Chapter 570: Winter is Coming

"Presumptuous!"

"What are you saying?"

"How dare you profane Miss Gu like this!"

"You don't know a damn thing, this is art! Do you understand art or not!"

The whole group had gone mad, cursing the moment they opened their mouths.

Especially those young gentlemen standing beside Shen Manqing, who had felt some trepidation upon hearing the great name of Prefect Liu just moments ago, but now finally found an opportunity to strike back at him.

What a joke.

Who is this?

Gu Jin!

A master of etiquette and ceremonial processions among the younger generation of the Longyan Dynasty; from a young age, she has been proficient in the Six Arts—rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics—and is a renowned talented woman within the inner palace.

Stunning for a time.

This time, she even snatched the ceremonial arrangements for the Emperor's grand ceremony directly from the hands of the Ceremonial Directorate, shocking the entire Longyan. The entire art world of Longyan exclaimed that Gu Jin would become the future master of the Six Arts in Longyan, and would undoubtedly be the number one person in charge of court etiquette in the future.

How could you dare to question a person like this?

Shen Manqing walked over and gently tugged at Liu Zheng's hand: "Young Master... please don't... Miss Gu's train of thought this time is quite unique..."

Liu Zheng, however, continued to shake his head and smile: "A complete mess, an absolute mess!"

"You..."

Gu Jin was furious.

Liu Zheng chuckled, hands behind his back, looking around. In truth, he had already noticed that compared to those lackluster ancient ritual Court Grand Dances, this ceremony already showed great progress.

For example.

Looking at these items and objects prepared in the backyard of the Hanlin Academy, one could see that Gu Jin wanted to design this ceremony into four scenes representing the four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—the cycle of the world.

On one hand, the intended meaning was to wish the Emperor Four Seasons Like Spring; on the other hand, it also implied that the Longyan Dynasty was long-standing and well-established, just like the changing of the four seasons between heaven and earth—there are times of strength and weakness, so there is no need to worry.

When spring warms and flowers bloom, Longyan will be strong once again!

The theme and implication are correct.

Very fitting.

But in Liu Zheng's view, this was still a long-winded performance without any surprises!

Nothing more!

"You don't know a damn thing!"

"How boastful!"

"Do you even know Miss Gu's intent?"

"Four Seasons Like Spring, the Heavenly Way cycles! How could the Emperor not like it?"

"This is absolutely a major breakthrough in the art field of Longyan!"

The group was spitting with rage, their emotions stirred.

Gu Jin also gave a cold snort, arms crossed, looking at Liu Zheng with a sneer.

Liu Zheng still smiled: "A complete mess!"

Gu Jin finally could not hold back, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and she scolded: "Prefect Liu, what do you intend?"

Liu Zheng said indifferently: "In my opinion, throw all these red and green trinkets away!"

Everyone on the scene changed color.

This is a birthday celebration!

Liu Zheng smiled slightly and continued: "In the current Longyan, how can one speak of Four Seasons Like Spring..."

He looked around and said: "Tigers and wolves surround us, barbarians vie for hegemony, the treasury is exhausted, and Feudatory Kings are everywhere!"

He looked at these pampered young gentlemen and wealthy young ladies and shouted angrily: "And you are still here singing praises of Four Seasons Like Spring and the cycle of the Heavenly Way!"

The expressions of everyone present changed.

He... what does he mean by this?

What does he want to do?

The eyes of everyone on the scene were fixed on Liu Zheng one by one.

They had a premonition...

It seemed that this Prefect Liu, who always said things that shocked the world,

was going to continue his usual style here in Jinghua today?

"No!"

"Stop him!"

"Make him shut up!"

Many people exclaimed.

Shen Manqing, however, looked at the Prefect with dazed eyes. The Young Master was always like this; usually, he looked gentle and did not compete or fight with anyone, but as long as he shone even a little, he would undoubtedly become the focus of the entire scene—so charming, so elegant, unmatched by anyone.

Gu Jin also watched Liu Zheng quietly.

A sneer of disdain still played on the corners of her mouth.

She found it hard to imagine how this fellow, who liked to grandstand wherever he went, had managed to win the heart of Sister Manqing?

Four Seasons Like Spring won't do?

What do you want to come up with?

Liu Zheng paused and gave a bright smile: "Perhaps in everyone's eyes, I am just a bumpkin, because this is my first time in Jinghua."

Hearing this, the crowd burst into loud laughter.

Many people expressed their disdain one after another.

A bumpkin, yet he dares to spout such nonsense here?

Those young masters suddenly felt a sense of superiority.

Liu Zheng continued, "Indeed, I do not have the family background of the masters present, nor do I have ancestors who have cultivated in the imperial court for many years. However, I believe I understand the suffering of the people and the thoughts of the masses better than anyone here."

The crowd still laughed loudly.

As people born of noble status, how could they ever care about such lowly commoners?

Liu Zheng also smiled slightly: "Then we can change the direction of our discussion; I understand what the Emperor thinks, what the Emperor needs, what the Emperor worries about, and what the Emperor seeks better than all of you!"

Once these words were spoken, these people naturally did not believe him and began to mock him one after another.

Liu Zheng continued: "The Emperor is a talent of ancient times, a heavenly sage descended to earth. How could the breadth and vision of the Emperor be something you could fathom? The Emperor exhausts his heart and energy for the sake of the entire Longyan. The entire Longyan naturally cannot be separated from every social stratum; the Emperor is not a tree without roots, the Emperor cares for the entire world!"

His expression changed: "Do you think that what he wants this year is your praise, is this hypocritical 'Four Seasons Like Spring' of yours?!"

After saying this, he kicked the lantern beside him.

The bright red lantern shattered at the sound.

The entire venue fell into sudden silence.

Liu Zheng laughed heartily: "No! He has locked himself in the Yangxin Hall for so many years; what he longs to hear is the most authentic voice from the outside world!"

"Does he want to hear praise?"

He sneered: "Does he need flattery?"

Everyone's expression changed.

Gu Jin, in particular, treated him with seriousness for the first time.

Liu Zheng shook his head.

"What he wants are strategies to govern the country; what he wants are generals to secure the country! What he wants is a wake-up call for the world! What he wants is a true Longyan!"

Gu Jin gritted her teeth: "Then according to Prefect Liu's meaning..."

Liu Zheng smiled dashingly: "Why do we young people not dare to risk being beheaded to tell the Emperor..."

"That today's Longyan does not have 'Four Seasons Like Spring'..."

"Today's Longyan..."

"Winter Is Coming!"

Silence.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

So silent that almost no one was breathing.

No one was thinking.

Including Shen Manqing.

Including Gu Jin.

Winter Is Coming...

Winter Is Coming...

The scene remained silent for who knows how long.

Until Gu Jin's eyes also began to brighten.

"Good!"

"What a 'Winter Is Coming'!"

"Prefect Liu, I am not your equal!"

Gu Jin had not yet finished speaking.

A laugh as loud as a bell rang out from behind.

Everyone looked toward the sound; the person who arrived was none other than the leader of the Hanlin Academy, Grand Academician Chen Qian!

"Chen Lao..."

"Grand Academician!"

Everyone bowed in turn.

Chen Qian laughed heartily and walked over slowly; this time, the look in his eyes as he watched Liu Zheng became increasingly bright.

"Good courage, what a young man, what a 'Winter Is Coming'!"

He felt deeply gratified: "This year, let it be done this way!"

Everyone.

Was extremely shocked.

The theme, Winter Is Coming?

This, this, this...