kvmb Chapter 366 The Imperial Tutor's Thoughts
Chapter 366 The Imperial Tutor's Thoughts
Shen Qingtan frowned, seemingly lost in thought, and asked, "Was Yan Yi a messenger for the Imperial Tutor?"
According to her observation, the Imperial Tutor lived a solitary life in Northern Qi and never had close contact with court officials; in fact, it could be said that he never had any contact with them in private.
Because the Imperial Tutor had said that once he left the government office, it would be his private time, and he would no longer handle government affairs.
Only the emperor of Northern Qi could summon him.
Now that the Imperial Tutor has sent Yan Yi to the Guangling Prince's Mansion... could it be because she gave the Zhengdan paper to Yan Yi a few days ago?
Just as Shen Qingtan was thinking about this, she heard Zhao Yi say, "They've probably come to deliver a thank-you gift."
She remained silent for a moment, then took the robe from Zhao Yi's hand and placed it on the bed. Together they went to the front hall to meet Yan Yi.
The maidservant guarding the entrance to the front hall saw Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi arrive, and quickly curtsied and respectfully opened the curtain.
Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi entered side by side, where they saw Yan Yi standing awkwardly in the middle of the hall, holding a sandalwood box carved with bird and flower patterns.
When Yan Yi and the master of the Guangling Prince's Mansion arrived, they quickly bowed.
"Two days ago, I bought some fine paper from the shop to write couplets for the Imperial Tutor. It was the Princess who gave me the paper, which is how I was able to report back to the Imperial Tutor."
Yan Yi held the sandalwood box in both hands and respectfully presented it to Shen Qingtan: "I have always remembered the Princess's kindness and have been looking for an opportunity to repay you. It just so happens that the Imperial Tutor wrote some couplets today, so I specially asked him for a few to send to you."
"It was nothing, you don't need to take it to heart." Shen Qingtan glanced at the wooden box in front of her. Not only was the wood very precious, but the carving was also exquisite. The flowers, birds, plants and trees were carved to life: "I will accept the couplet you sent. This wooden box is too precious, you should take it back."
When Yan heard Shen Qingtan deliberately point out that the wooden box was very valuable, she instantly understood her intentions.
Given his status as a servant, he absolutely could not produce a box made of sandalwood.
Shen Qingtan probably suspects that the Imperial Tutor instructed him to deliver the gift.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Tutor is in a good mood this year. He has cut all the fine paper he bought to write couplets. Apart from the couplets needed for the mansion, all the extra couplets are stored in this box."
Yan Yi explained, "The Imperial Tutor pays great attention to the quality of life. He is meticulous and particular about everything from clothing and food to housing and transportation. Even his calligraphy is stored in a fine box."
"When the Imperial Tutor heard that his subordinates had asked for the couplets he had written as a gift, he bestowed the box upon them."
Yan Yi said awkwardly, "I was just offering this as a token of my appreciation, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
In fact, he noticed that there were leftover couplets, and remembering that Shen Qingtan liked gold-flecked paper, he specifically asked the Imperial Tutor for couplets and explained his intentions.
The Imperial Tutor did not reply to him.
Based on his understanding of the Imperial Tutor, he most likely tacitly approved.
Without giving it much thought, he took the box right under the emperor's tutor's nose and went to the Prince of Guangling's residence to deliver the couplets.
They were completely unaware that something was wrong.
After all, such precious wooden boxes are too common in the Imperial Tutor's mansion.
Shen Qingtan, however, thought a little further ahead.
She gave the cinnabar paper to Yan Yi, who was working for the Imperial Tutor, so the Imperial Tutor was essentially indebted to her.
When the Imperial Tutor learned that Yan Yi wanted to give her a couplet, he bestowed the wooden box and the couplet upon Yan Yi, probably to repay this favor.
"Ordinary people might not even have the chance to admire the calligraphy of the Imperial Tutor, let alone obtain it."
Shen Qingtan flattered the Imperial Tutor and accepted the wooden box, saying, "It just so happens that the Prince's Mansion hasn't prepared any couplets yet, so your couplets are sent at just the right time."
When Yan Yi saw that Shen Qingtan had accepted the gift and said she would post it in the mansion, she breathed a sigh of relief and took her leave from Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi.
Shen Qingtan assigned Jiang Chao to escort Yan Yi.
Only after Jiang Chao and Yan Yi disappeared from the front hall did Shen Qingtan turn her gaze away and examine the box in her hand.
In a moment, she opened the box, inside which was a neatly stacked pile of couplets, roughly estimated to be several.
Shen Qingtan took out a couplet, and the characters written on it were vigorous, powerful, and majestic.
Just by looking at this calligraphy, she felt that the Imperial Tutor was a man of great wisdom and insight.
Shen Qingtan turned her head to look at Zhao Yi beside her and saw that his gaze was on the couplet, as if he was admiring the imperial tutor's calligraphy.
"Second Master," Shen Qingtan called softly, "The Imperial Tutor never gives away his calligraphy, so why has he sent us several couplets? What is his intention?"
Everyone knows that the Northern Qi emperor relied heavily on his imperial tutor, and that being able to gain the tutor's favor meant that he would surely receive high office and great wealth in the future.
Even the princes of Northern Qi wanted to win over the imperial tutor to increase their bargaining power.
Unfortunately, the imperial tutor was completely unmoved by reason.
Sending them couplets for the first time ever is hard not to make people think.
Zhao Yi smiled calmly: "Regardless of the Imperial Tutor's intentions, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks for us."
Given the Imperial Tutor's status in Northern Qi, those who secretly harbored ill intentions towards them dared not act rashly again.
Shen Qingtan felt a little relieved.
At this moment, Jiang Mu came in from outside and handed a letter to Zhao Yi: "Your Highness, this is a letter from your fiefdom."
Zhao Yi opened the letter, took out the letter paper inside, and gently glanced at the end, where he saw the private seal of the prefect of Yuncheng.
The prefect of Yuncheng came to report good news: the people had returned to their peaceful lives before the plague, and the scene was thriving.
Then I will consult him on the political affairs after the new year.
Shen Qingtan glanced at the letter. She had heard Zhao Yi mention this prefect before; he was known for his integrity and compassion for the people.
Without the cooperation of this prefect, Zhao Yi's efforts to control the plague would likely have been much less successful and would have been fraught with difficulties.
Now that Zhao Yi has successfully quelled the plague, Yuncheng and Panshicheng have been designated as his fiefdoms, and this prefect is now under Zhao Yi's command.
She didn't disturb Zhao Yi while he was handling his official business. Holding the wooden box, she took Liu Yue back to the backyard first.
-
The next morning at court, civil and military officials petitioned the Northern Qi Emperor to finalize the appointments for the vacant positions vacated by the Lin family before the end of the year, so that the appointed officials could take up their posts after the New Year.
There are only two days left until New Year's Day. There will be a day off on New Year's Eve, which means that the candidates must be decided within one day.
The Northern Qi emperor looked at the candidates recommended by his ministers, his forehead veins throbbing, suppressing his anger, and sent someone to invite the imperial tutor to discuss the matter.
As soon as the Imperial Tutor entered the hall, the Emperor of Northern Qi vented, "The Lin family has only been gone for a day, and this group of ministers are already rushing to fill the vacancies."
The people of Sai were all part of the factions of the Wise King and the King of Qi.
That's why the Northern Qi emperor was so furious.
He said angrily, "They've forgotten who the ruler is and who the subject is; each of them wants to be my master!"
"His Majesty is a rare wise ruler, which is why the civil and military officials dare to speak freely in the morning court." The Imperial Tutor poured a cup of tea and handed it to the Emperor of Northern Qi: "The Lin family members hold important positions, and some of them are indispensable, so it is no wonder that the ministers are anxious."
After being reminded by the imperial tutor, the Emperor of Northern Qi carefully considered the Lin family's positions and broke out in a cold sweat. He couldn't help but feel fortunate that the Lin family was not yet a force to be reckoned with.
If another five or ten years pass, he will probably find it difficult to shake the Lin family.
Even if one wanted to take action, there would be many concerns.
The Northern Qi emperor became even more determined not to appoint anyone from the Xianwang or Qiwang families to fill the vacancy left by the Lin family.
Especially the positions of Junior Chamberlain and Left Vice Censor-in-Chief.
"I have a few candidates, but I don't know who to choose for the position of Junior Chamberlain. I've specially invited you to give me some advice." The Emperor of Northern Qi handed the list he had prepared to his Imperial Tutor.