Chapter 7: The Wind Rises

 

“Your Highness, you’re back!”

 

“Hm.”

 

The next day, when the sun rose, Shen Yian stretched lazily and returned to the palace. The guards were waiting at the main gate early in the morning.

 

After being drunk by Ye Tiance the previous day, and then attending the morning court, Shen Yian felt like he was back in high school, staying up all night and then attending early morning self-study.

 

He wanted to stand in the corner and take a nap, but these ministers started arguing again.

 

Some were arguing, some were crying, and some were asking for money. The morning court was more lively than a vegetable market.

 

Emperor Wu was like a teacher in class, occasionally saying “quiet down” to calm everyone, but they would start arguing again after just a few minutes.

 

Shen Yian envied the older princes, who didn’t have to attend court and listen to politics at such a young age.

 

Of course, there was an exception – Shen Tengfeng, the ultimate lazy prince, who didn’t have to attend court either.

 

“Mendu, I’m going to take a rest. Come and call me at noon.”

 

“Your Highness, according to the schedule, you need to go to the academy to study at noon today!” Mendu pulled out a paper from his sleeve and said seriously.

 

“The academy?” Shen Yian was taken aback.

 

The academy, as its name suggests, was a place for reading and studying.

 

The Tianwu Academy, affiliated with the royal family, had students who were all children of the royal family or high-ranking officials.

 

The current academy master was no ordinary person, but rather Zhou Xiu, a great scholar and a direct disciple of the Saint of Literature. Even Emperor Wu had to show respect when he saw him.

 

Since Emperor Wu took the throne, the winds of martial arts had swept across the Great Qing Dynasty.

 

Literature could bring peace to the nation, and martial arts could stabilize the country.

 

Emperor Wu placed great importance on literature, and while building academies across the land, he also established a series of examination institutions to select talented individuals, similar to the imperial examinations of the previous dynasty.

 

Moreover, he had strict requirements for the princes and princesses, regardless of whether they had official positions or titles. They all had to graduate from the academy before they could be exempted from attending.

 

“No way.”

 

Shen Yian replied decisively.

 

“Your Highness… what will happen if you don’t go…?”

 

The academy had an attendance record, and it was clear who attended and who didn’t.

 

In the evening, after the academy closed, the attendance record would be sent to the palace by the Imperial Guard for Emperor Wu to review.

 

“It’s no big deal, I’ll just go to the palace once in the evening.” Shen Yian waved his hand indifferently.

 

What’s the point of studying those tedious texts? He could probably become a saint just by reciting a few famous phrases from the Four Books and Five Classics.

 

He would rather spend his time running around the Duke of State’s mansion and holding hands with Ye Lian.

 

“Your Highness is really bold.”

 

Mendu gave a thumbs up.

 

“Mendu, prepare some light and simple food for me at noon.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness! I’ll go arrange it now!”

 

――――――

 

Tianwu Academy.

 

Zhou Xiu, wearing a white long robe, held the attendance record and called out again: “Shen Yian!”

 

The classroom suddenly fell silent.

 

“The Sixth Brother is really bold, daring to skip the academy’s opening ceremony today.”

 

Shen Tengfeng was inwardly admiring him, thinking that even he didn’t dare to skip class, but Shen Yian did it directly.

 

“Fifth Brother, I see you’re excited today, did you discover something interesting again?”

 

The Fourth Prince, King of Song Shen Jingyu, asked with a smile on his face.

 

“Fourth Brother, I discovered a big secret, but I’m not sure about your sincerity,” Shen Tengfeng said, rubbing his hands together.

 

“Oh?”

 

Shen Jingyu took off a golden bracelet from his wrist and laughed lightly: “I didn’t bring any silver today, I don’t know if this will do?”

 

Shen Tengfeng took the bracelet and didn’t mind its quality, biting into it to confirm it was real gold, and then smiled with joy: “It’s fine! It’s more than fine! Fourth Brother!”

 

“Fourth Brother, come closer.”

 

Shen Tengfeng leaned in and whispered in Shen Jingyu’s ear.

 

“Oh? A fairy? An unparalleled beauty? That’s interesting.” Shen Jingyu smiled with interest.

 

“Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, what are you talking about?” The Seventh Prince, Shen Luoyan, curiously stretched out his small head, his face still retaining some childish innocence.

 

Shen Tengfeng didn’t refuse, rubbing his hands together.

 

Shen Luoyan’s face fell: “Fifth brother, you know I am even poorer than you…”

 

“Fifth Brother.” Shen Jingyu generously took off another golden bracelet from his left wrist.

 

Shen Tengfeng subconsciously glanced at Shen Jingyu’s feet.

 

He felt like these guys were getting richer and richer after becoming king.

 

“Five Brother, don’t look anymore, it’s all gone.”

 

“Cough, Seventh Brother, come closer.”

 

Shen Tengfeng took the bracelet with a calm expression, hooking his finger around it.

 

A few seconds later, Shen Luoyan had an incredulous expression.

 

“Is it real, Fifth Brother…?”

 

“I swear I saw it with my own eyes yesterday! I wouldn’t dare to deceive you!”

 

“Quiet.”

 

Zhou Xiu closed the attendance record and called out a servant.

 

“Go to the King of Chu’s mansion and ask about the prince’s situation.”

 

“Yes, sir!”

 

――――――

 

King of Chu’s mansion.

 

“I… am a servant from the academy, sent by Master Zhou to ask about the King of Chu’s situation today.”

 

The servant stood in front of Mendu, speaking nervously, clearly intimidated by Mendu’s appearance.

 

“His Highness is not feeling well today, please convey this to Master Zhou.”.

 

“I will convey this to Master Zhou, thank you for your trouble.” The servant bowed and quickly left.

 

Mendu couldn’t help but feel relieved, thinking that if he hadn’t been quick-witted, the King of Chu’s palace might have been in trouble.

 

At noon, the academy took a break, and Shen Tengfeng’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he asked everyone: “I have a big secret, do you want to know?”

 

After asking around, Shen Tengfeng made a fortune, and the news about Ye Liyan spread like wildfire.

 

“Did you hear? The Ye family’s cursed daughter is even more beautiful than the Four Beauties!”

 

“What? The granddaughter of the Duke of State is as beautiful as a fairy?”

 

“I heard the one in the Duke of State’s mansion is an unparalleled beauty!”

 

The story became more and more exaggerated as it spread.

 

Some even said that Ye Liyan was a fairy who was cursed and forced to descend to the mortal world.

 

The topic of Ye Liyan shifted from being a cursed girl to a discussion about her beauty.

 

Even the Four Beauties of Tianwu City were dragged into the whirlpool of public opinion.

 

The curious crowd wondered if the appearance of this “fairy” would make the Four Beauties become the Five Beauties.

 

When this wind blew, some reckless individuals wanted to catch a glimpse of the “fairy’s” beauty.

 

Some reckless guys even tried to climb over the walls of the Duke of State’s mansion, only to be chased away by the guards.

 

Ye Tiance sat in the mansion, his face dark and gloomy, aware of the rumors outside. He was certain that Shen Tengfeng’s big mouth was the source of the rumors.

 

He didn’t know whether to be happy or angry.

 

He was happy that the topic of Ye Liyan was no longer negative.

 

He was angry that these reckless individuals thought they could come and go as they pleased in his mansion!

 

Fortunately, Shen Yian had reminded him last night, and he had increased the number of guards today, leaving no opportunity for those reckless individuals to cause trouble.

 

“Master, the son of the Marquis of Lou is here with a gift and seeking an audience.”

 

Ah Fu ran into the hall to report.

 

“Tell them all to scram, the Duke of State’s mansion is closed to visitors today!” Ye Tiance said coldly.

 

“Yes, master!”

 

A moment later, Ah Fu ran back in.

 

“Master!”

 

“What is it? Didn’t I say we’re closed to visitors today?”

 

“It’s someone from King of Chu’s mansion seeking an audience!” Ah Fu said carefully.

 

Ye Tiance raised an eyebrow.

 

“Let them in.”

 

――――――

 

“Your Excellency, I’ve brought 100 elite guards to assist you, all under your command.” Cheng Hai bowed respectfully.

 

Ye Tiance looked at the 100 elite guards in black armor, each carrying a long sword, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face: “Thank you for King of Chu’s concern.”

 

King of Chu’s mansion.

 

Shen Yian asked: “Has Cheng Hai led the troops to the Duke of State’s mansion?”

 

“Replying to Your Highness, they have already arrived at the Duke of State’s mansion.” Mendu replied.

 

“Let’s wait and see, I’m curious about how far this whirlpool will spread.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness!”