Finest Servant

Chapter 422

Chapter 422 Heated Debate in the Court

Lin Wanrong's eyes stared intently at the bronze coin. Impossible, could something like this really happen? This must be a joke! Seeing no one around, he thought to himself, ‘It must be because the wind is too strong. It blew the coin and made it stand upright. It's an accident; it doesn't count. Let me try again.’

Ignoring the coin that had landed, he took out a brand-new bronze coin from his pocket, blew on it with a magical breath, flicked it with his thumb, and threw it casually. The coin clinked and rolled a distance, and Lin Wanrong watched closely. To his surprise, the coin similarly stood upright, stable as a rock.

What was happening? Could he really be this unlucky? Lin Wanrong's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He stared in disbelief for a moment before hurrying forward to examine the coin, only to find himself both laughing and crying. The coin had embedded itself in a soft patch of mud, standing perfectly straight without even a wobble. Looking back at the other coin, he saw the exact same situation.

"What on earth is this?" he muttered, thinking about the unfortunate situation he was in. He chuckled and said, "A deal is a deal. Tonight, when it's quiet, I'll streak naked ten times around Ning'er's room. Heh, heh."

Shaking his head helplessly, he was about to bend down and pick up the two coins when he suddenly heard a faint whooshing sound coming towards his backside. Startled, he dodged quickly, only to hear a soft splatter as a clump of mud flew past him, hitting the wall with a light smack, sticking tightly.

Lin Wanrong immediately understood, and yelled angrily, "Who's there? Who shot at me?"

"What if I did shoot you?" A young girl's voice replied. "For a heartless and faithless playboy like you, it's already a favor that I didn't prick you with a needle."

A girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in green, pretty, and holding a sword, walked out from around the corner, smirking.

"So, it's you, little junior sister," Lin Wanrong laughed, then said seriously, "Little junior sister, I must tell you, some things are very valuable. You shouldn't waste them by shooting them at the wall."

Li Xiangjun snorted, "Mud? I have plenty of that. If you want it, I'll give it all to you." She finished speaking, and with a flick of her right hand, mud shot out like a shower of stars, steady and precise.

Lin Wanrong leaped several steps, quickly shielding his face with his sleeves. Dodging, he angrily said, "Little girl, I'm warning you, don't mess with me. I'm quite fierce. I can handle three at a time and carry one on my back. I can perform any difficult task."

Seeing his clothes covered in mud, Li Xiangjun clapped her hands and giggled, "What difficult tasks? I can do many. Just because you bullied my senior sister, I'm not afraid of you. Whatever you've got, just bring it on. Senior sister may pity you, but I don't have time for that."

‘This little brat is truly outrageous!’ Lin Wanrong thought, wiping a clump of mud from his forehead. Furious, he said, "Little girl, haven't you heard the rule 'don't hit the face'? How do you survive out there? I rely on this face to make a living. If you dare, don't go anywhere. I'm going back to call a big meeting, chop off a chicken's head, and drink blood wine. I'll gather all the rabble from the nine villages and eighteen hamlets to denounce you."

Li Xiangjun couldn't help but laugh coquettishly: "When dealing with a stinking man like you, one must slap you in the face. This is the rule I follow as I wander the world. Those leaders of the Nine Towns and Eighteen Villages, are they just as weak as you? That's good. I'll strike down anyone who comes my way." She snorted and added, "I despise white-faced men like you who live off women. You're a complete waste of a man. What can you do besides bully my senior sister?"

"Call me a white-faced man? You're the first! How can such a great and glorious title fall upon me?" Seeing Li Xiangjun approach him with a satisfied smile, Lin Wanrong's anger arose, and his evil intentions took hold. He suddenly reached out, twisted her wrist, and chuckled: "Besides bullying your senior sister, I'll bully you, too, ouch—"

Li Xiangjun was Fairy Ning's direct disciple, Xiao Qingxuan's junior sister, so she wouldn't be easily caught. With a graceful twist, she reversed his grip and locked his arm. Lin Wanrong was quite skilled in fighting, especially against women, with various tactics at hand. No matter if you're a young maiden or a wife, he'd charge! He was strong and bullish, heaving and pressing directly onto Li Xiangjun.

"Stinking man!" Seeing him use a shameless technique, Li Xiangjun's face turned pale with anger, and she quickly let go of his wrist, jumping back. Though young, she had already developed the potential of a shrew and couldn't be underestimated. Lin Wanrong, unyielding, used all sorts of dirty tricks in fighting with women. No matter how skilled you were, he'd make you go crazy within a few moves.

Although Li Xiangjun was skilled in martial arts, her young age and her opponent's utter shamelessness, with no regard for decency, left her unable to use her skills. Lin Wanrong, an unrefined expert, could handle various moves. The two of them fought, neither gaining the upper hand.

"Fighting to a draw with Fairy Ning's direct disciple without firearms or poison, my skills are truly extraordinary!" Lin Wanrong said triumphantly, chuckling, "Little sister, I told you before, I'm very capable. You should not have provoked me; it's too late to regret it now! I strike—Dragon Claw Hand—"

Seeing his shamelessness, Li Xiangjun was furious. She gritted her teeth, focused on his attacking wrists, and forcefully slapped them down.

"Ouch, are you playing for real?!" Lin Wanrong felt a sharp pain in his wrists and quickly withdrew the "Dragon Claw Hand," only to find them bruised, clearly outplayed by the young girl.

Li Xiangjun coldly laughed, "Did your tactics seem like a game to me?"

With a sharp pain in his wrists, Lin Wanrong hadn't suffered like this before. Damn it, he couldn't let the little girl get the better of him! With a ferocious look, he charged forward like a hungry tiger. His rush was fierce, and Li Xiangjun's small body was enveloped in his arms, a mismatch as extreme as a tiger and a chick. To an unknowing observer, it looked as if he were committing an indecent act. Li Xiangjun stood in place, a mysterious smile on her face, her eyes filled with a triumphant look of victory.

Seeing the little girl standing motionless, looking as if she was waiting for death, Lin Wanrong hesitated for a moment. Without giving it much thought, he was about to deal with the young girl, when he suddenly heard a soft cry from behind: "My Dear, you must not—"

With a booming sound, Lin Wanrong immediately realized that something was terribly wrong. He had been fooled by this young girl. ‘Damn it,’ he thought, ‘Has my intelligence declined recently, or what? How is it that I can't even outwit this little girl, who's barely in her teens?’

"Sister—" Li Xiangjun's tears fell like broken beads, and she cried out and flew into Xiao Qingxuan's arms, like a baby swallow returning to its nest. ‘Women are born actresses,’ Lin Wanrong sighed helplessly, feeling a chill down his spine.

Seeing her junior sister weeping pitifully, Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly patted her shoulder, speaking softly, "Don't cry, don't cry. My Dear is kind-hearted and good-natured; he's only joking with you."

Li Xiangjun nodded, sobbing, "I know he's joking with me. Big Brother Lin said that I ruined your good time last night, but he won't hold it against me; a few light slaps will suffice to vent his anger." Hearing her mention the previous night, Xiao Qingxuan's cheeks turned red, and she lightly spat, casting a glance at her husband.

The onlookers, Luo Ning and Qiaoqiao, secretly stuck out their tongues. Their big brother had looked like a ferocious wolf just now, far from being gentle. ‘Sister Xiangjun is so kind-hearted and compassionate, still speaking in favor of Big Brother at this time,’ they thought.

Lin Wanrong gritted his teeth with hatred. "Pretending to be pitiful in front of my wife to frame me, this little girl's mind is far from ordinary. I've got all kinds of weapons ready for you, little girl, don't fall into my hands."

"Big Brother," Luo Ning grabbed his hand, blushing, "Sister Xiangjun is not even fourteen. Aren't you too impatient? Meat raised in a pot can't fly away. I think she will grow up to be a beauty that will ruin a country! Instead of letting her harm others, better let her harm you. Train her well, and in a few years, she will be as soft as mud, just as you want her to be. Why are you so eager now?"

Lin Wanrong was covered in cold sweat, "Ning'er, this girl, really dares to do and think anything. Heaven have mercy, is my character really so bad that I would harm a young girl not yet grown? I'm not interested in raising games."

Xiao Qingxuan looked at him with a half-smile, "My Dear, such a trivial matter, how can you be so petty with little junior sister? She's only this age."

‘Small in age, but not in strength,’ Lin Wanrong thought, moving his hands, feeling more heartache than physical pain.

Li Xiangjun spoke timidly, "Sister, don't blame Big Brother Lin for last night. I was wrong too. I've lived with you since I was young, and I don't want to be separated from you. Don't blame Big Brother Lin; he acted out of love for you." Such an understanding child. The three ladies nodded in praise, casting scornful glances at Lin Wanrong.

‘Justice Bao, where are you when I need you?’ Lin Wanrong felt uncomfortable all over, realizing that this was not a place to stay for long. With all his wives around, he certainly couldn't go to the Xu family now. ‘Miss Xu, you can give up your hopes.’

Three women were gently consoling the youngest sister, and Li Xiangjun's face beamed with joy and satisfaction. Lin Wanrong looked around impatiently, hoping to escape this place of strife as soon as possible. Just as his impatience grew, he suddenly heard the faint sound of horses' hooves from ahead. A carriage sped towards them, and a gray-haired head peered out from inside. It was none other than Lord Xu Wei.

‘Old Xu, you truly are my savior!’ Lin Wanrong exclaimed with grateful tears, jumping up and waving his arms. "Master Xu, Master Xu, I'm here! Have you come to discuss matters with me? I'll come with you right away."

Turning to the others, Lin Wanrong's face displayed difficulty. "Qiaoqiao, Qingxuan, you see, Lord Xu has come in his carriage specifically to invite me to discuss matters. I must go; it's a matter of face, is it not?"

Luo Ning laughed and said, "Mr. Xu's home is just next door; he must have just finished his morning audience at court."

Being exposed by Ning'er's words, as if needles were pricking his back, Lin Wanrong's heart was filled with annoyance. ‘You wench, why do you have to be so clever? Originally, I was planning to run ten naked laps in your room tonight, but since you're not taking care of your husband, I'll cut the number in half to just five.’

"You should go," Xiao Qingxuan nodded and said, "National affairs must come first, and not be hindered by domestic matters."

‘Qingxuan truly understands,’ Lin Wanrong thought with gratitude. He glared at his youngest sister-in-law, gesturing rudely with his middle finger, and then sprinted towards Xu Wei's carriage.

Upon hearing his cries, Xu Wei's carriage had already stopped. Lin Wanrong leaped onto the carriage in a single stride and pulled back the curtain, smiling, "Brother Xu, you truly are like the compassionate Bodhisattva Guanyin, rescuing me from trouble. I must bow to you."

Sitting in the carriage, Xu Wei looked worried. Upon Lin Wanrong's entrance, he smiled and said, "Little brother Lin, are you some kind of fortune teller, to know I was coming to find you?"

Lin Wanrong chuckled, thinking, ‘How could this be a coincidence? The commotion I made yesterday even brought Prince Cheng to my door. How could you not know?’ Seeing Lin Wanrong's laughter, Xu Wei couldn't maintain his pretense and awkwardly laughed twice, saying, "Little brother Lin, this must be the Miss Xiao you've been seeking, right? Truly a beauty of the realm, graceful and elegant. No wonder you even disregarded Jade Virtue Fairy Hall."

Lin Wanrong laughed, "I was somewhat afraid of Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, but they dared to force my wife, and that I could not bear. Who doesn't have something they're protective of these days?"

Xu Wei gave a thumbs-up, praising him, "Little brother, you love and hate openly, act with courage, and handle matters with great satisfaction. However," he frowned, sighing with emotion, "this affair has both praised and criticized you. It has clearly divided the world into two factions."

"Divided into two factions? Which two?" Lin Wanrong asked, intrigued by this new perspective he had not heard before.

Xu Wei gave a bitter smile and said, "On one side, they praise you for being passionate and righteous, daring to act, and being a person of utmost sincerity. These are mainly young ladies and gentlemen who admire your strong and fearless love with Miss Xiao, and are even drawn to you. On the other side, led by renowned scholars, they berate you for attacking the sacred place and insulting the scholars of the world. They've even presented a petition with hundreds of signatures, demanding that the Emperor punishes you for your grave crimes."

‘Punish me for grave crimes? I'm now the Imperial Son-in-Law, carrying the weight of great responsibility. Will my father-in-law really strike against his own family?’ Lin Wanrong snorted and waved his hand, saying, "Let them fuss. Our Great Hua has been stagnant for too long, like a dead pool lacking vitality. Taking this opportunity to stir up the people's fervor might not be a bad thing."

Xu Wei nodded and said, "It's rare to find someone as open-minded as you, little brother. I admire you greatly, but this matter concerns your life and property, and you mustn't be careless."

"Concerns my life and property?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed. "Mr. Xu, what do you mean by that?"

"That's precisely why I came to find you in haste," Xu Wei sighed, looking helpless. "This morning, during the court session, Prince Cheng suddenly made accusations, joining forces with two high-ranking officials and over a hundred scholars, all accusing you. They blamed you for attacking the sacred place, insulting the scholars, and even claimed that you conspired with the White Lotus cult to rebel, demanding your execution. Li Tai and I argued fiercely in your defense, and the court was in an uproar. It hasn't settled even now. I asked for the Emperor's permission to have you come and confront the charges. Little brother, you must come with me to the palace quickly."

‘Prince Cheng is really determined to have me punished!’ Lin Wanrong snickered, "Brother Xu, with the court in such an uproar, what did the Emperor say?"

"I really couldn't say," Xu Wei shook his head. "Both sides were arguing, and the Emperor has not yet spoken. I don't know who he leans toward. Right now, with Goryeo in danger, the people of Dongyin stirring, and our Great Hua deploying a large army, the situation is extremely critical and sensitive. This widely known incident may be a blessing or a curse for our nation. That's why I asked for your presence at the Golden Hall to make everything clear."

Xu Wei's concerns were not unfounded. The current situation was like a small boat on a vast ocean, where any significant wave could cause turmoil. The incident of attacking the sacred place had caused a public outcry, and the Emperor had to act cautiously.

As the carriage sped towards the Imperial Palace, Lin Wanrong chuckled dryly a few times and suddenly asked, "Brother Xu, where is Miss Xu? Today, I walked around your front door a few times but didn't seem to see her."

Hearing Lin Wanrong mention Xu Zhiqing, Xu Wei laughed, "If you're looking for Zhiqing, you'll have to come inside. She's not a patrol guard. What were you doing loitering around the door? Ah, what do you need her for?"

"Oh, I just have some profound questions to discuss with her. You know, I'm a person who loves learning," Lin Wanrong said with a shy smile.

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Xu Wei chuckled with a meaningful smile, "You went to the mountain to find Miss Xiao yesterday, and Zhiqing went with you, didn't she? Sigh, that girl, she's a bit stubborn. I hope she didn't cause you too much trouble."

Miss Xu indeed had caused some trouble, leaving him strictly monitored at home. Lord Lin had bitterness in his heart that he couldn't express, and he could only respond with a forced laugh. Xu Wei sighed and said, "The affairs of you young people are beyond my control. She's been staying in the embroidery room since returning home yesterday, and I have no idea what she's up to. If you need to discuss something with Zhiqing, go find her directly."

When Xu Wei and Lin San arrived at the Hall of Literary Brilliance, the morning court session had not yet dispersed. They were led to the entrance of the grand hall by a junior eunuch, and from inside, a wave of argumentative voices could be heard. Someone spoke loudly, "Your Majesty, Lin San has shown contempt for laws and regulations, shelling the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, insulting all scholars across the land. Now, over a hundred eminent scholars have submitted a petition, demanding severe punishment for Lin San, rebuilding the sacred place, and giving justice back to the scholars. This matter has provoked public outrage and is related to our Great Hua Dynasty's foundation of a hundred years. As our Great Hua is about to engage in a decisive battle with the nomads, this issue must not be neglected. I, your humble brother, advise that Lin San be dealt with swiftly and severely to appease the public."

The voice was familiar, and it was none other than Prince Cheng, who had confronted him the day before. As Prince Cheng spoke, the crowd immediately began to whisper, and those ministers who had intercepted Lin San with Prince Cheng yesterday started to concur.

Within the grand hall, another powerful voice responded, "What Prince Cheng says, this old servant cannot agree with. As far as I know, Lin San's shelling of Jade Virtue Fairy Hall had a reason. In private, Lin San's wife was detained by the sacred place, and he acted out of anger to save her, a commendable action that the world applauds. In public, Jade Virtue Fairy Hall had committed the great crime of deceiving the Emperor, altering the ancestral inscription from 'Equal to Man' to 'Equal to Heaven', oppressing the populace, and flouting national law. Both privately and publicly, Lin San's actions were justified. He should not be reprimanded but praised for his timely action to eradicate this evil. Your Majesty, please examine the matter closely."

The speaker was General Li Tai, a highly respected figure in the great Hua's army. Hearing him defend Lin San, those who supported Xu Wei and Li Tai immediately aligned themselves. The Jade Virtue Fairy Hall was esteemed among the gentry but had little connection to the poor. Those scholars of this faction, many of whom had come from poverty and earned their titles through years of hard study, felt a surge of satisfaction at Lin San's attack on the haughty Jade Virtue Fairy Hall. With the military support of Li Tai, their alignment with Lin San was natural.

The two sides argued incessantly, but the Emperor's face remained calm, neither verbally supporting nor opposing. An attendant whispered a few words to the Emperor, and the old monarch spoke, "Prince Cheng and the Old General need not argue further. Lin San is outside the hall. Let's hear what he has to say before making a judgment."

Hearing that Lin San had arrived, Prince Cheng's face flickered between light and shadow, while Li Tai loudly praised, "Your Majesty is wise. This is exactly what should be done."

The Old Emperor waved his hand, and a junior eunuch announced, "Vice Minister of Ministry of Personnel and Commander-in-Chief of the Loyal and Brave Army, Lin San, enter the hall!"

Xu Wei, walking in front, bowed to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, this old servant has brought Lord Lin."

"Dear Minister Xu has worked hard," the Emperor nodded faintly, glancing at Lin Wanrong beside him, smiling, "Dear Minister Lin, did you sleep well last night?"

‘The old man must know,’ he thought. ‘Last night I was his son-in-law, loving and cherishing time with Qingxuan; how could I not sleep well?’ Lin Wanrong chuckled, bowing his fist, "Your Majesty, this commoner slept peacefully."

The Emperor's face changed, and he snorted angrily, "You bombarded the century-honored Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, drawing condemnation from scholars everywhere. Even Prince Cheng advocates harsh punishment against you, and you still sleep peacefully? I see your audacity has reached the heavens."

The officials were inwardly startled at the Emperor's stern expression. As soon as Lin San arrived at the court, the Emperor sought to humble him. What did this mean? Did he really intend to punish him?

‘I am the Emperor's son-in-law; what do I have to fear?’ Lin Wanrong smirked, "Your Majesty, indeed I bombarded the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall. However, the phrase 'enjoying a hundred years of fame,' I cannot agree with. If there's any reputation, it is only in deceiving the world and stealing fame."

"How dare you, Lin San!" Prince Cheng angrily rebuked, "In the Golden Hall, you still dare to disrespect the Sacred Hall! The Sacred Hall has flourished for a century, honored throughout Great Hua, nurturing countless talents. Almost half of the distinguished men in this Golden Hall come from the Sacred Hall, and you dare to say that it deceives and steals fame? By showing such contempt for the scholars of the world, Your Majesty, I boldly request that you order Lin San to be slapped in the face to punish his disrespectful words."

The Old Emperor also snorted, his face stern, "Lin San, quickly explain yourself, or I will follow my brother's words and slap you eighty times."

"Prince, you say I disrespect the Sacred Hall," Lin Wanrong stepped towards Prince Cheng, smiling, "Allow me to boldly ask, do you respect me?"

"How audacious!" Su Mubai, behind Prince Cheng, roared angrily, "The Prince is of royal blood, a dragon seed of the nation, and you dare to speak to him like this?"

Lin Wanrong pointed at his nose, angrily saying, "Silence! In this Golden Hall, the Emperor permits me to speak but hasn't allowed you. You interrupt so rudely, disregarding even the etiquette between ruler and subject; what is your intention?"

Xu Wei stroked his beard, laughing softly. Lin Wanrong's sharp gaze almost made it a fatal blow. Not everyone could speak in the Golden Hall. Su Mubai had overstepped the etiquette between ruler and subject, a great disrespect. Su Mubai, who had never had his way with Lin San, saw the Emperor's cold face and dared not speak again.

"Prince, please answer me, do you respect me?" Lin Wanrong said with a smile. His one sentence had silenced Su Mubai, and no one dared to oppose his momentum.

Prince Cheng disdainfully laughed, "I am the descendent of the sacred ancestor, with a distinguished status. You and I have neither kinship nor friendship, and you've never given me any benefits. Why should I respect you?"

"Prince, you are right," Lin Wanrong shrugged nonchalantly, smiling, "Since you and I are neither kin nor friends, and I've never given you any benefits, you naturally don't need to respect me. Similarly, the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall did not raise me or teach me, nor has it given me any benefit. Why should I respect it? I, Lin San, respect Heaven, Earth, my parents, the Emperor, and the sage Confucius, but I never come to respect the Sacred Hall. So, Prince, if you want to punish me for disrespecting the Sacred Hall, I'm afraid you've chosen the wrong place."

What a sharp tongue! Prince Cheng sneered, saying, "You are being charged with irreverence because of your insolent words. Claiming that the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall deceives the world and fishes for fame, we all have heard it with our own ears, and the Emperor witnessed it. How can you deny it?"

"Indeed, I said those words 'deceiving the world and fishing for fame,' and I stand by them," Lin Wanrong said coldly. "Prince, you mentioned that this Jade Virtue Fairy Hall has been respected for half a year and is celebrated throughout the land. Allow me to boldly ask, was this reputation earned by itself, or was it bestowed by the Founding Emperor?"

When the Founding Emperor had seized the land, he had only mutually used the "Jade Virtue Fairy Hall." Prince Cheng knew this in his heart, but denying his ancestor's achievements was something he absolutely couldn't do. After pondering for a moment, he replied, "Though the Hall had some reputation in the past, it was never as prosperous as today. If it were not for our ancestors' personal endorsement, the Hall would not have such a status. This reputation was largely bestowed by the ancestor."

"That settles it then," Lin Wanrong chuckled. "The Founding Emperor's inscription, which you saw yesterday and General Li mentioned earlier, clearly says 'Equal to Man,' but was deliberately misinterpreted as 'Equal to Heaven.' A single wrong character led to a thousand miles of error. May I ask you, Prince, where's the glory in these words 'Equal to Man'? Clearly, it was a call for them to learn from the common people and strive to reach their heights. What glory does the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall have in that? If anyone deserves credit, it's the great people of the land, and the Hall has nothing to do with it. The Hall's reputation doesn't even exist, so when I say they're fishing for fame and deceiving the world, where am I wrong, Prince?"

"You, you're just arguing sophistry!" Prince Cheng said, infuriated. "How could something respected for a hundred years by scholars all over the world be wrong?"

"Prince," Lin Wanrong said with a cold smile, "if what scholars respect is not wrong, then did the Founding Emperor write wrongly? Should this so-called Jade Virtue Fairy Hall stand aloof and be equal to heaven?"

"This, this—" Prince Cheng knew he was trapped the moment he uttered those words. Debating with Lin San was treacherous; a slight slip would lead to an irredeemable situation.

Lin Wanrong turned, bowed, and said seriously, "Your Majesty, yesterday I retrieved the Founding Emperor's genuine inscription from the Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, and I intend to present it to you!"

"Summon it, summon it quickly!" The Emperor hastily rose from his dragon throne, straightened his clothing, and led his ministers to receive it reverently.

The inscription from the Founding Emperor was carried by two young eunuchs, passing through the main gate and central hall, heading straight to the main hall. The Old Emperor and his ministers went forward and knelt, bowing their heads in devout worship. Lin Wanrong chuckled slyly to himself, thinking, ‘My ancestral grandfather's inscription sure comes in handy everywhere; it never fails.’

After the kowtowing, the Emperor respectfully took the Founding Emperor's genuine handwriting, returned to the Golden Hall, and examined it carefully. Filled with emotion, he sighed, "The Founding Emperor's genuine handwriting, returned to the hands of his unfilial descendants after hundreds of years, fills my heart with shame."

Xu Wei proposed, "The return of the Founding Emperor's genuine handwriting is a great omen. Whether Lin San's words are true or false, only Your Majesty needs to discern it with a glance, and the truth will be revealed."

The Emperor looked at the calligraphy once more, and suddenly, with a fierce strike on the table, he roared in anger, "How preposterous, how preposterous! It really says 'Equal to Manl'! The sagacious Great Ancestor, hundreds of years ago, already imparted this admonition, yet Jade Virtue Fairy Hall dared to forge the decree for a hundred years, deceiving me and the world, attempting to subvert our Great Hua Dynasty, equating themselves with Heaven. Such crimes are heinous, deserving a myriad of deaths. Come here—"

Gao Ping quickly stepped forward, bowing in respect. The Emperor continued furiously, "Make ten thousand copies of the Founding Emperor's authentic writing, distribute them to the scholars across the land. Let them see how this Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, which claims to be on par with Heaven, has acted audaciously and deceived their superiors. Anyone who dares to plead for Jade Virtue Fairy Hall will be considered an accomplice, and will not be spared."

The Emperor's face was livid with anger. No one in the hall dared to defy him, and all fell into silence. Even the intelligent Xu Wei realized early on that this was a drama performed by the Emperor and Lin San, and that the downfall of Jade Virtue Fairy Hall was inevitable, whether by Lin San's hand or another's. It was only a matter of time.

"Your Majesty," Lin Wanrong said earnestly, "Although Jade Virtue Fairy Hall has committed grave sins, their disciples were merely deceived for a moment, unintentionally falling into their trap. I suggest, Your Majesty, to punish the wicked but spare those disciples who have truly repented. This act would not only manifest Your Majesty's benevolent heart but also encourage those who were deceived to strive and contribute to our Great Hua."

Xu Wei and Li Tai both voiced their agreement, "We concur with Little Brother Lin's proposal. We should treat the disciples of the Fairy Hall with leniency to demonstrate our Emperor's magnanimity."

Lin Wanrong then repeated his proposal to reorganize Jade Virtue Fairy Hall, open forums, establish schools, and promote engineering and other subjects. The old Emperor waved his hand grandly and declared, "Approved! Grant ten thousand taels of silver. Establish the school, attract talent from across the world, scholars and artisans alike. Lin San, you will be the Grand Master of the school, fostering talents for our Great Hua, sustaining our land for millennia."

Lin Wanrong was taken aback. No wonder Qingxuan told him not to worry about the money; with her status, both official and private funds were endless. With a word from the Emperor, he had become the principal. With the strong support of his father-in-law, becoming the best in the world was within reach. Then, he would have disciples all over the world, welcomed wherever he went. However, he soon grew worried, realizing that apart from his thirty-six scattered hands, he didn't have much to teach.

Prince Cheng was astonished. Lin San already had Li Tai's support, and now, if he established a school and gathered talents, his power would be immense, unmatched by anyone. Unable to consider anything else, he gritted his teeth and stepped forward, "Your Majesty, this cannot be."

"Prince Cheng, what's wrong with this?" the Emperor asked calmly, "Are you still defending that insidious Jade Virtue Fairy Hall? We have the Founding Emperor's handwriting as proof."

Prince Cheng stubbornly replied, "Lin San is in collusion with the White Lotus Holy Mother; his intentions are unfathomable and unpredictable. If he is put in charge of establishing the school, I fear the people will not have faith in him."

Lin Wanrong chuckled inwardly. If anyone had unfathomable intentions, it was the old Emperor, who knew even more about Sister An's affairs than Prince Cheng did.

"Is this true?" the old Emperor asked calmly.

"This matter is absolutely true; members of my own household witnessed it with their own eyes. Additionally, the newly-crowned top scholar, Sir Su Mubai, also witnessed it," Prince Cheng said, giving Su Mubai a knowing glance.

Su Mubai caught the cold smile at the corner of Lin San's mouth and felt an ominous sensation, but at this point, he had no choice but to proceed. Steeling himself, he said, "Your Majesty, I personally witnessed this event. I saw Lin San meeting secretly with the White Lotus Holy Mother in an inn—"

At these words, the entire room was filled with shock. Su Mubai's identity was no small matter. His personal testimony had set Lin San against him, and no matter if the story was true or false, one of the two was destined for destruction.

Seeing Su Mubai come forward, a fleeting look of disappointment passed through the Emperor's eyes, "My Minister Su, this matter is of great importance. You should think it through carefully before speaking."

Su Mubai's words were already out, and there was no taking them back. Though fear crept into his heart, he forced a determined look onto his face, "I witnessed it with my own eyes, and I would not deceive."

The Emperor sighed lightly, then turned to Lin Wanrong and asked, "Lin San, do you have anything to say?"

Lin Wanrong nodded, walking over to Su Mubai, and with a smile said, "Top Scholar, you claim to have seen me meeting secretly with the White Lotus Holy Mother. May I ask how you recognized her, having never met her before?"

Su Mubai gritted his teeth, resentfully replying, "I have been reading history since childhood and despise those traitorous ministers who have brought ruin to the nation. From the age of ten, I studied the portraits of the White Lotus Holy Mother and resolved to contribute to my country by eradicating this scourge, hence I recognized her."

"So you recognized her through a portrait," Lin Wanrong laughed. "Top Scholar, you have had such great ambitions since childhood. I admire that greatly. I too despise the White Lotus Holy Mother. Could you lend me that portrait to see?"

"Of course." Su Mubai had prepared for this and with a wave of his hand, a servant presented an old scroll. The scroll was aged and had seen some years. Upon unrolling it, a bewitching woman's image appeared, stunningly beautiful and voluptuous, with a mysterious smile on her face. It was indeed the likeness of Sister An.

‘You sly vixen, you nearly killed me,’ Lin Wanrong thought, feeling his heart stir. The fox spirit seemed to come to life before him, her delicate little finger beckoning and her laughter saying, "Little brother, I trust you are well?"

"Little, little brother Lin," noticing Lin San's distraction, Xu Wei urgently nudged him. Lin Wanrong snapped out of his reverie and quickly picked up the scroll again, examining it closely. The scroll was old and coarse, the ink dry, appearing quite ancient.

Lin Wanrong inspected the painting up and down, then suddenly began to laugh, "Top Scholar, is this truly the painting you have been studying since you were ten?"

Both men knew what the other was thinking. Su Mubai snorted, "Exactly so. What, do you doubt its authenticity?"

Lin Wanrong handed the scroll to Xu Wei, smiling, "Mr. Xu, no one surpasses you in the art of poetry and painting. Please, take a look at this painting."

Xu Wei bowed to the Emperor, who nodded, saying, "Granted! This matter is of great importance, my beloved minister Xu, you must appraise it carefully."

"I will surely fulfill my mission," Xu Wei bowed, taking the scroll and examining it carefully. This was a high-stakes gamble, and victory or defeat hung entirely on Xu Wei's shoulders.

Xu Wei appraised the painting for a while, and the smile on his face grew thicker and thicker. Lin Wanrong relaxed, looking at Su Mubai and laughing heartily. The top scholar Su had something to hide, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. Were it not for Prince Cheng's stern words, he would have already collapsed.

"Top Scholar Su, is this really the portrait you saw when you were ten years old?" Xu Wei asked, his eyes cold, looking at Su Mubai.

Su Mubai's body was soaked in cold sweat, but he stubbornly admitted, "Indeed, it is what I saw ten years ago."

"So it follows that this painting should be at least ten years old, shouldn't it?" Xu Wei's smile grew broader, and he spoke slowly.

"Yes, yes—" Su Mubai stammered.

Lin Wanrong and Xu Wei exchanged smiles and shouted in unison, "You lie, this painting cannot be more than a year old."

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