The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 32 Getting carried away!
The image of Wei Siqian, the first person to break into the palace, leaving in a disheveled state, seems to still linger on the threshold of the Consultative Hall.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the scratching of the scribe's pen on the paper and the barely audible breathing of a few officials from the Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian sat upright, trying to maintain a calm expression, but his heart was pounding against his ribs like a drum, and a hot current surged through his body.

It worked! It actually worked!
He not only withstood the censor's questioning but also refuted him until he was speechless and had to retreat in a panic.

The thrill of crushing his opponents in public with his wit and words far surpassed the private venting he used to experience in the Eastern Palace, where he would smash cups and whip eunuchs.

It's a feeling of exhilaration to be put into the light of day, to be tested, and to win, with an almost dizzying sense of accomplishment.

He subconsciously twirled the corner of the page of the Tang Code on the desk with his fingertips, the cool touch slightly suppressing the slight tremor in his fingertips.

His gaze involuntarily and quickly swept towards Li Yichen in the back row. The figure who was still bowing his head and keeping his eyes down was now like a pillar of strength in his eyes.

If it weren't for Yi Chen's almost cruel and repeated deductions yesterday, dissecting Wei Siqian's possible angles of attack one by one and preparing countermeasures, he would never have been so calm today.

Just as Li Chengqian was overjoyed and almost immersed in the excitement of this initial victory, the sound of an announcement came from outside the hall again, breaking the silence inside.

"Your Highness, a scholar from the Hongwen Academy has come to Jinan to request an audience."

Lai Jin?

The name made Li Chengqian pause slightly.

Unlike Wei Siqian, a censor known for his sharp and incisive words, Lai Ji was someone he had heard of before. He seemed to be known for his competence and youthful talent, and not someone who only attacked others.

Why did he come?

Is he, like Wei Siqian, fixated on the old stories of the Liangyi Hall?

Or is there another picture?
A moment later, an official of about thirty years old walked steadily into the Consultative Hall.

He had a kind face and a slightly dark complexion, as if he had weathered many storms. His eyes were clear and steady, unlike Wei Siqian's sharp and intimidating gaze.

He was dressed in a blue imperial censor's robe, holding a ceremonial tablet, and his demeanor exuded a composure that seemed beyond his actual age.

Upon entering the hall, he paid his respects according to etiquette, his voice calm and clear: "Your subject, a scholar from the Hongwen Academy, has come to pay respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian did not sit still as he had when dealing with Wei Siqian, but instead nodded slightly and raised his hand to support him.

"Scholar Lai, you may dispense with the formalities."

He sized up Lai Ji, trying to discern his intentions from his expression.

Lai Ji rose to express his gratitude, but did not immediately get to the point. Instead, he bowed again and said sincerely, "Your Highness has opened the Eastern Palace to the public, widely soliciting opinions and humbly welcoming scholars from all over the world. Such magnanimity and breadth of mind are truly admirable. Your Highness's actions today are reminiscent of the virtues of the ancient sages, and are indeed a blessing for the court and a hope for the people of the world."

These words were like a gentle spring rain, completely different from Wei Siqian's sudden and violent outburst just now.

As Li Chengqian listened, he felt that every word resonated with his own heart.

An irrepressible joy and pride welled up from the bottom of my heart, like bubbling spring water.

While Li Yichen's decision to open the Eastern Palace was undoubtedly a stopgap measure and a strategic maneuver, deep down, he secretly hoped to gain a reputation for being "wise."

He was immediately flattered by Lai Ji's direct and sincere praise.

"You flatter me, Scholar Lai," Li Chengqian said, a slight smile playing on his lips, his voice light and cheerful.

"I am young and inexperienced, and I need the assistance of my ministers to gather their wisdom and advice. It is my duty to accept advice and suggestions."

He even subconsciously adjusted his posture, trying to make his slightly stiff posture due to his foot ailment look more relaxed and dignified, as if only in this way could he better deserve the other party's praise.

Sitting in the shadows in the back row, Li Yichen didn't look up, but hearing the Crown Prince's noticeably rising tone, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He was still just a boy at heart.

Rebellious people, who are used to being scolded and looked down upon, are easily overwhelmed and lose their composure when praised sincerely or insincerely.

Lai Ji's few words of praise were enough to almost expose the Crown Prince's true colors, causing him to forget the "composure" and "restraint" he had been repeatedly told to do the day before.

Li Baiyao, who was standing to the left of the Crown Prince, keenly noticed the subtle changes in the Crown Prince's tone and expression.

He felt a slight pang in his heart, worried that the Crown Prince might become arrogant and forget himself after being flattered by a few kind words.

But on second thought, the fact that the Crown Prince was able to sit here today to receive the officials' audience and to repel such an aggressive censor as Wei Siqian was already a remarkable achievement.

Young people who suddenly achieve success and show their joy on their faces, while inappropriate, are understandable.

As long as the general direction is correct, a little pride might just indicate that the Crown Prince's temperament is not entirely gloomy and unpredictable, and that he still has room for improvement.

He stroked his beard, a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He felt that although the Crown Prince still needed to grow, the current rate of growth had far exceeded expectations and was quite satisfactory.

Xu Jingzong on the right had a beaming smile on his face, as if he was also proud of the Crown Prince's "wisdom".

However, a shrewd calculation flashed deep in his eyes.

Was Lai Jin's move a genuine expression of praise, or a test of strength disguised as a retreat?
Was the Crown Prince's reaction one of sincerity and frankness, or a lack of shrewdness?

He weighed the options quickly.

Lai Ji was no ordinary man; though young, he was already a close advisor to the emperor and possessed keen insight into human nature and worldly affairs.

He took in the Crown Prince's barely concealed joy.

A slight stirring occurred to my heart.

This crown prince seems quite different from the rumored eccentric and gloomy heir apparent; at least, he shows an almost hungry acceptance of positive evaluations.

This might be an opportunity.

His main purpose in coming here today is not to offer advice, but to take advantage of this rare "open" opportunity to discuss an important matter concerning people's livelihood.

The crown prince was in a good mood at the moment, and the chances of his advice succeeding seemed to have greatly increased.

So, Lai Ji struck while the iron was hot. After expressing his praise, he changed the subject, his tone still respectful but with a touch of solemnity.

"Your Highness is so humble and open-minded, I am deeply grateful. I have come here today with a matter of great importance concerning the livelihood of the people and the stability of the border, which I wish to present to Your Highness."

Li Chengqian was basking in the pleasure of being recognized. Upon hearing this, he didn't hesitate and waved his hand generously, saying, "Scholar, please speak freely! As long as it benefits the country and the people, I will certainly listen carefully!"

His tone suggested he was a wise ruler who held the reins of power and could decide the affairs of the world, even carrying a hint of generosity, as if he were granting his request.

Overjoyed, he almost instinctively turned his gaze to Li Yichen.

Li Yichen shook his head very slightly and very quickly.

The movements were so small that they were almost imperceptible.

This shake of the head was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing Li Chengqian's unbridled excitement.

He jolted awake, his half-rising motion abruptly halting, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly seeping from his back.

He got carried away with his success!
(End of this chapter)