Simultaneous Transmigration: Freedom Across the Heavens

Not long after Zhuang Mohan took his seat, a palace attendant loudly announced, "His Majesty has arrived!"

Apart from Bai Li, all the civil and military officials, members of the imperial family, and nobles in the hall rose and bowed in salute, saying, "Long live the Emperor..."

"Rise."

Emperor Qing responded calmly, his gaze falling on Bai Li, and said, "Young Master Bai."

"Your Majesty." Bai Li remained calm. Both of them knew perfectly well that the confrontation would begin after the banquet.

As the banquet began, palace maids filed in, gently placing the dishes they brought on the tables. Each dish was exquisitely prepared, fresh, and delicious.

During the banquet, everyone toasted each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Emperor Qing and other members of the royal family, including Li Yunrui, took only a few sips and behaved elegantly.

Fan Xian wolfed down his food, acting casually and naturally, without a trace of the airs of a scholar.

Bai Li took a bite, frowned slightly; it smelled good, but had no flavor.

He paused to observe everyone's expressions, waiting for the show to begin.

"Um..."

Emperor Qing gave a soft hum, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it was like a thunderclap. Everyone instantly put down their chopsticks and waited for the emperor's words.

"Fan Xielu".

At Emperor Qing's call, Fan Xian stepped forward and drew back the curtain...

After Fan Xian received his reward, the Second Prince Li Chengze stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, besides his martial prowess, Fan Xian is also a man of great literary talent. Today, I heard that he was neither humble nor arrogant during the negotiations with Northern Qi. He is truly capable of great things."

Emperor Qing glanced at him and said, "Just say it."

Li Chengze's tone grew more serious, "Next year's imperial examination, how about having Fan Xian preside over it..."

Emperor Qing didn't even look up and said, "Although Fan Xian is talented, he is still relatively inexperienced."

At this moment, Crown Prince Li Chengqian also stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I second your proposal that Fan Xian preside over the Imperial Examination."

Emperor Qing raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two of them, and made the final decision, "There are still some days before the imperial examination, let's decide then."

Li Chengqian and Li Chengze bowed respectfully and silently withdrew.

At that moment, Zhuang Mohan spoke up: "Your Majesty, is this young man Fan Xian?"

Emperor Qing glanced sideways: "Mr. Zhuang knows him too?"

Bai Li drank alone, watching Li Yunrui smugly steer the conversation toward the poem "Ascending the Heights," and secretly chuckled to himself: You'll get what's coming to you soon enough.

After Zhuang Mohan and Li Yunrui, Guo Youzhi took the stage, and his "frank and impartial" remarks thoroughly angered Fan Xian.

Fan Xian downed three cups of wine in one gulp, glanced at Bai Li, and thought: It's better to die in front of Brother Bai than to die in front of the whole world.

"Paper, ink, please." Fan Xian picked up the wine pot and tilted his head back to pour the wine into his mouth.

Eunuch Hou said with a fawning smile, "If Young Master Fan wishes to compose a poem, this old servant will humbly offer to copy it for you."

Fan Xian chuckled, then suddenly smashed the wine jug in his hand to the ground. Reeking of alcohol, he staggered and chanted, "Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky..."

One sentence, and the entire room fell silent.

"All done!" A smile bloomed in Bai Li's eyes. When he looked at Li Yunrui, his face turned from red to white, as if he had swallowed a fly.

As for his good brother Fan Xian, he now has another reason to mock him, a win-win situation.

The people in the hall were stunned. Even Emperor Qing, who was usually unfathomable in his cunning, showed a rare look of astonishment on his face.

Fan Xian wrote over a hundred poems while drunk, thus earning the title of "Poet Immortal."

After reciting the poem, Fan Xian slumped onto Zhuang Mohan's table, scoffing, "In annotating scriptures and interpreting texts, I am not as good as you; in reciting poems, you are not as good as me; as a literary master, I am no good; as a person, you... are no good." With that, he collapsed to the ground, drunk.

*Pfft...* Overwhelmed with shame and indignation, Zhuang Mohan coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted.

The courtiers were shocked.

"Mr. Zhuang..."

"Quickly, fetch the imperial physician..."

Emperor Qing's smile faded, and he turned to Bai Li, saying, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Young Master Bai."

Bai Li put down his wine glass and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Emperor Qing asked curiously, "Oh? What's there to be happy about?"

"After tonight, Fan Xian will surely become famous throughout the land. Shouldn't His Majesty congratulate him on gaining such a talent?"

"Hahaha..."

Emperor Qing laughed a few times, then changed the subject, saying, "Young Master Bai, it's rare for you to visit the palace. Why don't you rest here for a while? I'll have the Eldest Princess accompany you for a stroll, what do you say?"

Seeing that Li Yunrui was still in a daze, Bai Li smiled and said, "How could I dare to refuse His Majesty's invitation?"

After this incident, the banquet ended early, and Bai Li and Li Yunrui walked side by side.

Li Yunrui's lips moved, and he couldn't help but say, "Did you already know the outcome of this matter, which is why you made the bet with me?"

Bai Li knew that women needed to be coaxed, "I'm not a god, I can't predict the future."

"That Fan Xian..."

Bai Li took her hand. "You don't think just anyone can be my brother, do you? You underestimate Fan Xian."

Sure enough, Li Yunrui's attention was diverted by him, and he quickly pulled his hand away, "Are you crazy? There are so many people here, what kind of behavior would it be if someone saw us?"

Bai Li leaned closer to her and said, "Don't forget our bet."

Li Yunrui's cheeks flushed, her steps faltered, and she wished she could turn around and run away, but Emperor Qing had ordered her to accompany Bai Li, so it was really not appropriate for her to leave on her own.

Moreover, it seems she can't escape either.

Bai Li looked at her with a half-smile and said, "Let's go, come with me for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

Go to the Imperial Garden? Could it be that he wants to...?

Li Yunrui bit her lip, took light steps, and pleaded in her voice, "Shall we go back to Guangxin Palace?"

Bai Li said irritably, "What are you thinking about? I just want to go for a walk."

Li Yunrui then realized she had misunderstood. She gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with her left hand, glancing around guiltily. Oh no, she was so embarrassed.

Before long, the two moved to the Imperial Garden.

Li Yunrui had returned to normal, her gentle charm reappearing. "The exotic flowers and rare herbs in this Imperial Garden are mostly rare treasures of the world. During the day, the flowers bloom in all their glory, but at night it is dark and unclear. I don't know what you came here to see."

"Naturally, it's because someone is waiting for me here."

Li Yunrui looked suspicious. "Could it be that Young Master Bai has a lover in the palace?"

"Your Highness, please rest assured."

Bai Li took her hand again and said jokingly, "In this palace, you are my only lover."

Why did I say there was more? Li Yunrui was extremely embarrassed, but she let him hold her hand.

The female official standing behind him kept her head down and remained silent, seemingly oblivious to what he had seen.

Night had fallen, and the Imperial Garden was quiet, save for the chirping of insects.

The garden path was winding, and the two walked hand in hand to a small pavilion in the middle of the lake, where someone was already waiting.

This man wore a deep blue robe and a crane cloak. He had an ancient and simple appearance, and his eyes were as calm as autumn water. He was none other than Grandmaster Ye Liuyun.

"Uncle!"

Li Yunrui exclaimed in surprise, then quickly bowed and said, "Yunrui greets Uncle."

"No need for formalities," Ye Liuyun replied with a faint smile, then looked at Bai Li and said, "This must be Young Master Bai."

"Grandmaster Ye." Bai Li nodded as a greeting, then stood with his hands behind his back in the pavilion.

Li Yunrui asked in confusion, "Why did Uncle suddenly return to the capital and stay in the palace...?"

She was quick-witted and suddenly turned to look at Bai Li, then at Ye Liuyun. Her pupils contracted, and she covered her lips with her small hand, saying, "You two... planned this all along?"

Bai Li calmly replied, "It's more like an unspoken understanding."

At that moment, shouts came from the direction of Hanguang Hall: "Assassins! Protect His Majesty!"

Li Yunrui, however, paid no heed to any of this. Her eyes were filled with worry, a thin mist welled up in them, and she pursed her lips, her hands clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Ignoring Ye Liuyun's presence, Bai Li pulled Li Yunrui into his arms, patted her back, and whispered, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. Don't go back to Guangxin Palace."

After speaking, Bai Li released her, and a gentle breeze stirred up his sleeves. Li Yunrui and the female official were involuntarily swept away by the breeze and were instantly transported to the entrance of the Imperial Garden.

"Your Highness!" The lady-in-waiting was shocked to realize that she was completely powerless to fight back.

Li Yunrui gritted his teeth, turned around and left, "To Hanguang Palace."