[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou":3,"chapter-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ink Saint of Great Zhou",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2291988,4481,"Chapter 25","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>The rooster crowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was still dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carriages from the great mansions set out one after another, heading toward the imperial palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Xuanzheng Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly arrived ministers whispered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The wind today is truly strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There wasn’t a breath of wind when I attended the Xiao State Mansion banquet yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Over in the northern frontier…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, look who’s coming over there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, everyone turned instinctively toward a group that had just passed through the palace gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their head, Xiao Wanlin wore a deep blue Confucian robe, draped in a dark green crane-cloak, his tall crown gleaming as he walked with a dozen other civil and military ministers toward Xuanzheng Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, greetings and bows came from all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the ministers exchanged pleasantries outside, the eunuchs inside summoned them to enter for morning court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister He Fan gestured with a bow: “Please, Elder Minister, after you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin’s face remained expressionless: “Minister, you need not defer to this old man. Go ahead. Without His Majesty’s summons, I hold no official post and am not entitled to attend court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Minister said nothing more and stepped forward into Xuanzheng Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the other ministers followed, falling silent as they waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Ji Feng of Zhou entered slowly, yawning—clearly, he had slept poorly last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Elder Minister came to court today. Where is he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, every official in the hall turned to look at Minister of Justice Xiao Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, they may not have understood the meaning of the Xiao family’s banquet; today, seeing Xiao Wanlin appear at Xuanzheng Hall, even the slowest realized the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch whispered two words into Ji Feng’s ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng smiled and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then summon Elder Minister. He’s so old, yet still restless. Let him submit his memorials. Why must he come in person? Great Zhou is blessed to have such a loyal minister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin entered the hall and bowed to the Emperor of Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng spoke: “What is your petition, Minister? Is it about that matter concerning ‘Xiao Jincheng’? Come to demand an explanation from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin hurriedly replied: “Your servant trembles in fear—Your Majesty, even if you gave me a hundred lives, I would never dare…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng cut him off with a laugh: “Minister, no need for such fear. I was only jesting. Only jesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Emperor, how could he not know what transpired in the capital?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Feng had slept poorly last night precisely because of the Xiao family banquet. He knew exactly what Xiao Wanlin intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Lu Fang and the Xiao family were pillars of the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were his own flesh and blood. Ji Feng truly did not wish to see them locked in mortal strife, so he spoke plainly, hoping Xiao Wanlin would know when to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin understood—but chose to press on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, I have not come regarding that disobedient grandson. I come regarding the text ‘Dream of the Red Chamber.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This work maliciously fabricates and mocks the imperial family and the Duke’s household. I demand the author be beheaded and his head displayed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the hall fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had read the elegant text ‘Dream of the Red Chamber.’ It may have flaws, but certainly not worthy of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin’s intent was clear—he sought vengeance against Lu Fang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Summon Lu Fang!” Ji Feng frowned. “Elder Minister, I suggest we bring him in to speak. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a stick of incense had burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang rushed into the hall and bowed to the Emperor of Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rise!” Ji Feng said. “Elder Minister claims you wrote ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ to mock the imperial family and the Duke’s household. How do you explain this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty, this is baseless. ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ is a tale woven from countless figures of the mortal world. If, as Elder Minister says, nothing can be written about royalty or nobility, then no elegant literature could ever exist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang spoke with unwavering conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, he had realized: if Xiao Wanlin truly intended to strike over ‘Dream of the Red Chamber,’ it would be because of the chapter “Imperial Consort’s Visit Home,” and the depiction of the Rong and Ning Dukes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would surely use that as his pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he had prepared many rebuttals—and was no longer afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absurd!” Xiao Wanlin sneered. “You disloyal, treacherous wretch! In your book, you use the Rong and Ning households to insult and mock the Xiao Duke. You deserve death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister He Fan stepped forward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Minister, you overstate. ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ is an elegant text recognized by the Dao. Its innovative style stands as its own school. As I understand, Lu Fang began writing it long before his feud with the Xiao family—it was never meant to slander the Xiao Duke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin snorted: “Minister, you are wrong. If we let Lu Fang slander royalty and nobility go unpunished, all future scholars of Great Zhou will follow suit. What then? Your Majesty, Lu Fang must die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Qi, seeing the moment ripe, stepped forward: “Your Majesty, Lu Fang dares to mock the Duke and the imperial family—he deserves death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several officials indebted to the Xiao family stepped forward together: “Your Majesty, Lu Fang must die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing others begin, more and more joined in, demanding Lu Fang’s execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Sheng frowned, then stepped forward: “Your Majesty, Elder Minister’s words hold some merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang, seeing the Xiao family’s overwhelming power, cursed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor yielded to pressure and threw him into the Ministry of Justice’s prison, he would suffer endlessly—perhaps even die there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Lu Fang prepared to speak in his defense—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A eunuch entered from outside: “Your Majesty, the Grand Confucian Su Li requests an audience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bring him in at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emperor Ji Feng said quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, an elderly Confucian, his hair unkempt and face grimy, entered leaning on a wooden staff. His robe was patched and mended, yet his steps were steady, his eyes bright as stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Li bowed to the Emperor of Zhou, then turned to Xiao Wanlin:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You old fool! At your age, your legs are already halfway in the coffin, yet you still torment the young? How shameful! Do you think our sect has no one left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Wanlin, I ask you: have you ever written a poem that manifested as a vision?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you ever written an elegant text?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you ever summoned a Book Spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You would kill a talent recognized by the Dao—just to satisfy your petty grudge? What is your heart truly filled with?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He launched into a furious tirade, leaving Xiao Wanlin pale with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant, Senior Brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fang cried inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had never met this Senior Brother, he knew his name and deeds. Wherever justice lay, this unyielding Senior Brother would confront anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he would face the Xiao family alone—yet here was his Senior Brother, returned from his travels, standing by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among Great Zhou’s literati, heated arguments were common—even in court, men had fought over words. No one found this out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin glared: “Su Li, you old relic! How dare you shout in the hall? Do you wish to die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if I curse you?” Su Li sneered. “Old dog, if you bark again, I’ll slap your face—do you doubt me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seek death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wanlin’s body trembled, as if time itself halted. He raised his hand toward Su Li’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was half a step from the Semi-Sage realm. To crush a third-rank Confucian like Su Li? He had the strength to spare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had waited for this moment too long!\u003C\u002Fp>",1297,"2026-06-20T03:56:21.568Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","82450ba89c393804f77fd5649e9f397e56d2aa14187d6c020bfb6a6fdd009dae","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-26","the-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-chapter-24",289,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ink-saint-of-great-zhou-cover.jpg"]