Chapter 93

Chen Changsheng thanked Jin Yulv. Without him, Tang Sanshiu and Xuanyuan Po, no matter how brave they were, would not have been able to protect the National Teaching Academy before Prince Chenliu and Priest Xin arrived. Jin Yulv looked at him and smiled, saying, "You are the Prince's teacher, so you are one of us."

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed. The other party was a true legendary figure—Jin Yulv had appeared at the National Teaching Academy to stand up for the three young men, naturally at Luoluo's behest. Although Luoluo had left the National Teaching Academy, her heart was still here, which made him very happy.

"Will you stay at the National Teaching Academy?"

Xuanyuan Po looked at Jin Yulv with admiration and said. Chen Changsheng and Tang Sanshiu thought that although Jin Yulv had said this to Tianhai Shengxue, he had to take care of Luoluo and couldn't really stay here all the time, so they signaled Xuanyuan Po not to say more.

"Staying isn't impossible," Jin Yulv looked at the three young men and chuckled, saying, "I haven't made many mistakes in my life because I haven't had many things I truly like, but I really like money."

Chen Changsheng looked at the patterns of copper coins on his silk shirt and laughed, knowing that the other party was preparing to stay. He bowed in gratitude again.

Tang Sanshiu moved closer to Jin Yulv, holding his somewhat rough hand and shaking it, saying, "You must know my family. We have nothing else, but we have money. We lack everything, but not money."

The Tang family of Wen Shui was a famous wealthy family, with wealth accumulated over a thousand years. Over a decade ago, during the rebellion, the old royal family immediately sought the support of the Tang family. Although it didn't succeed in the end, it was clear how wealthy the Tang family was.

"Without the Prince, there are now three of us students in the National Teaching Academy, but we still lack a teacher."

Chen Changsheng looked at Jin Yulv and respectfully invited him, "Please stay and teach us."

Jin Yulv's cultivation and realm were steady and surpassed Elder Xiaosonggong of Lishan. He was probably on par with President Mao Qiuyu of the Heavenly Dao Academy. With his experience and background, he was more than qualified to be a teacher at the National Teaching Academy.

But he did not agree to Chen Changsheng's request, smiling and shaking his head, "How can students invite a teacher?"

Chen Changsheng felt a bit helpless and said, "There are only students in the National Teaching Academy now, and no president."

Jin Yulv looked at him meaningfully and said, "Since the Bishop gave you the roster and the key, he must have his reasons."

Chen Changsheng didn't know what the Bishop was thinking, only pondering how Jin Yulv should stay at the National Teaching Academy, frowning in thought.

"According to your idea, I think the gate won't be repaired for a long time."

Jin Yulv looked at the dilapidated gate and said, "Since it's an academy, the most important thing is studying. Even with only three students, normal teaching should not be disrupted. The gate is practically useless; perhaps you need a gatekeeper?"

Chen Changsheng understood his meaning and was somewhat surprised, unwilling to agree.

"I've been farming on the eastern slope outside the White Emperor City for hundreds of years. What's there to fear about being a gatekeeper?"

Jin Yulv laughed, not giving the three young men a chance to refuse. He said he would prepare some materials to build a small house next to the gate and left on his own.

Xuanyuan Po was very happy, while Chen Changsheng and Tang Sanshiu looked at each other speechlessly, thinking that it was really too much for a legendary figure like Jin Yulv to be a gatekeeper. From now on, who would dare to cause trouble at the National Teaching Academy?

The autumn rain had stopped, and the morning mist was gradually dissipating. Xuanyuan Po went to dig a pit under the western wall to bury the horse, not wanting Chen Changsheng's help. He thought about it and felt that he was indeed a bit sleep-deprived, deciding to go back to the small building to take a nap, but was pulled to the library by Tang Sanshiu.

"Actually, I was very afraid when Tianhai Shengxue and his followers charged on horseback," Tang Sanshiu said, looking at him.

Chen Changsheng said, "Everyone fears death; it's a normal thing. Don't feel inferior because of it."

Tang Sanshiu looked at him seriously and said, "Yes, everyone fears death, so they would be afraid in such a situation... But when I glanced at you, I didn't see any fear on your face, which shocked me."

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "You know I'm a bit slow, maybe the fear hadn't had time to show."

"No," Tang Sanshiu shook his head and insisted, "I could tell you weren't afraid at all."

Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment and asked, "What do you really want to say?"

Tang Sanshiu said, "In such a situation, not being afraid has only two possibilities. Either you guessed that Luoluo would send Jin Yulv to the National Teaching Academy, so you didn't need to be afraid, but it's clear you didn't know Jin Yulv would intervene."

Chen Changsheng asked, "What's the other possibility?"

Tang Sanshiu said, "You simply don't fear death... so of course, you wouldn't be afraid."

Chen Changsheng scratched his head and said, "I just said, everyone fears death."

Tang Sanshiu was worried and said, "I always thought so, so I think you must have some secret, or something has happened recently."

Chen Changsheng sighed and said, "Do I look like someone who is ready to die?"

Tang Sanshiu said, "Not at all, and being able to marry Xu Yourong as a wife, you wouldn't think about dying."

Chen Changsheng said, "So what are you worried about?"

Tang Sanshiu stared into his eyes and asked, "Are you sick?"

Chen Changsheng didn't expect this guy to be so smart, able to guess so much from such little detail, of course, it was also because this guy cared about him. He felt a bit warm inside but his face turned cold, and he said, "You're the one who's sick."

Seeing his bad mood, Tang Sanshiu realized his question was inappropriate and that his thoughts were too far-fetched. Then he remembered another thing and asked seriously, "At the beginning, did you really not know that Tianhai Shengxue was the Empress's nephew?"

Chen Changsheng was silent for a moment and said, "I knew."

Tang Sanshiu thought this made sense. Even if you grew up in a remote area and spent most of your time studying and cultivating at the National Teaching Academy after coming to the capital, you could guess that Tianhai Shengxue was from the Tianhai family and his identity based on his age and demeanor.

"Why?"

This was asking why Chen Changsheng pretended not to know and greeted Tianhai Shengxue's aunt in front of so many people at the National Teaching Academy gate.

"Because I wanted to know the Empress's true attitude towards the National Teaching Academy."

Chen Changsheng said, "If the Empress really didn't want the National Teaching Academy to be a thorn in her side, she could have erased it with a word. Why go through all this trouble?"

Tang Sanshiu said, "They are guessing the Empress's intentions."

"They can guess, but I don't want to guess," Chen Changsheng said. "I came to the capital to study and cultivate. I need to participate in the imperial examination, and time is precious. The National Teaching Academy has one trouble after another, which is too troublesome."

Tang Sanshiu raised his eyebrows and asked, "So?"

"I directly insulted her. This message will definitely reach the palace, and no one will dare to intercept it."

Chen Changsheng paused and said, "Then we will soon know the Empress's true attitude towards the National Teaching Academy."

Tang Sanshiu felt a chill and said, "You want to see if the sword will fall? You're really asking for it."

Chen Changsheng looked at him and said, "It's better than having the sword hanging over our heads all the time."

"It seems I was right; you really don't fear death."

Tang Sanshiu looked at him in shock and said, "What's wrong with you?"

"I'm not sick."

Chen Changsheng smiled and said, "I can cure diseases."

There was a sentence he kept in his heart: what can't be cured is not a disease, but fate.

"Hypocritical, too hypocritical."

Tang Sanshiu clicked his tongue and said, "You're about to surpass that Prince."

Chen Changsheng didn't expect him to suddenly mention Prince Chenliu and asked in surprise, "What did Prince Chenliu do to offend you?"

Tang Sanshiu said, "Did you notice that when he got off the carriage, his button was wrong?"

"Then?"

"Only by doing so could he show how urgent and concerned he was about the National Teaching Academy."

"…You're thinking too much."

Chen Changsheng admired this guy's keen observation but disagreed with his opinion.

"In short, I don't like Prince Chenliu; he's too hypocritical."

"Or maybe it's because he doesn't like you either?"

"I'm so genuine; if he doesn't like me, he's the one who's hypocritical."

"You can replace 'genuine' with 'reckless.'"

"Whatever, he's still hypocritical."

"If it weren't for you, who would notice that Prince Chenliu's button was wrong?"

"Our family has a saying—judging people by their money, you see them most clearly."

Chen Changsheng shook his head and said nothing more, thinking that even if Prince Chenliu's button was wrong on purpose, as the only royal descendant left in the capital, isolated and lacking support, he could understand his desire to gain the support of the old National Teaching elders through the National Teaching Academy.

After Xuanyuan Po buried the horse under the western wall and returned, he heard the rest of their conversation, shook his head, and said with a simple smile, "You're so young, yet you think so complicated. Humans are indeed too cunning; I can't get along with you."

Back in the bedroom of the small building, Chen Changsheng felt his eyelids heavy and very sleepy.

His mood was also heavy because he knew that his peaceful life of studying and cultivating was gone. After his words to Tianhai Shengxue's aunt reached the palace, he didn't think the Empress would show any good attitude.

In the abandoned garden of the imperial palace, Mo Yu said he was taking advantage of the situation and that he was calculating and sinister, but it was all taught by Luoluo... After all, she was the only daughter of the White Emperor. Although she had no siblings and had not experienced palace struggles, as a royal, she was naturally adept at these things.

As for himself? He was good at calculation but not at scheming.

Just as he told Jin Yulv, he didn't like it, and it made him very tired.

He walked to the bed, preparing to rest, but suddenly stopped.

He walked back to the cabinet by the window, took down the short sword, and then walked back to the bed.

Without hesitation, very naturally.

So much so that the person had no reaction.

Chen Changsheng looked at the bed, his fingers gripping the sword hilt turning slightly white.

Someone was hiding under the covers.

Jia Tian was sending his niece back to Hubei. Because the flights didn't connect, he had to fly to Beijing first and then take a train to Yichang. He had to leave at six in the morning, and it was about nine at night when he could get home. Just as the story was updated, he naturally didn't want to break the update. Today, there will only be one chapter. I'll write some of tomorrow's chapter now, and the update will definitely be at night. Please bear with me.