Chapter 12

It was the third watch of the hour of the rooster.

Outside the Yang family residence.

Zhang Yun and Yang Hanrou walked side by side.

A look of worry was etched on Yang Hanrou's beautiful face.

"Brother Zhang Yun, do you think Gu Jinnian has recovered his memory?" Yang Hanrou asked.

"He has probably recovered some of it, but not completely. Otherwise, he would have revealed the truth long ago."

"But, Sister Hanrou, don't worry too much. Even if he does recover his memory, it doesn't mean much."

"Right now, the whole of Kyoto knows that Gu Jinnian made the first move. As long as we both insist that Gu Jinnian was at fault, the Gu family won't dare to act rashly."

"Moreover, Sister Hanrou, you don't need to worry about the Gu family's influence."

"In the current court, the power of the civil officials is growing, while the status of military officers is declining. This is an undeniable fact."

"The Gu family's status will also decline. A new emperor means new ministers. The current crown prince has a very good relationship with the civil officials. Once he ascends the throne, what will the Gu family be?"

Zhang Yun spoke, his words filled with disdain for the Gu family.

If one looks at the bigger picture, the fact that a son of a great scholar looks down on military officers shows how tense the situation in the court is.

After Zhang Yun's words, Yang Hanrou did not look relieved. Instead, she seemed distracted, lost in thought.

Seeing Yang Hanrou like this, Zhang Yun hated Gu Jinnian even more.

"Don't worry, Sister Hanrou."

"I'll go home and talk to Father. I believe he can handle it."

With that, Yang Hanrou nodded, not saying anything more.

Soon, Yang Hanrou returned to the residence.

Zhang Yun did not linger and headed straight home.

However, once inside, Yang Hanrou slowly unfolded a piece of paper.

She had found it in her drawer during the afternoon class.

[Meet me at the Three Fragrances Courtyard tomorrow at noon.]

A simple sentence, and Yang Hanrou instantly knew who had written it.

Gu Jinnian.

She had been uneasy all the way because of this.

Gu Jinnian had asked her to meet him tomorrow at noon, which made her very anxious.

As the daughter of the Minister of Rites, Yang Hanrou was not stupid; on the contrary, she was very intelligent. Otherwise, she wouldn't have immediately shifted the blame to Gu Jinnian.

At this moment, what she was most worried about was that Gu Jinnian had recovered his memory and would reveal the truth to the public.

If the truth came out, she would be in deep trouble.

Zhang Yun looked down on the Gu family because he was ignorant of their true power.

She knew.

But what puzzled her was why Gu Jinnian wanted to meet her. Why not reveal the truth directly? Why go through the trouble of meeting her?

She didn't understand.

Inside the Yang residence, Yang Hanrou's gaze became very complex, and her expression turned cold, showing no sign of weakness.

Two hours later.

In the northern part of Kyoto.

Inside a residence.

Zhang Yun stood before a middle-aged man, who wore a blue robe and had a clean-shaven face, looking very fair.

He exuded a sense of righteousness.

This was the contemporary great scholar, one of the most famous scholars in Daxia.

Zhang Yunhai.

At the age of forty-nine, he had already become a great scholar, though he held no official position in the court, his influence was immense. He was the main instructor at the Daxia Academy and was a strong candidate to become the next head of the academy.

At this moment.

After Zhang Yun recounted all the events of the day, Zhang Yunhai's expression turned slightly solemn.

Father and son remained silent for a full fifteen minutes.

Finally, Zhang Yunhai's voice slowly sounded.

"Has he recovered his memory?"

This question seemed to be a self-doubt.

Zhang Yun, standing before him, immediately answered.

"Father, I believe Gu Jinnian has only recovered part of his memory and is not fully aware of the situation."

"So he is not a threat."

"Moreover, Uncle Yang has already apologized, and the whole city now believes that Gu Jinnian is of poor character. Even if he truly recovers his memory, so what?"

"The deed is done, and the situation is settled."

Zhang Yun spoke, sounding somewhat dismissive.

Without evidence, what could Gu Jinnian do even if he recovered his memory?

What could he prove?

Words alone cannot win against two mouths.

But upon hearing this, Zhang Yunhai shook his head and looked at Zhang Yun with a hint of helplessness.

"Yun, you are wrong."

"What I am worried about is not Gu Jinnian, but the Gu family."

He spoke, disappointed with Zhang Yun's understanding.

What does it matter if Gu Jinnian has or hasn't recovered his memory?

What matters is the Gu family.

Not Gu Jinnian.

"Father, now that we have a foothold, what does the Gu family matter?"

"The Gu family has already become too powerful. If there is evidence, it's one thing, but without evidence, the Gu family won't dare to act rashly."

"If they truly act recklessly, all the scholars in the land will condemn the Gu family, and the emperor will not allow the Gu family to act so recklessly."

Zhang Yun still didn't care.

It wasn't that he looked down on the Gu family, but that he was angry with Gu Jinnian for all the insults he had received today, which made him more aggressive.

Of course, if it were anyone else, Zhang Yun wouldn't dare to speak so rashly in front of his father.

"You still don't understand. Do you really think the Minister of Rites covered up this matter out of fear of the Gu family?"

"This matter originally had nothing to do with you, but do you know why I got involved?"

"Was it just because you like Yang Hanrou?"

Zhang Yunhai's gaze turned slightly cold, disappointed in his son.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yun became somewhat flustered.

His father was a great scholar, and growing up under such a halo, he felt both pressure and pride, so he wanted to gain his father's approval.

Hearing these words, he naturally felt flustered and extremely curious about what was behind it all.

"Please enlighten me, Father."

Zhang Yun bowed his head, unable to think of anything else, so he asked.

"Yun, I am not unwilling to teach you, but many things you need to understand on your own."

"Otherwise, teaching you multiple times will be in vain."

Zhang Yunhai sighed.

After all, Zhang Yun was young, and it was reasonable that he couldn't think on this level.

"Yang Hanrou pushed Gu Jinnian into the water, nearly causing his death. This matter seems significant, but in the end, Gu Jinnian survived."

"In your eyes, do you think the Gu family would be furious and seek trouble with the Minister of Rites?"

"And that the minister feared the Gu family's retaliation, so he fabricated a lie, claiming that Gu Jinnian made the first move?"

Zhang Yunhai asked.

"Yes."

Zhang Yun nodded. Although he knew it couldn't be that simple, he couldn't think of any other reason, so he nodded.

"This is where I am disappointed."

"You are thinking too simply of the Minister of Rites, and you are thinking too simply of me, and even of all the scholars in Daxia."

"Gu Jinnian falling into the water was indeed a big deal, but the Minister of Rites is a man of integrity, a contemporary great scholar, and of high moral character. If his children were at fault, I believe the minister would not cover it up."

"But Gu Jinnian is different. He is from the Gu family, which represents the entire court's military officers."

"What the minister fears is that the Gu family will use this as a pretext to start a war in Daxia."

"Since the emperor ascended the throne, for twelve years, what has the entire court been arguing about day and night?"

"Isn't it the border war? The emperor wants to start a war, but the entire court of civil officials refuses to agree, suppressing it for twelve years."

"If the Gu family seizes this opportunity to impeach the minister, Daxia may very well enter a state of war, resulting in rivers of blood and mountains of corpses."

"For the greater good, the minister would rather act against his conscience than let the Gu family succeed."

"This is also why I got involved and had you provide testimony."

"Moreover, the rumors in the city involve many people. Otherwise, how could you think that everyone would be foolish about the grandson of a duke nearly drowning?"

Zhang Yunhai's words were firm and powerful.

Zhang Yun was completely stunned.

He really thought it was just a small matter, but he never imagined it involved so much.

Upon careful thought, it made sense.

What is the Minister of Rites? A great scholar, whose reputation is several times greater than his father's. Such a person would not violate his principles for a small matter.

"Father, I understand."

"But what should we do now?"

Zhang Yun bowed, full of curiosity.

"Wait and see."

"One of your statements was particularly good."

"Regardless of whether Gu Jinnian has recovered his memory, the situation is settled, and the public opinion is overwhelming."

"However, no matter what happens next, try not to provoke Gu Jinnian. Whether he is foolish or not, remember, the Gu family is not foolish. The head of the dukes did not rise to power through brute force alone."

"Especially Gu Ningya, who became the deputy commander of the Lantern Corps, is not someone to be underestimated."

"You just need to focus on your studies. When the Daxia Academy opens, you should condense your qi as soon as possible and truly become a scholar. This is your focus."

"Remember, your future path is already laid out by me. Don't ruin your future over a small dispute."

"Gu Jinnian and you are not on the same path."

Zhang Yunhai spoke earnestly.

These words gave Zhang Yun great confidence and instantly relieved him.

Indeed, what was the point of arguing with Gu Jinnian now? The last laugh is the best.

He just needed to focus on his own path.

However, Zhang Yunhai's voice continued.

"By the way, the Gu family has received a direct admission to the Daxia Academy."

"Gu Jinnian will likely enter the Daxia Academy with you."

Zhang Yunhai said slowly.

But this statement changed Zhang Yun's expression again.

"Direct admission?"

"Isn't Gu Jinnian going to the Daxia Academy harmful?"

Zhang Yun couldn't accept it.

In his mind, the Daxia Academy was a holy place for scholars. Gu Jinnian going there would be harmful, a black sheep, and a desecration of the holy place.

"Without giving this direct admission, the Gu family wouldn't let the minister off."

"Many things are involved here, which cannot be explained. Only when you reach that position will you understand."

"Yun, remember, in the world of officials, when the enemy advances, we advance; when the enemy retreats, we retreat. It's like a game of Go, where you can capture a piece, but you can also be captured."

"Winning the entire game is impossible."

"Moreover, Gu Jinnian going to the Daxia Academy may not be a good thing."

"Currently, the struggle between civil and military officials in the court is very intense. One misstep, and Gu Jinnian will suffer."

Zhang Yunhai emphasized the last sentence but did not elaborate too much.

Zhang Yun was not stupid, but he truly did not understand the meaning behind it.

It wasn't about complexity, but about his status. He simply didn't know the situation.

"Father, why does the Gu family want Gu Jinnian to go to the Daxia Academy?"

"Wouldn't it be better if he didn't go?"

"With the Gu family's capabilities, they could invite a retired great scholar, right?"

Zhang Yun was still curious. Given the intense struggle between civil and military officials, why send Gu Jinnian to the Daxia Academy? It didn't make sense.

Hearing this, Zhang Yunhai was silent for a moment.

Then, he said with a serious expression.

"This time, the Daxia Academy's admission is of great significance, involving the concept of destiny."

"The Gu family cannot afford to miss this opportunity and must send Gu Jinnian."

Zhang Yunhai spoke.

But Zhang Yun was still puzzled.

At this point, Zhang Yunhai did not say more.

Instead, he said slowly.

"Kyoto is as deep as the sea."

"One wrong step, and you fall into an abyss."

"Whether it's the Gu family or us, once we are in the game, we cannot withdraw."

"Enough."

"These matters are not your concern. Your only task is to study well."

"All professions are inferior, only scholarship is supreme."

With that, Zhang Yunhai left the main hall.