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Let’s not forget that Lian Mu had just passed the imperial examination at the tender age of early twenties, only a few years older than the surrounding scholars, yet his knowledge and awareness were worlds apart.

They bore no resemblance to those of a person who had just participated in the exams. I fear that even if given another decade or two, the surrounding scholars would still not reach Lian Mu’s level.

Great ministers and generals are heaven-sent—a blessing not sought but encountered.

Feng Lianian’s heart was filled with mixed emotions; he wanted people to be good, but not too good, which was quite the contradiction.

Before coming here, he knew the person had talent; otherwise, the shrewd old Minister of Rites wouldn’t have taken notice.

He had resolved to take him as a disciple and had thoroughly discussed it with Minister Fan, but he had not anticipated that the person would be far better than he imagined, so much so that he had lost all thoughts of doing so.

He sighed softly. What could he teach this student?

In terms of scholarship and thought, this student had already formed his unique position, even Minister Qin appreciated him, he had nothing substantial to teach.

He wasn’t much older, and had just served as an official for several decades; could it be that he should instruct him in the ways of officialdom?

However, in the ways of officialdom, there was no one in the current court who could match Minister Fan’s shrewdness. Having served through three reigns, surviving countless upheavals unscathed and still standing tall.

It was rare in history for someone to have served through three reigns. In this dynasty, to occupy a high position and still stand tall in the court even after the Late Emperor’s rule, only Minister Fan managed to do so.

Minister Fan was twenty to thirty years his senior. When Fan first entered the civil service through the examinations, he had not yet been born. It was said that Minister Fan, too, was an outstanding top scholar, endowed with remarkable talent.

It was just a pity that after Minister Fan, the Fan Family had no more successors.

Despite Minister Fan’s actions in the past few years, which seemed laughable, this was exactly his brilliance.

He concealed his edge and preserved himself wisely during the Late Emperor’s reign and now played the fool, avoiding factional disputes and making a fuss over trivial matters, appearing to have no significant achievements.

But if the court or His Majesty needed him, Minister Fan would step forward even without being asked, always adding that crucial stroke at the critical moment. His Majesty trusted Minister Fan; in this court, there was no one better at judging the times and living so thoroughly than him.

A bitter smile crept onto his lips; it seemed that the idea of taking on this disciple was off the table. After all, Minister Fan was indeed better than him. The previous quarrel now seemed ridiculous, truly ridiculous.

He shook his head, laughing at himself mockingly, then couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter; it was ultimately a good thing.

Although he had lost a potential disciple, the court would gain a talented individual in the future—cause for celebration.

As the Minister of Personnel, there would be many interactions with him in the future.

The scholar next to him frowned, turning around with dissatisfaction—the person beside him was making too much noise.

Feng Lianian realized he had been disturbing others and, with a slight nod of apology, quietly left.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Those examinees from Taiyuan Prefecture who caused trouble probably didn’t truly know Lian Mu; otherwise, they wouldn’t have acted so foolishly. If they did, they would probably be regretting it deeply.

In this world, everyone must bear the consequences of their choices, be they commoners or emperors and generals. There are no exceptions, and the troublemaking examinees from Taiyuan Prefecture are no different.

People must pay a price to grow, and those troublemakers are not worthy of sympathy.

If one were to be falsely accused, or encountered an Emperor like the Late Emperor who did not distinguish right from wrong, then the outcome would be completely reversed.

Thus, not only are those examinees unworthy of sympathy, but he even felt His Majesty had been too lenient in dealing with them.

...

Today, the weather is mild and sunny, the sunlight is warm and bright.

Inside Canglan Court, it was far from ordinary bustle at this moment.

With an air of absolute serenity, Nanny Qi sat atop the pavilion, looking down at the lively scene below where little young ladies directed the young eunuchs and little palace maids with great vigor.

In the distance, outside the courtyard, the leaves in the Imperial Garden had already begun to turn yellow; reds and yellows interspersed among evergreens, creating a colorful and beautiful sight.

Above was the azure blue sky, dotted with a few light clouds, which drifted into the distance under the caress of the wind.

The warm sun bathed her as she sat in the pavilion sipping hot tea, completely at ease and content, reflecting on a life of hard work and realizing there were no more days as comfortable as these.

"Spring has its blossoms, autumn has its moon, summer has its breezes, winter has its snow.

If heedless of idle matters, every season is the finest time to be alive."

This poem described her current state of mind perfectly.

When she had first agreed to return to the palace to care for the young lady, it truly wasn’t bad at all; spending her days with the young lady, she felt a lightness throughout her being, free of significant worries, a bliss beyond compare.

The days spent in Yixiang Palace seemed like a world away now, and she could barely recall how she had managed to get through them back then.

Her heart was full of emotions. Living life really depended on whom you spent it with. If it were with Noble Consort Xue, she would rather spend her last days alone in Yixiang Palace, but if it were with the little young lady, she would willingly give up ten years of her life.

Pshaw, give up years of life for what? It’s what Heaven owes her; she won’t give up a single day!

The little young lady wouldn’t let her think this way. If she found out, she would definitely give her a stern talking-to.

Once while spending time with the young lady, Nanny Qi sighed aloud, expressing that she had lived for so many years, but only now did she truly feel alive; she wouldn’t mind living a few years less.

That very remark displeased the young lady.

With a stern little face, she spoke to her seriously for the first time, "Nanny, how can you think like that? To hear you speak, it’s as if your past days were lived in vain, as though Heaven owed you a great deal, and what is owed should be returned to you.

Therefore, you should not live fewer years, you should be given back the years you are due. "

She was utterly dumbfounded upon hearing this; she had never heard such reasoning before, that one could demand debts from Heaven? The young lady indeed had quite the bandit’s spirit...

After saying this, the young lady stared down, intently calculating with her fingers, murmuring as she did so: "If one year is owed, how many should be repaid... Hm... Bad days are certainly harder than good days, ah right, there’s a saying, isn’t there?

Suffering makes days feel like years, one shouldn’t ask for much, so let’s just assume payback is tenfold.

Nanny seems to be of this age now, um...

one hundred, two hundred, three hundred. .. um..."

In the end, she came up with a figure, and the young lady, with eyes shining brightly, declared resolutely, "Nanny, you must live to at least seven hundred years, that would just about break even."

At that moment, Nanny Qi was so delighted she could hardly contain herself. Ah, the young lady really was a treasure. At first, it sounded absurd, but think about it, wasn’t it the truth?

Was there ever a rule that life had to be full of sorrows? Why must one live the good days in constant fear and trepidation?

One should think like the young lady does, with rightful confidence and absolute certainty. The good days now should belong to oneself, owed by Heaven, with no need to exchange them for years of life.

Feeling much more reassured, Nanny Qi jested with the young lady, "Live to seven hundred years? Wouldn’t I become an ancient demon then?"

The young lady immediately hugged her with laughter, her voice sweet as honey, "Oh my, even if you were an ancient demon, I would still love you."

Recalling that incident, Nanny Qi’s lips curled into a smile.