The moment Zhao Wenyuan saw the two pieces of Yin-Yang Jade Marrow in his hand, his heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, I've become a thief.
His pupils trembled as he looked up, only to meet Gu Fangchen's eyes, just as the latter turned his head.
Gu Fangchen's gaze carried a faint, teasing smile.
"What's wrong, Zhao Wenyuan? Come along with me."
Zhao Wenyuan's heart sank. He drew a deep breath, hearing the unspoken message hidden in those words.
Gu Fangchen's invitation could not possibly have been "found." It must have been personally granted by either the Yong'an Emperor or the Grandmaster.
But the Yin-Yang Jade Marrow's whereabouts, that was now entirely up to Gu Fangchen's discretion.
All it would take was a single word from Gu Fangchen, and Zhao Wenyuan would become the thief who stole from the Grandmaster.
As for the truth?
If both the Emperor and the Grandmaster stood on Gu Fangchen's side, then the truth no longer mattered.
Power defines truth.
Zhao Wenyuan had kept his light hidden for years, never letting his elder brother seize a single handle against him, precisely because he understood this point better than anyone.
Just like today's Qionglin Banquet, when all was said and done, there was only one person who could determine the outcome, and that was the Emperor himself.
Gu Fangchen's meaning was clear: either you stand with me, or I'll ruin you right now.
Zhao Wenyuan tucked the jade marrow away and immediately put on a fawning smile.
"Heir Apparent, wasn't I just coming along? Please, wait for me..."
Gu Fangchen shook his fan and sighed.
"Oh? I thought the second young master of the Zhao family saw that I was alone and planned to abandon me, letting me face the tigers, leopards, and wolves of the Qionglin Banquet by myself."
"How could that be? We've been stealing chickens and dogs together since childhood, how could I leave you behind?"
Gu Fangchen chuckled softly.
So this was the man who would one day become Left Chancellor, rivaling Gu Yuye, the man really did have a thick skin.
...
Inside Qionglin Garden.
This sprawling garden, expanded by generations of emperors, existed solely to host banquets for newly appointed scholars. It was vast and filled with pines, bamboo, plum, and cypress trees, with a clear pond planted full of lotuses stretching endlessly across its surface.
Nine winding galleries led toward the central courtyard.
At that moment, the courtyard rang with music and laughter. The officials of Great Wei and cultivators from various sects had already gathered, all surrounding Gu Yuandao at the center to offer congratulations.
"I've long heard of the disciple of the Sage, a prodigy of the Literary Dao unseen in a thousand years, born under the heavenly star of Literature. Seeing him today, the reputation is indeed well deserved!"
"The first man in our dynasty to achieve triple honors in the examinations, and the only son of the Northern Garrison Prince, a true qilin child! Ah, if only my own son could be so accomplished."
"What a pity he once lay hidden under dust for so many years. At last, the pearl has been found again."
"What do you mean, 'found again'? This is clearly Rectifying the Origin and Returning to the Source!"
One official raised his cup, drained it, and sneered.
"As for that Gu Fangchen, his collusion with the demonic sects is already a matter of record. The Northern Garrison Prince has been investigating for three days, today, the results should be announced to the world."
The man grew agitated. "That beast has occupied the position of heir for so many years, committing countless evils. It's time he paid for them!"
Someone quickly tugged his sleeve and whispered,
"Brother Lin, mind your tongue! Wait for the imperial decree, then curse him all you want."
The man surnamed Lin gave a cold snort, raised his cup again, and turned toward Gu Yuandao at the center.
"Top Scholar Gu, allow me to toast you!"
At the focus of all eyes stood the newly crowned champion, Gu Yuandao.
He wore the robe of a zhuangyuan, a black gauze hat adorned with golden flowers, and cloud-patterned black boots. Tall, elegant, and graceful, anyone who saw him would praise him as a gentleman like pine and bamboo.
He raised his cup in return, smiling faintly.
"Your praises are excessive. I was merely fortunate to earn His Majesty's favor. From now on, I only wish to devote what little I have to the service of Great Wei."
Everyone responded at once:
"Top Scholar Gu, with your essay on the People's Livelihood winning the favor of the Righteous Qi of the Vast Heavens, you are destined to become a pillar of the nation. Why belittle yourself so?"
Surrounded by applause and admiration, Gu Yuandao felt the last knots in his chest finally dissolve. He exhaled deeply.
Yes, this was how it should be.
This was the treatment he deserved upon returning to the princely manor.
Everything that Gu Fangchen had disrupted was finally returning to its proper course.
Smiling, he toasted one after another, basking in the reverence.
At the height of the merriment, even representatives from Yaoshan Academy stepped forward to offer congratulations.
Gu Youren, both Gu Yuandao's elder sister and an instructor of Yaoshan Academy, was among them.
Seeing everyone praising Gu Yuandao, watching as the reputation of the Northern Garrison Prince's household slowly recovered, she felt as though the entire sullied world had been cleansed anew.
The turmoil in her heart, stirred by Gu Fangchen's recent unpredictable actions, finally subsided.
Pressing her lips together, she recalled the sight of Gu Fangchen tearing their master's handwritten scriptures and tossing them into water. Her gaze grew cold.
Even if their master had some greater plan for the nation and had once considered using Gu Fangchen...
Such a blasphemous act must have exceeded her teacher's limits of tolerance!
She must have realized by now that Gu Fangchen was a born miscreant, utterly irredeemable, a puddle of filth, a rotten stump of wood.
How could such a wretch ever be fit for great designs?
Gu Yuandao had already told her that today, they would borrow the Sage's beast "Regulation" to perform the Rite of Heart Examination. By then, Gu Fangchen's true nature would surely be exposed.
Seated beside Gu Youren was Li Qingguang of the Poetry Vein.
Looking around, slightly disappointed, Li couldn't help asking,
"Teacher Gu, isn't the Grandmaster coming?"
Though Gu Youren held another identity, as a lecturer of the Academy, her students still addressed her as "teacher."
Li Qingguang had come mainly in hopes of seeing the legendary female Grandmaster in person.
After all, the Saint of Fate, Xu Fu, was the most powerful woman alive.
"My teacher dislikes noise, she never enjoys such festivities..."
Gu Youren had only spoken halfway when a guard's voice suddenly sounded from outside.
"Honoring the arrival of the Grandmaster's divine chariot-"
"The Grandmaster is here?!"
The entire garden erupted instantly.
Everyone jumped up in shock; the whole Qionglin Garden buzzed like a shaken hive.
For so many years, the Grandmaster had never once attended such a banquet, yet today, she had broken precedent?
An old minister quickly reacted, stroking his beard as he turned to Gu Yuandao with admiration.
"The Grandmaster herself graces this feast, coming in person to celebrate the new top scholar. Scholar Gu's talent must have moved Heaven itself, his brilliance already touches the very fortune of the realm!"
Though others found the flattery excessive, they could not deny its truth.
It was common knowledge that the Grandmaster could see five hundred years ahead and five hundred years behind; all worldly affairs lay in her grasp. Unless the Emperor himself sought her counsel, she sat in silent seclusion upon the Pillar of Silence, untouched by mortal dust.
Her personal appearance today, to congratulate Gu Yuandao, was unmistakable proof of her recognition of his ability and potential.
All the officials and cultivators present turned even more fervent eyes upon Gu Yuandao. Compliments and congratulations filled the air like a rising tide.
Gu Youren, though surprised, felt her conviction harden.
Her teacher must have finally given up on Gu Fangchen and shifted support to Gu Yuandao. Relief flooded her heart, the situation had not taken some outrageous turn after all. Everything was falling back into its rightful order.
Everyone straightened their robes and waited expectantly for the Grandmaster's arrival.
A figure stepped through the doorway.
Gu Yuandao lifted the corners of his mouth, satisfaction welling within him. He raised his hand in salute.
"Your student, Gu Yuandao, greets-"
But before he could finish, a familiar, drawling voice rang out with a grin.
"Well, if it isn't the illustrious Top Scholar of Great Wei! Why the grand salute? Don't tell me, sir, that you not only enjoy recognizing fathers, but also like collecting wild ones?"
Gu Yuandao's smile froze instantly.