PC Chapter 8

“The lotus blooms in the monk’s abode; one flower, one world; one leaf, one Bodhi.”

 

There was a brief silence at the table.

 

After a while, a little movement could be heard.

 

Li Shi put down his chopsticks and said, “That’s right.”

 

While others see the small from big, his ‘one flower is one world, one leaf is one Bodhi’ sees the big from the small, finding the truth in the minutiae, with a tranquil Zen-like quality that is distinctly transcendental.

 

Zheng Yang came to his senses and applauded, saying, “Brother Su, this top scholar is indeed genuine!”

 

Su Cen nodded and smiled at him.

 

“The Emperor also likes what Scholar Su said,” the young emperor said.

 

“Oh?” Li Shi smiled, “And why is that?”

 

The young emperor scratched his head, “Only Scholar Su’s words make sense to me.”

 

Li Shi smiled but did not respond.

 

The current emperor is only nine years old, so it’s not easy for him to understand all the complexities of the various teachings. Su Cen’s words seem simple, but the young emperor probably only grasped the surface meaning and not the deeper significance.

 

“Since His Majesty likes Scholar Su, why not appoint him as the Emperor’s tutor?” Liu Cheng suggested, casting a meaningful glance at Su Cen and stressing, “The Empress Dowager also thinks so.”

 

The Empress Dowager could not attend today’s banquet, so Liu Cheng acted as her eyes and ears and spokesperson.

 

 A wise man would know that this was a trick. Even from across the grand hall, Su Cen could feel the venomous gaze of Cui Hao. Although the position of Emperor’s tutor does not have a rank, it is a supreme honor. As the young emperor is at the stage of enlightenment, staying by his side to impart knowledge could lead to a future role as the imperial teacher, with an unlimited future in politics.

 

However, Su Cen was not interested. The role of the Emperor’s tutor, while it sounds grand, essentially means taking care of a child. The young emperor is only nine years old, and with the power-hungry Prince Ning watching closely, it’s uncertain when the emperor will actually take on governing duties. Su Cen, who has just started his career, does not want to waste his ambitions flattering a child. Whether it’s youthful arrogance or not recognizing his own worth, he simply does not want the job.

 

Before he could think of a response, a deep voice next to him said, “Sun Hanlin’s teaching is quite good. There is no need to change it.”

 

The decision was made.

 

Su Cen couldn’t help but look over in the direction of the voice. They had met three times. The first time caught him off guard, the second time he was in a mess, but only this time he saw the man’s appearance carefully and clearly.

 

Prince Ning may or may not kill without batting an eye or eat without spitting out bones, but his exceptional appearance was indeed pleasing to the eye. He had striking and handsome features, a pair of deep, unfathomable eyes, and an overwhelming presence that was suffocating. He held a green jade cup, his fingers long and well-defined, with a thumb adorned by a dark jade thumb ring, a material unknown but purely black.

 

Su Cen assured himself that he was merely admiring Li Shi’s appearance at this moment. However, in the eyes of others, it might not have seemed that simple.

 

During the imperial examination for the newly selected top scholar, Su Cen publicly scolded a powerful court minister, and afterward, was deliberately suppressed for mixing personal grudges with official matters. People then looked at Su Cen with a spark of fire in their eyes.

 

Liu Cheng’s goal was already achieved; he had no real intention of making Su Cen the Emperor’s tutor. Having one Liu Xiang in the court was enough; there was no need for another to contend with him. Smiling subtly, he continued, “In that case, Fu Xiang has just been promoted to vice minister, and there’s still a vacancy for a Zhongshu Sheren. Su Cen can fill that position.”

 

Zhongshu Sheren is a fifth-rank official, responsible for drafting and reviewing documents, managing decrees, and orders—a position long desired by scholars. As the saying goes, “the ultimate post for literati, the grand selection of the court.” Liu Cheng himself started as a Zhongshu Sheren and rose all the way up, becoming a top official in the court.

 

Su Cen, being somewhat unaffiliated, now found himself being courted by both sides. Figures like Cui Hao and Zheng Yang, who had already chosen their camps long ago, naturally did not stir up these conflicts.

 

Liu Cheng’s calculations were indeed shrewd. As the Right Chancellor, Su Cen would be under his wing. As long as Liu Cheng remained in power, Su Cen would have no opportunity to overstep his authority.

 

“He will not go.”

 

The voice was low and deep, with a tone that brooked no argument.

 

But then, the person quickly changed to a gentler expression and looked at Su Cen. “You’re not suited for that.”

 

Su Cen frowned. “How does the Prince know I’m not suited?”

 

Li Shi turned the dark jade thumb ring on his thumb and said, “I have a better choice for you.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“The Dali Temple.” Li Shi smiled at him, “You can choose for yourself.”

 

Su Cen was taken aback, then furrowed his brows.

 

To be honest, he was tempted.

 

The Dali Temple oversees the justice system and handles all criminal cases. While it is not as prestigious as a Zhongshu Sheren, it only deals with legal matters and does not require pretending to be friendly with others. Although he detested the factional struggles in court, he also understood that this wasn’t something he could change on his own. Joining the Dali Temple would at least allow him to stay neutral. What surprised him was that, after only three meetings, Li Shi could see through him so clearly. His eyes showed confidence, as if he already knew what Su Cen would choose.

 

If Li Shi had outright rejected him like with the Emperor’s tutor, he might have felt better. However, Li Shi said to let him choose, and unfortunately, this proposal was something he could not refuse.

 

Su Cen picked up his wine cup from the table, quickly filled Li Shi’s cup, and then filled his own, gritting his teeth as he said, “Thank you for the honor, Your Highness.”

 

He drank first as a sign of respect.

 

After draining his cup, Su Cen looked up at Li Shi. He noticed Li Shi was momentarily stunned, tapping his middle finger twice on the rim of the cup. After watching him with interest for a moment, he finally picked up the cup.

 

“Your Highness…” Qi Lin, who had been standing behind him, stepped forward.

 

Li Shi waved him off, signaling for him to step back, and drank the wine in one gulp.

 

It was said that Prince Ning did not drink cold wine, implying a weak stomach. It was early spring, and after one cup of cold wine, even Su Cen felt a burning sensation in his stomach. He wanted to see just how bad Prince Ning’s condition really was.

 

Having been twice humiliated in one day, Liu Cheng’s face had already turned cold as ice. He made an excuse of illness to the young emperor and left in a huff.

 

Everyone watched Liu Cheng leave and then turned their gaze to Su Cen. To anger Liu Xiang, a high-ranking official, to the point of leaving in fury—this new top scholar was truly extraordinary.

 

Su Cen sighed silently. It seemed he had managed to offend both sides thoroughly now.

 

Taking out his frustrations on the one responsible, Su Cen offered Li Shi a few more cups of wine, and Li Shi accepted them all with a smile. In the end, Su Cen was a bit tipsy, but Li Shi remained completely unaffected.

 

However, the gaze behind him grew colder and colder. Each time Su Cen toasted, he worried that Qi Lin, with his sword at his waist, might draw it and spill his blood on the spot.

 

What should have been a joyous banquet turned into a perilous one, but fortunately, it ended without incident.

 

By the time the moon was at its zenith, the court banquet finally concluded. Su Cen, led by a small eunuch with a lantern, was leaving the palace. Before he left, he glanced back at the courtyard. Everyone had dispersed, but Prince Ning remained seated. Seeing him turn back, Prince Ning raised his cup with a smile and then drank it all.

 

To hell with not drinking cold wine.

 

Su Cen followed the eunuch into the night.

 

At night, Taiye Pond had a different charm compared to the day. The pavilions were lit with eight-treasure glass palace lanterns, their reflections shimmering on the lake surface. The flickering candlelight, accompanied by the scent of unknown flowers, created an ambiance of “subtle fragrance floating under the moon at dusk.”

 

What was grand and magnificent during the day became gentle and romantic at night. Perhaps because of the wine, when that person smiled at him with raised eyebrows before parting, disregarding any hidden implications, he actually thought that smile was quite beautiful. The brows relaxed, like clear wine rippling in a cup—enough to intoxicate someone.

 

When he came back to his senses, Su Cen realized that these pavilions did not look different at night; rather, he had never been here before.

 

“Gonggong?” Su Cen quickened his pace. “Is this the way out of the palace?”

 

This person was clearly not the chatty individual from earlier; he didn’t even offer a word of explanation, simply saying concisely, “Just follow me.”

 

The rear courtyards of the imperial palace were heavily guarded, and without a eunuch to lead the way, one might be immediately detained by the imperial guards for the crime of trespassing within the palace.

 

Su Cen thought for a moment and could only follow.

 

After twisting and turning through several paths, the young eunuch finally stopped. Su Cen looked up at the plaque above the hall entrance—Qingning Palace—and understood immediately.

 

It seemed another significant figure in the palace wanted to see him.

 

The Emperor was still young and unmarried. Perhaps out of remembrance for her past affection with the late Emperor, Empress Dowager Chu still resided in Qingning Palace, where she had lived when she was Empress.

 

The young eunuch instructed, “Once inside, bow your head and kneel. Do not look directly at the Empress Dowager.”

 

Su Cen nodded. The palace door opened slightly, and Su Cen entered, kneeling as instructed. He stared at a floor tile decorated with the “Five Bats Surrounding Longevity” pattern for a good while before hearing a voice from behind the curtain, “Are you Su Cen?”

 

The voice was clear and pleasant, without a trace of old age. Empress Dowager Chu was made Princess of Chu at sixteen and entered the central palace with the late Emperor at twenty-four. Now that the late Emperor had passed, she was only in her thirties, but her delicate hands held half of the Zhou Dynasty’s power.

 

Su Cen kowtowed and said, “Commoner Su Cen pays respects to the Empress Dowager.”

 

“Grand Chancellor Liu has told me about the matters at the banquet earlier,” she said.

 

Su Cen’s heart skipped a beat. He had greatly offended Grand Chancellor Liu at the banquet, and it seemed Empress Dowager Chu was here to hold him accountable.

 

Then she continued, “I heard you want to join the Dali Temple?”

 

Su Cen hesitated for a moment but answered truthfully, “Yes.”

 

“Do you know that both the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple are under Prince Ning’s influence?”

 

Still kneeling, Su Cen spoke clearly, each word precise, “My intention in joining the Dali Temple is solely to punish the wicked and seek justice for the people. I have no desire to be involved in any faction, nor do I belong to anyone.”

 

“In your court examination, you argued for governing the country with principles, sharply criticizing the harm of factionalism and addressing contemporary issues. That is why I remember you,” Empress Dowager Chu paused before continuing, “So, in your view, which faction is righteous and which is evil?”

 

“Factional struggles only lead to internal strife; there is no such thing as righteousness or evil.”

 

“You are wrong,” Empress Dowager Chu said sternly, “What I fight for is the heavenly principles and righteousness of orthodox imperial power. As a subject, you should regard His Majesty as your supreme master and serve him with utmost loyalty, even unto death…”

 

“I will serve the common people unto death,” Su Cen blurted out. He was stunned himself after saying it. Truly, alcohol leads to rash words; now was the time to focus on staying alive, not acting like a righteous hero. He quickly softened his tone, “If His Majesty stands on the side of the people, then naturally, I will serve him.”

 

Empress Dowager Chu was probably furious but had no way to refute him. Finally, she only said, “His Majesty is, of course, on the side of the people.”

 

“His Majesty is wise.”

 

At this point, there wasn’t much left to say. In her eyes, he was just a rotten piece of wood, too stubborn to be carved. Yet, Empress Dowager Chu seemed to enjoy a tough challenge. She persisted, “Do you know why you were chosen as the top scholar this year?”

 

Su Cen was taken aback.

 

“During the court examination, you offended Prince Ning. It was I who protected you. If not for me, you would not only have lost the title of top scholar but likely your head as well.”

 

Before he could respond, Empress Dowager Chu continued, “Whether in the Dali Temple or elsewhere, you owe me a favor. When the time comes, I will ask you to repay it.”

 

---