After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

"Ciyun Temple?" Lan Tingzhou frowned slightly.

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

“Ciyun Temple is located in the capital city, not far away. If anything happens in the city, the news will spread quickly, which is much better than going to the suburbs,” Gan Cai’er explained.

In their previous life, they went to the suburban estate that Lu Qingning had found for them. It was actually quite nice, as it kept out countless people who came to disturb them, allowing Lan Tingzhou to concentrate on his studies.

But in this life, Gan Cai'er wants to go somewhere else. Anyway, she's already a shoo-in for the top scholar in the Lanting Boat competition.

Even if Emperor Jinghe didn't know that Lan Tingzhou would become the Imperial Tutor in the future, he is now Du Ke's teacher in a real way. So it's normal for Emperor Jinghe to show some favoritism, isn't it?

"Moreover, Fengming Mountain is very high, and Ciyun Temple is built on the top of the mountain. It is not easy for those who want to come to find you to climb up."

“It will definitely be quiet,” Gan Cai’er continued.

"Anything else?" Lan Tingzhou looked at her and said calmly.

Gan Cai'er choked, her hand involuntarily starting to tug at the hem of her dress. Uh, she knew it; this person was simply not easy to fool.

“Mei Wanqing also has to go every few days.” She lowered her head and said somewhat dejectedly.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from the Mei family?" Lan Tingzhou's gaze became stern.

“She’s left the Mei residence, and you need a quiet place, so I can have someone to visit her. What’s wrong with that?” Gan Cai’er blinked, looking at Lan Tingzhou with an innocent yet ingratiating expression.

Seeing Gan Cai'er's ingratiating manner, Lan Tingzhou was still annoyed, but his heart softened, so he didn't object anymore. Anyway, it was quiet on the mountain with few people, and as long as he kept an eye on her, nothing should happen.

I heard that Lan Tingzhi and Gan Cai'er are going to Ciyun Temple. Lan Tingzhi is the happiest.

"Alright, you can go ahead. I'll stay here and watch the house."

He was overjoyed to have escaped Lan Tingzhou's control.

Lan Tingzhou glanced at him indifferently and said, "Copy 'The Great Learning' and 'The Doctrine of the Mean' five times each this month. I will check them when I return."

The initial excitement he felt while studying the Orchid Pavilion Preface visibly crumbled. Copying the book so many times—what difference was there between this and doing it at home?!

Seeing this, Gan Cai'er was speechless.

The Lan family has been a family of scholars for generations, and it's estimated that all the talent for reading belongs to Lan Tingzhou, while Lan Tingzhi has none at all. They are brothers from the same parents, yet one reads with ease and always comes first, while the other can't even write a few characters properly, let alone do any scholarship.

“If he really doesn’t like to study, forcing him to copy books won’t do any good,” Gan Cai’er couldn’t help but speak up for Lan Tingzhi.

Lan Tingzhou glanced over indifferently, clearly displeased.

“I’m not saying he shouldn’t learn anything. You can have him copy some books that interest him. That way, it will be of some benefit to him after he finishes copying them.”

Lantingzhou was aware of Lantingzhi's preference for martial arts over literary pursuits. Gan Cai'er's statement was not without merit.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Then copy 'The Six Secret Teachings' five hundred characters a day. I'll test you when I get back."

"Oh."

Lan Tingzhi's face was still droopy, but it was much better than before. After all, he could at least understand some of the military treatises.

Three days later, Lan Tingzhou and Gan Cai'er rode in a carriage, carrying trunks and boxes, to Ciyun Temple.

In Kyoto, Jiyun-ji Temple is neither a famous nor an ancient temple. Because Mount Hōmyō is high and the temple is built on its summit, it is somewhat isolated from the world and its incense offerings are not very popular.

The reason Madam Mei sent Mei Wanqing to this place for cultivation was probably because she valued its location; although it was in the middle of the city, it was actually quite remote.

The road to Fengming Mountain was difficult to walk. Even someone like Gan Cai'er, who was used to running and jumping, felt like crying and begging for help.

Lan Tingzhou turned around several times and asked her, "Are you really going up?"

Looking at the thick tree trunks covering the mountain, Gan Cai'er thought that with Mei Wanqing's frail body, it would be difficult for her to even come down the mountain.

Suddenly, Mei Wanqing's timid yet clear eyes flashed before her eyes, filled with complete trust. So, she nodded emphatically.

"It's just a mountain, how could it possibly stump me?"

Having said that, she lifted the hem of her dress and strode forward again.

Although Lan Tingzhou fled to Ciyun Temple to escape the world, the enormous shock he caused continued to reverberate throughout Kyoto. Whether they knew him or not, everyone was talking about him.

The streets and alleys of Kyoto are filled with his various legends.

Inside the Regent's Palace, Gongsun Yi carefully examined the list that had been presented to him.

"The top scholar this time is actually Lan Tingzhou?"

"Yes, Your Highness. This man's talent is indeed extraordinary," Fan Sui rarely praised.

"The Lan family has a long tradition of scholarship, so it's not surprising that a literary genius would emerge from them. It's just a pity that he's from the Lan family." Gongsun Yi's eyes showed regret.

“The Lan family has been known for its integrity and upright character for generations. It is said that this person is of noble character. If he could be employed by the prince, it would not be a bad thing.” Fan Sui valued talent.

Gongsun Yi recalled Lan Shiyao's resolute and unyielding expression before his death. In truth, if he hadn't been so fixated on the so-called right and wrong, he could have easily survived.

The victor is king, the loser is villain; there is no true right or wrong in this world.

Thinking of this, Gongsun Yi shook his head and said, "Mr. Fan, good steel is easily broken. The quality of being noble and pure is not desirable in the court."

Fan Sui thought about it and agreed.

"What has he been doing since he came to Kyoto?" Gongsun Yi asked.

“Nothing special. He usually spends his time reading at home or attending literary gatherings and poetry recitals. He also became a student of Zhang Jun and Shen Jinlun, and then took Du Ke as his disciple,” Shen Sui answered truthfully.

"He's become Shen Jinlun's student?" Gongsun Yi was very surprised.

Shen Jinlun's stubborn, rock-like temper is something most people can't tolerate. Even though there are immense benefits to becoming his disciple, no one is willing to approach him. Of course, it's not that Shen Jinlun will accept someone just because they're willing to approach him.

He can verbally abuse anyone he dislikes to the point of wanting to kill himself.

"Heh, that's a long story. It's said that he initially studied under Zhang Jun, but then Shen Jinlun took a liking to him and insisted that he become his disciple. I guess he couldn't resist and ended up having two teachers." Shen Sui laughed.

"It is said that Shen Jinlun held a three-day banquet at home after the Lanting Boat Festival, and he was even happier than when his own grandson passed the imperial examination."

"It seems he really is a talented person." Gongsun Yi was somewhat tempted, but only slightly, since he had no shortage of talented people under his command.

There are no fewer than twenty advisors in the Prince's mansion alone, not to mention those in the court who belong to him.

"What's going on with Du Ke?" Gongsun Yi was still worried about Du Ke.

Fan Sui then gave a detailed report on everything Du Ke had done since arriving in the capital.

Gongsun Yi frowned. He felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Strengthen surveillance on Du Ke, and keep records every day and every hour."

Fan Sui was startled and asked, "Your Highness, is Du Ke alright?"

“The men we sent to keep an eye on him didn’t see anything unusual about him,” Fan Sui said, fearing he might have made a mistake or overlooked something.

Gongsun Yi simply shook his head and said, "Better safe than sorry. Before the Consort gives birth to the Crown Prince, all parties must be on guard."

Fan Sui nodded in agreement, but inwardly he was puzzled. He understood each word in "The Imperial Concubine gave birth to the Crown Prince," but put together, he just couldn't understand what it meant.

Why must the Crown Prince be born to the Imperial Concubine? Is it simply because the Imperial Concubine and the Princess are sisters? But supporting a nephew is far less desirable than ascending to the throne oneself.

You see, these strategists have always followed Gongsun Yi, hoping that one day he will rule the world. Only then can they, who have fought alongside him all this way, reap the greatest benefits.

Although deposing Emperor Jinghe and installing a young child on the throne was a good way to consolidate power, it ultimately fell short.

Who doesn't want to achieve great things and leave their mark on history?

Moreover, the path to establishing a crown prince is fraught with difficulty. The concubines who have expanded Emperor Jinghe's harem are all backed by various powerful factions, all vying for the position of crown prince.

Although he couldn't understand it, Fan Sui still diligently deployed the new surveillance plan.

Meanwhile, inside the Taiji Palace in the imperial city, Gongsun Rui and Yao Ji were chatting.

"I didn't expect Lan Tingzhou to actually win the top prize in the imperial examination," Gongsun Rui said with a smile, looking pleased.

"Zitong, isn't the teacher I chose for Yun'er quite good?"

"Your Majesty's judgment is undoubtedly the best; I am completely convinced." Yao Ji smiled and handed Gongsun Rui a piece of honey cake. "So, in the palace examination, what rank does Your Majesty intend to give him?"

"Hehe, he's already the reincarnation of Emperor Wenchang, so I naturally have to lend him a hand to help him create a legend of the Great Yong Dynasty."

"It would be more legitimate for him to assist Yun'er in the future."

Yao Ji's expression suddenly turned serious. He said, "The Imperial Hospital reported today that the Consort's pregnancy is very stable and both mother and child are healthy. Your Majesty, Yun'er's return to the palace cannot be delayed any longer."

"Don't worry, I will definitely not let my brother's wishful thinking succeed." Gongsun Rui gently patted Yao Ji's hand.