This sentence, is it not a lifelong portrayal of my Zhuo Zifang and countless benevolent and righteous individuals?
At this moment, Zhuo Zifang's heart was surging, unable to calm himself for a long time.
It was truly brilliant!
For the sake of his country and people, he had toiled his entire life, for what?
Was it not to achieve his aspirations and leave his name in history?
After a long pause, Zhuo Zifang finally regained his composure, looking at Liang Xiao with a complex expression.
He was merely a youth, yet he possessed such insight?
However, if he truly had the ambition to write this sentence, why would he play the role of a prodigal son?
With the doubts in his heart, Zhuo Zifang closed the door and stood aside, waiting.
A moment later, Yue Lian woke up and, upon seeing Zhuo Zifang, turned pale with fright.
Yue Lian was about to offer an explanation when she saw Zhuo Zifang gesture for her to remain silent, so she dared not utter a sound.
After Liang Xiao woke up, he looked up and smiled, "When did Lord Zhuo arrive?"
"An hour ago," Zhuo Zifang replied.
Liang Xiao exclaimed, "Why didn't you wake me?"
Zhuo Zifang said with a wry smile, "I originally intended to wake you, but then I felt it was not appropriate."
"You stood here for an entire hour?" Liang Xiao asked awkwardly.
Zhuo Zifang nodded, showing no displeasure, and said with a smile, "This old man considers it worthwhile!"
Liang Xiao's expression changed, as if he suddenly remembered something. He glanced at the desk.
Indeed, the sentence he had written before sleeping was gone.
"Lord Zhuo, that, could you return what I wrote to me?"
Zhuo Zifang pouted, "Wasn't that your welcome gift to this old man?"
Liang Xiao was stunned.
Good heavens, this old fellow!
Zhuo Zifang burst into laughter and retrieved the paper from a cabinet nearby, sighing, "For whom did you write this sentence?"
Liang Xiao knew he could not evade it any longer and replied, "For my father, my uncle, Uncle Luo, and countless others who have poured their hearts into benefiting and protecting the people of Daqian."
"Brilliant!" Zhuo Zifang exclaimed a few times, then suddenly changed the subject, "Oh, speaking of which, the content on this paper is in cursive, isn't it? It looks more and more like that poem 'Ze Guo Jiang Shan Ru Zhan Tu'..."
"You can stop right there!" Liang Xiao couldn't help but roll his eyes.
This old scoundrel was too adaptable; it was clear he was preparing to "blackmail" him!
"So, that poem was written by you as well," Zhuo Zifang chuckled, looking smug. Yue Lian, standing beside them, looked bewildered.
Liang Xiao felt a headache coming on and pleaded, "Can you please not spread it around, especially not let that young emperor and princess know."
Zhuo Zifang turned a deaf ear and muttered to himself, "Such a talented individual! If I recommend him to His Majesty, not only will the nation gain a capable minister, but with His Majesty's wisdom, I will undoubtedly be rewarded handsomely once more."
Liang Xiao asked, "Can you bear to let me enter officialdom, rush about, and exhaust this sickly body of mine?"
Zhuo Zifang paused, looking at Liang Xiao with a complex expression, and sighed, "Why did you refuse to serve in the past? With your talent, even as a civil official, teaching and nurturing others, your achievements would not be inferior to mine. You are only eighteen!"
"Lord Zhuo, do you believe in fate?" Liang Xiao asked, feigning profoundness.
Zhuo Zifang choked up as he spoke, "Naturally, I do. If fate were not with Daqian, how could the Heavenly General have appeared out of nowhere to help our Daqian expel the barbarians."
"Good! Then I say, my destiny has not yet arrived. It is not yet time for me to enter officialdom," Liang Xiao said sternly.
Zhuo Zifang nodded gravely and said, "That is true. You are still young. How many people are late bloomers? I can keep this a secret for you."
Only then did Liang Xiao feel relieved.
Unexpectedly, Zhuo Zifang changed the subject again and said, "But from now on, you must present me with a sentence every day, one that can make me sigh in admiration."
Upon hearing this, Liang Xiao nearly jumped up to make Zhuo Zifang copy the Four Books and Five Classics a hundred times over.
"This is a bit too much. You're trying to get something for nothing," Liang Xiao stated his displeasure decisively.
Zhuo Zifang added, "If you can write it, this old man will not bother you, and you can do as you please in the study."
Liang Xiao's eyes lit up, "A gentleman's word?"
"As fast as a galloping horse!"
Liang Xiao readily agreed, secretly laughing.
If this was how he could get rid of Zhuo Zifang, he should have started writing earlier.
Zhuo Zifang was also secretly laughing.
If he could truly achieve that, then what worries would there be about finding talent for state affairs? 138 Reading Network
"After I finish writing, I want to go home," Liang Xiao said.
Zhuo Zifang's expression changed instantly, "That won't do. Coming to the Imperial Academy for advanced studies is an imperial decree from His Majesty. I cannot disobey!"
Liang Xiao was helpless and had to make an agreement with Zhuo Zifang, asking him to keep it a secret.
Zhuo Zifang immediately guaranteed that he would never spread the matter and would only collect Liang Xiao's calligraphy for his own appreciation.
After Zhuo Zifang left, Yue Lian looked at Liang Xiao, her eyes shining like stars, "Young Master, it seems even Lord Zhuo has been thoroughly convinced by you!"
Who was Zhuo Zifang? The former Minister of Personnel, admired by the entire nation!
If he had given up on teaching Liang Xiao, it meant that Liang Xiao's prospects for state affairs were secured!
"I was just appeasing him. This old scoundrel is very cunning; he might have a stomach full of bad intentions," Liang Xiao grumbled.
Yue Lian covered her mouth and chuckled, her face flushing.
The young master's feigned anger just now was so adorable!
Zhuo Zifang left with Liang Xiao's calligraphy, preparing to have it framed. He was stopped by Ouyang Hong.
Ouyang Hong pretended to be concerned, "I heard Lord Zhuo has taken a scoundrel as a disciple. I wonder..."
"Taken a scoundrel as a disciple?" Zhuo Zifang blinked in surprise, then shook his head, "This old man has not taken any disciples recently!"
In his eyes, Liang Xiao was not someone he could teach. He even wanted to humble himself and learn from Liang Xiao!
However, this remark took on a different meaning for Ouyang Hong, who was well-versed in social affairs.
Ouyang Hong burst into laughter, "This old man understands Lord Zhuo's meaning. Yes, Lord Zhuo has not taken any disciples!"
Saying this, Ouyang Hong turned to the students of the Imperial Academy passing by, "Did you all hear? Lord Zhuo has not taken any disciples!"
Zhuo Zifang frowned and left in a hurry.
Ouyang Sheng exclaimed joyfully, "Father, it seems that Liang Xiao has angered Lord Zhuo so much that he no longer acknowledges him as a student! We must find someone to send this news to Qingxue!"
Upon returning to the Liang residence, Liang Xiao had just entered his room to rest when Liang Qing came over and handed Liang Xiao a stack of silver notes.
"Xiao'er, take this one thousand taels and spend it."
Liang Xiao was stunned, and Yue Lian exclaimed even louder.
One thousand taels was no small sum. The Liang family had strict customs, and Liang Xiao and his cousins' monthly allowances were at most thirty taels!
"Grandfather, you mustn't!" Liang Xiao muttered, but his hand moved quickly, tucking the silver notes into his sleeve.
"You deserve it," Liang Qing sighed.
This was a reward from the Emperor, but the reason for the reward was Liang Xiao.
"Grandfather, aren't you afraid I'll spend it carelessly?" Liang Xiao asked with a smile.
This old man was acting out of character!
Liang Qing said with a wry smile, "You have grown up. As long as you don't engage in wicked deeds, your grandfather should not interfere."
Liang Xiao nodded seriously, "Don't worry, I won't spend it on debauchery. In a while, it might turn into ten thousand taels."
Liang Qing took Liang Xiao's words as boastful exaggeration and casually agreed, reminding Liang Xiao, "Qingxue sent someone to inform you just now. There will be a poetry competition at the Imperial Academy tomorrow night. Take Qingxue with you."