Cao Zhengchun’s voice was kept extremely low.
It was so low that the sound of the wind outside the window almost drowned out his words.
But it was precisely this deliberate lowering that made every word seem exceptionally heavy.
“Mountain Lord Lu is a scholar, well-versed in classics and history.
You naturally know how much chaos a vacant throne can cause throughout the dynasties.
Not to speak of the distant past, just look at the Zhengtong era of the previous dynasty; the succession was also undecided, and what happened?
Three princes engaged in overt and covert struggles, and the court ministers each served their own masters.
A perfectly good realm was tormented until its vitality was severely damaged, and in the end, outsiders benefited.”
He paused, picked up his tea cup to take a sip, moistened his lips, and continued.
“Now, there are also undercurrents surging in the court.
The First Prince, the Third Prince, the Fifth Prince—which one of them is not a son of the dragon and grandson of the phoenix?
Which one of them doesn't have a few people by their side offering strategies and plots?
Yet the Emperor simply refuses to state his position. I cannot sleep at night, fearing that one day I will wake up and the palace will have changed overnight.”
At this point, he looked up at Lu Chenzhou.
“However, I have served the Emperor for forty years, and I have also served several princes.
To speak from the heart...
I watched His Highness the First Prince grow up.
This child has been benevolent since he was young, kind and lenient to those below him, and never uses his position to oppress others.
Over these years, he has shared the Emperor’s burdens in the court, and he has never made a mistake in his duties.
He is also exceptionally polite to old servants like me.
What is even rarer is this:
His heart is with the world, and he especially values culture and education.
It was his own initiative to send me to Qingya Academy this time.
He said that Qingya Academy is where the world’s cultural lineage resides, and the students must not be neglected just because the Emperor’s Imperial health is poor.”
He gently set the tea cup on the red sandalwood table.
“His Highness the First Prince often says that if he were to become the master of the world, the first thing he would do is greatly promote culture and education and place scholars in important positions.
He would never mistreat a place like Qingya Academy.
As for the students who come out of the academy, he would appoint them all according to their talents and never let them be overlooked.”
Cao Zhengchun stopped there, picked up his tea cup to take another sip, and his gaze fell on Lu Chenzhou’s face through the misty steam of the tea, as if waiting for a response.
The sky outside the hall grew increasingly gloomy.
The clouds hung extremely low, almost touching the flying eaves of the academy.
The distant sound of thunder rolled over faintly, like something enormous was slowly turning over in the sky.
Lu Chenzhou remained silent for a moment, then picked up his tea cup and took a sip.
His movements were still unhurried, but his fingers holding the lid used a bit more force than usual.
“Lord Cao’s words today are truly from the heart; I am deeply moved.”
He set down the tea cup, looked up, and met Cao Zhengchun’s gaze calmly.
“However, Lord Cao says a Crown Prince must be named, but I am merely a mountain schoolteacher; how could I possibly have a say?
Such great affairs of state are for the lords in the court to discuss; I do not dare to interfere.”
His voice was neither humble nor arrogant, but his tone shifted quietly.
“As for His Highness the First Prince’s kind favor, the entire academy is overwhelmed by the honor.
Only, Qingya Academy has had a rule since our ancestor founded it.
The academy only pursues learning and does not involve itself in court politics.
Whoever becomes the Emperor, the academy will be loyal to them.
Whoever sits on that chair, the academy will teach students and nurture talents for them.”
He paused, took another sip of tea, and his voice remained in that same unhurried tone.
“Lord Cao says that if His Highness the First Prince becomes the master of the world, he will surely promote culture and education and value scholars.
I believe those words.
But if the Third Prince or the Fifth Prince were to take his place, would they then not value culture and education?
Would they not use scholars?
Would the students taught by the academy then have no future?”
He set down the tea cup and smiled slightly.
“Lord Cao, the academy’s duty is to teach and educate, not to take a side for anyone.
Lord Cao should understand this principle even better than I do.”
Cao Zhengchun did not respond immediately.
His hand holding the tea cup stopped in mid-air, and his bright black eyes narrowed slightly, staring at Lu Chenzhou for a long time.
The bamboo shadows outside swayed on the paper window, making the light and shadow on his face flicker, rendering that well-maintained, fair face somewhat inscrutable at that moment.
Then he laughed.
The smile was still warm and soft, but the mirth was a bit deeper than before.
“What are you saying, Mountain Lord? It is only right for the academy to focus on scholarship.”
Immediately, he turned his head slightly.
“It’s just that the current situation is unclear, and hearts in the court are unsettled.
Even if the Mountain Lord does not consider himself, do you not consider those disciples in the academy who are about to enter the court?
I have heard that many students from the academy hold important positions within the Six Ministries.
If there is some upheaval in the future, how will they handle themselves?”
The thunder outside suddenly drew closer.
A muffled crack of thunder rolled over their heads, making the window frames rattle.
Lu Chenzhou’s hand holding the tea cup paused for a moment.
This pause was extremely brief, so brief it was almost undetectable.
But Cao Zhengchun saw it.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, the curve so small it seemed like an illusion.
When Lu Chenzhou set down the tea cup and looked up, his face still held that same expression as calm as water.
Only, there was a tiny, subtle trace of coldness in his voice.
“Lord Cao’s words are incorrect.
The academy teaches students to read the books of sages and understand the principles of a gentleman.
This is so that after they enter the court, they can serve the state and the people, rather than fawning over the powerful or forming factions for private gain.
If they forget the academy’s teachings once they enter the court, it is because they have not mastered their studies, and they cannot blame their teacher.
If they strictly observe their duties and maintain their integrity, even if they suffer demotion due to ill fortune...
That too is seeking righteousness and finding it.”
His voice was not loud, but every word was like iron, resonating with strength.
“As for the future of the academy...
Lord Cao worries too much.
Qingya Academy has stood for one hundred and thirty-seven years, through two dynasties and five emperors.
The Chancellors in the court have changed batch after batch, and the sects in the martial world have risen and fallen.
Yet the academy is still the academy, the students are still the students, and the books are still those same books.
The academy has never relied on any one emperor or any one powerful official to survive.
It relies on this cultural lineage that has never been broken for one hundred and thirty-seven years.
It relies on those students who have gone out, and it relies on these children who are still studying.”
He picked up the tea cup, took a sip of the tea that had long since gone cold, and his voice returned to its usual peacefulness.
“If Lord Cao truly cares for the academy, then please leave His Highness the First Prince’s rewards so the students may feel the court’s grace.
As for the matter of recommending a successor, please forgive the academy for being powerless to help.
It is as I said: the academy only pursues learning and does not involve itself in court politics.
Whoever becomes the Emperor, we will teach just the same.”
Thunder rolled outside the hall.
Raindrops as large as beans finally came crashing down with a pitter-patter.
They hit the tiles, the bamboo leaves, and the bluestone pavement...
Merging into a dense and noisy sound.
Cao Zhengchun remained silent for a long time.
He just sat quietly in the Grandmaster chair, one hand holding the tea cup while the fingers of his other hand tapped rhythmically on the edge of the red sandalwood table.
The tapping was very light, but it was clearly audible in the quiet hall.
Then he suddenly laughed.
“Mountain Lord Lu truly lives up to his reputation.”
He gently set the tea cup on the table, stood up, and straightened the sleeves of his crimson python robe.
“I have been in the palace for forty years and have seen all kinds of people.
There are those who bow and scrape when they see me, those who tremble with fear, and those who act loftily in my presence.
But this is the first time I have seen someone like Mountain Lord Lu, who clearly knows I have come as a lobbyist for the First Prince, yet can still speak to this extent. Only...”
He turned around, his back to Lu Chenzhou, walked two steps, and then stopped. He turned his head slightly, and his voice was not heavy, yet it was crystal clear through the sound of the rain.
“Does the Mountain Lord truly have no other plans?”
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