A Smile to Stroke Qingping

The Sage of Ritual, the Venerable Sage, and the old scholar returned to the Temple of Literature to take part in the discussions. The atmosphere, which had gradually grown a little more relaxed, turned solemn again in an instant. Even the cultivators who had wanted to slip out for a drink and a chat stayed put and attended the meeting properly.

The old scholar sat bolt upright and waited ages, but not a single word of congratulations came. He was baffled. People said you only learned how cold the world could be when you left and the tea went cold. But now that his cold stove had been lit again, did none of these wily characters, great or small, have anything to say? His status as a worshipped Sage at the Temple of Literature had been restored. He himself was unmoved by fortune or misfortune, of course, but that was no excuse for them not to let out so much as a peep. Were they picking on a nice fellow and slighting an honest man?

Seeing the old scholar scowling to himself, Old Master Fu smiled and explained roughly what had happened earlier at the Temple of Literature. The Headmasters of five academies—Yunbian, Lantai, Hulian, Chunsou, and Tongli—had all lost their titles and caused an uproar. The youngest of them, the Chunsou Headmaster, had even openly questioned the Sage of Ritual. In the end, A Liang had politely escorted them all out. That was why everyone was being careful with their Inner Voice conversations now.

The old scholar exclaimed in admiration, "Like father, like son!"

The Venerable Sage took a volume from the great stack on his desk and glanced at the seat the young Yin Guan had just occupied. He was rather helpless. Did that fellow never stay put?