Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Chapter 125 There's no magic involved; it's just being ordained by Heaven.

......

Chen Shao went to Kunning Palace, where the beautiful Empress Dowager looked much better today.

As soon as he saw Chen Shao, he waved to him enthusiastically.

"Your massage yesterday was really effective! When will you show your filial piety again?"

"It's not really appropriate to do this so early in the morning..." Chen Shao said, somewhat embarrassed.

"Who told you to do this so early in the morning..."

The Empress Dowager rolled her eyes beautifully.

"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I've been thinking that you've been working too hard these past few days. It must be tiring for you."

I made you a mooncake especially by hand.

She clapped her hands, and a palace maid held up a brocade box.

Chen Shao looked at it and saw that it was a real mooncake.

But it's completely black.

It also has a strange herbal smell.

A simple question can make one's heart race and blood rush.

Depend on!

It's filled with aphrodisiac filling!

Even a fool could smell it.

The Empress Dowager is too ruthless.

To get what he wants, he's willing to do anything!

The key point is that such a large dose could be converted into hundreds of small blue pills.

Wouldn't he explode and die?

That foolish empress dowager!

"This is my first time making it, so it's a bit dark, but it tastes great. You can eat it without worry."

"Now?"

"At night, when the moon is full, it's more crowded and lively."

"Hmm." Chen Shao nodded and put the brocade box into his pocket.

"Shall I come see the Empress Dowager after I finish eating?"

"No need to rush, you can also go for a walk in the street to digest your food."

"That's true."

After Chen Shao left, the palace maids immediately gathered around.

"Your Majesty, isn't this a bit too far-fetched? Would he really eat such a dark-colored mooncake?"

"What do you know!"

The Empress Dowager snorted lightly, "That means it's burnt. I don't know how to cook it anyway. If it were really all powdery, he would think there was a problem."

"The Empress Dowager is brilliant!"

......

As dusk fell, the capital city became increasingly bustling.

As dusk settles, the streetlights come on one by one, appearing from afar like two fiery dragons winding through the twilight.

The area in front of Luming Academy is bustling with traffic.

This literary gathering had been built up over a long period of time, attracting a constant stream of students from all over the country taking the imperial examinations, local officials and gentry from the capital, and renowned scholars and literati.

Chen Shao changed into civilian clothes under the protection of Bai Bingbing and Huang Chao.

They also headed towards the academy.

As agreed, tonight was Shen Qingci's moment to display his prowess, and he was to listen in from next door.

At the entrance of the academy.

Students had already been arranged to welcome the guests.

Chen Shao glanced at them; the two students were standing ramrod straight.

He had absolutely no trace of sleazy or thuggish behavior about him.

His mental state is many times better than before.

He felt quite gratified.

Encouraging students to study really requires a solid approach.

These spoiled brats have finally learned to study hard.

Chen Shao walked up to a student and casually patted him on the chest.

He praised:

"Great, the change is so obvious, his pectoral muscles are so well-developed."

The student blushed.

Bai Bingbing said expressionlessly:

"Your Majesty, this is a female student."

"Forehead..."

The sky was dim, and Chen Shao couldn't see very clearly this time. "The moon is quite bright tonight."

He coughed twice and put his hands behind his back.

They quickened their pace and headed into the academy.

The literary gathering was held in Mingli Hall, the largest lecture hall in Luming Academy.

Shen Qingci had arranged for a private room to be prepared for Chen Shao next door long ago.

You can see the entire Mingli Hall by opening the window.

Chen Shao took his seat in the side room, with Bai Bingbing standing behind him with her hand on her knife, and Huang Chao standing respectfully to the side as well.

Looking through the window, Mingli Hall was already packed.

Those seated in the front row were all respected elders and renowned scholars of the capital.

Of course, many people also brought their families, and there were rooms available for these ladies to play the game of pitch-pot.

Literary gatherings are an old tradition for leisure in this era.

At first, it's just casual chatting and small talk, but gradually people will start to discuss things.

For example: Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.

This is the best social opportunity for literary circles.

Many people can become famous overnight, and just as many can find a suitable backer.

It can be described as a gathering with minimal investment and maximum returns.

But today, it's clear that many people have ill intentions and have come with a mission from their master.

The conversation would occasionally veer towards Chen Shaocheng's ritualistic practices.

How is this any different from the actions of the Yellow Turban rebels?

Shen Qingci had been preparing for a long time, and this happened when the first person brought up the idea.

She then had her disciple refute her.

If a disciple's academic skills are not proficient, he will inevitably be left speechless by criticism.

Then, she steps forward again to play the savior.

Despite the various difficulties and criticisms from the crowd, she single-handedly debated with them.

In the end, naturally, it won a standing ovation.

This brought the entire literary gathering to its climax.

Of course, from beginning to end, from the first person to raise the issue, to the students, to those who refuted it, to those who made things difficult, they were all just people hired by Shen Qingci.

The literary gathering was, in itself, a performance show.

Shen Qingci is also an expert, and her performance was perfect.

This completely baffled the several Confucian scholars in the front row.

No... I didn't ask anything at all!

This culture seems to have reached its climax, with Shen Qingci defeating everyone in his rebuttal?

It wasn't that they didn't want to talk about it, but rather that Shen Qingci had arranged for far too many people to do so.

They were all young and loud, so they never had a chance to interrupt.

Given that the literary conference has progressed to this point, it should naturally move on to the second half.

We can talk about the world situation, criticize current affairs, and then have a lively game of pitch-pot, and that's about it.

But some people just happen to spoil the mood at the wrong time.

At this moment, the people surrounding the area automatically made way for them.

Four elderly men with white hair and beards slowly entered.

All the scholars in the hall rose and bowed in unison.

These are the famous Four Sages of Merlin.

Gu Tingzhi!

Lu Xiangshan!

Chu Bo'an!

Xie Qingsong!

Chen Yuan's path to becoming crown prince wasn't smooth sailing; he was deeply embroiled in the struggle for the throne.

Later, these four people stood up for him.

Chen Yuan was immediately made crown prince.

The four men were highly respected for their virtue and profound knowledge, and their reputation among scholars was truly outstanding.

Later, he became engrossed in academic pursuits and chose to live a secluded life in the mountains, detached from worldly affairs.

It is said that all of them were learned scholars, and Chen Yuan even bestowed upon them the title of "expert".

The four nodded slightly, as if to greet everyone.

Walking into the center of the arena, Gu Tingzhi, who was at the head, smiled faintly:

"I overheard a few words of what Headmaster Shen just said outside the door. I deeply admire His Majesty's merit in defending the city and his benevolence in providing disaster relief to distant lands."

"But I have some doubts in my heart, and I hope that Headmaster Shen can enlighten me."

The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits.

"Sages govern the world with righteous principles; I have never heard of sorcery bringing peace to the country."

"Now there is a ruler who loves sorcery, and ministers who offer talismans and incantations. They set up altars, perform rituals, and turn beans into soldiers. Is this a blessing or a curse for the Great Yan Dynasty?"

"If the Six Ding and Six Jia divine soldiers truly exist, why didn't they directly attack the enemy's capital, instead allowing the Northern Barbarian cavalry to retreat north at will?"

"Without the divine weapons of the Six Ding and Six Jia, wouldn't that be considered deceiving the world, stealing fame, and fooling the people? How is it any different from the Yellow Turban rebels' smokescreen?"

These are extremely harsh words; it's true, it means they deliberately let Northern Mang go.

It's fake; that's just Yellow Turban tactics, no different from banditry.

"Please, Headmaster Shen, clear up our doubts."

Damn it, this is something to nitpick about!

Shen Qingci's anger was burning fiercely.

They really don't know what's good for them.

You could have finished already, but you insisted on showing off, didn't you?

Others may spoil you, but I won't.

She gave a cold laugh:

"It is truly remarkable that the four gentlemen have ventured out of the plum grove today."

"What sorcery and political machinations, what deception and fraud? I'd like to ask you four, where were you when the Northern Barbarians besieged the city?"

"When the country is about to perish and the nation is in dire straits, you are still indulging in the beauty of nature and enjoying the pleasures of calligraphy and painting."

"He spends his whole life chanting about cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, and governing the country, yet he hasn't even figured out that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken."

The expressions on the faces of the four people changed drastically at the same time.

Shen Qingci was a rising star in their eyes, how dare she be so arrogant?

But it's really hard to refute that statement.

"I ask you, whether it's true or not, without His Majesty's Six Ding and Six Jia, the capital would probably have already fallen by now."

"The entire city's inhabitants have all perished under the swords of the Northern Barbarian cavalry. What became of the four gentlemen?"

"Oh, I understand."

Shen Qingci pretended to suddenly realize something.

"The four of you are highly respected. The Northern Barbarians will surely honor you and make you their most qualified dogs... Tsk tsk, no wonder you weren't worried at all when the Great Yan was in danger."

"So you had already planned your way out."

The scholars in the hall fell silent, as if shivering in fear.

I knew Shen Qingci was fierce, but I didn't expect her to be this fierce.

Gu Tingzhi raised his white eyebrows slightly, about to speak, but was interrupted by Shen Qingci raising his hand.

"People say that the four gentlemen are indifferent to worldly affairs and live in seclusion with noble character."

"But in my opinion, when the world is in ruins, one should hide in a plum grove, write books and establish doctrines, remain silent and indifferent, and then come out to give advice when the world is at peace."

"This is like... a caterpillar with wings, are you pretending to be your dad?"

The four old gentlemen learned for the first time what it meant to be treacherous in the world, and how formidable the younger generation could be.

This is the first time I've ever heard of a great Confucian scholar being able to swear.

But the four of them were still well-mannered, even though they were angry.

He can still force a smile:

"Mr. Shen, please do not evade my question."

"What's the point of such a blatant substitution?"

...

Chen Shao saw it all clearly from next door.

He turned to look at Huang Chao beside him.

"If you were in that situation, how would you handle it?"

"Execute their entire family, exterminate their nine generations, and wipe out their disciples and followers as a warning to others. Then, naturally, no one in the world will dare to slander Your Majesty."

Holy crap...

Chen Shao shuddered. "Calm down, calm down. Don't end up like Wu Zetian and become a widow."

"Wu Zetian?"

"We've lost Li Zhi!"

Chen Shao stepped out of the room; his voice arrived before he did.

"I'll tell you whether it's true or false!"

The moment he stepped across the threshold, he silently activated the newly acquired [Auspicious Body].

Inside the Mingli Hall, everyone's eyes widened simultaneously.

Chen Shao pushed open the door and entered, his body seemingly surrounded by auspicious clouds.

A golden light shone down from somewhere overhead, enveloping him directly.

Like a saint.

To everyone's astonishment, Chen Shao walked to the center.