Happy Spring Every Year

Chapter 177 Teachers and Students

Elder Lin's fearful look instantly hurt Emperor Sheng, who was just coming out of his memories.

He lowered his head and his eyes fell on Mr. Lin's silver hair. At this moment, he actually felt a little lonely.

In those days, when his father ignored him, his teacher would take him away from the red tape of the palace, choose a quiet place to sit on the ground, and let the hem of his clothes be stained by the green grass.

The teacher never sticks to one style of teaching. Sometimes he starts by talking about the flowers, plants, insects and fish in front of him, and incorporates worldly principles into his teachings. When he gets to the wonderful parts, he laughs heartily.

When the weather was cold, the teacher often took him to sit next to the charcoal brazier, holding a fire poker, and told him some interesting folk legends and strange stories. From time to time, he had to stir the charcoal fire himself.

He can still remember today that when the charcoal blocks were turned over, bright sparks would jump out of the charcoal basin, and the heat would warm his face.

Who could have imagined that as an emperor high and mighty, he would sometimes envy Jiang Xun?

Because Jiang Xun became the teacher's second disciple, he was enjoying the teacher's meticulous care that he had lost.

At this moment, Emperor Sheng suddenly felt extremely tired, his heart was empty, he turned around and helped Elder Lin, saying softly:

"Teacher, there is no need to do this. I trust you."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin suddenly looked up, with a flash of shock in his eyes.

Since Emperor Sheng ascended the throne, his address gradually changed to the unconventional "Emperor's Teacher", and it has been many years since he was called teacher.

Elder Lin raised his head, his lips slightly trembling, his eyes slightly moist, and he whispered, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Sheng looked at Elder Lin deeply, then turned back to look at the eldest princess, his expression faded, "Royal sister, you have lost your sense of proportion this time."

The eldest princess sighed and responded without making any more excuses.

I thought Emperor Sheng would issue an order for her to return to Yue State, but unexpectedly, Emperor Sheng suddenly changed the subject and asked in an ambiguous tone:

"Ye'er was still young and unstable. My sister was on her way back to the capital at that time and had never met Ye'er."

"Just because you like Ji'er, does your sister arbitrarily conclude that Ye'er can take on the responsibility of being the crown prince?"

"To act so hastily and emotionally is totally unlike the Imperial Sister's style and temperament."

The eldest princess's eyebrows twitched slightly when she heard this, and thousands of thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. The next moment, she raised her head without changing her expression.

"My royal brother is in his prime, and his power is unparalleled throughout the land. Ye'er is indeed young, but he can grow up slowly under the royal brother's blessing."

"This thought came to me because of my brother's wisdom and bravery. I have no words to refute it and feel ashamed."

The eldest princess said this, closing her eyes slightly.

Emperor Sheng frowned slightly, his expression was unclear. After a long while, he leaned over and helped the princess up, saying in a deep voice:

"Ning'er is not young anymore. If she finds a husband sooner, my sister will be able to settle down sooner. I think the Khan in Yue Kingdom must miss my sister terribly."

This was said in a subtle way, but in fact he was already driving people away.

But in the end, he showed some mercy and let the princess see Tuoba Ning get married before leaving.

But when Emperor Sheng suddenly mentioned Tuoba Ning in front of the eldest princess, he obviously had a deep meaning.

The princess naturally understood the implication. She froze for a moment, then thanked him and said,

"I already have several families in mind. I hope my royal brother will give me some more time. Ning'er is... my only daughter."

The eldest princess had actually already made up her mind about someone, but Emperor Sheng had just asked about it. If she said it out loud now, she would probably be seen as scheming in the eyes of Emperor Sheng.

She only wanted Ning'er's marriage to be perfect, but she had to take the situation in the court into consideration.

After expressing my thoughts to my royal brother today, I no longer have any concerns and can now choose a day to ask for permission.

Since Emperor Sheng had already spoken, there was naturally no reason to press the issue any further, so he immediately waved his hand at the eldest princess.

The eldest princess stood up to say goodbye and was personally escorted out by Fushun.

At this time, only Emperor Sheng and Old Lin were left in the hall.

Old Lin was standing there waiting. At this time, Wen Chengye opened the palace door and saluted Emperor Sheng, saying that he had something to report.

Emperor Sheng nodded, and Wen Chengye quickly walked into the hall, leaned close to Emperor Sheng and whispered something.

Emperor Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling Wen Chengye to leave, then looked at Elder Lin and said with a smile:

"Teacher, Xiuzhi is asking for an audience outside the palace gate. What's the matter? Is he worried about what I will do to you?"

Elder Lin immediately explained, "Your Majesty, before I entered the palace, I was copying a stele at the Jokhang Temple, and Xiuzhi was also there."

"Your Majesty urgently summoned this old minister. I believe Xiuzhi is anxious and wants to share His Majesty's worries."

This was said tactfully, and with a strong sense of protection, Emperor Sheng suddenly raised the corner of his mouth and asked jokingly:

"Xiuzhi and I are both your students. I wonder if you...are partial to one over the other?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin hurriedly bowed and was about to reply, but Emperor Sheng waved his hand and showed no intention of listening to the answer.

He waved his sleeves, returned to the jade table, and sat down, saying calmly, "I had no choice but to urgently summon you today. After all, when Minister Cui recounted the events of the past, I was also shocked."

Elder Lin's eyes flashed, and he caught the key words. He frowned and whispered, "Minister Cui?"

Emperor Sheng saw this and covered his eyes slightly, looking tired. "Xiu Zhi... I will not see you anymore. Teacher, please go out of the palace and talk to him yourself."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin immediately bowed and took his leave.

At this time, Eunuch Fushun had just seen off the eldest princess and brushed shoulders with Old Lin as he entered the hall. He hurriedly stopped and bowed.

Mr. Lin walked steadily and soon walked away.

At this moment, Emperor Sheng suddenly opened his eyes and ordered in a cold voice: "Fushun, go to the inner treasury and get the princess's letter from that year."

Eunuch Fushun responded quickly and turned to leave.

It was late in the evening, candles were lit in the hall, and there was silence inside and outside.

Emperor Sheng stretched out his hand to unfold the memorial in front of him, but he did not read a single word for a long time. After a moment, he threw the memorial on the table in frustration and stood up to pace in the hall.

"Teacher, Imperial Sister, Concubine Rong..."

Emperor Sheng only muttered twice, and his hand wearing the jade ring pressed on the table. Finally, he said solemnly: "Teacher, please don't let me down..."

.......

Old Lin walked on the palace road with a calm expression.

He knew that the emperor still had doubts in his heart, otherwise he would not have pointed it out to him in the end. It was Cui Daoyuan who leaked the secret, wanting to see the two of them fight each other.

Choi Do-won...is also taking a risky move.

It was he who helped the emperor ascend the throne, and now he is plotting to take the emperor's position.

Everyone has joined the game, so it seems that the time is ripe...

As Mr. Lin was thinking this, he had already arrived at the palace gate and a warm light appeared in his sight.

It was a cold night, and Jiang Xun stood quietly beside the carriage.

He was tall and slender, like a bamboo in the night, and the lantern in his hand emitted a dim light that reflected on his face.

That jade-like face was originally stern in the light and dark, but the moment she saw him, it was like ice and snow melting, and she smiled and walked towards him quickly.

Mr. Lin's heart suddenly felt warm and he walked forward with a smile.