Cloud Deer Academy nestled along the edge of South City in the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty. It was not only the largest academy in the Imperial Capital, but also a sacred place in the hearts of countless scholars.
The academy occupied a towering mountain, its slopes wreathed in clouds and mist like an immortal paradise. Whenever dawn broke or the sun sank in the west, golden sunlight pierced the haze and spilled over the ancient buildings, lending them an even greater air of mystery and solemnity.
Early that morning, a procession of carriages slowly stopped at the foot of the mountain. The Ninth Princess, Li Sining, stepped out of a luxurious carriage and descended a small set of steps.
The mountain breeze gently caressed her skirts and long hair.
Li Sining had loved reading since childhood and was the most renowned talented lady in the Imperial Capital.
Cloud Deer Academy was also her favorite place to visit.
Today, she had come for one final look, for yesterday she had learned that the northern envoy had arrived in the Imperial Capital.
According to long-established custom, an unmarried princess like her was all but certain to become a sacrifice to a political marriage.
Though she felt some reluctance, as a well-educated, sensible member of the imperial family, she had long understood how this would end.
She strolled along Cloud Deer Academy's bluestone paths, gazing at the lush pines and cypresses and the flowers that bloomed throughout the seasons. The air carried the faint scents of books and blossoms. Once, all this would have lifted her spirits, but now it brought only gloom.
Within the academy, familiar buildings came into view one after another: the Library Pavilion, the Lecture Hall, the Quiet Reflection Garden...
These were all places where she often read and attended lectures.
"Greetings, Ninth Princess."
"Greetings, Ninth Princess."
Wherever Li Sining went, scholars came over to greet her.
She acknowledged each of them with a nod, her smile gentle and reserved, inspiring longing while forbidding even the slightest irreverence.
Watching Li Sining's retreating figure, the scholars sighed deeply. Regret seemed to fill their hearts, but there was nothing they could do.
"Your student, Li Sining, pays her respects, Master."
Inside the Star Gazing Pavilion, Li Sining bowed to the master before her.
When the Confucian scholars attending the lecture saw Li Sining arrive, they also rose to pay their respects.
Scholars had a great many elaborate formalities, and completing this round of courtesies took quite some time.
"Ah, the Ninth Princess is here. Sit down, quickly. Now, where was I?"
The speaker was the founder of Cloud Deer Academy, known as Master Yu.
He was revered by countless scholars throughout the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty.
He had once traveled through the various kingdoms, debating philosophy with countless great scholars without ever coming off worse.
While the Previous Emperor was alive, he had tried to recruit him into government service, but Master Yu had politely declined every time.
Master Yu was a straightforward man. He simply enjoyed reading and giving lectures.
His students were scattered throughout the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty, with quite a few even serving at court. His peaches and plums truly flourished across the land.
Anyone who thought him a frail scholar who could barely withstand a breeze was gravely mistaken.
Master Yu stood eight feet tall, with a bald head, a great white beard, and a face full of intimidating flesh. His thin white robe could not conceal his sixteen-pack abs.
His arms, in particular, were thicker than an ordinary person's head.
If he went out in different clothes, anyone would have taken him for a warrior.
Master Yu had reached the Saint Realm when he was nearly seventy, then abandoned martial pursuits for scholarly ones. He became obsessed with reading, poring over books from morning until night and rejoicing whenever he gained knowledge from them.
This was the main reason he had never come off worse while debating philosophy with other great scholars on his travels through the kingdoms.
After all, even if the great scholar facing him could win the argument, they still had to consider his feelings.
Otherwise, if this fellow lost his temper and started swinging, who could withstand him?
Over time, Master Yu's reputation spread, and many scholars came to study under him after hearing of his fame.
He established Cloud Deer Academy in the Imperial Capital, and its renown soon spread throughout the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty.
Li Sining was Master Yu's student, and he admired her pure thirst for knowledge.
The Previous Emperor had been busy with affairs of state and had little time to look after Li Sining. She had spent even more time at the academy than in the imperial palace.
Master Yu doted on her as well, treating her as his own child.
Had anyone else done that, it would have been an act of outrageous defiance. How dare they treat the emperor's daughter as their own?
But Master Yu was in the Saint Realm, which gave him the standing and power to rise above such constraints.
Moreover, the Previous Emperor had occasionally visited the academy to play chess and chat with Master Yu, so Li Sining had quite legitimately become the academy's darling.
It was not just Master Yu's affection, either. Among the vast majority of scholars at the academy who were still alive and breathing, who did not want to become the imperial son-in-law?
Li Sining was one of the Twin Beauties of the Imperial Capital, with both beauty and status at the very pinnacle.
Whoever married her would spare himself decades of taking the long way around.
Quite a few of the Confucian scholars present were Li Sining's admirers.
A few scholars had once confessed their feelings to Li Sining, only for Master Yu to discover them and fling them straight out of the academy.
Nothing of the sort had happened since.
In truth, Master Yu merely wanted Li Sining to have a good environment for reading. He did not want complicated emotions interfering with this princess who loved learning.
"Master, I came today to bid you farewell."
The sorrow in Li Sining's words truly pained everyone who heard them.
As disciples of Cloud Deer Academy, with many fellow students serving at court, they naturally had access to plenty of news.
They had, of course, heard something of the court's envoy coming to arrange a marriage alliance.
That was why many scholars had looked regretful when Li Sining arrived.
Hearing that Li Sining had come to say goodbye, the Confucian scholars around her were instantly filled with indignation.
"Hmph! How can His Majesty be so weak and incompetent? To think he would trade a marriage alliance for a brief spell of peace!" A scholar in blue robes slammed the table and rose, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Exactly! Ours is a mighty nation. How can we allow the court of those barbarian lands to bully us so? If we truly marry the Ninth Princess off to them, won't we become the laughingstock of the world?" Another scholar shook his head and sighed, his voice full of helplessness and indignation.
"His Majesty's actions will only grieve those dear to us and delight our enemies! Where is our dynasty's dignity? How can our people hold their heads high?" A scholar with a lean face clenched his fists, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
"If this truly happens, how can we scholars stand by and do nothing? We must submit a forthright remonstrance and set the court back on the proper path!" An elderly scholar rose, his gaze resolute and his words ringing with conviction.
These Confucian scholars actually dared to speak of the emperor so directly. If such remarks got out, they would most likely lose their heads.
But this was the academy, with Master Yu presiding over it, and he had not stopped them. Coupled with their admiration for Li Sining, their emotions had gone to their heads.
Master Yu also set down his book and gently stroked his beard, looking at Li Sining with a kindly expression.
"Sining, if you do not wish to go, the academy is your home."
At those words, every Confucian scholar present grew deeply excited.
Master Yu was in the Saint Realm. Saying this meant he intended to protect Li Sining.
Never mind the new emperor-even if the Previous Emperor had come, he would have had to show Master Yu respect.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master. As a member of the imperial family, I ought to do my part for the stability of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty. Thank you, Master and senior brothers, for all your teachings."
The more sensible Li Sining was, the harder it became to let her go.
Master Yu did not want to see Li Sining like this either, but he respected her choice.
The scholars present erupted into an uproar. Just as they were indignantly considering a joint petition to the throne, Li Sining's maid ran in.
"Must I return so soon?"
Li Sining assumed her maid had come to tell her to return to the palace and await her marriage.
Once a marriage agreement was in place, she could no longer appear outside the imperial palace, as doing so would affect the imperial family's reputation.
When the maid said His Majesty had agreed to the marriage alliance, Li Sining showed no reaction. She had expected it all along.
But after catching her breath, the maid relayed what Li Chen had said afterward.
His Majesty had agreed to the marriage alliance, but he was not sending the Ninth Princess north. Instead, a member of the Northern Court's imperial family would marry into the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty!
Upon hearing Li Chen's lion-sized demands, not only did Li Sining's eyes widen, but even Master Yu looked somewhat surprised.
The news was like a spring breeze brushing their faces, instantly sweeping away the gloom in the scholars' hearts.
Their expressions immediately turned respectful and reverent, and they began lavishing praise on the emperor's wisdom and martial brilliance.
"Ah, so that was it! His Majesty truly has profound foresight. This move will both display our dynasty's dignity and spare the princess the suffering of marrying far away. It truly kills two birds with one stone!" The blue-robed scholar was the first to change his tune, his voice filled with admiration.
"Yes, yes! His Majesty's valor is unrivaled. Such a brilliant plan is beyond ordinary men! We truly behaved like petty villains and nearly misunderstood His Majesty's painstaking intentions!" Another scholar hurried to agree, a look of shame appearing on his face.
"His Majesty's actions not only demonstrate our dynasty's tolerance and magnanimity, but also show the Northern Court the might of our Heavenly Strategy Dynasty! He truly is an enlightened ruler of his age!" The lean-faced scholar's eyes shone with reverence, his words overflowing with praise for the emperor.
"Indeed! With His Majesty so wise, we scholars ought all the more to serve our country loyally and devote ourselves to the court! Once that northern imperial family member marries into our dynasty, our nation will surely prosper even further!" The elderly scholar also rose excitedly, his voice full of hope and anticipation for the future.
At this sight, Master Yu was utterly speechless. Weren't you lot the ones cursing him most fiercely just now?
How could you change your faces at the drop of a hat? Did you have any principles at all?
Li Sining had never imagined that this elder brother of hers, who usually kept such a low profile that even she had only met him a handful of times, could be so domineering.
After pondering for a moment, Master Yu said, "Sining, your brother is unquestionably in the Saint Realm."
Li Sining asked in confusion, "What makes you say that?"
Master Yu smiled faintly. "Would he dare say something like that if he weren't in the Saint Realm?"
Li Sining said, "...That makes sense."
For the first time, Li Sining became curious about someone.
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