Chapter 22
At the Qiu Mountain Festival, the Emperor and Empress resided together in the Qiu Mountain Temple.
According to tradition, no other consorts were allowed to accompany them, but this time was different.
The recently promoted Concubine Liu, along with Consort Min from the Donghua Palace, as well as several other consorts, were all granted the Emperor's decree to follow, with both the Empress Dowager and the Empress Mother in attendance.
The reason given was that a few days prior, the City Dragon of the capital had stirred, causing several parts of the imperial palace to collapse.
Therefore, the Emperor brought everyone to pray for blessings.
If there were any transgressions, they would be reflected upon at the Ancestral Temple of Qiu Mountain. Otherwise, they would pray for the realm and the Xiao Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, Lord Liu Wenchang has arrived," Wei Zheng announced outside the quiet chamber.
The Emperor was staying in the most secluded courtyard at the rear of the Qiu Mountain Temple.
He had always favored self-cultivation and disliked noise, so he allowed the Empress and the Crown Prince to reside in the spacious and lively front courtyard closest to the temple buildings.
The Emperor and Empress were situated far apart, to the north and south.
Surprisingly, Concubine Liu, who had not yet attained the official rank of Consort, was housed in the courtyard right in front of the Emperor's residence.
Lord Liu Wenchang, the father of Concubine Liu, stood waiting in the courtyard.
As he was led through, he grew increasingly alarmed.
What madness had possessed the Emperor to suddenly favor his daughter like this?
"Lord Liu, the Emperor summons you. Please come with me," Wei, the eunuch attendant, greeted him with a smile.
Liu Wenchang's heart surged with emotion.
Just a year ago, Wei would never have treated him with such courtesy.
Today, the eunuch had smiled at him the entire way and personally escorted him to see his daughter.
He must be basking in his daughter's glory.
It seemed that his great-granddaughter had been right about the Emperor intending to promote him, to save face for Concubine Liu and the Fifth Prince.
Pondering this, Liu Wenchang composed himself and followed Wei with a lowered gaze into the inner chamber.
He dared not let his eyes wander or gaze upon the Emperor's countenance, for that would be disrespectful.
"Your subject, Liu Wenchang, presents himself before Your Majesty," the old lord murmured, catching a glimpse of the imperial dragon embroidery before starting to kneel.
But before he could bend his knees, Xiao Yunzhou called out, "No need for excessive ceremony, Lord Liu."
"We are not in the court today, so there's no need to be so formal."
The Emperor was dressed in casual robes today, not the full imperial regalia worn during court sessions.
Sitting at the table with a cup of tea in hand, Xiao Yunzhou asked, "Lord Liu, have you seen Concubine Liu and the young Princess?"
Liu Wenchang's heart skipped a beat.
The Emperor addressed him as 'Lord Liu,' a title used for officials in the Imperial Academy.
This foreshadowed the questions to come, which were likely related to the Imperial Academy.
The old lord silently exclaimed, realizing that if not for his great-granddaughter's advice and his daughter's guidance, he would have completely misunderstood the Emperor's intentions!
"Your humble subject has seen them. I am grateful to Your Majesty's kindness. Since Concubine Liu entered the palace, I have not been able to meet with her or my daughter. Only during the New Year's Palace Banquet could I catch a glimpse of the Fifth Prince from afar."
"Today, Your Majesty has allowed me to see Concubine Liu and the young Princess, alleviating the longing I felt for my daughter. Your subject is deeply moved and tears of gratitude well up. Seeing Concubine Liu in good health has put my mind at ease."
Xiao Yunzhou gave a slight nod and casually glanced at Liu Wenchang, carefully observing his expression.
Seeing only a father's longing for his daughter and affection for his grandchildren on the old lord's face, the Emperor exhaled in relief.
Only he, the Emperor, could hear the voice of the young Princess!
Only he received the heavenly warnings and blessings!
Xiao Yunzhou's heart was touched, and his mood brightened, regarding Liu Wenchang with increased fondness.
After all, this was the grandfather of the reincarnated fairy, the young Princess, his daughter-in-law.
It was thanks to the Liu family for raising Concubine Liu so well, instilling her with virtue.
This, in turn, produced the filial and intelligent Fifth Prince and the subsequent reincarnation of the fairy as the young Princess.
If the Liu family lacked virtue, would the fairy have chosen their household, reincarnating as Concubine Liu's daughter?
Pondering this, Xiao Yunzhou gestured with satisfaction.
"Lord Liu, please have a seat."
"I summoned you today simply to chat casually."
Liu Wenchang swiftly expressed his gratitude, his heart pounding.
Here it comes! Even if it's not the question his great-granddaughter mentioned, no matter - he would answer earnestly...
But before he could finish the thought, he noticed Xiao Yunzhou regarding him warmly.
"Lord Liu, what are your thoughts on Ying Qin managing the flood control efforts at Pan Reservoir?"
Liu Wenchang: "!"
Goodness gracious, his great-granddaughter had indeed predicted it correctly!
What was this? It was like receiving the exam questions even before entering the examination hall!
What kind of celestial being was his great-granddaughter?!
The old lord from the Liu family was utterly astonished.
But he raised his dignified countenance, met Xiao Yunzhou's gentle inquiry, and furrowed his brow slightly, clasping his hands behind his back.
His steady, aged gaze drifted outward as if deep in contemplation, portraying the pose of a sagely scholar.
He did not respond to the Emperor immediately.
Liu Wenchang had failed the imperial examinations three times and only became a presented scholar after ten years of effort.
His ability to endure and wait patiently was unparalleled.
The thrill, excitement, and shock of receiving the questions in advance did not show on his slightly wrinkled, dignified face.
He was in no hurry to answer, not even for the Emperor.
Surely he could not let the Emperor know that he had already been informed of the questions!
He could not let the Emperor know that his great-granddaughter had told him the answers, allowing him to score top marks!
Absolutely not.
Liu Wenchang pretended to hear the question for the first time, feigning deep contemplation before answering slowly and steadily.
"In response to Your Majesty's query, Ying Qin, the third son of the Duke of Ying, has always been a diligent student at the Imperial Academy."
"For ordinary texts, he can grasp the general meaning after reading them five or six times."
"If the Pan Reservoir requires flood control efforts, and the Hanlin Academy lacks staff to compile records, Ying Qin, with his extensive knowledge, would be well-suited for the task."
Liu Wenchang looked towards the Emperor with an expression of having just recalled the information.
Xiao Yunzhou indeed appeared satisfied upon hearing this and said, "Good. Since both you and Academician Xu have vouched for him, then I can trust in his abilities."
Liu Wenchang's heart skipped a beat.
So Academician Xu had also been asked the same question!
Earlier, as he was being led up the mountain, he had encountered Xu walking down.
They had exchanged greetings, but Xu did not mention the Emperor's question or his own response.
A bead of sweat formed on Liu Wenchang's back.
He had nearly exposed Academician Xu's capabilities and revealed his own lack of insight!
"Then I shall instruct the Ministry of Personnel to handle the arrangements," Xiao Yunzhou said with a smile, signaling Wei Zheng to serve Liu Wenchang some tea.
Ever since the water control commissioner had made a mistake, leading to the dismissal and investigation of the Minister of Personnel, that ministry had become far more obedient.
Having received a satisfactory answer, Xiao Yunzhou regarded Liu Wenchang with newfound appreciation.
In previous conversations, he had found Concubine Liu's father somewhat 'clumsy' in his official conduct, lacking in worldly wisdom and too literal in his interpretations.
He had always focused on the wrong points.
The Emperor had reviewed Liu Wenchang's background - the Liu family ancestors were farmers.
It was only in Liu Wenchang's generation that they produced a presented scholar.
Hence, the old lord possessed the diligence of a farmer but lacked the 'agility' of those born into scholarly households.
This was understandable.
But Xiao Yunzhou had been groomed as the Crown Prince from a young age, navigating the court politics with the Imperial Cabinet, the late Emperor, the eunuchs, and the imperial harem. He had to develop a hundred and eight perspectives just to survive, which made him look down upon Liu Wenchang's lack of 'agility'.
However, today the Emperor found this man commendable.
Though not particularly adroit, he possessed wisdom and took his duties seriously.
At the Imperial Academy, he knew his students like the back of his hand and could keep up with the Emperor's line of thinking!
Earlier, Academician Xu from the Imperial Academy did not know how quickly the student Ying Qin could memorize texts. In comparison, Concubine Liu's father was the kind of trusted minister one could rely upon.
A lack of agility was not an issue, as the Emperor could protect him.
Thinking of the precarious future of the Xiao Dynasty, Xiao Yunzhou cherished such loyal officials.
"Lord Liu, you have been at the Imperial Academy for nearly three years now, correct?"
Liu Wenchang's heart pounded like a drum. "Indeed, it has been over three years."
"Hmm, it is time for a change then," Xiao Yunzhou said with a smile.
Liu Wenchang was dumbfounded.
His great-granddaughter had, once again, accurately predicted the Emperor's intentions!