Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Tree Longs for Stillness, Yet the Wind Refuses to Cease (Part Three)

Work has been quite busy lately, so I’ve been a bit lazy with both the frequency and length of my updates. I hope you’ll all understand. Whenever I have the time, I’ll be sure to update more often. Here, I’d like to thank all the readers for their support, especially Young Marshal of the Milky Way, Gentle Smoke, Fossil of the Wind, S, Jade Without Tears, Book-loving Lan, and Qin Dynasty Scholar, among others!

On the third floor of Heaven on Earth Pavilion, a group of people had already surrounded Yang Yaozong, all vying to talk to him at once with lively chatter.

Yang Yaozong nodded and smiled in response, occasionally offering a polite word or two.

Those who had previously, under Wang Youwei’s lead, tried to make things difficult for Yang Yaozong were now all silent, their expressions complicated as they watched him, now the center of attention.

Mu Qinghan and Qin Xueyao had been pushed to the side. Both of them, who had earlier worried that Yang Yaozong might be put on the spot, felt their concerns melt away. Now, seeing Yang Yaozong somewhat helplessly surrounded, the two women exchanged a smile.

Qin Xueyao glanced at Yang Yaozong and said, “Sister Mu, do you think the reason Yang Yaozong said he wouldn’t compose a poem was because he wanted to avoid exactly this kind of scene?”

Mu Qinghan looked at Yang Yaozong and nodded with a smile.

Qin Xueyao laughed. “Sister Mu, what kind of man do you think Yang Yaozong really is?”

Mu Qinghan furrowed her delicate brows slightly, looked at Yang Yaozong, and shook her head. She thought to herself, “What kind of man is he really?”

The eldest prince, Jing Min, was being helped over by attendants and came to stand beside Yang Yaozong, accompanied by Yin Ruxin. The crowd around Yang Yaozong, seeing the prince approach, respectfully made way for him.

Jing Min smiled at Yang Yaozong and said slowly, “Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, you truly are a prodigy—unprecedented in history.”

Yang Yaozong bowed and replied, “I do not dare accept such praise from Your Highness.”

Jing Min reached out as if to help him up and said warmly, “On the night of the Double Seventh Festival, I already said that the ‘Magpie Bridge Immortal’ you composed was written for Strategist Nangong. I suppose today’s ‘Water Melody’ was also for her?”

Yang Yaozong glanced at Yin Ruxin, who was smiling brilliantly, her beautiful eyes shining on him. He knew this girl must be feeling jealous, but he could only offer a helpless smile in response.

Those gathered around Yang Yaozong, recalling the lines of the verse, suddenly understood and nodded in agreement with the prince’s words. They began to praise the touching love between Yang Yaozong and Nangong Qingyi.

Jing Min chatted with them for a while, but soon fatigue showed on his face. He bade farewell to the guests and left first.

Yin Ruxin, still smiling radiantly, turned to leave with the prince. As she passed Yang Yaozong, she glanced at him and whispered with a playful laugh, “May we live long and share the moon’s beauty, even if a thousand miles apart?”

Yang Yaozong gave an awkward laugh, narrowed his eyes, and frowned as he watched Jing Min head toward the stairs.

At the stairway, Jing Min and Yin Ruxin exchanged a few words before the attendant helped him downstairs. Yin Ruxin, however, turned to glance at Yang Yaozong, then quietly walked over to the window.

Yang Yaozong was about to go to her when a scholarly-looking man stepped up, bowed, and said, “Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, my name is Zhang Lie. I have long admired your reputation, and it is an honor to finally meet you today.”

Yang Yaozong realized this was the newly ranked second-place scholar from the imperial exams, Zhang Lie—a man he had long wished to meet. Among the northern scholars favored by Jing Min, this Zhang Lie was the only one not tipped off about the exam topics in advance by Wang Youwei. The fact that he earned the second rank on his own merit proved he was not only truly talented but also a man of independent mind, refusing to go along with corruption. Even his decision to submit a blank paper spoke to his character and the pride that ran in his very bones. This made Zhang Lie exactly the sort of person Yang Yaozong admired. The Secret Investigation Bureau was in need of someone with both strategy and leadership, and he was eager to recruit Zhang Lie—after putting him to the test, of course. Delighted, he said, “So you are the new second-ranked scholar, Zhang Lie. Though I am the Grand Tutor, I should be younger than you—there’s no need to be so formal, Brother Zhang.”

Zhang Lie was surprised to see the Grand Tutor so humble, even addressing him as a peer. Flustered, he replied, “I wouldn’t dare…”

Yang Yaozong shook his head. “Brother Zhang, now that you’ve achieved second place, what are your plans?”

Zhang Lie sighed. “I wish to do something meaningful. I wouldn’t mind even being sent to a poor county as magistrate—anything but being stuck in the Hanlin Academy compiling history books. Even if I were sent to the frontier to serve in the army, I would not refuse.”

Yang Yaozong nodded approvingly and said, “The truth is, in any position, so long as one works diligently, one contributes to the prosperity of Great Zhou. I understand your intentions, Brother Zhang. When the opportunity arises, I will speak to His Majesty and the Crown Prince on your behalf. I’ll do my best to secure you a real post—so long as you don’t mind if it’s a challenging one.”

Zhang Lie was elated and said with excitement, “Thank you for your appreciation, Grand Tutor. It is a blessing beyond measure to be able to make your acquaintance.”

Yang Yaozong laughed. “No need for such formality, Brother Zhang. I consider you a friend—there’s no need to be so modest. Where are you staying in the capital? How should I contact you?”

Zhang Lie replied, “I am staying at the Delightful Guest Inn in the city.”

Yang Yaozong nodded. “Please remain in the capital for a while longer. Hmm… do you still have enough funds? If not, I can lend you some.”

Zhang Lie quickly declined. “I still have enough, thank you. To be honest, both my parents passed away early, but I have an elder brother—he’s much older and has cared for me like a father. His name is Zhang Qiang, and he is the Left General of the Northern Border Army. I am still unmarried and have always lived with my brother. When I came to the capital for the exams, he gave me plenty of money.”

Yang Yaozong was surprised by Zhang Lie’s background. Upon first meeting, Zhang Lie’s plain clothing and modest manner had made him assume the man came from humble origins. He realized he had judged based on appearances, and chided himself inwardly. He had originally planned to travel north himself after settling the prince’s affairs, in order to investigate matters concerning the loyalist forces. He had already intended to recruit Zhang Lie for the Secret Investigation Bureau, and now, learning of Zhang Lie’s connections, it seemed even more advantageous for his own plans in the capital. If this man could be truly trusted, it would be a great boon.

Yang Yaozong’s thoughts soon returned to the matter of Prince Jing Min. Seeing Yin Ruxin still standing alone by the window, he wanted to go over and observe this little fox. Smiling at Zhang Lie, he said, “I have some matters to discuss with Miss Yin. Please enjoy your time in the capital, Brother Zhang. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Zhang Lie suddenly recalled that, during the banquet at Drunken Red Dust, he’d heard Yang Yaozong had come specifically to visit Yin Ruxin. Rumors of a romance between the two were already circulating in the capital. He hurried to say, “Grand Tutor, please don’t let me keep you. I’ll wait patiently for your news, and am grateful for your generosity.”

Yang Yaozong laughed. “It’s fate that we met. I’ve long wanted to befriend you, and it turns out our personalities are quite alike. Next time, we must share some wine together!” With that, he made his farewell and walked toward Yin Ruxin.

Zhang Lie returned the gesture. He had already heard much about Yang Yaozong—how, before reaching his coming-of-age, he had won the emperor’s trust and favor, and of the many tales that had spread among the people. Meeting Yang Yaozong today, he found the man not only strikingly handsome, but also exuding an extraordinary aura. The events that had just unfolded only deepened his admiration. Watching Yang Yaozong walk toward Yin Ruxin, Zhang Lie thought to himself: Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, with such talent and status at so young an age, is yet so humble. It is truly an honor to call him friend.