Chapter 39: Prologue (Please collect~~~~)

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  In the center of the grand courtyard, there is a high platform about 1.5 zhang (4.95 meters) high, 7 zhang (23.1 meters) long and 5 zhang (16.5 meters) wide, made of smooth and shiny white marble. Under the platform, there are flights of stairs on all sides, crowded with people.

  "Ah, if I could hear Miss Yiyun's piano playing at this moment, it would be a wonderful thing..."

  Under the high platform, a scholar sitting on the east side was yawning and sighing listlessly.

  "Haha, don't even think about it, that fairy-like person won't play the piano for you..."

  "Yes, since Miss Yiyin retired, no one has been able to hear her piano sound again..."

  "Honestly speaking, it's still..."

  "Be careful what you say, brother. I've heard that Miss Yiyun has a rather extraordinary background..."

  "This is indeed true..."

  "Of course, you wouldn't want her to debut at 16 and retire at 19, now living alone in a small building, yet no one bothers her, don't you all think it's strange?"

  "Ah, ah, ah, thank you, brother...". The scholar who had just smiled coldly was now sweating profusely on his forehead, and his eyes couldn't help but glance around nervously, feeling a sense of dread.

  Under the high platform, facing south and north, with curtains and screens blocking the view, sedan chairs of different levels are parked on top, surrounded by colorful silk fabrics, looking like a separate room. It stands out extremely among the other three sides that are wide, flat and smooth. Those who can enter here are all royal relatives, officials and nobles, and it is also the true core driving force of the entire Buddhist theory.

  "Brother Zhao, have you found any good materials today?" A man in casual attire said with a faint smile from behind a curtain, looking at the middle-aged man sitting on his left, who had a well-defined facial structure and was wearing a Confucian robe.

  Zhao's appearance was cold and stern, with sharp features and piercing eyes that gave off a severe impression. He gazed silently at the crowded scene for a moment before smiling calmly and saying, "Brother Wu, don't be impatient, it hasn't started yet, so we can't know anything for sure. However, I have heard of a few names - Chu Han, Zhou Shao Yang, Lian Ruo, Feng You Li, all of whom are rare young talents."

  Wu Fangyuan was taken aback, he didn't expect Zhao Yuankui to suddenly mention four names. He lowered his head and thought carefully, then raised it with a smile: "I know Chu Han, indeed a rare talent. I've also heard of Zhou Shaoyang, whose talent is not inferior to Chu Han's. Lian Ruo, has been recommended by the Ministry of Official Personnel's Wang Daoren, exempt from the imperial examination. Feng Youli, I haven't heard of him."

  Zhao Yuankui smiled calmly, stroking his chin and said: "I also occasionally heard him recite a poem about geese in the tea house, only to discover that he has quite some talent. The poem about geese is indeed fresh and elegant, suitable for all tastes."

  Wu Fangyuan's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and she softly exclaimed "oh", able to receive Zhao Yuankui's praise of being "refreshingly elegant, suitable for all occasions". It seemed that it wasn't easy after all.

  "Has he left?" Another section of the curtain, an old man's finger lightly and slowly tapped on the table, suddenly said with a faint expression.

  "He's gone." A middle-aged man with a weathered face and dressed in brocade on his right replied in a low voice. If Wei Xiao were here, he would surely recognize him as Qin Yun! Now dressed in brocade, his face still had an air of unfulfilled ambition.

  The old man in Chinese clothes nodded slightly and looked at the high platform, smiling: "Who do you think will win today?"

  Qin Yun remained bowed, upon hearing this he slightly hesitated, and smiled saying: "I think that Wei Gongzi is the most likely, it's just unknown whether or not he will go on stage to compete with these scholars."

  The old man in Chinese clothes had a gleam in his eyes, and immediately let out a soft sigh of regret. He looked at the book "Taizu's Life Story" beside him, and his gaze was distant as he said: "This child is too gentle by nature, if it weren't for the life-and-death crisis of the Wei family, I'm afraid he wouldn't have shown off his talent, let alone writing two poems for you."

  Qin Yun thought to herself that Wei Xiao's gaze was like a burning fire, piercing through people's hearts and minds. She felt a slight chill in her heart and also vaguely guessed the old man's thoughts. In a low voice, she echoed: "Your Majesty is right, by reason, his talent should have won him the top honors three years ago, but he has remained unknown until now. Indeed, he is too detached, losing the desire to serve."

  The old man in Chinese clothes was the Emperor of Daqi, who played chess with Wei Zuo at Yunfo Temple.

  His gaze was distant, as if he could see very far. A hint of unyielding arrogance flashed across his face, only to be quickly retracted, and with a playful glint in his eye, he gazed at the high platform, chuckling: "Sometimes, once a bird leaves the forest, it's like walking into a cage; wanting to come out again is no easy feat."

  Qin Yun pondered the emperor's words, and before he could speak, the emperor suddenly said: "He helped you so much, don't you see that you should thank him?"

  Qin Yun's expression was taken aback for a moment, and he vaguely understood the emperor's meaning. He still hurriedly responded with a bow, "Yes, I'll go now."

  "Why did Master send those famous invitations to Wei Gongzi?" On another path, Yiyun looked at Master Yin Kong, her beautiful eyes questioning softly.

  Yi Yun was still secretly shocked, those famous posts almost covered all the dignitaries of the entire Da Qi. Thinking of Wei Xiao's always calm expression, Yi Yun's heart skipped a beat.

  The Venerable Master held his Buddhist rosary and smiled compassionately, saying calmly: "Those things are of no use to me. It's better to give them to the donor, Wei Shi Zhu, and establish a good connection."

  With a flicker of her eyelashes, she asked, "Master, aren't you afraid that Wei Gongzi will take it and use it to harm the innocent or bring about his own downfall?"

  Yin Kongzi Master smiled and said: "This old monk can't be managed."

  Lost in thought for a moment, Master Yīn Kōng's words were indeed profound. She gently lowered her head, furrowed her brow and began to ponder.

  "If I don't care, who will?"

  Yin Kongzi smiled but didn't speak, looking at Yi Yun's lovely face with an unhidden worried expression, his facial wrinkles becoming even more crowded.

  Wei Xiao walked slowly, touching the knife at her waist, with a hint of confusion in her eyes. Just now when she was carving that lady figurine, for some reason, there was a sense of familiarity that came from nowhere, and the bottleneck she had encountered before, this time passed by as smoothly as flowing water.

  "Haha, Brother Zhou, you're here to steal the top spot this time, aren't you?"

  A few people were talking loudly not far in front of Wei Zhao and the other two. Because the first place in the Buddhist debate had won the top prize several times before, many people thought that winning the first place in the Buddhist debate was equivalent to being predestined for the top prize.

  "I think so too, Chu Han is just a fool, how can he be a match for Brother Zhou?"

  "That's right, there are only a few talented scholars in Jinling, and Brother Zhou will surely win the championship this time and bring honor to our five states!"

  The young man in white clothes surrounded in the middle smiled lightly with a smile on his face, and did not respond to the flattering words around him like a tide.

  "By the way, I heard that Yiyun Miss will be performing on stage this time, we can finally satisfy our ears!"

  "Indeed, Miss Yiyun's piano sound three years ago is still unforgettable for me, and I'm sure it has improved even more by now!"

  "Haha, Brother Zhou, maybe this time you'll win the beauty's heart and bring her home..."

  "Even if I can't have the beauty in my arms, having a whiff of her fragrance is also good..."

  Everyone burst out laughing at once, with an expression that all men understand.

  The young man in white had a change of expression for the first time, with a flash of coldness in his eyes. His face was slightly arrogant, with his head held high and a faintly disdainful look on his face.

  Wei Zhao glanced lightly at Fu Yang's furious face, and his eyes seemed to be thinking deeply about his relationship with Yiyun.