian left the Qingbang shrine and began the journey back to the relay station; night had quietly fallen, lanterns glowing, transforming Jiakangcheng into a poetic, painted scene.

"Miss… look, how beautiful!"

Yuwen Liqian was distracted; Jiakangcheng was nothing like she had imagined.

The Yan Prince's popularity among the people was extraordinarily high—even her father, known in Han as the "Holy Monarch," could not match it.

She heard her maid's exclamation and slowly returned to herself.

The streets were alive with noise and celebration, lanterns hung everywhere, bustling with energy—as if every corner overflowed with festival spirit.

Yet!

Today was not any specific holiday; this sudden, overwhelming festivity!

Restaurants across the city had all opened their doors.

Fireworks continuously shot into the sky.

"What day is this? It's not a holiday—why so lively?"

Jiakangcheng had no curfew; the sound of gongs and drums rose and fell; flower boats glided along the river, dancers sang softly; taverns and stalls were packed.

People poured out of their homes; the streets were as crowded as daytime.

Students held poetry gatherings in taverns, composing verses; outside, only silhouettes could be seen through the windows.

Yuwen Liqian continued walking; the brilliance of fireworks lit up her face, each explosion met with cheers—as if the entire city was boiling with anticipation for some grand event about to unfold.

The maid's confusion deepened; she grabbed a passing scholar, eager to ask why.

The scholar initially frowned, his face dark with annoyance—but seeing the two girls' beauty, especially Yuwen Liqian's innate nobility,

his expression softened, and he began to explain slowly.

The reason for tonight's revelry!

The Yan Prince was descending Zhongnan Mountain to travel to Yanjing, and would pass through Jiakangcheng on his way down.

The maid still seemed unconvinced and retorted:

"But that doesn't warrant such a commotion!"

The scholar smiled and said:

"Miss, you misunderstand. The Yan Prince descending Zhongnan Mountain is, to the people of Yan, a matter of heavenly significance."

The maid pressed further:

"But there are delegations from all four states here, including the Han Princess—surely that's a major event too?"

The scholar's eyes flickered with something unusual; he studied the two girls carefully, as if understanding, then turned to Yuwen Liqian and asked tentatively:

"Are you perhaps from outside the region?"

"Miss, why not join the poetry gathering? If the Prefect and his officials favor you tonight, there will be rewards."

Yuwen Liqian did not answer; the two girls took their leave.

The scholar watched Yuwen Liqian's retreating figure, a trace of longing in his eyes.

Her beauty rivaled even the finest courtesans of the brothels.

Long night, without a lovely companion.

His companions called out to him; he murmured an answer and hurried away.

Yuwen Liqian and her maid returned to the inn assigned by the relay station.

The streets were filled with joyful people; tonight, all inns offered free food.

The innkeeper at the door, seeing their fine attire and appearance, smiled warmly and handed them red envelopes.

The maid opened one—inside were dozens of copper coins; she stared at the innkeeper's kind smile and thought:

"Who cares about your measly few coins!"

Yuwen Liqian thanked him and returned to their room, pushing open the window.

Outside, the bustle continued; groups gathered to parade.

Some held children, watching iron flower performers.

Yuwen Liqian recalled three days ago: three carts loaded with gold and silver, totaling tens of thousands of taels.

She and her maid had been stunned.

For these past days, Yuwen Liqian had barely slept—what she had seen and heard had utterly shattered her understanding of Yan territory.

She had originally believed that the reforms of Daqian, Northern Feng, and Da Chu were astonishing enough, and that Han State would not be inferior in comparison.

But!

The scene in Yan Land left her baffled.

On one hand, law and order seemed absent, rogue commoners rose up, the government was incompetent, and the air was thick with corruption.

Yet on the other hand, the people lived in prosperity, secure and content, and even at night, doors remained unlocked.

These two realities were utterly incompatible, completely overturning her expectations.

Was Yan Land, then, digging its own grave—or something else?

Fortunately, the Da Chu scholar would arrive tomorrow; with his insight, he might clarify her confusion.

Yuwen Liqian tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well.

She dreamed of this Prince of Yan from Mount Zhongnan!

This young Shaobao, who had served as a general in Daqing and later opened up Yan Land—a prodigy in his youth.

As he grew old, he became obsessed with the art of immortality; his officials were corrupt and inept, the people suffered, and eventually the capital was overrun by the four states.

Yan Land was destroyed!

Mount Zhongnan too was engulfed in raging flames, reduced to ashes!

Yuwen Liqian slept lightly; half-asleep, she heard the neighing of horses at the inn, and woke from her bed!

Dawn had just broken, revealing the morning light; she rose to wash and dress.

Her maid had already prepared everything and waited quietly beside her.

As she descended the stairs, she faintly heard voices from the courtyard, and her heart stirred.

She quickened her pace!

Several carriages stood outside the small courtyard, and several people were conversing within.

Among them was Su Beihai, the Prefect of Jiakangcheng from three days prior.

It was indeed the Da Chu embassy!

The middle-aged man speaking with Su Beihai was Xun Li, Minister of Rites of Da Chu.

Beside Xun Li stood a noble young lord of distinguished bearing—Gongsun Jixia, grandson of Gongsun Zhongshu; they had met a few times before.

As the three conversed, the atmosphere was harmonious.

After greeting them, Yuwen Liqian's gaze swept through the crowd.

She saw!

From the last carriage, an elderly Confucian scholar emerged slowly, unhurriedly descending the carriage steps.

His frame was slender, his hair already streaked white, yet meticulously groomed; he wore a clean Confucian robe, faded from washing, his face lined with deep wrinkles, yet his eyes glinted with quiet sharpness.

It was her teacher, Du Hui.

"Master, it has been a long time!"

Du Hui bowed formally:

"Du Hui pays homage to the Princess."

Family cultivation masterpiece, highly recommended.

Today was rushed—didn't finish enough; I'll make up a chapter tomorrow!

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(End of chapter)