Chương 10: Chapter 8 Interlude 2 (R)

In the depths of the majestic Imperial Palace of the Tianjing Empire, Emperor Sun Hao was immersed in his cultivation. His meditation hall, unlike the opulent salons of the palace, was an austere space adorned solely by a circle of strange symbols and stones set into the floor, creating an aura of mystery and ancient power. At the center of this circle sat the Emperor in lotus position, his simple garments a stark contrast to his usual imperial attire.

The air in the hall vibrated with invisible energies, concentrating the Qi within the circle's perimeter. To the eyes of any observer with the ability to see beyond the mundane, the Qi in the room would have appeared to concentrate with remarkable intensity within the confines of the circle, creating a fascinating sight. The serenity of the session was interrupted by a soft knock at the wooden door.

Without opening his eyes, Sun Hao opened the door with a gesture of his hand, revealing the figure of Taijian Li Ming, one of his most loyal servants, who entered with measured, respectful steps.

"Emperor, I beg your pardon for interrupting your cultivation", Taijian Li Ming began, keeping his head bowed in a sign of respect.

"What matter so urgent has made you interrupt our cultivation session, Taijian Li Ming?" Sun Hao asked, opening his eyes and fixing his gaze on his right hand.

"Sire, we have intercepted an intruder attempting to gain access to the Pavilion of the Scent of Clouds. We believe his intention was to assassinate Zhāohuán Wen", Taijian Li Ming reported in a grave tone. Sun Hao's expression hardened slightly "Have you discovered who sent this assassin?"

"No, Your Majesty. However, the intruder had two open Gates", Li Ming replied, troubled by the implications of such ability. Hearing this, a flash of anger and understanding crossed the Emperor's gaze "Then it is someone from the sect, and almost certainly sent by our father. He is obsessed with getting rid of his granddaughter, whom he considers a stain on our family's reputation due to her physical condition."

"What do you wish us to do, Emperor?" Taijian Li Ming asked, ready to carry out any order.

"Leave the matter of our father in our hands", Sun Hao replied.

"But our daughter's security must be improved. What is the current state of cultivation of Yushi Wang Lianhua?"

"She has one open Gate, but since she opened it before learning of her posting, she opened the Yang Gate as most women do", Li Ming answered in response to the sudden question.

"Instruct her to focus on the Yin Gate. It is the only one that can improve her capacity to protect her right now. Now, tell us, how is our daughter? Is it true she has begun learning to read?" Sun Hao continued.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The princess shows great aptitude and enthusiasm for the books she has been provided", Taijian Li Ming confirmed, while inwardly sighing and hoping this would not incite the Emperor to another bout of madness.

"Good. See to it that she is assigned a competent tutor. We want her to receive the best education possible", the Emperor declared, his voice filled with firm determination.

"A personal tutor? We will not be sending her to the Guozijian like all the other princes?" Taijian Li Ming asked.

"No. Her mobility issues make it inadvisable, since someone would have to carry her everywhere. Moreover, it would be too exposed a location in the event of another assassination attempt", the Emperor responded.

"We grant permission for our daughter's tutor to use the imperial library for her lessons."

"As you command, Son of Heaven", Taijian Li Ming replied, bowing deeply before withdrawing from the hall. With a gesture of his hand, Sun Hao closed the door behind his servant. Turning his attention back to the cultivation circle, the Emperor resumed his meditation, though his mind was now divided between the path of cultivation and concern for his daughter. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Within the intricate and solemn framework of the Tianjing Empire, the study of Taijian Li Ming, the Emperor's right hand, reflected its occupant's personality: meticulously organized and austere. Dark wood shelves housed scrolls of legal texts, treatises on the art of war, and many on political strategy. A large ebony desk dominated the room, upon which sat a jade inkwell and several perfectly aligned papers.

The walls were adorned with maps of the Empire and portraits of former ministers, illuminated by the soft light of a bronze oil lamp that cast dancing shadows on the walls as evening fell. Just as the sun began to sink below the horizon, a soft knock sounded at the study's wooden door.

"Enter", Taijian Li Ming said in a firm voice. The door opened to reveal a man of about fifty, with a long white beard and the typical appearance of a Confucian scholar. He wore a blue silk robe and a tall hat, his brow reflecting a life devoted to study and contemplation. He was Jijiu Zhang Zhihao, the director of the prestigious Guozijian, the imperial academy.

"Greetings, Taijian Li Ming", Jijiu Zhang began with a respectful bow.

"I received an urgent summons to discuss matters of the Empire."

"Jijiu Zhang, thank you for coming promptly. You have been called because the Emperor has ordered that Zhāohuán Wen receive a personalized education. Her lessons will be given in the imperial library", Taijian Li Ming told him, looking the old man directly in the eye.

"But this is unprecedented!" Jijiu Zhang protested, clearly upset by the breach of tradition.

"Never has a member of the imperial family been instructed outside the formality of the Guozijian."

"If you have objections, you may express them directly to the Emperor", Taijian Li Ming interrupted with severity, his tone making it clear there was no room for debate.

"Are you saying you will not comply with His Majesty's orders?" Hearing this, Jijiu Zhang fell silent, his face reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"These are the Emperor's direct orders. You may withdraw now", Taijian Li Ming concluded, gesturing toward the door. Jijiu Zhang performed a bow, his expression full of discontent, and left the study, heading toward the Guozijian. After Jijiu Zhang's departure, Taijian Li Ming remained pensive for a time, staring at the door, and appeared to reach some kind of decision, for he emerged from his contemplation and began writing something on a sheet of paper, which he placed in an envelope.

He then summoned one of his trusted men and handed it to him "Deliver this to the Third Prince, but be as discreet as possible."

"As you command, Taijian", the man replied. He took the envelope and left the study, leaving Taijian Li Ming once more lost in thought. The Guozijian, situated in the heart of the Empire, was a complex of majestic buildings surrounded by meticulously tended gardens. The classrooms and dormitories were arranged around a large central courtyard where students practiced calligraphy and debated classical texts. Jijiu Zhang's study was in the main building, decorated with banners bearing the academy's emblem.

Upon arriving, Jijiu Zhang passed several secretaries and instructed them in a firm voice "Find every available master and tell them they must assemble in the faculty hall within half a period." Half a period later, Jijiu Zhang entered the faculty hall, where some twenty scholars awaited him, their faces full of curiosity and concern at the abruptness of the summons.

"Colleagues, the Emperor has ordered that his daughter, Zhāohuán Wen, be tutored individually", he began, capturing everyone's attention.

"I need a volunteer to assume this honor." A stunned silence fell over the room. After a few moments, excuses began to surface among the scholars.

"I… I am in charge of overseeing this term's graduation thesis", said one, avoiding Jijiu Zhang's gaze.

"My health would not allow me to dedicate the necessary time to the princess", another claimed, coughing slightly to emphasize his point. As the professors presented their various reasons for being unable to take on the task, Jijiu Zhang surveyed the room, his expression darkening as he understood the true reason behind their excuses. At last his gaze came to rest on a corner where a short, portly man known as Xueshi Wenxue sat absorbed in a book, apparently oblivious to the commotion.

"Xueshi Wenxue", Jijiu Zhang called. The man looked up, arching an eyebrow in inquiry.

"You will be Zhāohuán Wen's private tutor", Jijiu Zhang told him with firmness.

"I'm sorry, Jijiu Zhang, but at the moment I'm in the middle of an important piece of research that I cannot set aside", the scholar called Xueshi Wenxue replied.

"It is the Emperor's personal order", Jijiu Zhang answered.

"Furthermore, he has ordered that her lessons be given in the imperial library." At the mention of the imperial library, Xueshi Wenxue's face lit up. He responded with enthusiasm, his interest clearly piqued by the prospect of access to the library "I shall carry out the Emperor's orders with the utmost pleasure."

And so, with a new purpose and the responsibility of guiding the future leader of the Empire, Xueshi Wenxue rose to face his new and prestigious task, which had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that it granted him access to the imperial library, something he had always dreamed of. Meanwhile, Jijiu Zhang watched him go, praying that the implications of this decision would not cost him his head.