Evil Master and Disciple

The chief eunuch carefully unwrapped the yellow brocade and slowly took out the Imperial Seal of the State, which was also wrapped in delicate yellow brocade, from the exquisite sandalwood box.

This is something not everyone can see.

This Grand Eunuch was appointed after Eunuch Luan died in battle.

Today was the first time he had taken the Imperial Seal of the State off the plaque.

He also wanted to see what the legendary Imperial Seal of the State actually looked like.

The chief eunuch untied the brocade cloth and gently lifted the Imperial Seal of the State.

The eunuch beside him had already prepared the inkpad.

No one will check the authenticity of the Imperial Seal of the State.

The chief eunuch pressed the Imperial Seal of the State onto the inkpad, first pressing it onto a piece of white paper.

Immediately, the piece of paper printed with the Imperial Seal of the State was lit and thrown into the brazier.

If it wasn't burned in public immediately, it could have been taken out of the palace and sold, fetching at least tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Therefore, every time the Imperial Seal of the State was used, the first sheet of paper would be burned.

Fortunately, this Grand Eunuch had never seen the Imperial Seal of the State before.

He was neither a dragon vein cultivator nor a Confucian cultivator.

The Imperial Seal of the State made by Nouwenhe is almost identical to the real Imperial Seal of the State in terms of size, markings, and the color of the jade.

Even the imprints are indistinguishable.

Because the Imperial Seal of the State could only be used by the Grand Eunuch in charge of the seal, and officials who came to stamp it had no right to touch it, no one discovered that the Imperial Seal of the State was fake from beginning to end.

After the Imperial Seal of the State was used up, it was placed back under the plaque, and Wen Liangong, with a calm expression, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, Princess Changning noticed the subtle change in her teacher's expression.

Princess Changning asked, "Mr. Wen, what's wrong?"

Wen Liangong immediately shook his head and said, "No, it's nothing. Changning, have you finished the last two sentences?"

Princess Changning smiled wryly and said, "Alas, I am ashamed. I have pondered for half a day and come up with a few lines, but the artistic conception is far different from that of the two lines written by Mr. Li."

Wen Liangong glanced at the half-line of poetry, shook his head and said, "Breaking through the soil, it fears no rocky cliffs, soaring straight up to the clouds... Li Ling, that old man, truly deserves to be called the Sage of Poetry; his poetic skills have been improving recently."

Princess Changning asked, "Why did Mr. Li only write half a sentence?"

"Hehehe, do you think that old man didn't want to write the last two lines? It's a pity, his literary talent is limited, and he could only think of these two lines. It's a pity that Ye Feng isn't here, otherwise, he could definitely have added them, and then it would have been another masterpiece about bamboo."

When Ye Feng was mentioned, Princess Changning's expression suddenly became very complicated, and she looked somewhat wistful.

Wen Liangong narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Changning, have you... fallen for Ye Feng?"

Princess Changning was startled, and then a blush suddenly appeared on her fair cheeks.

She was a little embarrassed and said, "Sir, please...please stop teasing me!"

"Tsk, how old are you? It's only natural for a girl to be getting married. If you don't get married soon, you'll be an old maid. Look at your sisters, every single one of them is engaged. Why aren't you worried at all?"

"Of all the men in the world, who could catch my eye? I'm afraid I'll never get married in this lifetime."

"Hehe, I think Ye Feng is pretty good. You like poetry and literature, and he is a little poetry genius. You two will definitely have a lot to talk about if you get together."

Princess Changning blushed and said with some regret, "It's impossible. Young Master Ye is a cultivator, while I am just a mortal woman. He has a lifespan of several hundred years, while I will be old and faded in a few years."

Moreover, Young Master Ye is accompanied by two peerless beauties, Yun Shuang'er and Shen Tianqi.

I saw both of them at the Confucian Inn. I used to think I was very beautiful, but after seeing them, I realized I wasn't. Even though Young Master Ye is the only man so far who has made me look at him differently, he wouldn't be interested in me, much less marry me. I can sense that he has a deep-seated aversion to the royal family…”

Princess Changning was no longer a little girl. Although she was a little shy, she still boldly said that she did indeed have a different opinion of Ye Feng.

The undisguised disappointment on her face was heartbreaking to see.

Wen Liangong said, "It's all about human effort. How can you think there's no chance if you don't even try?"

Princess Changning smiled bitterly, “My father intended to recruit Young Master Ye. Some time ago, before Young Master Ye left the capital, my father specially invited him to the Imperial Study. My father mentioned to him that he wanted to betroth me to him, but Young Master Ye refused on the spot and left the capital immediately. From now on, I will just study his poems and essays. As for marriage, I will not force it.”

"Oh, is that so? Why have I recently heard that you've been practicing cultivation techniques with those cultivators from the Celestial Mirror?"

"Uh? Sir, how...how did you know? I was just bored and wanted to do some research..."

"Hehe, you can fool others, but can you fool your own heart? You started cultivating immortality and practicing the Dao, wasn't it all for Young Master Ye? However, the cultivators in Si Tianjian are mediocre. They are all righteous rogue cultivators who couldn't make it in the cultivation world and sought refuge with the royal family to live out their retirement. You won't learn anything useful by following them."

You are already too old and have missed the best age for cultivation. Without a good teacher, I'm afraid you will never reach the realm of flying in this lifetime.

In about two months, the Lingshan Grand Competition will be held, and according to tradition, representatives from the Confucian school will attend.

The other day, Old Qiu told a few of us about the Lingshan Grand Competition. Recently, a lot has happened in the capital. Old Qiu needs to take charge of the Sage's Pavilion, Old Li needs to take charge of the Imperial Academy, Zhuge needs to take charge of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Old Lu needs to take charge of the Imperial Academy.

Therefore, this time, I and Nangong Pifu from Honglu Academy will represent the Confucian school to attend the Lingshan Grand Competition.

Come with me to Mount Ling then. Not only will you be able to see that kid Ye Feng again, but I can also swallow my pride and find you a decent master.

I've heard that some major sects possess miraculous elixirs that can cleanse the marrow and refine the meridians. You missed the prime time for cultivation; perhaps through these elixirs and rare treasures, you can make up for the decade or so you missed.

Princess Changning's expression froze, but her eyes revealed barely suppressed joy.

Whether or not he can find a famous master is secondary; the main thing is that Ye Feng will represent the Yunhai Sect in this Lingshan Grand Competition.

Although Ye Feng had only been away from the capital for a short time, she dreamed of him every night and longed to go to Lingshan to see him again.

Princess Changning said, "I really want to go to Lingshan to watch the competition, but I need my father's permission first."

"His Majesty will definitely agree. He can't wait for you to get married."