Wen Mingyu never expected that when he confessed he couldn’t read, the Emperor’s reaction would be to arrange a teacher for him to learn quickly and be able to read the memorials.
He really couldn’t understand why Mu Zhan insisted on having him read. Wouldn’t it be easier to find someone literate?
However, for Wen Mingyu, this turned out to be a good thing.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. You are really kind!”
This time, Wen Mingyu didn’t pretend. He genuinely thanked Mu Zhan for this move, which helped him a lot. Wen Mingyu looked at Mu Zhan with bright eyes, as if there were fragments of stars in his eyes. His smile was particularly sweet, like a soft and fluffy pastry.
Mu Zhan was slightly stunned, took a glance, and then looked away.
“How long will it take, a month?”
Wen Mingyu was stunned. Was the demand from the tyrant a bit too high? To master a new script within a month? It seemed impossible.
“Is, uh, a month a bit…?” Wen Mingyu smiled awkwardly.
Mu Zhan nodded, “Indeed, a month might be a bit inappropriate.”
Wen Mingyu thought, yeah, a month is simply inhumane.
The result is that Mu Zhan continued, “The time is too long, half a month is sufficient.”
Wen Mingyu: “…..”
This is definitely intentional teasing, right? Right? Right?!
Dog Emperor!
Foolish nonsense!
You are hopeless!
Wen Mingyu’s face was adorned with a smile, but inside, a raging storm was sweeping through. Provoked by the tyrant, he was not taking it lightly; his heart was roaring like a flood, causing his fur to stand on end. In the end, he transformed into an irritable rabbit.
Mu Zhan arranged a study plan for him, allocating five periods a day, allowing him not to come for the time being. However, Mu Zhan would conduct surprise inspections to see what progress he had made.
Upon hearing this, Wen Mingyu felt nothing but despair.
When you venture out, you’ll always have to settle your debts. In the interstellar era, he hadn’t even reached the equivalent of senior year, but in ancient times, he got to experience it firsthand, with a tyrant keeping a close eye on him. There was a risk of failure if he didn’t study well, and the efficiency of his learning would probably be remarkably high.
The next day, Wen Mingyu encountered his teacher, sent by the Imperial Academy, a scholar with a doctorate in classical studies.
In ancient times, the title of “doctor”1In contemporary Chinese, “博士” refers to a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D. However, in ancient China, “博士” denoted an official position or title rather than an academic degree. had a very different meaning than the modern academic degree; it referred to an official position. The “Imperial Academy” was the highest educational institution and administrative body in ancient China. To become a “Doctor of Classical Studies”2an expert in classical Chinese literature and would play a key role in the education and training of scholars and officials in the imperial bureaucracy. , one would be in charge of teaching classical studies at the Imperial Academy, indicating expertise and outstanding capabilities in this field.
Gong Xue, a Doctor of Classical Studies, was already beyond the age of uncertainty, dressed in official attire, and displayed a calm and amiable demeanor. Despite the sudden assignment to teach someone who couldn’t read, there was no trace of resentment or dissatisfaction on his face. Instead, he fulfilled his duties with great professionalism, providing instruction with precision and meticulousness.
He does not flatter or seek favor, hoping that Wen Mingyu will speak well of him in front of the emperor. Nor does he disdain Wen Mingyu for being an illiterate person.
His attitude is very indifferent, not much different from teaching other students in the academy.
He possesses a distinct literary demeanor of his own.
Wen Mingyu quite likes this style of teacher, and he studies very earnestly. Once he immerses himself in the learning process, he momentarily forgets his original intention to explore the palace. Moreover, during this period, he hasn’t gone to meet the tyrant and has no way to bring it up.
Because Wen Mingyu is frequently summoned by the tyrant and appears to be living well, seemingly favored, the attitudes of the palace attendants have evidently changed as well.
At the beginning, when Mu Zhan treated Wen Mingyu in a somewhat special manner, the eunuchs and others didn’t pay much attention. After all, the emperor’s moods were unpredictable. He might seem pleased at one moment, and the next, he could become furious for reasons unknown, leading to severe consequences. The palace attendants were in no rush to please Wen Mingyu.
However, as time passed, Mu Zhan continued to frequently seek out Wen Mingyu, showing unabated favor. Now, he even arranged a tutor for him. The palace attendants started to assert their presence in front of Wen Mingyu as a result.
The most prominent change was the change in fortune. The young eunuch originally assigned to be by Wen Mingyu’s side, thinking that Wen Mingyu would soon meet his demise with no future prospects, left to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Now, he has returned, kneeling in front of Wen Mingyu, expressing loyalty.
However, Wen Mingyu feels that he has enough concerns with his current situation and does not wish to pay attention to the eunuch.
Unexpectedly, Yǒu Fú found that his seemingly good-natured master was not so easy to deal with; in fact, he had a rather tough temperament. Gritting his teeth, he forcefully slapped himself in the face, apologizing and begging for forgiveness. It almost seemed like Wen Mingyu was disciplining a palace resident.
Wen Mingyu was taken aback by this performance, then frowned. Although he was still a student and not very old, the absence of parents had forced him to rely on himself, giving him more insight than his peers. He understood that Yǒu Fú was deliberately trying to manipulate his emotions.
When Yǒu Fú initially left, Wen Mingyu understood his decision, but it didn’t mean that he would accept having such a person around him.
When making decisions, individuals should consider the potential consequences in the future. Why did Yǒu Fú assume that Wen Mingyu would easily overlook past grievances and accept him with open arms?
Wen Mingyu doesn’t require him to serve by his side, but he is not insistent on driving him away either. If Yǒu Fú is willing to stay and contribute, there are tasks he can perform here. However, Yǒu Fú insists on maintaining the same close attendant status as Sanxi, unwilling to engage in menial tasks.
Feeling annoyed by the constant disturbances, Wen Mingyu orders someone to take Yǒu Fú outside. However, Yǒu Fú glares at the others, stubbornly kneeling at the door, insisting that he can help Wen Mingyu. Help with what? Naturally, to help him gain favor from the emperor.
However, Wen Mingyu has no interest in such a scenario. He believes that maintaining the current distance is ideal—neither too close nor too distant. This way, he avoids the risk of sudden displeasure from the tyrant leading to execution, and there’s no need for excessive favor that involves intimate affairs.
In the end, Zhao Dequan arrives and witnesses the scene. His face changes abruptly, and he immediately orders someone to remove Yǒu Fú. He reported the incident to the emperor.
Usually, such trivial matters wouldn’t require the emperor’s attention, but based on Zhao Dequan’s observations during this period, he speculated that the emperor might want to know. So, he reported it.
Upon hearing this, Mu Zhan set aside the memorial and rare praise escaped his lips, “Handled well.”
Zhao Dequan initially thought that the emperor was approving of his actions and was about to express that he was merely doing his duty. However, he suddenly realized that the emperor was likely referring to Master Wen. As expected, immediately after, he heard a voice from above.
“I do not wish for him to appear in front of Wen Mingyu again.”
“…Aye, I shall heed the imperial decree.”
After Zhao Dequan respectfully acknowledged the decree, he immediately instructed someone to assign Yǒu Fú to wash the palace residents’ clothes. While the ambition to climb upward was a natural inclination, such audacious attempts to manipulate and threaten the master were undeniably foolish. It harmed both the perpetrator and the victim.
Zhao Dequan suddenly realized that if Master Wen had allowed Yǒu Fú to stay out of compassion and Yǒu Fú committed any wrongdoing in the future, it would result in unimaginable consequences at the hands of the emperor.
After this incident, Zhao Dequan brought a new group of palace attendants and replaced all those with ulterior motives in Wen Mingyu’s residence.
The eunuchs and palace maids knelt down, bowing respectfully to Wen Mingyu, saying, “We pledge our utmost dedication to serving Young Master. Our loyalty is unwavering, with no ulterior motives.”
The elaborate display left Wen Mingyu momentarily stunned. Sanxi also stood in astonishment but quickly grasped the situation. He felt a mix of joy and concern – joy for the emperor’s attention to Master Wen, and concern about whether he might be replaced. Fortunately, he heard Master Wen immediately speak up, wanting to keep him by his side. He breathed a sigh of relief, deeply grateful to Master Wen.
Unlike Sanxi, who believed the emperor valued favoritism, Wen Mingyu thought the tyrant simply intervened on a whim. Moreover, through this, he realized that nothing could be hidden from the tyrant within the palace. It felt as though no matter what he did, there were always watchful eyes in the shadows, giving him an unsettling feeling.
Wen Mingyu’s perception was accurate.
Zhao Dequan sensed the emperor’s attention towards him, so he paid extra attention to any matters related to Wen Mingyu, daily selecting important ones to report to the emperor.
Whenever Zhao Dequan mentioned Master Wen, the emperor, though not saying much, patiently listened with unexpected interest.
Especially in recent days, Master Wen has been busy with his studies and hasn’t visited the emperor. The emperor even asks a few questions when Zhao Dequan mentions matters concerning Master Wen.
Ten days later.
Mu Zhan, while looking at the memorials, suddenly threw them down in irritation, stood up, and walked out.
Zhao Dequan, standing at the entrance of the imperial study, was quite surprised. “…Your Majesty?”
Mu Zhan didn’t glance at him, walking straight ahead. “Go to Wen Mingyu’s place. It’s been so many days; I want to see how much progress he has made in his studies.”
Zhao Dequan quickly had a sedan chair brought over. Inside, he couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless. After all, it had only been ten days; how much could one learn in such a short time? It seemed like His Majesty just wanted to visit someone.
The arrival of the Emperor startled everyone in the entire hall. Palace attendants kneeled in reverence along the way, welcoming the imperial presence.
Gong Xue, who was in the middle of teaching, stopped and respectfully bowed.
Wen Mingyu, seated at his desk writing, also stood up, preparing to bow. However, Mu Zhan waved his hand, signaling him to forgo the formalities. Wen Mingyu refrained from kneeling, instead giving Mu Zhan a smile.
Gong Xue, witnessing this, felt a jolt in his heart, struggling to conceal his surprise.
“How is the learning progressing?”
Mu Zhan’s calm tone immediately brought him back to reality. Gong Xue no longer dwelled on the peculiar atmosphere between Mu Zhan and Wen Mingyu; instead, he redirected his focus to the topic of study. As soon as this was mentioned, a pleased smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
“The young master is naturally intelligent, with the added ability to remember at a glance. His progress in learning has surpassed my expectations by a considerable margin. I’ve adjusted the teaching plan several times, and by the latter half of the month, I might need to introduce the Four Books and Five Classics.”
Teachers always appreciate diligent and intelligent students. Initially, Gong Xue taught in compliance with imperial orders, but as he discovered Wen Mingyu’s astonishing pace of absorbing knowledge, he couldn’t help but become more invested. He wanted to refine this raw gem, allowing it to radiate a brilliant and dazzling light.
Everyone loves to hear praise, and Wen Mingyu, upon receiving such compliments, felt a surge of joy. His eyes sparkled, and a subtle hint of pride played on the corners of his lips. It was as if an invisible tail had lifted, happily swaying.
Mu Zhan glanced at him. The fingers hanging by his side curled slightly, as if touching something intangible in the air.
“Minister Gong, for your dedicated teaching, there should be a reward.”
Gong Xue bowed in gratitude, stating that it was his duty.
Then, with a casual wave, Mu Zhan effortlessly dismissed him. As Gong Xue was led out of the hall by Zhao Dequan, he felt a bit dazed. Today’s lesson… seemed like it wasn’t finished?
Zhao Dequan grinned, saying, “Minister Gong, you’ve worked hard.”
Gong Xue, still a bit disoriented, waved his hand, “Not hard at all, not hard at all.”
And so, he unexpectedly finished work early, heading home to spend time with his wife and children.
In the room, only Wen Mingyu and Mu Zhan remained.
Mu Zhan walked over, picked up the sheets of paper on which Wen Mingyu had been practicing calligraphy these days. From the initial squiggles that were indecipherable to something slowly taking shape with the use of a goat-hair brush, the characters now had structure and could stand on their own, bearing some semblance.
Although it might not be considered exceptionally beautiful, for a beginner, it could be said that Wen Mingyu was doing remarkably well, displaying a considerable talent. With time and practice, he could certainly achieve proficiency in calligraphy.
As Mu Zhan observed, Wen Mingyu unconsciously approached, trailing behind like a small tail.
When Mu Zhan turned around, their eyes met.
Wen Mingyu didn’t say anything, just eagerly watched with eyes gleaming, practically shouting, “Praise me already!”
This left Mu Zhan, who had initially intended to point out areas that needed improvement, in silence. After a moment, he moved his lips and said in a deep voice, “Acceptable.”
Upon hearing this, Wen Mingyu’s mood lifted even more. After all, Mu Zhan was the tyrant, usually wearing an expressionless and cold demeanor. He hadn’t expected Mu Zhan to praise him. It’s just that after hearing Teacher Gong mention the emperor’s calligraphy as unparalleled several times, he was curious about Mu Zhan’s opinion of his own writing. The result was somewhat unexpected; a person with Mu Zhan’s temperament actually said “acceptable,” which, all things considered, meant quite impressive.
Wen Mingyu couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased with himself.
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