Wang Mao solemnly spoke, "Yes, my prince, he should not have mentioned it to anyone else, fearing the prince would leave no survivors."
The Third Prince, Prince An, seemingly idle and powerless in his role, deceived Emperor Jingping under the guise of an idle prince, acting cautiously and adeptly, secretly recruiting talents, cultivating Death Warrior Guards, wistfully dreaming of wearing the dragon robe, where those who follow him thrive, and those who oppose him perish.
The ransacking of Zhao Mansion was entirely orchestrated by him; however, he told his elder brother that Zhao Mansion seemed to shelter dragon robes and brought forth a scapegoat to testify, so in a fit of rage, the mansion was seized.
The position on the throne is hard-won, and Emperor Jingping cannot tolerate others coveting it, preferring to err on the side of severity rather than leniency.
For brothers with ulterior motives, he either killed or exiled them; now in the Capital City, only those whom Emperor Jingping finds a bit reassuring are allowed, but any slight suspicion triggers total annihilation.
Li Shu once shielded with his body to save Emperor Jingping’s life, securing his current stability.
No one understands the speculations of an emperor’s heart better than he does.
"Enough, since there are skilled people in the Ye Mansion, let’s spare him for now. It’s difficult for the commoner to fight the authority, not killing him and his family last time is my leniency, there’s a long time ahead, a long time ahead."
Li Shu also instructed his Hidden Guards to accelerate their martial training while the secret bases in various places must be carefully guarded.
Any unusual movement must be resolved immediately.
Better to err on the side of severity than leniency.
*
Western Capital, Imperial College.
Lingxiang Courtyard, Yulan Hall, Class 101.
"Dong dong dong."
At noon, the bell rang three times, and it was time to leave the class for lunch.
The students hurriedly packed their books and rushed to Shishang Residence, as delicious dishes at the eateries would be snatched up if they were late.
Ye Zhi wasn’t hungry, so she packed up leisurely.
The hall had almost emptied.
The Little Traitor was sitting properly, diligently writing at the desk.
Ye Zhi walked to his side and casually asked as she looked at the small notebook he was writing on with his head slightly lowered, "Xiao Chen, what are you writing?"
"Analects."
A tender male voice replied.
On Chengxin Paper, the orderly small seal script neatly displayed large sections of the Analects.
The Master said, "When one engages in poetry, is established through propriety, and completes the music."
The Master said, "Learning as if fearful of not reaching it, as if fearful of losing it."
...
...
The Master said, "...Yu, I have nothing to criticize."
The last line was written, and he put down the brush.
The script flowed smoothly like moving clouds and running water, exceptionally beautiful, even more so than that of the bookworm Changzhou, Mr. Qin often used the Little Traitor’s writing to encourage his fellow students.
Ye Zhi recalled the content and inquired with her soft voice, "This is the original text of the Analects’ Tai Bo Chapter, you memorized it all?"
The Little Traitor nodded, "I read it several times, and now after transcribing it, I can almost recite it."
Such formidable memory, remarkable compared to other people’s children.
Changzhou had not left yet either, tidying up his stuff, "Xiao Chen, I’m still back at the Yong Ye Chapter, two Chapters behind you."
His remarks left Ye Zhi and Huanhuan silent, as neither of them had started yet...
The gap between the scholarly elite and ordinary people emerged.
No, even if they started, given their memories, just transcribing would be challenging enough, let alone reciting.
The two exchanged a glance, hiding the storybook within their sleeves even tighter.
The students from Class 101 had mostly left, with only a few of them remaining.
The Little Fairy and Li Qian were also present.
"By the way, in two days, the State Preceptor will announce the chosen disciples; I wonder if it will be Xiao Chen?"
The Little Fairy’s soft and gentle voice rang out in the study.