Minister Feng sat alone in the first carriage, escorted by two guards on horseback as the convoy slowly proceeded…
“How much further to the capital?” Minister Feng asked casually, lifting the curtain.
Although the old man had reached sixty, he looked quite spirited. The bumpy journey had not tired him; instead, a hint of excitement was evident…
It wasn’t for any other reason than recruiting three excellent students from Bocai Academy. Upon their arrival at the Imperial Academy, he intended to focus on their development.
The nation needed talent, and hope rested with the youth. Minister Feng, learned and having studied his entire life, had long understood this truth…
“Minister Feng, we are about a day’s journey away. Are you tired? I’ll find an inn ahead, and we can rest for the night before continuing tomorrow!” a guard said, cupping his hands.
Minister Feng heard this, glanced back at the carriages behind him, and sighed softly, “This long journey is most taxing. A rest would be good…”
In the second carriage sat Yun Jinhe, Murong Qing, Yang Jingrui, and another student.
As the noble son of the current Prime Minister Yang, Yang Jingrui was not only a good student but also exceptionally handsome, refined, and cultured.
The moment the other student entered the carriage, he began showering Yang Jingrui with praise, spattering saliva. Yang Jingrui offered only perfunctory replies, spending most of his time with his eyes closed, resting…
Yang Jingrui himself was not pretentious, perhaps only a little aloof and proud. However, others always insisted on elevating him, fawning over him, and trying to please him in every way.
People who were so superficial were not suitable for friendship. Therefore, during his time at Bocai Academy, Yang Jingrui had almost always kept to himself…
“Guo Xiaotao, can you say a little less? Can’t you see Young Master Yang is tired?” Murong Qing said, giving the student a disdainful look.
Guo Xiaotao paused slightly, then chuckled, “Not at all, not at all. Young Master Yang loves chatting with me!”
Murong Qing: “……”
Shameless.
If you’re like this, even if you get into the Imperial Academy, what of it? You’ll still be looked down upon.
Yang Jingrui opened his eyes and looked deeply at Murong Qing, a hint of gratitude on his face. “Miss Murong, you’ve traveled a great distance with Young Master Yun to reach this place and have endured much hardship on the journey. How about this: when we reach the capital, I intend to invite Young Master Yun and Miss Murong to my residence. We will be fellow students at the Imperial Academy from now on, and on this basis alone, we should foster good relations…”
Yun Jinhe smiled upon hearing this and politely declined, “Young Master Yang is too kind. We are from a small place and don’t even know what the capital looks like. It’s not too late to visit your esteemed residence after we’ve familiarized ourselves with the environment!”
Yang Jingrui: “……”
I wanted to invite Miss Murong alone; you’re just tagging along.
“What do you think, Miss Murong?” Yang Jingrui asked with great anticipation.
Murong Qing smiled faintly, “I am Jinhe’s personal attendant and study companion. How can I possibly impose upon Young Master Yang’s home?”
Her refusal was direct, leaving Yang Jingrui somewhat awkward…
Seeing this, Guo Xiaotao quickly interjected, “Have you all heard? If you excel in the mock exams at the Imperial Academy, you’ll have a chance to study in Yan Country! Oh, such a powerful nation, I dream of going there!”
Yan Country was the most powerful of the five nations at present, far surpassing others in both technology and culture…
Therefore, being able to study in Yan Country had become the coveted dream of scholars in Daliang Country.
Yun Jinhe pursed his lips upon hearing this, “It is said that Yan Country’s rapid rise to power and prosperity is all thanks to the young Imperial Advisor, with little relation to the King…”
“Exactly, exactly!” Guo Xiaotao nodded repeatedly, extremely excited. “Jinhe, do you think such a formidable person truly exists in this world? To govern a nation at such a young age, they must be brimming with knowledge and understand both ancient and modern times! Alas, if only I could have the fortune to meet the young Imperial Advisor…”
Yun Jinhe let out a soft hum in his heart.
What’s wrong with being young? His little aunt was only six years old, yet she had already achieved great things!
The world was vast, and it wasn’t strange for prodigies to appear…
Murong Qing narrowed her eyes slightly, a complex glint flashing in their depths.
“Miss Murong, would you like to visit Yan Country?” Yang Jingrui suddenly asked.
Murong Qing snapped back to attention, smiled, and nodded, “As the saying goes, people strive for higher places, and water flows downwards. Yan Country is prosperous and economically developed; visiting it would broaden my horizons…”
Though she said this, she inwardly scoffed.
Living in ancient times, no matter how developed the economy or powerful the nation, it couldn’t compare to modern society.
If it weren’t for finding her younger brother, she probably wouldn’t have ventured to Yan Country in her lifetime…
“Then we can travel to Yan Country together in the future!” Yang Jingrui said with a faint smile, his gaze towards Murong Qing filled with admiration.
Murong Qing offered a polite, gentle smile, not intending to continue the conversation with Yang Jingrui…
Even if she went to Yan Country, she wouldn’t go with the Prime Minister’s son.
Guo Xiaotao opened his bag and took out several roasted sweet potatoes, offering them to others. “When a nation is powerful, it’s inevitable that they will bully weaker nations. Take the matter of Chen Country, for instance. If Yan Country hadn’t invaded them, Chen Country wouldn’t have fallen…”
Upon this topic, Murong Qing became particularly annoyed.
Guo Xiaotao was absolutely right. She had been living peacefully in Chen Country when Yan Country inexplicably attacked, shattering the entire nation. Even Princess Fang’er had gone mad…
It seemed that the young Imperial Advisor wasn’t a good person either, instigating the king to wage aggressive wars, showing no foresight.
Yun Jinhe ate a sweet potato and offered no opinion.
Seeing Murong Qing’s hair fall and cover half her face, he reached out to brush her bangs aside…
This scene was witnessed by Yang Jingrui, who felt an inexplicable pang of jealousy, finding the sweet potato in his hand suddenly tasteless.
As evening approached, the carriages stopped in front of an inn.
Minister Feng ordered the kitchen to prepare two extra dishes and instructed the three students, “When you reach the Imperial Academy, you must study diligently and be observant. The current prohibition of alcohol at the Imperial Academy is very strict for students. During festivals and holidays, you should give gifts and not be too stingy with your money…”
It was said that the current prohibition of alcohol at the Imperial Academy had previously served as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy and was quite harsh towards his subordinates, let alone these students.
“Your students will remember Minister Feng’s teachings!” the three students said in unison, cupping their hands in a bow.
After resting at the inn for a night, the group set off again the next morning as dawn was just breaking…