LOT – Chapter 229 The True Power of the Old State Preceptor

Lin Mo found herself increasingly intrigued by Yang Tianshi. There was something uniquely compelling about his aura.

After all, very few people could spend decades being a male companion—and every one of his former beloved confidantes would give him money and introduce him to the next partner after parting ways. What kind of extraordinary person was this?

Finally, the Grand Preceptor, furious, tied Yang Tianshi up and said he was going to bring him to their master to apologize.

Watching the two old men retreat into the distance, Lin Mo and the other two finally emerged from their hiding spot.

Peacock Hua sighed, “I thought Yang Tianshi spent all these years traveling, but I never imagined he was doing… that.”

The naive beauty also looked astonished. “I’d long heard that Yang Tianshi inherited the old State Preceptor’s teachings. My father even said he might one day remain as State Preceptor himself. But I never expected he’d go out and… be someone’s male companion!”

Lin Mo didn’t know how to react. If this news got out, it would surely stir up the capital. She was also curious about what the old lady of the Ministry of Works would think, since Yang Tianshi had once been a young beloved confidante of hers.

After taking Yang Tianshi back, the Grand Preceptor locked him in a room and scolded him.

“Ah, you! I thought you were truly traveling the world, but you’ve been doing this all along? How can you face our master?”

Yang Tianshi calmly replied from his chair, “I can face him just fine.”

The Grand Preceptor: …How am I supposed to respond to that? Normally, people would say ‘I’m sorry.’

Looking at his shocked senior brother, Yang Tianshi said with a meaningful glint in his eye:  “Senior brother, do you think it’s possible that the odd one out among the three of us—master, senior brother, and me—is actually you?”

The Grand Preceptor: !!! What?! How can I be the odd one out?!

Yang Tianshi crossed his legs and began, “Do you really think master doesn’t know what I’ve been doing outside? He knows far more than you do.”

“If you don’t believe me, we can go see him. Master doesn’t have a wife either. You really think he’s completely pure and indifferent? You’re far too naive.”

Hearing this, the Grand Preceptor’s mind turned into a complete mess. Could it be that the master he had always revered actually shared the same nature as his junior brother?

Yang Tianshi found a comfortable position and laid back. “Senior brother, I simply have a more relaxed view of life. If everyone agrees, why bind oneself? Master and I are the same—we have our beloveds, and it’s all consensual. Honestly, the odd one among the three of us is you.”

At that moment, the Old State Preceptor, who was entertaining the old lady at the foot of the mountain, sneezed.

The Grand Preceptor staggered out in a daze. All these years, he had been misunderstanding things? He thought master remained single out of dedication to state affairs, but it was actually for… this reason.

After watching the spectacle, Lin Mo and the others spent the whole day having fun outside. The next morning, when they went to court, Lin Mo immediately saw Yang Tianshi standing at the front.

He wore a proud expression, commanding respect from all the ministers and even the emperor—except for the Grand Preceptor glaring at him.

“Master Tianshi, you’ve endured much during your travels. What are your plans now—will you stay in the capital or continue wandering?” The Xuande Emperor naturally hoped he would stay.

Ever since the Old State Preceptor retired to the mountains, the country had lacked a State Preceptor, and the Observatory had been without a director for years.

Yang Tianshi chuckled, stroking his beard with the demeanor of a sage. “My master and senior brother are getting old. I feel it’s better to stay rather than continue wandering.”

“I understand Your Majesty’s wishes. Whether there’s one more or one less at the Observatory makes little difference. I only wish to live quietly in the capital, to care for my master in his old age. Nothing else concerns me.”

Of course, if he enjoyed working, he wouldn’t have spent half his life wandering around. The master had been trapped by the responsibilities of his position all his life and only stepped down in old age. Who wouldn’t want a peaceful life instead of constantly being nagged?

Hearing Yang Tianshi’s response, everyone’s faces fell.

Lin Mo whispered to Bai Xiao, [I think Yang Tianshi has mellowed. Otherwise, someone like him would surely keep having fun outside. If he worried about his master and senior brother, he wouldn’t have stayed away all these years.]

Bai Xiao agreed. [Exactly. Age catches up with everyone. Even the last old lady with him got tired of him.]

Yang Tianshi’s smile stiffened. …Could you two stop airing my personal life like this? I’m perfectly capable! I know medicine, and my body is strong!

The Grand Preceptor’s face was red as fire; his junior brother was shameless, and he himself was embarrassed. Others were a bit confused listening, since they hadn’t witnessed yesterday’s events.

But soon they’d understand—Lin Mo had a habit of probing until she uncovered the truth.

Lin Mo: [Bai Xiao, would you say Yang Tianshi’s life as a male companion has been full of ups and downs?]

Bai Xiao: [Absolutely. He relied on women all his life. He was capable but chose a soft life. Still, he’s lucky—he never suffered setbacks, at most a few beatings.]

[When his relationship with one woman ended, the next was always ready to take over. He could travel, enjoy life, and have his expenses covered—after all, he lived off his skills.]

Everyone: …They’re starting to understand what that means.

The Xuande Emperor’s smile stiffened. So all these years, Yang Tianshi wasn’t traveling—he was a male companion!

Yang Tianshi stroked his beard calmly. Living off one’s skill isn’t wrong; it’s his talent, his charm. Some people want to rely on others but can’t. He felt his life had been worthwhile, extremely carefree.

Bai Xiao looked at the ethereal Yang Tianshi and said, [But Yang Tianshi still can’t compare to his master. The Old State Preceptor—that’s true greatness. He devoted himself to the country, giving all his ability and even his health to protect the nation.]

Everyone: !!! There’s more about the Old State Preceptor?!

Lin Mo’s interest spiked immediately—this sounded like an even juicier story.

The Grand Preceptor: …Can someone save me? My master and junior brother are like this—surely people won’t think I’m the same? I’m a completely upright person!