Liang Xiao looked at the two elders with confusion. It wasn't surprising they had come to pick him up.
Luo Changfeng then recounted the events of the morning court to Liang Xiao.
It turned out that as soon as the court session began, Emperor Xiao Qing, using the theme "To establish the heart for heaven and earth, to establish life for the people, to inherit the lost learning of the ancient sages, and to bring peace to all generations," lectured the officials and intended to enshrine these four sentences as essential wisdom for all scholars of Da Qian.
Upon hearing these words, the civil and military officials were all filled with admiration, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Some were even moved to tears on the spot, prostrating themselves and expressing profound sentiment.
However, Xiao Qing stated plainly, "These four sentences are not uttered by this humble emperor, but by another."
The officials inquired who this person was, but Xiao Qing merely smiled and remained silent.
Afterward, Xiao Qing secretly summoned Liang Qing and entrusted him with a confidential letter.
After Liang Qing departed, Xiao Qing instructed Luo Changfeng to inform Zhuo Zifang to come and find Liang Xiao, telling Liang Xiao that if he wished, he could claim authorship of these words at any time, be awarded a thousand taels of gold, and have it announced nationwide.
After hearing this, Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Your Majesty is being most courteous this time, not troubling me. There is no need for authorship. The crucial thing is to enable scholars throughout the land to find their aim in learning by using these as their guide."
Zhuo Zifang and Luo Changfeng exchanged glances, their regard for Liang Xiao deepening.
As a dissolute young master, who would not be greedy for wealth?
Luo Changfeng laughed heartily, "Your Majesty has again entrusted this old man and Lord Zhuo Zifang to ask you the name of that poem from the other day."
"Bu Suan Zi · Yong Mei," Liang Xiao replied.
The two elders were overjoyed.
Luo Changfeng reminded him, "Xiao'er, this is your chance to make a name for yourself, change your image, and marry Qingxue!"
"Grandpa Luo, currently I desire nothing more than to rest and recuperate quietly," Liang Xiao sighed.
Luo Changfeng and Zhuo Zifang looked at each other.
Liang Qing had mentioned that Liang Xiao was injured and truly needed to recuperate...
Thus, Zhuo Zifang changed the subject and brought up that poem again: "Ze Guo Jiang Shan Ru Zhan Tu," he sighed, "I wonder who wrote it, such a marvel that even Her Highness the Princess was moved..."
"Indeed, indeed. Your Majesty told me that the Princess later discovered that although the poem seemed complete, it left one with a sense of incompleteness," Luo Changfeng agreed.
Zhuo Zifang seized the opportunity, "Precisely! I heard that the paper was clearly large enough for four more lines, suggesting a second half was intended. It's just a pity we don't know who can complete it. Perhaps by impressing the Princess with the complete poem, one might even have a chance to become a consort..."
Silently, sandwiched between the two elders, Liang Xiao secretly rolled his eyes.
You two old rascals, talking endlessly in front of me, do you think I don't understand what you mean?
Liang Xiao coughed violently and said, "I will rest for a while. Wake me when we reach the Imperial Academy."
The two elders did not object, allowing Liang Xiao to sit on the left and lean against the side to sleep.
Luo Changfeng cautiously peeked at Liang Xiao, his breath catching, and pointed to Liang Xiao's nape.
Zhuo Zifang leaned over curiously to look and was struck as if by lightning.
A scar was faintly visible, savage and terrifying!
The two elders exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
This wound looked exceptionally severe...
Filled with emotion, Luo Changfeng could not bear to disturb him further but his resolve was strengthened.
"We must absolutely not allow Qingxue to break off the engagement!"
At the entrance of the Imperial Academy, Zhuo Zifang led Liang Xiao, Luo Changfeng, and Yue Lian into the deep courtyard, under the watchful eyes of numerous imperial students.
Among the crowd, Liang Yun gazed enviously at Liang Xiao, filled with bitter resentment, "You get all the good things, while I, because I'm your cousin, can only behave myself here. Once Grandpa leaves, I'll have my elder brother kick you out of the family sooner or later!"
A moment later, Ouyang Sheng and others also returned to the Imperial Academy and found Liang Yun.
"Liang Yun, that Liang Xiao, he's your cousin, isn't he?" Ouyang Sheng's tone was sharp.
Liang Yun jumped in fright and quickly explained, "We have different interests, and our paths do not align!"
"Good! It seems my dear brother is a true scholar!" Ouyang Sheng applauded, introducing Liang Yun to other talented youths, and they engaged in pleasantries to foster their camaraderie.
In the courtyard, Luo Changfeng said to Liang Xiao, "Xiao'er, I have already informed the scholars here to take good care of you."
Liang Xiao inwardly smiled bitterly, still nodding his thanks.
From childhood until now, Luo Changfeng had always shown him such care, comparable to his own grandfather Liang Qing...
After Luo Changfeng left, Zhuo Zifang led Liang Xiao to his study.
"You can read all the classics here. From today onwards, I will explain the classics to you at irregular intervals each day."
Liang Xiao dryly laughed, "Lord Zhuo Zifang, you truly needn't trouble yourself so much; I can read them myself."
Zhuo Zifang repeatedly shook his head, "That will not do! You only have one month to prepare, and the topic for the national examination has not even been set yet. Anything is possible. If you fail, and Qingxue breaks off the engagement, let alone us elders losing face, Elder Luo would not be able to bear it!"
Liang Xiao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Zhuo Zifang had Yue Lian sit to the side to rest, and he personally selected a classic to begin his explanation.
After a quarter of an hour, Zhuo Zifang noticed Liang Xiao was distracted and frowned, asking, "Liang Xiao, am I not explaining in enough detail, or is it not engaging? If it's not engaging, you must still learn it, for good advice is often unpleasant to hear!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "Lord Zhuo Zifang, the imperial examinations of our Da Qian are all about these contents, correct?"
"Indeed!" Zhuo Zifang nodded.
Liang Xiao looked at the classic in his hand and shook his head, "It causes great harm!"
The imperial examinations of Da Qian had a rather strong flavor of the eight-legged essay!
"Young Master..." Yue Lian nervously nudged Liang Xiao with her eyes.
Standing before him was the renowned Zhuo Zifang!
Zhuo Zifang's expression changed, and he tried to maintain his composure, asking, "How does it cause great harm?"
"I have heard that you, Lord Zhuo Zifang, are praised for your 'wisdom and adaptability,' not being a stubborn and pedantic scholar. Do you not understand? The meaning of classics is to nurture people, not to teach them how to guess exam topics and write essays. Learning these things only to study formats and seek shortcuts is why so many scholars, after passing the examinations and obtaining official positions, have only learned to incessantly extort the people's wealth."
Zhuo Zifang fell silent.
The imperial examinations were currently the relatively fair means that Da Qian could find, allowing many impoverished scholars to rise in status.
However, the drawbacks Liang Xiao spoke of indeed existed and were difficult to reform.
Liang Xiao said coldly, "If the selection for national affairs is also this absurd, then I'd rather not participate. If the engagement is broken, so be it. I am very weary of these rigid examination questions and do not wish to learn them."
Zhuo Zifang pondered for a moment, stroked his beard, and laughed heartily, "This old man almost forgot, one cannot view you through the lens of worldly conventions. What you say is also true. You may observe freely here for now, and this old man will return to ponder a wise strategy and come to teach you this afternoon."
After Zhuo Zifang left, Yue Lian nervously came to drape a piece of clothing over Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao's defiance towards Zhuo Zifang had truly made her heart pound.
Fortunately, this Lord Zhuo Zifang was broad-minded; anyone else might have had Liang Xiao beaten.
As Zhuo Zifang walked out of the grand courtyard, Luo Qingxue approached from a distance to pay her respects, her gaze full of unspoken sorrow.
"Teacher, I just received news that you and my grandfather specially brought Liang Xiao to the Imperial Academy? How was his attitude when you taught him the classics?"
Zhuo Zifang replied truthfully, "He was weary of it and did not wish to learn."