Chapter 504: The Qilin's Return
Chapter 504: The Qilin's Return
As soon as Zi Wu Xian Sheng spoke, the entire horse ranch fell into a brief moment of silence.
Many officials revealed expressions of utter shock.
"Zi Wu Xian Sheng, what are you saying?"
The Grand Agricultural Commissioner was the first to speak.
Zi Wu Xian Sheng turned around, glanced at him, and asked curiously, "Does the Grand Agricultural Commissioner not know that this competition is for the Qilin's return?"
The Grand Agricultural Commissioner hesitated, "The Qilin's return? Isn't it just a... regular contest?"
He paused before the word 'regular', as the competition between the two imperial grandsons was far from ordinary; it was all about the struggle for the Crown Prince's position.
Wasn't that so? He looked at the Imperial Academy Chancellor, the Minister of Household, and the other senior officials, "Do you know about the Qilin's return?"
The few officials nodded without changing their expressions.
The Grand Agricultural Commissioner was even more surprised, "How could I not know about something so important?"
The Imperial Academy Chancellor explained, "During those few days when the arguments were the most intense, weren't you at home claiming illness and not attending court? By the time you returned, the first competition had already begun."
The Grand Agricultural Commissioner asked, his voice laced with hurt, "As colleagues, how could you not remind me?"
The Minister of Household cleared his throat, "We didn't know you were unaware, and you're truly not one for gossip..."
Grand Agricultural Commissioner: How is this gossip?
"Since you all knew, why were you surprised when Zi Wu Xian Sheng brought it up just now?"
With a shift in his tone, he successfully left everyone speechless.
The crowd was stunned. Yes, why were they surprised?
Meng Ge Lao stroked his beard and sighed, "Zhangsun Prince's performance was beyond our expectations, and it has brought us to a state of self-transcendence."
His words enlightened the crowd.
Indeed, from the moment His Majesty announced the competition, Zhangsun Prince's performance had been astonishing.
The true State Guardian Qilin should be like Prince Jian.
Intelligent, diligent, ambitious, well-read, reasonable, moderate, caring for the world, respectful to teachers and the path, and considerate of all people...
It wasn't just a preconceived notion; in everyone's eyes, he was indeed an exceptionally outstanding imperial grandson.
At one point, they even thought the competition was somewhat unnecessary.
However, as Zhangsun Prince showcased his talents step by step, everyone was amazed by him.
Except for Qi King repeatedly mentioning the Qilin identity, the others were completely focused and undistracted.
Their gazes unanimously turned towards the elegantly dressed Zhangsun Prince.
They didn't sense the Qilin Competition from Zhangsun Prince's performance.
Even after winning one competition after another, he never gave them any verbal hints.
He completed the competition with unwavering focus and purity.
Such a mindset was truly rare and precious.
Hu Da Jiangjun spoke up, "It's just a competition. There are always greater talents out there. Zhangsun Prince excels in both civil and military affairs, which is a blessing for Great Liang, but it doesn't mean he can replace the prince's Qilin status. The Qilin is destined by heaven, and no one can change that."
Ming Wang scratched his ear, "Hey, who said earlier, 'Heaven's will is such that only the true Qilin can win in the end'? Am I the only one who heard that?"
Qi King's face turned bright red.
"I heard it too," said Lu Zhaoyan.
Ming Wang looked at Fu Wang.
Fu Wang: "Oh, I heard it."
Jiang Guogong waved his sleeves, "Hey, we're not deaf! Who didn't hear it? And you, Hu, the Qilin is destined by heaven. Are you heaven?"
Hu Da Jiangjun spoke sternly, "The Imperial Tutor calculated that the prince carries the Qilin fate."
Jiang Guogong replied confidently, "He even got his own daughter's fate wrong! His divination diagram is inaccurate! He must have calculated the Qilin incorrectly too!"
The crowd gasped, daring to question the Imperial Tutor, Jiang Guogong, were you not afraid for your life?
Hu Da Jiangjun said coldly, "Jiang Guogong, Gongsun Xian Sheng is the Imperial Tutor appointed by His Majesty. Are you questioning His Majesty's judgment of people?"
"Jiang Guogong nearly blurted out, questioning, "What's wrong? Does he have good eyesight? Did he almost exile me back then? He made me tend to sheep for over three years!"
"I've been itching to gouge his eyes out every day!"
Lu Zhaoyan spoke calmly, "General Hu, are you using the 'incitement strategy' on my father? This tactic might work on others, but my father is a wise and benevolent ruler, a sage emperor. He is open-minded and receptive to advice, so how could he be manipulated by you?"
Ming Wang secretly gave a thumbs-up.
Only the second brother can put on such a high hat.
No wonder he's never been beaten up by his father since childhood...
Fu Wang exhaled in relief.
He owes the second brother a favor.
The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ say ⊥ at ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ first ⊥ hair!
Otherwise, his uncle would have been exiled for another three years.
Qi Wang, unable to hold back, refuted, "According to what you said, does it mean that whoever wins can take the Qilin Position? As General Hu said, there's always someone better. Can he guarantee that he won't lose to others?"
"Second brother, I'm here!"
Ming Wang stepped forward, "Fourth brother, don't confuse right and wrong. Earlier, the Imperial Tutor and Zi Wu Xiansheng had a discussion in the Imperial Study, deciding to let the Path of Heaven decide. Whomever Heaven's Mandate favors will be blessed by the Path of Heaven. The Imperial Tutor agreed, which led to the competition between the two."
Ming Wang continued, looking at Gongsun Yanming on the Imperial Platform, "Imperial Tutor, you won't forget your own words, right? Even if you do, my father won't forget."
Liang Emperor shot him a sharp glare, making Ming Wang shudder.
Wait, why isn't mentioning his father working?
Can only the second brother use this tactic?
Gongsun Yanming's gaze was profound, his eyes seeming to see through everything.
Zi Wu Xiansheng said, "Disciple, it's not scary to miscalculate a divination. Admitting it is the right thing to do!"
In the distance, Yu Zichuan finished reeling in his kite string and sat quietly under a tree.
It's not that he didn't want to climb the tree; he was kicked down by Chen Long.
Chen Long stood alone on a branch, at a distance from Si She and Ji Li, gazing towards the direction of the Imperial Platform.
Ji Li casually asked, "Hey, do you guys think Emperor Liang will restore the Qilin Position?"
Chen Long sharpened his knife, "If it can't be restored, we'll kill Gongsun Yanming first."
Ji Li sighed, "Can't you stop being so violent all the time? Do you think Emperor Liang is the Grand Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, powerless to bind a chicken? If you're seeking death, don't drag us down with you!"
Si She said, "There's no more obstruction from the court."
Ji Li hurriedly asked, "So, can the position be restored or not?"
Si She replied, "Emperor Liang withstood the pressure from the court, which led to the competition. Fortunately, Lu Yuan didn't disappoint. He used his strength to slap those officials in the face. But Emperor Liang's pressure doesn't just come from the court; it also comes from the common people."
"Lu Yuan has only gained the court's recognition, but the commoners haven't accepted him. They don't care about who writes well or who excels in riding and archery. They only know that Lu Qi's arrival made Prince Qin determined to ascend the throne. If they are suddenly told that Feng Nv is fake and the Qilin is also fake, then what about the national fortune of the Southwest, what is real?"
Ji Li contemplated, "Hearing you say this, does it mean there's no hope for the Qilin's enthronement?"
Si She looked at the Imperial Platform. At an age when he should be enjoying his twilight years, he was still at the pinnacle of power.
The crowd surrounded him, but Si She saw his century of loneliness.
"It depends on whether Emperor Liang wants to enjoy his retirement or..."
Before Si She could finish his sentence, Emperor Liang slowly rose.
"My great-grandson, Lu Lin Yuan, possesses the gems of virtue, is scholarly and righteous, outstanding, and excels in both civil and military affairs. Grateful to the heavens, he receives the Mandate of Heaven. I hereby bestow upon him the title of State Guardian Qilin! Three days from now, the enthronement ceremony will be held!"
Emperor Liang is truly dedicated to his great-grandson.
(End of Chapter)
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