The fake prince was exposed at the beginning, and I took office as emperor on the spot

Chapter 50 The Imperial Master is here?!
When Zhao Wenyuan saw the two pieces of Yin-Yang Jadeite, his heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, I'm a thief.

His pupils trembled, and he raised his head, meeting Gu Fangchen's gaze as he turned his head to look at him.

Gu Fangchen's eyes seemed to be smiling:

"What's wrong, Zhao Wenyuan? Come with me."

Zhao Wenyuan's heart sank, and he took a deep breath. He could tell that there was something else behind his words.

Of course, it is impossible that Gu Fangchen picked up the invitation. It must have been endorsed by Emperor Yong'an or the Imperial Master.

But he has the final say on where this Yin-Yang Jadeite goes.

Now, with just one word from Gu Fangchen, Zhao Wenyuan would be labeled a thief who stole the Imperial Master's belongings...

As for the truth?

If Emperor Yong'an and the Imperial Master are both on Gu Fangchen's side, then it doesn't matter what the truth is.

Whoever has power has the truth.

Zhao Wenyuan has been keeping a low profile for so many years and has not been caught by his elder brother at all, because he understands this point too well.

Just like today's Qionglin Banquet, the only person who can give the final result is Emperor Yong'an.

Gu Fangchen’s meaning was very clear: either you stand on my side, or I will destroy you now.

Zhao Wenyuan put away the Yin-Yang Jadeite in his hand and immediately revealed a flattering smile:
"Your Highness, I'm here now. Please wait for me..."

Gu Fangchen shook his fan and sighed:

"Oh? I thought Second Young Master Zhao saw that I was weak and wanted to abandon me, leaving me alone to face the tigers, leopards, jackals and wolves at the Qionglin Banquet."

"No, no, how is that possible? We've been thieving together since we were little..."

Gu Fangchen smiled.

The Left Prime Minister who can compete with Gu Yuye in the future is really thick-skinned.

……

In Qionglin Garden.

This garden, which was continuously expanded by emperors of various dynasties and was specially used to hold banquets for newly-appointed scholars, covers a vast area and is planted with pine, bamboo, plum and cypress trees. A clear pond was also dug and lotus flowers that stretch to the horizon were planted.

A nine-curve corridor was built on it, leading to the central courtyard.

At this time, in the courtyard, the sound of stringed instruments and the clinking of glasses were heard. Officials from the Great Wei and practitioners from all walks of life had gathered together, surrounding Gu Yuandao in the center to congratulate him.

"I've long heard of the Saint's disciple's great name. He's a rare literary genius, a rare talent in a thousand years. He's known as the Wenqu Heavenly Star. Now that I've seen him, I know it's true!"

"The first person in our dynasty to pass the imperial examination and become a top-ranking scholar, and the only son of the Northern Zhen King, what a unicorn child! Oh, I wish my son could have such a promising future."

"It's a pity that such a bright pearl has been buried in the dust for so many years. Now, the hard work has finally paid off."

"What do you mean by sweet after bitter? It's clearly about getting back to the original source!"

One of the officials raised his glass and drank it, sneering:
"It's a foregone conclusion that Gu Fangchen is colluding with the Demon Cult. The King of Zhenbei has been investigating for three days, and the results should be made public today."

The official said angrily, "This beast has been occupying the throne of the Prince of Zhenbei for so many years, committing all kinds of evil. It's time to settle the cause and effect!"

The person next to him quickly pulled him back and whispered:
"Brother Lin, Brother Lin, be careful with your words!"

"Wait until the imperial edict comes down, then it's not too late to scold..."

The official surnamed Lin snorted coldly, picked up his wine glass again, looked at Gu Yuandao in the center, and said loudly:

"Gu Zhuangyuan, I have to toast you a glass!"

The center of everyone's attention was the newly crowned top scholar, Gu Yuandao, who was standing in the center of the banquet wearing a top scholar robe, a black gauze with golden flowers on his head, and cloud-patterned black boots on his feet.

He is tall and graceful, handsome and elegant. Anyone who sees him will say that he is a gentleman as gentle as a pine tree and as strong as a bamboo.

He raised his glass, returned the toast, and smiled faintly:
"Thank you all for your praise. I am just lucky enough to have the Emperor's favor. I only hope to do my best for the Great Wei in the future."

Everyone said:
"Gu Zhuangyuan, with his article on people's livelihood, has a great sense of righteousness. He will surely be a pillar of the country. Why should he belittle himself?"

Gu Yuandao was surrounded by the crowd, and he felt that all the depression in his heart disappeared and he let out a breath.

That's right! This is the treatment he deserves after returning to the palace!

Everything that was disrupted by Gu Fangchen will eventually return to normal!
Gu Yuandao smiled and responded one by one.

The atmosphere was just right, and people from Yaoshan Academy also came forward to congratulate.

Gu Youren is both Gu Yuandao's biological sister and a teacher at Yaoshan Academy, so she is naturally among them.

She watched as everyone praised Gu Yuandao, and even the reputation of the Zhenbei Palace improved, as if the filthy world had been purified.

The heart that had been disturbed by Gu Fangchen's unexpected actions suddenly calmed down.

Gu Youren pursed his lips, and his eyes became even colder when he thought of Gu Fangchen tearing up the scriptures copied by his master and throwing them into the water.

Even if the master has other plans for the time being, he needs to use Gu Fangchen for the sake of the country's destiny.

However, such insulting behavior has definitely exceeded the Master's tolerance limit!

She must have known that Gu Fangchen was a born bad guy who could not be educated at all. He was just a pool of mud and a rotten wood.

How can this boy help me?

Gu Yuandao had already told her that today he would use the "rules" of Confucian sages to examine her conscience, and by then, Gu Fangchen's true colors would surely be revealed.

Sitting next to Gu Youren was Li Qingguang, the "poetic master".

She looked around and felt a little disappointed, and couldn't help asking:
"Mr. Gu, isn't the Imperial Master coming?"

Gu Youren teaches at the academy, and even if she has other identities, students like Li Qingguang have to call her "Mr."

What Li Qingguang most wanted to do on this trip was to witness the elegance of the legendary female imperial teacher.

After all, the Saint of Life Xu Fu is the woman with the highest cultivation level in the world.

"Master has a cold personality. She never likes these lively things..."

Gu Youren had just spoken halfway when he suddenly heard the announcement from the guards outside.

"Respectfully welcome the Imperial Master—"

"The Imperial Master is here?!"

Everyone was startled at once, and the entire Qionglin Garden was in an uproar.

Everyone widened their eyes and showed shocked expressions.

Over the years, I have never seen the Imperial Master invited to a banquet, but today, he actually made an exception?
Immediately, an old minister reacted, stroked his beard, and sighed to Gu Yuandao:
"The Imperial Master personally attended this banquet to congratulate the newly crowned number one scholar. This shows that Gu Zhuangyuan's talent is so extraordinary that it has already reached the point where it can influence the fate of the nation!"

Although others thought the flattery was corny, it was true.

As everyone knows, the national teacher knows the future 500 years ahead and the future 500 years ahead, and has the general situation of the world under her control. If the emperor does not ask for divination, she will sit in silence at the Canliao Pillar and never care about worldly affairs.

And now, she came in person to congratulate Gu Yuandao, which was undoubtedly the greatest affirmation of Gu Yuandao's talent and potential.

Whether officials or practitioners present, they all cast even more enthusiastic glances at Gu Yuandao, and the sounds of compliments and congratulations were endless.

Although Gu Youren was surprised, he became more certain of his thoughts.

The master must have been extremely disappointed with Gu Fangchen and turned to support Gu Yuandao - Gu Youren suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. Things finally did not take a more outrageous turn, but returned to the normal development they should have.

Everyone was looking forward to it, dressing neatly, waiting for the arrival of the imperial teacher.

A figure came in from the door.

Gu Yuandao raised his lips, feeling proud, and raised his hand to salute:

"My student Gu Yuandao, nice to meet you..."

Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard, smiling and saying:

"Hey, isn't this the number one scholar of the Great Wei? Why are you treating me with such great courtesy? Could it be that you not only like to recognize fathers, but also like to recognize fathers everywhere?"

The smile on Gu Yuandao's face suddenly froze.

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(End of this chapter)