Seeking Truth with a Sword-Chapter 558 - 501: Moderation

Chapter 558: Chapter 501: Moderation
TAP, TAP, TAP.
Crown Prince Li Si of Yu Country strode down the steps of the Great Ming Palace’s Yanying Hall. The beard he had meticulously grown to appear more mature fluttered in the cold wind, a trace of barely detectable worry hidden in his eyes.
He had just concluded a policy discussion with the Emperor.
"Your Highness."
East Palace Assistant, He Siping, appeared quietly, presenting a warm brocade robe.
Li Si accepted the brocade robe and put it on. Aware of what his friend wanted to ask, he took the initiative and said, "Just now, His Majesty inquired about the defense of Chang’an, the grain harvest in the two Jiangnan routes, shipbuilding in the Henan Road, and the list of tribute envoys from the Honglu Temple, among other affairs."
"Is that so?" He Siping smiled faintly. "That’s actually good news."
Many documents from the Secretariat and Ministry of Supervision were now being sent to the Eastern Palace for the Crown Prince’s opinions and suggestions.
His authority had increased considerably compared to the past.
"Ah, it’s just making the best of a bad situation," Li Si said, shaking his head. His fourth brother, Prince Yue, Li Hui, was currently overseeing the plague cleanup in the Hedong Road. Meanwhile, Prince Guang, Li Shan, who had been inconspicuous for many years, was still managing the operation of all Yu Country’s locomotives and the construction of railways. Countless people visited his residence daily, making it as bustling as a marketplace.
"There will come a day when these hardships turn to sweetness," He Siping said with a reassuring smile.
...Will there?
Li Si squinted, looking out over the desolate square in front of the hall.
Every person in Chang’an knew the Emperor favored and doted on Prince Yue, Li Hui, breaking traditions multiple times for him—retaining him in Chang’an, bestowing estates, and spending lavishly on his wedding.
Even though there was a significant disturbance on the wedding day, the investigation into the Yue Royal Mansion was handled leniently, not affecting Li Hui’s status in the slightest.
Li Si scoffed in self-derision. If it hadn’t been for his years of extreme caution, walking on thin ice and never making a single mistake, perhaps the position of Crown Prince would have been filled by someone else by now.
His maternal uncle, Minister of the Secretariat Xue Ji, was also Li Hui’s uncle. He would ensure the Xue Family’s future regardless of which nephew ascended the throne, so he had no need to engage in their struggle.
The rest of the Prime Ministers also held a neutral attitude—the Emperor was very healthy, perhaps too healthy. There were no signs of any impending changes.
For the Crown Prince, without interaction with court officials, there was no opportunity to build up his power. Yet, too close an association with officials invited criticism from all sides, even arousing the Emperor’s vigilance.
Li Hui could entertain scholars daily at the Prince Manor, recruit talented individuals, and meet with officials outside to rally support.
He could not do the same.
"It will," He Siping said with conviction. He was about to say more when the sound of carriage wheels rolling over stone reached them.
"Is that...the Mountain Master’s carriage?" Li Si frowned slightly. The carriage approaching from outside the Yanying Gate looked plain and simple, easily recognizable.
The carriage stopped in front of Yanying Hall. Lian Xuanyao stepped out, holding a long brocade pouch that seemed to contain something like a paper scroll.
He Siping asked softly, "Shall we go and pay our respects?"
"No need." Li Si shook his head. The Mountain Master’s expression was solemn as he walked forward alone. An eunuch had already exited Yanying Hall and was hurrying to greet him. Clearly, the Emperor had arranged this visit to the palace.
It would seem inappropriate to greet him at this time.
"What do you think is in that brocade pouch? Could it be the blueprints for that ’airplane’ we heard about today?" Li Si asked. He had also heard about the latest invention from the Academic Palace’s Natural Science department and was very interested.
"Probably not," He Siping said softly, his gaze sweeping over the dry, pale strands at Lian Xuanyao’s temples. "If His Majesty wanted to see aircraft blueprints, he could just have the Academic Supervisor deliver them. There’s no need to trouble the Mountain Master."
"The Mountain Master has aged as well," Li Si sighed.
"Yes, even the Mountain Master ages," He Siping murmured, his gaze deepening and his voice softening.
The two spoke similarly, yet the meanings behind their words seemed to differ.
「Midday, Academic Palace Cafeteria.」
"Risheng, you..." Yang Yu began, staring in shock at Li Ang. His face was pale and his eyes deeply sunken, as if he hadn’t slept well for days.
His gaze shifted back and forth between Li Ang and Chai Chai, who was deeply immersed in devouring his meal, gradually becoming more peculiar.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Li Ang returned from the Hedong Road just two days ago, and he already looks like this...
Yong Hongzhong smacked his lips. "...You should take it easy, Risheng."
"What are you two thinking?" Li Ang retorted, rolling his eyes. He placed his tray on the table and rubbed his sore shoulders.
Yesterday, after the Mountain Master had left Dongjun Tower, Li Ang had fought with the brown mud twice more, each time ending in failure.
If it weren’t for Mo Si’s ability to mend his injuries, his current condition would be even worse.
He clenched his slightly trembling fist. He didn’t use his hand to pick up the chopsticks; instead, he used Telekinesis to grip them, pretending to eat normally.
Soon, friends like Li Leqing and Qiu Feng also came over with their trays.
They too had dark circles under their eyes, clearly having not slept well—rushing to finish the homework that had piled up over the past few days.
Falling behind the academic schedule was not an option. The semester exams and winter vacation were approaching, and Li Leqing couldn’t afford to be the first prince or princess to fail the end-of-year exams.
Seeing everyone gathered, Li Ang put down his chopsticks, cleared his throat, and said, "You might not see me for the next month."
"Ah?" his friends exclaimed in surprise. "Are you going away again?"
Li Ang was likely the student with the most absences in a century at the Academic Palace. This academic year, he had spent more time away from the Academic Palace than attending classes in a classroom.
"No, I have some matters to handle at Dongjun Tower."
Li Ang didn’t explain much.
He had initially wanted to balance his studies with handling the brown mud. However, after yesterday’s battles, he was sure of one thing: even if he unleashed his Mo Si with all his strength, using every means at his disposal including Karmic Fire, the arbitrary gate, and the Radiant Crossbow, he would still find it difficult to defeat the demon formed from the brown mud. Suppressing it, let alone restoring it to its immobile rock state, seemed even more unlikely. To complete his task, he had no choice but to set aside his studies.
Li Ang continued, "I’ve applied for a leave of absence from the Sacrificial Officer, and it has been approved. I don’t need to attend any classes. For the next month, I’ll be staying in that old building on the back mountain. Please help me by taking notes and collecting homework. If you need anything, you can find me there."
"Wow." Yang Yu and the others looked envious. Not having to attend classes and even getting a leave letter personally approved by the Sacrificial Officer—that was more impressive than being an Academic Palace Patrol member.
"Ha." Li Ang shook his head and gave a wry, helpless smile.
If only they could go to the fifth floor of Dongjun Tower, see that lump of brown mud, and personally experience being hunted by a demon, they certainly wouldn’t be sighing in admiration.