Chapter 31 Pearl

Although Li shi was a village woman who didn't know big characters, her temperament was extremely straightforward, and she was especially protective to those who were pleasing to her eye. She thought that Marquis Zhenbei madam, who was born in a scholarly family, must be a little aloof and arrogant. When she heard that her brother-in-law was going to bring her to met each other, she was actually a little conflicted and had a little inferiority complex. Unexpectedly, Guan shi was really graceful and elegant, but she treated others earnestly and sincerely, gentle and courteous, so they quickly talked happily and became friends.

The reputation of Marquis Zhenbei's infatuation had long been known to everyone. Seeing that he was so dedicated to his deceased wife, the noble ladies of Yanjing thought that he was a rare good man in this world, so they all wanted to marry him as his wife, to also won a share of that infatuation. But Li shi disagreed. Since Marquis Zhenbei had already spent all his infatuation on his deceased wife, how could he still look at other women? Marrying him was not a blessing, rather a suffering. Maybe they would have to live alone in an empty room for the rest of their life. It's a pity that a good woman like Suyi should spend the rest of her life in such a vain way, and there was no way out, just because the marriage was granted by the imperial decree and could not get divorced.

Thinking of this, Li shi couldn't help but complain about Emperor Sheng Yuan. Because she had been in charge of the kitchen in the military camp, and had served Emperor Sheng Yuan, who was only a rebel general at the time, the relationship between the two of them was familiar, so she said bluntly, "Your Majesty, how can you hurt Suyi so much that you even pointed her to Zhao Luli that soft egg!"

"What the hell is going on?" Emperor Sheng Yuan's voice was cold and his brows were wrinkled.

"Suyi and Zhao Luli had been married for less than half a month, but the old madam of Ye family actually came to the door, crying and shouting for Zhao Luli to take the di daughter of their shu branch who was raised under her knees as a concubine, saying that Suyi was cruel and treated the two children harshly, she have to have a Ye family member to take care of them in Marquis Mansion to feel assured. Do you think this is make sense? How can a mother-in-law put her hand in her son-in-law's room? Besides, this mother-in-law is no longer a serious mother-in-law, but she regards the big Marquis Mansion as her own back house, that she can controlled as much as she wants, and can manipulate as much as she wants. If it were me, I would have slapped that woman's mouth long ago!" The more Li shi talked, the more annoyed she became, to the point of exploding some foul language, completely ruined the noble lady's posture she had been cultivating.

Qin Lingyun sighed while holding his forehead, while gently pulling his sister-in-law's sleeve, signaling her to pay attention to what she said. His Majesty was now the ruler of Wei, not the leader who made jokes with them back then.

Emperor Sheng Yuan originally thought that Zhao Luli who had abandoned his self-esteem for this marriage, would definitely treat Guan Suyi kindly, but he did not expect him to do such a thing. Leaving aside the so-called love, the wife was bestowed by the emperor, and also had a first-rank title order, shouldn't she be valued?

When he done this, where did he put Guan's family? Where did he put the Holy's intention? Since Ye Zhen left, he become completely helpless, and become more and more ignorant. Is a woman really that important? If so, why didn't you stop the old marquis in the first place? Emperor Sheng Yuan couldn't guess Zhao Luli's mind or understand what he was doing. He could only held back a breath in his heart, but he didn't know whether this breath was for his former comrade or for the woman who was humiliated to this point.

Seeing that the emperor did not say anything for a long time, Li shi added, "What kind of person Suyi is, I can tell just by seeing her once. With her extremely beautiful appearance, she will definitely not treat her stepson and stepdaughter harshly. The Ye family's remarks are just vicious slander. This marriage was given by His Majesty, and Suyi is a dignified first-rank madam, so she should be highly respected, but the Ye family did not take her seriously, and within a few days of the big wedding they forced Marquis Zhenbei to take a concubine. If Ye family say they did not intend to embarrass Suyi, even beaten to death I won't believe it. You said, Your Majesty, why do they despise the first-rank madam that was conferred by your golden-mouth?"

Without waiting for Emperor Sheng Yuan to answer, Li shi sneered, "Isn't it because of Ye Jieyu's power? Without Ye Jieyu, Ye family will still selling horses at the border!"

Qin Lingyun almost ripped his sister-in-law's sleeve, but he couldn't stop her from speaking up for justice, his heart was angry and funny, had no choice but to apologize to the emperor.

Emperor Sheng Yuan would not argue with a woman, and Li shi was right. If it wasn't for the imperial family's backing, how could the Ye family dare to directly confront the Emperor Teacher's mansion? It's unknown how Guan Suyi is right now, how she feels in her heart, does she has any resentment about this marriage?

Emperor Sheng Yuan, whose face had been gloomy for a few minutes, finally couldn't sit still. He threw his sleeves and said, "Let's go back!" and strode downstairs. After a while, he disappeared without a trace.

Qin Lingyun looked at Xu Guangzhi, who was talking eloquently and indomitable, and at the excited Confucian scholars, couldn't help laughing. It's pitiful that these people do their best, but they don't know the noble person they want to cling to have long been disinterested.

He seems to care more about Guan Suyi than listening to the battle of words? With this thought in his mind, Qin Lingyun smiled again, seeing that his sister-in-law was still puffed up, he quickly patted her tense back, and his affection overflowed beyond words.

As soon as Emperor Sheng Yuan returned to Weiyang Palace, a secret guard reported the recent events of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion one after another.

"First they tried to persuade Marquis Zhenbei to marry Guan Suyi as his wife, and then stuffed in the di daughter of their shu branch to restrain the mistress, Baifu." Emperor Sheng Yuan put down the secret letter and pondered, "You said that the Ye family did this on purpose, or is it a mistake?"

One moment His Majesty added the name of Marquis Zhenbei madam to the list of candidates for imperial concubine, and the next moment Liu shi took Zhao Chunxi to meet the Guan family's mother and daughter by chance, and said they had familiarity at first sight, and felt extremely close, then decided she wanted Guan shi as Zhao Chunxi's stepmother. At the end there was the matter of Lord Zhao entering the palace to ask for a decree. So many coincidences happened at the same time, if it was said that no one pushed it, Baifu would not believe it.

But when Ye Jieyu was involved, he didn't dare to answer rashly, so he had no choice but to vaguely say, "This, this, it's not easy for this servant to say, maybe it's Heaven's will."

"The so-called Heaven's will is mostly man-made. The news in Weiyang Palace was leaked too quickly." Emperor Sheng Yuan had already condemned the Ye family, and even Ye Zhen, of the crime in his heart. But in the early years he had sworn that he would protect Ye Zhen for a lifetime, as long as she didn't touch his reverse scale, he would not move her, but his impression of her was greatly reduced.

"In the past, you only knew how to protect Zhen, and didn't care about anything else. In the future, you have to change it." Throwing the secret letter into the brazier and burning it, Emperor Sheng Yuan said word by word, "Allocate a few more groups to clean up the palaces. From the noble masters to the lowly slaves, they all have to be investigated clearly, and if there is any suspicious behavior, no matter who it is, high or low, all of them will be disposed by Zhen. In the future, if there are changes in the palaces, Zhen want to be the first to know."

The dark guard was shivering inside, and took the emperor's order to do it immediately. They turned the huge imperial city upside down, and indeed cleaned up many hidden spies left over from the previous dynasty, especially in the Weiyang Palace, and casually found excuses to dispose a large number of snitches.

Although Emperor Sheng Yuan was born from the clan leader of Jiuli tribe, but in the end he had never managed a country, let alone being an emperor, and everything was still being explored. Previously, he underestimated the strength of women, and only after receiving the report did he realize that the means of these women when they were fighting was not inferior to the cruelty of fighting with real sword and spear in the battlefield. In his mind, Ye Zhen, who was as bright as the moon, sweet-tempered and gentle, was not an easy person to get along with. For the time being she didn't have life on her hands, but facing the Empress Dowager and the concubines of the whole palace alone, she actually never fallen behind.

It could be seen that her various self-pity actions were all to gain sympathy, and then took advantage of the situation to rise to the top, and even borrowing other's knife to kill.

Emperor Sheng Yuan's face was covered in frost, and said solemnly, "Zhen thought she was forced to submit to Zhao Ming (Zhao Luli's father), and stays by Zhen's side is just to find a place to live, but it turns out that she is also flying around like flies, live like a dog and exhausted all methods. Her infatuation, unforgettable old feelings, depression, and washing her face with tears were all fake?"

How could Baifu dare to criticize Jieyu niangniang, if he turned his face to the emperor and remind him of her life-saving grace, wouldn't he pull out his tongue, so he continued to answer vaguely.

Emperor Sheng Yuan didn't need his answer, he said with a sarcastic smile, "In the face of such great power, who is able to not forget their original intention? It's not surprising that Ye Zhen became what she is now. Well, Zhen said that Zhen will continue to protect her, so let's keep it." Having said that, he withdrew all the people dispatched to Ganquan Palace. With such talent, Ye Zhen didn't need extra help from others. To protect and to "protect", the word were the same, but the treatment was vastly different.

After reading the secret reports from various palaces and getting rid of all the spies and snitches, the anger in Emperor Sheng Yuan's heart had not diminish. He picked up a memorial, and without turning a page for a long time, he suddenly said, "Baifu, Zhen remember that you people from the Central Plains have a saying, but Zhen a little vague about the specific words."

"Which saying?" Baifu was puzzled.

"There is a bright pearl, it is dazzling and valuable, it should be cherished and treasured, but it is acquired by someone who has no eyesight, and then it is thrown into the corner thinking it's a stupid stone or fish eye, causing it to be set aside day after day, covered with dust. What kind of saying is that?"

"Fish eyes mixed with pearls? Pearls covered in dust? Pearls thrown in the dark?"

"Yes, Pearls thrown in the dark." Emperor Sheng Yuan suddenly realized, his originally dark and gloomy eyes inevitably became deeper.

Baifu waited for a long time and did not heard the following. He raised his head to glanced quickly and found that the emperor was slowly turning the blood jade ring on his thumb, with gloomy expression and unpredictable thoughts. He had no alternative but to retreat to the corner with trepidation, wondering what this 'pearls thrown in the dark' was referring to, or who?

The harem was so chaotic, Emperor Sheng Yuan also had a headache. Since Ye Zhen had the ability and influence, it didn't hurt to let her continue to manage it. As for a step further, to bear the sin of spying on the emperor's tracks, succeeding the position above Jieyu was an extravagant hope.

Ye Zhen didn't know anything about these inside stories, but she was really flustered, just because the changes of personnel in various palace were not small, some people disappeared overnight, and some people suddenly appeared, especially in Weiyang Palace. And she was Jieyu, who was in charge of the Sixth Palace, but she didn't hear any wind, and only after contacting the snitch under her hand did she realize that they had disappeared for no reason.

"Niangniang, following the transfer of the aunt in charge, Siqin and Sihua also left, and this servant just asked them but they refused to say, and they don't know which master they will serve in the future. Niangniang, what should we do?" Ye Zhen's grand palace maid, Yong He, asked worriedly.

The aunt in charge, Si Ming, was an old person from the previous dynasty. She had stayed in this forbidden palace for decades, had served two empress, one Zhaoyi in succession, could be said to have hand and eye in the sky. With her as a helper, Ye Zhen went all the way smoothly, and Siqin and Sihua were her direct disciples, one was good at medical skills and one was good at strategy, they were all rare talents.

But because of lack of details, Ye Zhen didn't dare to put them in an important position, and only waited to seize their weakness and then threaten them, but even when she only asked occasionally, she was benefited a lot. Now she couldn't help but secretly regret that if she had gathered these people earlier, they would not have left without saying anything. If they become other's confidants, they would definitely turn their spear against her, which was not good.

Countless sinister thoughts swirled in her mind, but Ye Zhen didn't reveal it on her face. She sent people away generously and gave rich rewards, considered it master-servant camaraderie, but behind their back, she planned to find out the movements of those people and then dispose them.

flying around like flies, live like a dog: it means shamelessly go around to seek personal gain.

Chapter 32 Make Face

The changes in the palace made Ye Zhen really panic for several days. Up until the time the empress dowager issued a decree, stating that the emperor needed to do good deeds and accumulate virtue when he first ascended to the throne, he now would release the elderly palace women and internal servant to their hometown to reunite with their families, so as to restore calm. And Si Ming, Si Qin, Si Hua, and those snitches that disappeared without reason were all among this group of palace people.

"Really scared this servant to death. It turns out the empress dowager wanted to do good deeds, that's why she make such a big movement." Yong He sighed while beating her master's legs.

"What good deeds? That cunning old woman is deliberately opposing This Palace." Ye Zhen said fiercely, "She must find something that make her clean up the Six Palaces, but it's fine, money can get anything done. Even if This Palace has nothing else, but money is still plenty, enough to buy a few more snitches."

As soon as she finished speaking, an inner attendant knelt down and reported that Grand Astrologer* madam handed over a sign to come to see her, and now waiting outside the palace gate to hear her instruction.

"No." Thinking of the emperor's order, Ye Zhen waved her hand without hesitation, but in a flash changed her mind again, "Stop, bring her in."

Liu shrunk her shoulder and walked into the hall, performing out of place court etiquette, and the appearance of not being able to put on the stage made Ye Zhen feel tight in her chest. Instead of waiting for Liu shi to speak, she said coldly, "In the future, if there is nothing wrong, you must not enter the palace, you don't have to embarrass This Palace."

Liu shi flinched and complained, "If there is nothing wrong, I don't dare to bother niangniang constantly. Speaking of which, there was a problem at the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion. Didn't niangniang tell me to put Ye Fan in? Zhao Luli has agreed, but didn't expect Guan shi to play tricks and remove her personal maid's slave status and also forcibly given her to him, and still chose to pass the door on the same day. Right now, the news has spread all over Yanjing, praising her for being virtuous, kind, gracious, and worthy of being Emperor Teacher's successor. And reprimanding our Ye family's merchant background for not understanding etiquette. We didn't add any blockage to her, but instead got a fishy mess. When Ye Fan and that cheap maid passed the door, I'm afraid I will be humiliated to death by all the honorable people in the whole city. Oh, I don't know where to put my face. "

For good effect, Liu shi raised her left hand to cover her face, showed a full grievance expression.

Ye Zhen pondered for a moment, then sneered, "This Palace thought something big happened, turns out it's such a trivial matter. It wasn't long since Guan shi pass the door, she must not have deep feelings for Zhao Luli, so she was willing to give him her own close maid. Most women take their husbands as their gods, and it is inevitable that they will fall in love after a long time, but in the end they would only spin a cocoon around themselves. Ye Fan is not someone who is easy to deal with, order her to properly rope in that maid, let the two of them joined attack, and with Xi'er' help in the mansion, sooner or later, Guan shi will reap what she sown."

"That's right, but our Ye Mansion second branch's di daughter actually passed the door on the same day as a cheap servant, and they are both noble concubines. This is embarrassing." Liu shi gritted her teeth and said, "If I had known this, I shouldn't have brought Guan shi to the marquis mansion in the first place, and just found a lecher to kidnap her, ruined her innocence, and then sent her back. It would be better to let her to hang herself. At that time, the Guan family will also be discredited, and let's see how they can gain a foothold in Yanjing!"

Ye Zhen said sarcastically, "You are just full of drivel, if you have the ability just do it, and see if you can avoid the emperor's investigation."

Liu shi had no ability and could only shut up angrily.

Ye Zhen sighed, "Forget it, after all, she is the daughter of the Ye family, how can outsiders bully us. You can go back with ease, This Palace will send someone to make a face for Ye Fan. This Palace want to see, no matter how skillful Guan shi is, how can she be tougher than This Palace?"

"She's just a little madam marquis, how can she be compared to niangniang? The Ye family's face is also niangniang's face. Niangniang must make her face bigger, so that others will know that Ye family is honorable, rich and noble." Liu shi anger turned into joy, and her words became flattering.

Ye Zhen indifferently agreed, and the conversation changed abruptly, "Recently, the empress dowager cleaned up the palace and wiped out many This Palace's informers. You also know that it's not easy to cultivate a useful person, and the cost is huge, still need the family to come to help. As the saying goes one loss, everyone loss, one prospers, everyone prospers. The Ye family now relies on This Palace for support. If This Palace is good, you will be better, if This Palace falls, there's no need to say the consequences."

"Pah! Niangniang don't say these sad words, there is a live-saving grace, no one can make you fall." After saying this, Liu shi felt a little guilty for some reason, and hurriedly turned over the silver note in her arms and handed it to the grand palace maid, Yong He.

"If something happens in the future, This Palace will send someone to deliver the letter, you shouldn't always go to the palace, so as not to be disgusted by His Majesty." Ye Zhen instructed carefully, and finally ordered someone to send the guest off.

At the same time, Emperor Sheng Yuan was meeting with Qin Lingyun, the Marquis of Zhenxi in Weiyang Palace. The two of them didn't speak, one handing over the memorial, the other flip through it, there was a tacit understanding between the movements.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Shen Yuan sneered, "After restoring the Great Zhou, Xue Mingrui become so daring. When the Wei Kingdom begins to flourish, sooner or later, I will retake Shuzhou and other places he has occupied."

Qin Lingyun did not open his mouth, just handed over the memorials for expanding the army, stock up the provisions, making weapons, purchasing war horses, etc., and the items and clauses were neatly listed, which showed that it had been planned for a long time.

Xue Mingrui was originally a general of the previous dynasty. After the defeat, he led more than 100,000 soldiers and horses to flee into Shuzhou, where the mountains were steep and the roads were dangerous. He joined the local bandits to form a new army. After repeated expansion, he took the surrounding areas, establishing himself as a king, and wanted to divide the world with Wei. The side of the bed did not allow others to snore, Emperor Shen Yuan was used to being domineering, and he had already planned to counterattack. But because Wei Kingdom had just been established, the people's heart were still unstable, so they had to temporarily shelve it.

After the two of them took care of the military and country' affairs, they started talking about the ten days Battle of Words. Emperor Sheng Yuan was not interested in who lost or who won. He opened his mouth and asked, "Has Marquis Zhenbei madam come to listen?"

"Since the news of Zhao Luli taking concubine spread, she has never been there again." Qin Lingyun took out a Buddhist bead and throw in a teacup. If he hadn't interested in the emperor's attitude, he would never waste his words on such trivial matters.

"Concubines are concubines. She has a first-rank order appointed by Zhen, could it be that she's afraid her position is not be stable enough?" Emperor Shen Yuan didn't know what kind of psychology he had, and added, "It's really not worth to tax one's mind and body, feeling heartbroken and sad for someone like Zhao Luli."

"Since you know what kind of trash Zhao Luli is, why Your Majesty conferred her the marriage in the first place? Wasn't this personally push her into the fire pit?"

Emperor Sheng Yuan was stumped by Marquis Zhenxi's question, didn't open his mouth for half a day. If he had known that the real Guan Suyi was like this, how could he have, how could he have… extinguished the vague thoughts buried in the bottom of his heart, he muttered, "It was Zhen's oversight that caused her suffering, for the sake of the Emperor Teacher and chief minister of ceremonies, Zhen will make up for it."

"How to make up for it?" Qin Lingyun asked with a smile.

"Keep her worry-free for the rest of her life." After saying this, Emperor Shen Yuan felt a lot more relieved, and waved to Marquis Zhenxi, signaling him to step down.

Qin Lingyun said goodbye and left, walked to the door of the main hall, and suddenly said, "Tomorrow is the last day of battle of words, she may go."

Emperor Sheng Yuan seemed to turn a deaf ear and looking pensive.

The next day, in the overcrowded Wencui Building, Qin Lingyun and his sister-in-law were still sitting in the hidden corner, watching from the sideline. Opposite the two, Emperor Sheng Yuan, who was originally busy with government affairs, was also seated with a golden sword. A pair of long and narrow eagle eyes stared downstairs, not knowing if he was looking at Xu Guangzhi, who was proud as the spring breeze, or at the blocked door.

Seeing that the battle of words was about to start, a wupeng carriage finally drove outside the door, and a woman wearing a veil hat and plain clothes entered with a little girl of thirteen or fourteen years old. They deliberately avoided the father and son of the Guan family and walked towards the narrow aisle, but they were always surrounded by the crowd and could not move an inch.

"Pick up Marquis Zhenbei madam." Emperor Shen Yuan raised his hand slightly, and two guards accepted the order.

"Suyi is here?" Li shi looked down, her face full of joy, "I thought she would be sad for a long time, and it would be a few more days before she return to normal. This is good, this is good, otherwise wouldn't she be riddles with holes from the wound in the future?"

Emperor Shen Yuan felt that his heart had been stabbed, and couldn't help but blame himself for being too hasty at the beginning. Seeing that she had climbed the stairs safely, he stood beside Marquis Zhenxi and pretended to be a guard.

"Haven't seen for a long time, I trust everyone has been well." Guan Suyi clasped her fists with both hands and said with a smile. It was clearly the vulgar etiquette of roaming swordsman, but it add an air of elegance and ease when when she did it.

Qin Lingyun nodded slightly, but didn't say anything. Li shi repeatedly said yes, and pulled her to sit beside her.

"The matter in the house has been settled? You just accept it like that?" Li shi was an impatient person and asked this as soon as she opened her mouth.

"What else can I do if I don't accept it?" Guan Suyi smiled slyly, "How can there be a man in the world who doesn't accept a concubine, I just want to be a good mistress, do my duty, and let nature take its course."

"Hey, it's not easy to be a woman!" Li shi said with emotion, "I want to tell you that instead of marrying into an aristocratic family, it is better to marry a common people. At least, the back house will be clean."

"Where can there be a clean back house? In "Han Feizi: Nei Chu", there is such a story. A pair of husband and wife from Wey prayed in front of Buddha. The wife asked the Buddha to make herself rich and got five hundred pieces of cloth. The husband who listened felt strange, and asked her why she only asked for such meager things. The wife said: 'If you exceed this number, when you were rich you will come back with a concubine, then I will suffer.' So you see, as long as it's a man, as long as there are surplus of wealth, there's no reason to not want to take a concubine, unless you follow him in suffering and poverty all your life. Then to suffer hardship and poverty should be the best destination for a woman? If I have to say, it doesn't really matter who you marry, as long as you are open-minded. Of course, there are also people in this world who value love and righteousness, such as my grandfather, maternal grandfather and father, but among ten thousand unlikely to have one. Rather than wishing to run into that great luck, it's better to comply with the fate of Heaven and quit.

Li shi was deeply impressed, increasingly more determined to not remarry which made Qin Lingyun almost hopping mad.

Emperor Sheng Yuan didn't feel comfortable listening to this, and inexplicably added a bit of disgust to Zhao Luli. During the conversation, there were many small eunuchs walking past, carrying huge boxes and cages tied with colorful silk, the banging sound along the way was very lively, luring away a lot of tea guests in Wencui Building.

After a while, someone heard the exact news and ran back and discussed with others with relish, "What do you think? It's actually Ye Jieyu, the most favored person in the palace, come to make face for her cousin, and gave many tributes, including an eight-foot-tall red coral, the entire thing is crystal clear and bright color, it can be said to be priceless. Such treasures cannot be used by merchants, cannot be bought by nobles, and only worthy of the imperial family."

"Ye Jieyu niangniang is clearly telling the world that her Ye family's children has the backing of the emperor, and no one cant bully them, even Marquis Zhenbei madam, the descendant of the dignified Emperor Teacher, have to bow her head." Some people sighed.

"The Ye family is too deviant. Married for three years without children then can take a concubine, this is the common trend. But their family can't wait for half a month before put people in their son-in-law's room. If I was Marquis Zhenbei madam, I would have fainted from anger!

"Yes, this son-in-law is not even a serious son-in-law, no more at least. Really rely on power to bully others." There were a lot of people who agreed, but because Ye Jieyu was favored, they didn't dare to talk too much, so they quickly changed the topic.

The Guan family's father and son were so angry that their faces turned blue, they stood up to bid farewell to their fellow friends, and then left in a hurry. The person involved, Guan Suyi, who should have fainted with anger, was leaning on the railing at the moment, laughing lowly.

Hearing her laughter, whether it was from sadness or anger, depression or numbness, Emperor Shen Yuan's ears seemed to have been scorched by fire, and it was extremely hot.

TN:

*Previously I used the term Grand Scribe for Ye Zhen's father position, but it changed to Grand Astrologer. I found a Wikipedia page for English translation for official's titles in ancient China and it's really save me a lot of headache.

The side of the bed did not allow others to snore: it means one's own sphere of influence or interests cannot be encroached by others.

Chapter 33 Agreement

Li shi had an explosive temperament. Hearing the rumors, she immediately spit, "Bah! Just a dog who relies on its master's power!"

Qin Lingyun coughed, then winked at his sister-in-law, reminding her that the emperor was here, even if she was beating the dog, she had to look at the master. Of course, if the emperor was not there, she could scold whatever she wanted. In the final analysis, his perception of Ye Jieyu was also very bad. She swayed when she walked, as if she would faint at any moment, and when he talked left and right with her, it's not straightforward at all. Compared with Guan Suyi, it was really one in the sky and one on the ground. However, the emperor liked it, and there was no room for others to open their mouths.

Guan Suyi patted the back of Li shi's hand lightly, and said in a gentle and soothing tone, "Sister, don't be angry, it's just bitten by a dog, we don't need to bite back." Because there is naturally a stick to deal with her later.

Qin Lingyun spit out a sip of hot tea with a squirt. Unexpectedly, Guan Suyi's words were more poisonous than Li shi, he couldn't help but look at the emperor.

Emperor Sheng Yuan was equally astonished, not knowing how to react. No matter how much Ye Jieyu indulged her family, after all she was nominally his concubine, but now she was compared to a dog. Even if Marquis Zhenbei madam had a prominent background, she had to bear the charge of slandering the imperial family. However, he couldn't get angry, and after thinking about it again and again, he also laughed quietly.

Li shi originally wanted to laugh, but because the real god was here, she had to endured. Now that she saw the real god was also laughing, she clasped her hands and smiled, "Yes, yes, there is absolutely no reason to compete with beasts."

Other people suggested that Ye Jieyu is a dog, but when it come to you, it directly changed into a beast. You are really capable! Qin Lingyun was delighted with his sister-in-law's boorish and straightforward attitude. For fear that the emperor would be annoyed, he glanced at his expression again and again, but saw that he was staring at Marquis Zhenbei madam's veil hat floating with the wind, not knowing what he was thinking.

Fortunately, the gongs and drums sounded in unison downstairs, and the battle of words was about to start, which interrupted the discussion of the crowd. Xu Guangzhi and his opponent walked onto the high platform covered with red carpet together, picked up the brush, and each wrote the sentences – govern by law, govern by benevolence.

"After fighting for nine days, finally talked about the fundamentals of Confucianism and Legalism. Presumably the answer to this question, from the master of the country down to the common people, has argue in their hearts, but it also confused them." Guan Suyi raised both hands and clapped her hands lightly.

"Guess who's going to win?" Qin Lingyun took out a Buddhist bead, then pointed to the chair beside him, and put on a "generous" posture, "Hunnar, you don't have to be rigid when you walk outside, just sit."

"Thank you, master." Emperor Sheng Yuan clasped his fists in a dignified manner, then sat down next to Marquis Zhenbei madam and asked, "What does this question mean?

"Govern is to govern the country. The Legalists advocate severe punishment and harsh law, and the Confucians advocate benevolence and understanding. One is tight and one is loose, one is strict and one is wide, and which one is better or worse, who can lead the country to prosperity, this is the focus of the battle between Legalism and Confucianism. In a chaotic world, sever laws should be used, and at the prosperous world we should go with benevolent governance. While the chaotic times of the Wei Kingdom have just passed, the prosperous times has not been reached, and it is even more necessary to have an accurate measurement between strict laws and benevolent. However, the degree of leniency and severity of laws are only issues that the rulers need to consider, and ordinary people have no right to decide, and it is even more difficult to achieve. However, the common people have suffered enough from the war and are naturally more inclined to live a stable and peaceful life, so their desire for benevolent governance and the support of the wise Holy Lord have never been higher. It should be Xu Guangzhi who won the victory."

"Well said!" Hunnar praised in awkward (ancient) mandarin.

"Do you understand?" Guan Suyi liked to talk to Hunnar very much, just because he only knew a little about the culture of the Central Plains, in front of her, he was like an ignorant child, and children was very easy inviting people's soft-side.

"I understand seven or eight points. I have been studying hard recently." Emperor Sheng Yuan scratched his head with simple and honest expression.

Qin Lingyun and Li shi covered their faces with their hands, not daring to look at His Majesty's stupid appearance, for fear that they would be killed and silenced when they returned.

However, Guan Suyi didn't notice, and chuckled, "As long as you have the heart to study, it's never too late to start working hard. If on ordinary days you don't understand anything, you can send a letter to ask me."

"Thank you Madam!" Emperor Sheng Yuan's cheeks were flushed red and his eyes sparkled, as if he was very happy. But in fact, he was indeed very happy. Guan Suyi's casual words were better than Old Master Guan's whole day of chanting, and the more he thought about it, the more interesting it became.

On the stage, Xu Guangzhi had the upper hand as soon as he started, and the onlookers nodded in agreement. Guan Suyi stared at the man's arrogant face, and sneered, "Confucian governance is like a child's cooking show. It looks good, but it's a situation that difficult to realized."

Qin Lingyun looked at her in amazement, as if he was frightened by her astonishing behavior. It should be said that this noble person was the Emperor Teacher's granddaughter. Who was the Emperor Teacher? The great master of Confucian school, and the brilliant student that was taught by the old man himself, said that Confucian governance was like a child's cooking show. If others hear it, there would be endless fun.

There were a lot of people on the second floor, but it was precisely because of the noisy atmosphere that Guan Suyi dared to speak freely. Everyone was talking, cheering, clasping their hands, who had time to listen to what others have to say? Besides, Qin Lingyun, the dignified Marquis Zhenxi, was sitting here, and there were many guards holding the hilts of knives on full alert. Who would have the courage to come close?

After being suffocated for a lifetime, Guan Suyi simply opened her mind. Do what she wanted to do, say what she wanted to say, otherwise wouldn't she waste the opportunity to live again, wouldn't she failed the pity of the gods and Buddhas? She smiled sarcastically and continued, "Being poor care for themselves, being wealthy cares for the world. This is the standard of life for Confucian scholars. It can be seen from this that they are not averse with being an official, and they are even actively seeking positions. However, Confucius traveled around. For decades, he devoted his whole life to preaching, teaching and dispelling doubts, intending to apply his own ideas of governing the country. But he only served as an official once in his life, that is, from the ninth to the thirteenth year of Duke Ding of Lu, and in just five years he took off his official hat, why is that?"

"Why?"

The big foreigner looked at her eagerly, which made Guan Suyi chuckle, "Because his doctrine were inopportune, he could cultivate his own family, but it was difficult to govern the country and the world. The disciple asked to learn to grow crops, The Master said, 'How can I use the crops', so as time goes by, Confucian scholars are proud of reading and ashamed of labor. When they met a soldier who was fleeing from battle, and heard that the other party was going home to fulfill his filial piety and serve his parents, they not only did not pursue criminal responsibility, but praised it greatly. If it's publicized, it will only cause more and more soldiers to flee, and eventually there will be no one to resist at the border. If you don't work, do you have food to eat? If you don't resist the enemy, do you have a life to live? If an emperor dare to use such official, also worried that in the next three or five years, the country will be ruled into a bare land. And the streets are full of Confucian scholars who are just like that. When confronted with the enemy and labor, they all swiftly run away, euphemistically calling it returning home to do filial piety, what does this called to the people above?"

Emperor Sheng Yuan nodded in agreement.

Guan Suyi continued, "Being poor care for themselves, being wealthy cares for the world. The inferiority of Confucian scholars has long been hidden in this philosophical saying. The whole world were sensible and the Holy Lord was wise, so Confucian scholars all ran to become officials; the world was dark, and the ruler was evil, so Confucian all hide and protect themselves. This is their way of life, which is called 'being wise and protecting oneself, advancing and retreating freely'. However, if everyone is like them, only care about protecting themselves, regardless the common people of the world, how will the war be quelled, how will the country be unified, how will the politics be prosperous, and how will life be stable? It's precisely because of thousands of righteous men who stood up, soldiers who poured their blood and throw their heads, farmers who worked hard to farm, and village women who picked mulberry and planted hemp, until the point of slaughtering the tyrants who slaughter the city, only then the feudal vassal collapsed, the war ceased, and the Wei Kingdom was established, and we now have a peaceful and stable life."

"Well said, very well said!" Qin Lingyun raised his wine cup and laughed heartily, "Just based on what you said, let's a drink a full cup! The Confucian children speak well, but in fact they are cowardly and incompetent, has no responsibility, but also loves to fight for power and profit. All of them are fucking hypocrites."

Emperor Sheng Yuan was fascinated, slowly chewing on these words, but heard Guan Suyi coldly said, "Lord marquis, don't overturn a boat with a single pole. Although the Confucian school is full of hypocrites, there are also benevolent and righteous people who really care about the country and the people. For example, my grandfather and father." With a little tea to moisten her throat, she changed her words abruptly, "In terms of equality and clarity, Confucianism is not as good as Legalism, when it comes to loving the world, Confucianism is not as good as Mohism, when it comes to defending the country, Confucianism is not as good as military strategist… but there is one point in Confucianism, which is beyond the reach of all the hundred schools of thought, and which is the most respected by the emperor. This alone is enough to make him make a decision to 'Respect Confucianism and suppress the Hundreds Schools of Thought'."

"Oh, Which point?" Emperor Sheng Yuan's breathing slightly stopped, and the man got closer, staring at the woman whose face couldn't be seen clearly with burning eyes.

"If Legalism is the emperor's method, then Confucianism is the method of managing people, or the method of keeping people in ignorance is more appropriate. Confucianism divides people into three, six, and nine classes, and is constrained by clan etiquette and benevolence morality, domesticated by Constant Mean, leniency and fraternity, advocating filial piety, loyalty, etiquette, righteousness, honesty, and modesty. Over time, sons do not dare to offend their fathers, wives do not dare to offend their husbands, shu do not dare to offend di, children do not dare to offend their elders, servants do not dare to offend their superiors, and ministers do not dare to offend the monarch, then the four seas will be pacified, and the family and country will be peaceful. On the other hand, the Legalists advocate to lure by profit, driven away by harm, and suppressed by power. The monarch do not dare to believe his subordinates, to believe his wives and concubines, to believe his sons and daughters, or to believe his brothers, so he is always on guard; The people also do not dare to believe in their monarch, and also cannot help but being suspicious. As time goes by, the monarch will suppress with tyranny and political pressure, and his subordinates will retaliate with rebellion, and the great country will fall apart in an instant. The Legalism's militarism and centralization of power by the monarch are indeed conducive to growth the strength but they are also has a lot of backlash. The centralization of the monarchy is the core of Legalist thought, and it is precisely its impermanent drawback. But if you put Confucian's 'the ruler is small, the people are noble' benevolence cloak on top, it can win the hearts and minds of the people and stabilize the society. Therefore, whether it's to govern by law or to govern by benevolence, they are too one-sided. The fusion of the two, supplemented by Confucianism outside and law inside, is the best policy for governing the country."

Emperor Sheng Yuan's heart jumped wildly, and his sharp eyes wished that he could burn a big hole on that black veil, and see the woman's expression at this moment. In just a few words, she pierced through his thoughts, plans, and actions. Confucianism outside and law inside, word for word. This was exactly the way to govern the country that he had painstakingly pondered for countless days and nights, but she said it so thoroughly, vividly and clearly.

He pondered over and over again, reflected over and over again, assessed over and over again, so he became more and more addicted. Well done, well done Guan Suyi and well done Emperor Teacher's descendant. It was indeed a student that surpassed the master!

"Madam, if you don't think Hunnar is rude, can you drink three cups with me?" For her brilliant mind, tongue as sharp as a knife, eyes that saw things clearly, and the wonderful ideology that merged with oneself was enough to make Emperor Sheng Yuan appreciated, admired, and delighted, and then get drunk together.

High mountains and flowing waters, intimate friends are hard to find, once you meet them, how can you miss them?

dog who relies on its master's power: it means use one's position to bully others.

don't overturn a boat with a single pole: it means to unfairly categorize someone or something as being the same as another person or thing.

Chapter 34 Drunk Together

Guan Suyi stared at the slightly agitated Jiuli man, and asked with a smile, "You said you want to drink with me, did you understand what I said?

"I understand five or six points, but I feel that what Madam said is very reasonable. Legalists set point to stop disputes, rewards and punishments are clear, promote meritorious deeds and fear violence, the ancients are lawless and does not inline with the present, the rules change with time, and if not the chaos will occur; In contrast with Confucianism's clan rituals and the degenerate view of Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, surely it's more superior and fair."

Guan Suyi tapped her finger on the table and said sarcastically, "The Jiuli clan entered the Central Plains and became the ruler of the Han people. From then on, they were born nobler than the Han people, and you were originally have a different tribe bloodline, and also have an official position, but here you are, discussing fairness with me, don't you think it's ridiculous?"

She still remember in her previous life, when the Jiuli people first entered the Central Plains, they acted extremely arrogantly, and there were a few narrow-minded powerful people who deliberately suggest to the Emperor Sheng Yuan to implemented the four-class system, which divided the people of Wei into Jiuli, Semu, Han, and Southern people according to their bloodlines, and the more they went down, the more they were exploited and oppressed. Although Emperor Sheng Yuan did not approve this memorial, he did not refute it, so the four-class system came into being. Since then, the life of the people in Central Plains became extremely difficult, and their situation was not much better than before the war.

In the third year of Sheng Yuan, the people who were suffering from forced labor were furious and rose up. They seized ten cities in the two central and southern province overnight, and shaken up the court hall. Emperor Sheng Yuan subdued the rebel army by thunderous method, and only then did he issued a clear decree, saying that Wei had no distinction between Jiuli, Semu, Han, and Southerners, and there was no distinction between high and low, noble and lowly, but all the people in the country were his subjects and could bathe in the grace of the monarch's benevolence. It took another two years to clean up the mess.

When Guan Suyi died, Wei had no bloodline separation, but the memory of being oppressed and humiliated was indelible forever. On the other hand, she was educated by Confucianism and it's in her nature to be tolerant. Although she was disgusted by Xu Guangzhi, she did not lose her ability to distinguish between good and evil. She disliked the four-class system, but she would not be like those narrow-minded people who put everyone in a certain class into an unbearable rank.

Who was good and who was bad, who had good intentions or treacherous thoughts, most of the time she could see through at a glance. For example, the Jiuli man in front of her didn't have the slightest malice towards her, on the contrary, he was very diligent and eager, his eyes were always shining with light of seeking knowledge, and it was not an exaggeration to say "cute". It's really not right to put the grievances of the previous life on his head.

Thinking of this, Guan Suyi waved her hands and sighed, "Well, there is no separation in making friends…"

"Not only does making friends do not depend on the rank, but people all over the world should have no distinction between high and low. Both the Jiuli and the Huaxia people live in this land has the blood of Flame Emperor and Yellow Emperor flowing through them. Since ancient times, we have been from the same clan and ancestor, and now we share the same family and the same country, and we should work together to create a prosperous world. Does Madam think so?"

This was the truest thought of Emperor Sheng Yuan. It was precisely because he had tasted the pain of being oppressed and despised that he hated the distinction of blood even more. Although Confucianism had many limitations, its definition of the monarchs, the ministers, and the common people was very delicate. He who made his fortune from rebellion knew better than anyone the importance of winning the hearts of the people, so no matter how much he resented the sour, rotten and decaying Confucianism, in the end he put it on the altar, just because the suffering people yearn for benevolent governance and supported a wise ruler.

Guan Suyi never expected to hear these words from a member of Jiuli tribe, and was stunned for a while. After a moment, she slowly raised her right hand, took off the veil hat on her head, and smiled , "Alright, let's become friends, please!" Then she took a drink from the wine cup, and finally put the mouth of the cup down to show her unrestrained feeling.

Back then, she also followed her grandfather through the nine states, traveled all over the mountains and rivers, listened to the chirping of apes at the bottom of the stream, admired the setting sun in the desert, was exposed to the blowing wind and dry sun, bear the frost and snow, rain and dew, experienced all kinds of emotions and acting spontaneously. However, after marrying into the Zhao family and faced the prosperity of Xu's Neo-Confucianism, she was trapped in a nightmare.

It's unknown since when she became depressed and gloomy, only wanted to die quickly. It was at this moment, when she met the vibrant smile and eager eyes of this Jiuli man, that she suddenly woke up. After living a new life, why not live more freely? Which people in high gate mansion doesn't step outside its second gate, and entangled with private dealings, if I want to, what business is it for other people? What's more, it's still unknown whether Xu Guangzhi will be able to succeed in this life.

The more Guan Suyi thought about it, the more happy she felt. Before Minglan could serve her, she filled the cup herself and drank it again. Then, she wiped the wine stains from the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand, squinting her eyes and complimenting, "Lord Marquis is so generous, even took out Gujing tribute wine."

"Comparing generosity, how can the humble one compared to madam?" Qin Lingyun took out a Buddhist bead and secretly observed the emperor, only to see that he was holding a cup of wine for a long time, which seemed a bit silly.

No wonder Guan Suyi loved plain clothes (suyi) very much, when she wore a floor-length dress that was neither embellished with jewels nor had complicated embroidery, only decorated the edges with dark silk, it actually made her more graceful and elegant. The thick inky black hair was tied behind the head with a flying phoenix silver hairpin, and two strands of hair hang down from the side of the cheek, natural and fresh. What's even better was that her facial features were all exquisite and gorgeous, both the femininity of a women, but also the heroic spirit of a youngster. Her eyes were as bright as stars, her gaze dazzling. She clearly came from a scholarly family, but there was a bit of unconstrained and unruly, prideful and wanton attitude in her. It was not an exaggeration to say that she was a peerless beauty!

Not to mention the men present was stunned, even Li shi was in a trance for a moment.

"Oh my goodness! My sister is born like this and that Zhao Luli still wants to take a concubine. Is he blind?" Li shi slapped the table and scolded. "It's indeed a good cabbage ruined by a pig."

Guan Suyi laughed, becoming more and more beautiful, which made Li shi became more fascinated, and kept persuading her to drink beside her.

Emperor Sheng Yuan suddenly returned to his senses, immediately brought the wine cup to his lips, and took a few sips to quench his thirst. Like all men in the world, he also liked beauty, and naturally attracted to those who were bright and beautiful, but this level of beauty he was only seeing it now. When she raised her head to drink, her lips were dyed with pearlescent light; when she raised her hand and wiped it lightly, it was like a charm of the forest; when she laughed softly, it was like spring flowers blooming. In an instant, the surrounding noise and hustle and bustle faded away, and the darkness turned into brilliance, so that people could only look at her, listen to her, think of her.

However, she was already a married woman, and from then on only Zhao Luli could openly look at her, listen to her, and think her. Emperor Sheng Yuan reluctantly looked away, and finally drank three cups in a row, only to felt that the taste of the tribute wine had changed, it was not rich and mellow, only sour and bitter.

Guan Suyi didn't notice the gloom hidden under the bushy beard of the Jiuli man, just took a few more drinks and became more energetic.

At this time, the battle of words on stage was in full swing, and Xu Guangzhi repeatedly threw out the arguments, bluntly saying that the rule of benevolence was better than the rule of law, and among filial piety, compassion, loyalty, and trust these four, filial piety was the most important, and should be established as the foundation of the country. Governing the country with filial piety was the core of Xu's philosophy.

But Guan Suyi couldn't agree, she opened her red lips lightly, and slowly spit out three words – what a fart.

Li shi was stunned for a while, then she clasped her palms and laughed, "I never expected my sister to curse people, why I don't feel it rude at all? People who are beautiful, and the words that spit out are also beautiful."

Qin Lingyun knew that her lecherous chronic problem had been committed again, and he couldn't help but have a headache.

Emperor Sheng Yuan also forgot the sourness and bitterness in his mouth, and laughed in a low voice. Guan Suyi would actually curse people? Not surprising though. She could be graceful and elegant, unrestrained and uninhibited, she could be proud and self-assured, just because she has that ability. She grew up in Guan's house, but her temperament was like a wild horse without reins, dared to say dared to act, how exactly Old Master Guan raised her up?

While he was pondering, Guan Suyi continued, "If you govern the country with filial piety, then when there's dilemma between loyalty and filial piety, which one should you give up? According to Xu Guangzhi, you should give up loyalty and choose filial piety. However, when one falls in disgrace the whole family is doomed, and the country is lost, then where's the home? Do not defend the big country but take care of the small family, then what is there to take care? Among filial piety, compassion, loyalty, and trust, it should be loyalty first and filial piety second; If the two are in contrary, you should give up filial piety and be loyal to the end; If the family and the country are not secure, then take care of the big country and give up the small family. Help the common people and bring peace to the world. Only with great benevolence and righteousness will there be thousands of blessed homes! Xu Guangzhi's vision and pattern are really too small."

"Well said, very well said! "Emperor Sheng Yuan clasped his hands in admiration, and his heart was surging. Guan Suyi's words went straight to his heart, and her arrogant demeanor was so moving that his heart was burning hot.

The audience erupted in thunderous applause, showing that the public agreed with Xu Guangzhi's point of view, which made Guan Suyi sneer, "Confucianism spread countless poison, and it is also worthy to talk about governing the country. The so-called 'punishment is not for the counsellor, and the etiquette is not for the common people' , which is completely contrary to the saying that 'the ruler is light and the people are precious', it's equivalent to slapping one's own mouth; and the concealment of relatives can also be extended to the concealment of officials, so that blood relatives violate the law and the whole clan protects them, and officials that failed to do their duty is not declared. Over time, character of the people in every towns every counties will thoroughly collapse, the whole court will be corrupt and abuse the law, in the end it become the norm. Instead of being ashamed, they are proud of it. In ten, twenty, thirty years, there will be no cure."

Qin Lingyun looked solemn, nodded again and again. Emperor Sheng Yuan also put down the wine cup and listened.

"People have selfishness, this is their nature. Doing good is mostly for others, doing evil is mostly for oneself, it's difficult to do for others, but easy to benefit oneself, so it's difficult to be a clean official, and it's easy to be a corrupt official. Benevolent governance is equal to human governance, if there is no sever punishment and harsh law, how the official not benefit themselves, then who will govern the common people? Who will govern the country and the states? Who will govern the monarch on top? Anyway, if there's concealment of relatives and concealment of officials, the monarch will be like a puppet who has no eyes, ears, mouth and nose, just let others deceive. So benevolence governance is possible but it can never govern people. And law governance, no matter how many years have passed, will not be replaced, nor will it die out, because it protects the interests of the common people in a certain way."

Finally poured out the words that had been held back for two lifetimes, Guan Suyi drank a cup and felt very happy. Who stipulated that the Guan family must advocate Confucianism? Men can have their own thoughts, can women just be ignorant objects? She was not convinced.

Putting down the wine cup, her voice was a little drunk, "The law in the past was based on the monarch, ignoring the common people, and eventually led to public resentment, chaos, and subversion of the country. If the law was formulated with the people as the foundation, then the life of the common people should be better, right? Our Great Wei should stand longer, right?" After the words were finished, a pair of glassy black and white eyes fixed on the Jiuli big man.

Emperor Sheng Yuan was overwhelmed by her gaze and couldn't help but say in a hoarse voice, "That's natural. Madam is worried about the country and the people, and has the world in her heart. His Majesty will definitely hear Madam's appeal."

"That's not my appeal, it's their appeal." Guan Suyi pointed at the dark crowd downstairs and smiled lightly.

Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues: 3 bons are between father and son, ruler and subject, husband and wife; five most important virtues are benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and trustworthiness.

filial piety, compassion, loyalty, and trust: the whole essence of moral education of Confucius,piety to one's parent, respect to one's older brother, loyalty to one's monarch, faith to one's friend.

punishment is not for the counsellor, and the etiquette is not for the common people: people in high position would not get punished and the commoner do not need or deserve etiquette.

concealment of relatives: prohibition for relatives for accusing or testifying against each other in order to protect the traditional ethical order.

Chapter 35 Burning Books

No matter how powerful Emperor Sheng Yuan was, he was still essentially a flesh and blood men, how could he not love beauty? And this beauty was still free-spirited and unrestrained, stood firm despite adversity, which made people more and more absorbed. At this time, he quietly sat closer, a pair of fiery eyes fixedly staring, and every time the woman drank a cup, he would pour the wine in time, took a pleasure in serving her. When she squinted and smiled, he once again adopted a silly and ignorant appearance, for fear that the other person would be able to detected his inner heart impetuousness, which would lead to disgust.

On the stage, Xu Guangzhi was still talking eloquently, but every time he made an argument, he was refuted by Guan Suyi upstairs. Not to mention Qin Lingyun and Emperor Sheng Yuan were already dumbfounded, even Li shi who didn't know many big characters felt wonderful.

"According to what you say, Confucian scholars are equivalent to insects to the country and are useless?" Qin Lingyun smiled evilly, "I really should invite the Old Master Guan and let him listen to your arguments. The brilliant student that was trained by the Confucian master himself, in the end actually dismiss him to be useless."

Guan Suyi was already slightly drunk, holding the small wine cup in one hand and shaking it gently, while the other hand supported her chin, her leisurely attitude grew without restraint. Her steamy eyes met the big man of the Jiuli tribe, and the other party immediately raised the jug to fill her cup, the base of his ears quietly turned red.

Only then did she chuckle and slowly said, "Who said my grandfather and father are useless? They preach, teach, solve doubts, enlighten young children, teach them propriety, morality, righteousness, and aspirations. When they grew up in the future, these young people who know propriety, behave morally, act righteously, and have aspirations will become the mainstay of the Wei Kingdom. This is the merit of enlightenment, the merit is in the society, and the benefits are in the future. After ten thousand years, their names will definitely be engraved in the history books for future generations to pay their respects to, because they have broken through ignorance and enlightened the people of an era. Don't you think so lord marquis?"

Qin Lingyun was speechless, and after a while, he angrily took out a Buddhist bead, and said sarcastically, "Good and bad, black and white, are all up to you to say, we vulgar people should just shut up."

Li shi clasped her hands and smiled, "This is the first time I meet a character that can outspoken Little Yun, punish with a big bowl of wine!"

"Sister, please." Guan Suyi stretched out her hand to invite, turned her face, saw the Jiuli man staring at the wine cup in his hand, and couldn't help but smile, "Do you think it's boring to drink a small cup? There is no need for you to serve here, go and drink a big bowl with them." She pointed at the guards at the next table with her fingertips.

Qin Lingyun covered his face, unable to believe that Guan Suyi ordered His Majesty so naturally. What "no need to serve"? If she knew His Majesty's identity, it's unknown what her expression would be like, could she still be this calm and looked down on everything? She probably would scared to cry, right?

Emperor Sheng Yuan was not annoyed at all, but rather enjoyed her care. He did drink from a big bowl, but it wasn't because he was hooked by the wine bugs, rather fascinated by her transparent fingertips glowing like pink crystals, which made him lost his mind for a moment. He shook his head and said honestly, "It is an honor for this humble one to serve Madam. Besides, Madam's words are very interesting, and this humble one like to listen to it. There is a saying in the Central Plains, 'Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books', which I didn't understand before, but now it touched deeply. Listening to a few words from Madam, it's more effective than reading thousand of books."

Guan Suyi was amused by him and waved her hand, "You don't need to praise me, I still know my own worth, scholarly knowledge is not comparable to my maternal grandmother, and specialize skill is not comparable to my grandfather, just a few sour gossips, all for amusement. There's still another saying in Central Plains, 'Reading thousand book is not as good as travelling thousand of miles'. If you have time, go out and walk around more, you will find that I am nothing more than this." While speaking, she took the wine cup from the big man's hand, filled it for him personally, pushed it forward, and said in a gentle tone, "Since you like to listen to me, then let's just drink and talk, don't worry about your lord marquis."

Marquis Zhenxi immediately nodded, "Madam has invites you to drink, you can drink openly. Today, there is no distinction between noble and inferior, and there is no distinction between master and servant." As for who was the master and who was the servant, they knew it in their hearts, and they only kept it from Guan Suyi.

Emperor Sheng Yuan pretended to be stupid and scratched his head, thanked Madam for the reward, and finally drank the wine. He loved Madame's flushed cheeks when she was slightly drunk, and he loved her bright eyes that was always shrouded in mist. She spoke softly and gently like a feather across the tip of the heart, but sometimes powerful and deafening. Talking to her was indeed a great pleasure. As for what Xu Guangzhi said downstairs, he had completely forgotten about it.

Several people gathered around the table to drink, and after a short while, thunderous applause came from the first floor, only to see that Xu Guangzhi had refuted the last Legalist scholar, and he wrote four words in cursive writing—the benevolent is invisible.

"Good, good words!"

"Great master Xu indeed has outstanding knowledge!"

"Abolish the hundred schools of thought and respect only Confucianism, these words are exquisite! If my Wei Kingdom respects Confucianism and implements benevolence governance, it will be invincible in the whole world!" The audiences cheered, obeyed completely.

Xu Guangzhi cupsed his hands to everyone under the stage, and finally walked to the Jiuli nobleman who sponsored him to hold the ten-day battle of words, and saluted respectfully. A group of Confucian scholars immediately surrounded him, expressing admiration one by one, and the scene was very lively.

"The benevolent is invincible. These four words are very domineering." Although Li shi didn't understand what she saw, but she listened to what people said and asked with a smile, "Sister, what does this mean?

"The one who administers benevolence governance, who return the people's heart, pacifying the world, is invincible." This sentence could be said to be words of wisdom, so the emperor would promote Confucianism, suppress many schools of thought, and govern the country with benevolence." Because Marquis Zhenxi was the emperor's lackey, Guan Suyi easily said a few flattering words, then got up and said goodbye.

As soon as the sweetness in Emperor Sheng Yuan's heart surged up, it was suppressed by the loss, and said hurriedly, "Madam, please sit for a while, anyway, the hour is still early."

"No…" Guan Suyi's unfinished words were all scattered with anger, when she saw Xu Guangzhi who won the debate actually changed the originally happy event and asked the Legalist scholars to hand over the books they carried and throw them into the brazier to burn. He intended to use his actions to show his determination to abolish hundreds of schools of thought and respect Confucianism alone, but the Confucian scholars around him not only did not stop him, but instead applauded and cheered for him.

Qin Lingyun's eyes were red with anger, and when he was about to speak angrily, he heard a faint words "incompetent" in his ears, and turned to look, it was Marquis Zhenbei Madam.

"The incompetent become famous, really have no shame!" Guan Suyi said in a more serious tone, "On one hand, he keeps pushing for benevolence and universal love, and on the other hand, he imitates the violent Qin Dynasty, where they burned Confucian classics and bury alive Confucian scholars, when words and actions actually contradictory, it's very ominous! Reading books opened wisdom, reading books make you understand propriety, reading books cultivated one's heart and mind, build genuine harmonious feeling. If Xu Guangzhi is a serious scholar, how could he be so hostile! Taoism ruled by inaction, unification of the monarchy by Legalist, benevolence by Confucian, non-aggression by Mohist, Military Strategist's resourcefulness, healing by physician… Each Hundred Schools of Thought has their own strengths, and they are all pearls of history and treasure of humanities. It's a sin to kill even half a point. Xu Guangzhi that incompetent, you dare!"

She scolded incompetent several times in a row, it was obvious that she was really angry. At this time, the art of paper-making had just been invented and had not yet spread widely. Many bamboo slips were burned and destroyed due to war, and books were extremely precious, especially those books that are transcribed with paper and brush, and sewn together with ropes, which were invaluable.

When she was about to get married, Guan Suyi wished she could exchange all her dowries for books and could not. But Xu Guangzhi was good, a few words could burn these many classics to the ground. Even if she was open-minded, but at this moment she felt anger surge into her heart, almost made her crying blood.

Emperor Sheng Yuan felt the same, and quickly reassured her, "Madam, don't be angry, don't worry, I will send someone to save the book." after the words fell he waved waved to the guards standing by the side, and immediately a few people ran downstairs to put out the fire.

"Don't splash water, find a few stone slabs to suppress the burning flame." Guan Suyi urgently ordered.

Emperor Sheng Yuan made a gesture to the guard leader again, and the man immediately ran to the backyard, found a few stone slabs, and placed them on the roaring fire. The flames trembled and became smaller until they went out, leaving only the thick smoke billowing out of sight. The legalists knelt down and howled in pain, and the Confucians were furious and unwilling to let go, grabbing a few guards to questioned them.

These people didn't want to bother, showed their token and quickly returned to report. The aggressive Jiuli nobleman completely stopped, and then looked upstairs in fear. He seemed to want to kneel, and his knees were already half bent, but he was stopped by someone's ruthless gaze, so he could only cupsed his hands with a pale face, and then left in a daze. As soon as they left, the Confucian scholars, whose mind was turning fast, had already noticed the abnormality, and followed suit. Several Legalists staggered along while weeping and went out of the door.

After around three hundred feet away, Xu Guangzhi asked in a low voice, "My lord, who is that person just now?"

"Don't ask too much." Having said that, County Prince Jing pointed in the direction of the imperial city.

Xu Guangzhi was startled at first, then he was ecstatic, and forced himself to suppress his heartbeat and said, "Then His Majesty has seen this humble one's ability, right?"

"He is fond of Confucianism, so there is no reason for him to not come and watch the battle. This Prince guesses that he had come more than once. You have performed well. You have made a name for yourself in Yanjing. Tomorrow, This Prince will recommend you during the court." After thinking for a while, he said, "You have some skills yourself, why don't you ask a few master to write a few words of recommendation, it will be more convenient to do things."

"The student will immediately visit various big masters. The kindness of the prince's support, this lowly one will never forget!" Xu Guangzhi said impatiently.

"This Prince helps you only because I likes your talent and learning, not expecting repayment. Go ahead, and be loyal to the court in the future." County Prince Jing seemed to be righteous, but in fact he was very ambitious. The two of them understood tacitly, no need to say more, they parted ways after a short while, each went to work out a plan.

In the Wencui Building, the crowd walked and scattered, and after half a cup of tea later there were only three or two tables left. The servants in the hall was busy cleaning up the dishes and cleaning the filth, and there was a loud noise. The private rooms on the second floor were restored to their original state, with screens to cut off the sight, leaving only one exit.

Guan Suyi was sitting upright, her knuckles were knocking on the table frequently, showing that she was very upset. A brazier emitting residual warmth was placed in front of her, and the bluestone slab pressed on it was still smoking. If it was rashly opened, the flames might reignite again, so she could only wait.

Emperor Sheng Yuan was afraid that she would be worried, so he could not help but persuade in a warm voice, "Madam, don't be impatient, the blazing fire have been suppressed, and the books will not be destroyed again. Let's slowly put it together when the heat dissipates."

The incompetent become famous: it refers to mediocre talents.