APSIL -Chapter 90 The Emperor Arrives!

In Zhang Shou’s imagination, an imperial visit to the Imperial College had to involve streets sprinkled with water, troops clearing the way, an elaborate imperial procession, countless ceremonial attendants, and perhaps even commoners burning incense in reverence.

In short, it should have been an extremely complicated affair—and one that took a very long time.

Yet reality proved entirely different.

Just as Consort Yu and Princess Yongping’s visit to Moonlight Pavilion had been accompanied by only a few hundred guards rather than an overwhelming military presence, the time from Zhu Ying’s frantic early-morning announcement to the arrival of the emperor’s advance cavalry at Imperial Academy Street and Jixian Street was barely more than an hour.

That hour even included the morning court session during which the emperor had announced his decision.

Nor did the entire Imperial College turn out to greet the emperor.

The institution had four or five thousand registered students, along with countless officials and instructors, yet only a limited number stood waiting.

It wasn’t out of disrespect.

It was simply because the space from the grand archway at the entrance to the Yilun Hall along the central axis physically couldn’t hold that many people.

“There simply isn’t enough room.”

Those were the exact words Zhang Shou had heard from the Chancellor of the Imperial College, Zhou Xun.

Zhang Shou understood why.

Although the Imperial College certainly had four or five thousand registered students—perhaps even more—in this prosperous era, students like Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang, who were enrolled in name only and almost never attended classes, were hardly uncommon.

The emperor might not count heads personally, but while the absence of a few dozen students could be overlooked, if one or two thousand were missing, the deception would be impossible to hide.

As one of the instructors, Zhang Shou stood together with the other Imperial Academy Doctors.

Meanwhile, despite coming from far more prestigious families and being destined for higher official careers, Zhang Chen, Zhu Er, Lu Sanlang, and the other noble students stood behind them.

Further back stood Zhu Ying, Qi Liang, Deng Xiaodai, and the other family members.

Teachers.

Students.

Families.

Three clearly separated groups.

Then the silence was broken by the sound of galloping hooves.

This time, however, it wasn’t a large escort.

Only a single rider approached.

As the horse drew closer, Zhang Shou quickly recognized the rider.

It was Chu Kuan, the Eunuch Supervisor of Ceremonies whom he had met once at Moonlight Pavilion.

Chu Kuan rode forward alone, dismounted gracefully, nodded with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, and announced calmly, “His Majesty’s verbal decree.”

“Whether instructors or students, everyone should continue doing what they ought to be doing. Teachers should teach, students should study.”

“His Majesty wishes to see the Imperial College as it truly is—not a display put on merely to welcome him.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Xun and the others hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

Chu Kuan smiled warmly.

“So, Grand Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, dismiss everyone.”

“His Majesty is not arriving with the full imperial procession. He comes escorted only by the Swift Cavalry Battalion.”

“There is no need for everyone to wait here.”

Although Chu Kuan spoke gently, Zhou Xun and Luo Siye both knew exactly what kind of person he was.

This eunuch never openly seized power, yet everyone acknowledged his sharp intelligence.

Many already regarded him as the inevitable successor to the head of the Directorate of Ceremonies.

Always one to avoid responsibility whenever possible, Vice Chancellor Luo Siye unusually stepped forward first.

“May I ask, Eunuch Chu… when exactly will His Majesty arrive?”

Chu Kuan laughed.

“How would I know?”

His gaze swept casually across the crowd before stopping briefly on Zhang Shou, whose scholar’s robes somehow made him stand out even among the other instructors.

He repeated meaningfully, “His Majesty wishes to see teaching.”

“And studying.”

The implication couldn’t have been clearer.

Without another word, Zhou Xun and Luo Siye immediately turned around and began ordering every instructor back to their classrooms.

Naturally, Zhang Shou—the newly appointed Doctor who had never officially met his superiors before causing an enormous commotion—was completely forgotten.

The two senior officials rushed away so quickly that they almost left him standing there alone.

Only after taking several steps did Zhou Xun suddenly remember.

Turning back, he called, “Doctor Zhang!”

“Since His Majesty also intends to reward Zhang Chen and the other meritorious students, I’ll trouble you to remain here with them and welcome His Majesty.”

“I’ll go inspect the rest of the Imperial College.”

After all, Zhang Shou was already someone known personally to the emperor.

There was no preventing him from appearing before the throne again.

Before Zhang Shou could respond, Zhou Xun had already scampered off with surprising agility for a man of his age.

Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

He understood the unspoken meaning perfectly.

You haven’t been assigned any teaching duties yet.

Those students never attend class anyway.

If anyone’s going to greet the emperor, it might as well be you people.

Turning around, he found Zhang Chen, Lu Sanlang, and the others surrounding Chu Kuan with bright smiles.

Questions flew from every direction.

“Eunuch Chu…”

“Chief Eunuch…”

“Senior Chu…”

Everyone called him something different while trying to extract information.

Not a single person attempted to secretly slip him gold, jade, or silver.

Clearly, Chu Kuan had long since risen above such petty bribes.

Zhang Shou glanced toward Zhu Ying, who was chatting with Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai.

After a moment’s thought, he began walking toward Chu Kuan himself.

Perhaps he could learn exactly when the emperor would arrive.

But before he reached them—

The thunder of galloping horses erupted once more.

Just like the advance cavalry earlier, another mounted unit turned from Jixian Street into Imperial Academy Street.

Upon reaching the Confucian Temple, every single rider dismounted simultaneously and proceeded on foot through the sacred area.

After passing it, they mounted again in one seamless motion.

Their discipline was flawless.

At first glance, they looked every bit as elite as the imperial cavalry Zhang Shou had seen before.

When they reached the “University” archway, over a hundred riders dismounted once again.

Only one man remained on horseback.

He rode a yellow horse.

A neatly trimmed mustache adorned his handsome face.

Though only in his early thirties, he carried an air of relaxed confidence that made him seem more like an accomplished general than an emperor.

He leisurely guided his horse forward.

Only upon reaching the archway did he leap lightly to the ground with astonishing agility.

At the very same moment, Chu Kuan, who had just been surrounded by the students, hurried forward.

Bowing deeply, he announced, “This servant welcomes Your Majesty.”

Zhang Shou was stunned.

The casually dressed man who had blended effortlessly among the cavalry…

The one who had just displayed such perfect military discipline…

Was actually the reigning emperor?

Hadn’t he supposedly been bedridden after becoming enraged over the mutiny at the Linhai Garrison?

Looking at him now, there wasn’t the slightest trace of illness.

At that instant, many things suddenly became clear.

Now he understood how he had become a Doctor of the Imperial College.

Now he understood why the emperor had so readily granted Zhu Ying’s request to reward these noble youths here.

Now he understood why the emperor enjoyed traveling incognito with Princess Yongping…

Why he tolerated literary gatherings like the one at Moonlight Pavilion…

In short—

This was clearly an emperor who did as he pleased.

With Chu Kuan already setting the example for the proper greeting, and Zhang Chen leading everyone else in following suit, Zhang Shou silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately…

There was no need to kneel.

Following the example before him, he performed a deep bow.

Then he heard a warm, cheerful voice.

“So—you are Zhang Shou?”

“Raise your head.”

“Let me see whether you’re truly the ‘gentleman of bamboo from the mortal world’ and the ‘banished immortal from heaven’ that Yingying keeps praising.”

Zhang Shou’s heart skipped a beat.

When he straightened, the emperor had already walked to within seven or eight paces of him.

Hands clasped behind his back, the emperor carefully examined him from head to toe.

Finally, he smiled.

“You certainly are handsome.”

“But what I’m most curious about…”

“…is how you managed to tame this unruly bunch.”

Without waiting for an answer, the emperor gestured toward Zhang Chen, Lu Sanlang, and the others.

“And even more importantly…”

“…how did you lead this rabble to defeat those rebels?”

Please don’t tell me Zhu Ying mentioned the drugging incident…

Or Hua Qi…

Countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Shou’s mind.

He knew he absolutely couldn’t look toward Zhu Ying now.

Nor could he expect her to hint at what she’d already told the emperor.

All he could do was gamble based on his understanding of her personality.

So he smiled sincerely.

“Reporting to Your Majesty…”

“We lured the enemy by pretending to be weak.”

“Oh?”

“And how exactly did you do that?”

“It was simple.”

“I arranged for someone to meet the rebel leader at the village entrance.”

“We deliberately let them believe that, while messengers had already been sent to the capital requesting reinforcements, we ourselves remained calmly inside my teacher’s Bamboo Pavilion, relying on our many guards for protection.”

The emperor nodded slightly.

Zhang Shou continued.

“When the rebels finally rushed in…”

“Yingying played the qin.”

“Zhang Chen and Lu Zhu provided the accompaniment.”

“The others remained inside the bamboo cottages with their guards, pretending to be completely unprepared.”

“The rebel force split into three groups to attack the three cottages.”

“They were defeated one after another.”

“The remaining two groups, after their commander was captured by Yingying, launched a desperate assault.”

“They were then subdued by A-Liu together with the guards from the Duke Zhao Estate.”

“In truth…”

“It was because everyone worked together with one heart that we achieved victory.”

Before he had even finished, Zhu Ying immediately chimed in.

“That’s right!”

“Your Majesty, we defeated the rebels almost without suffering any casualties because everyone united together and fought as one!”

Only then did Zhang Shou finally relax.

He had guessed correctly.

This was exactly what Zhu Ying had told the emperor before.

Little Teacher is truly generous!

Miss Zhu is truly generous!

Almost everyone present thought exactly the same thing.

Only Zhang Chen and Lu Sanlang knew how much had really been omitted.

When the emperor’s gaze swept across them, however, every one of them instinctively lowered their heads.

Their hearts pounded.

Don’t expose us…

Fortunately, after a long silence…

The emperor laughed.

“Hahaha…”

“Excellent.”

“Very good.”

“Everyone says you boys are useless wastrels.”

“Who would have thought you’d display such courage when it truly mattered?”

Turning back toward Zhang Shou, he smiled.

“You truly deserve to be called their teacher.”

Then he suddenly called out, “Zhang Chen!”

Zhang Chen had just been grumbling inwardly about everyone sharing the credit.

Hearing his name, he immediately snapped to attention.

“Present!”

“Is everything your Little Teacher just said true?”

The Zhang Chen of the past would certainly have exposed the fabrication.

But after only the briefest hesitation, he answered loudly, “Yes!”

“It’s true!”

Both Zhang Shou and Zhu Ying, who had contributed the most, were willing to share the credit.

How could he object?

Besides…

He hadn’t won the argument with the rebel commander that day anyway.

It had been Zhang Shou who had recovered their dignity with his sharp tongue.

Even during the actual fighting, he hadn’t contributed much.

When the emperor turned toward Lu Sanlang, the chubby youth nodded frantically like a pecking chicken.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Everything is absolutely true!”

“Oh?”

The emperor smiled with satisfaction.

“Very good.”

“‘A prodigal who reforms is worth more than gold.'”

“That is precisely why I have chosen the Imperial College today…”

“…to reward all you young men.”

He looked around leisurely.

“Very well.”

“Zhang Shou, lead the way.”

“The rest of you, follow.”

“I seldom visit the Imperial College.”

“Today, I intend to take a good look at this great institution personally established by the Founding Emperor.”

Seeing all this for the very first time, Qi Liang and Deng Xiaodai couldn’t help sighing inwardly.

So this is the emperor…

Decisive in action…

Yet so approachable that merely speaking with him made others feel completely at ease.