Chapter 254: The Upright
Crown Prince Guang Yan’s intention to accept the Wutuo People’s peace proposal stirred waves within Shuojing City. The censors’ memorials did not sway Guang Yan’s resolve, and the Wutuo envoy, previously placed under house arrest by Emperor Wenxuan, reappeared near the imperial palace. Though he spoke to court officials with a humble, smiling tone, the unconcealed triumph in his eyes was unmistakable.
After court adjourned, the ministers harbored their own thoughts, each burying their true sentiments deep within. Two days had already passed. Tomorrow was the day to enter the imperial mausoleum. Once the mausoleum rites were completed, the Crown Prince would ascend the throne, and the days ahead were likely to grow increasingly difficult.
Just as they stepped out of Chengle Palace, the sound of chanting reached their ears from ahead. The officials looked up and saw that dozens of young scholars in blue robes had gathered on the open grounds before Chengle Palace, all seated on the ground.
These scholars sat cross-legged on the ground. At their head was a white-haired, long-bearded elder in official robes, his expression stern and cold. It was Wei Xuanzhang, the head of Virtuous Prosperity Academy.
Wei Xuanzhang was indeed a man of genuine talent and learning, but his stubborn and rigid nature had earned him many enemies in his youth. Later, he was relegated to the position of head of Virtuous Prosperity Academy. This role suited his penchant for lecturing perfectly. Though he held little real power, he had found contentment in it over the years. Regarding Crown Prince Guang Yan’s agreement to the Wutuo People’s peace proposal and the establishment of a Trade Market in Great Wei, Wei Xuanzhang vehemently opposed it. Aside from the censors, he submitted the most memorials on the matter. However, his current official rank was too low to even warrant a second glance from Guang Yan. His heartfelt words, poured out with painstaking effort, were merely another sheet added to the pile of discarded papers.
“Headmaster Wei?” a familiar court official asked. “What are you doing here?” He leaned closer and whispered, “Sir, please return quickly. His Highness is unlikely to change his mind now.”
This was a former student who knew him well, unwilling to see him offend the future ruler, and thus offered a well-meaning reminder.
Wei Xuanzhang remained unmoved. He gazed toward Chengle Palace and declared loudly, “This humble official risks death to offer counsel. I implore Your Highness to rescind the decree and not allow the Wutuo People to establish a Trade Market in Great Wei!”
From within Chengle Palace, there was no response.
Sunlight quietly spilled over the open grounds outside the palace, like scattered flecks of gold. The young students were vibrant and full of vigor, their eyes clear and resolute. The elderly official stood in the spring breeze like the setting sun, carrying the last remnants of its brilliance.
He slowly rose to his feet. His once robust frame now showed signs of age, and he staggered slightly. Once steady, he suddenly recited in a clear, resonant voice:
“Heaven and earth nurture the upright spirit,
Manifold forms it takes, diverse and bright.
Below, it becomes rivers and mountains;
Above, it becomes the sun and stars.
In man, it is called the vast and noble,
Filling the universe, boundless and bright…”
The students beside him paused briefly, then joined their aged headmaster in chanting aloud.
“…When the path is clear and peaceful,
It harmonizes and shines in the bright court.
In times of hardship, integrity is revealed,
Each one recorded in history’s annals!”
Each one recorded in history’s annals!
Wei Xuanzhang was reciting the “Song of the Upright Spirit.”
Inside Chengle Palace, Crown Prince Guang Yan slammed his cup to the ground. “What is that old fool saying out there? I’ll have his head!”
A trusted aide at his side hurriedly knelt and grasped the hem of his robe. “Your Highness, you must not! At least not before the coronation ceremony! Wei Xuanzhang has committed no other crime, and as the head of Virtuous Prosperity Academy, punishing him lightly would surely provoke discussion among court officials and the common people…”"Just a lowly schoolteacher—I can have him killed whenever I wish. Who would dare comment?" Guang Yan raged. "What do you mean no crime? He has shown utter contempt for me, disrespecting the royal family! What does he mean by standing outside—threatening me? Ridiculous! How could I, a royal, be threatened by an old fool? Believe me, I’ll have all his students thrown into prison at once. Let’s see who dares speak out on this matter again!"
"Yes, yes, of course," the confidant replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "But even if punishment is warranted, please be patient for a few days, Your Highness. This Wei Xuanzhang has always been eccentric. Even when His Majesty was still alive, he often spoke insolently..."
"I am not as merciful as my father," Guang Yan gritted his teeth. "If he thinks I will tolerate him as my father did, he is gravely mistaken!"
"Naturally," the confidant hurriedly agreed. "But for now, it would be best if Your Highness did not intervene. Let him make a scene outside. Once the coronation ceremony is over, you can settle accounts with him then."
Guang Yan snorted and kicked aside the shattered lid of a teacup before him. "Then let him live a couple more days."
Outside, Wei Xuanzhang continued to recite loudly, his frail, withered body standing tall and straight in the wind.
"Some wore the cap of Liaodong, their integrity pure as ice and snow. Some wrote the Memorial on Sending Out the Troops, moving even ghosts and gods with their fervor..."
"...Some wielded the tablet to strike the traitor, shattering the rebel’s skull. Such spirit, vast and mighty, endures through the ages, awe-inspiring and eternal."
The young students behind the old master chanted along, as if they were not before Chengle Palace under the watchful eyes of court officials, but in the halls of Virtuous Prosperity Academy, reading and learning in the spring breeze.
"Yet this unwavering resolve remains, gazing up at the white drifting clouds. My heart is filled with endless sorrow—when will the heavens have an end?"
"The sages are long gone, but their examples live on in the past. Under the eaves, I unroll the scrolls to read, the ancient way illuminating my spirit."
After finishing the recitation, there was no response from within Chengle Palace.
Wei Xuanzhang paused and looked at the court officials before him.
Some avoided his gaze, while others looked on with pity. Wei Xuanzhang took a step forward, trembling as he ascended the steps, removing his official cap as he went.
His voice was steady, clear as a bell, as he declared, "For a general, loyalty is unbreakable, spirit piercing the sun. Armed and awaiting the call, resolved to give his life."
He then set down the wooden tablet in his hand. "Civil officials are not like military generals. The sages said, 'Civil' means broad knowledge of virtue, 'upright' means fulfilling one's duty with reverence. 'Civil and upright' is the highest praise, unsurpassed."
Reaching the final step, he slowly knelt, placing the removed cap and tablet to the side. Gazing at the empty hall of Chengle Palace, his voice was desolate yet resolute.
"Though I lack the courage to bear arms or the merit of battle, I possess only a heart of loyalty and righteousness, open and aboveboard. Virtuous Prosperity Academy teaches students to read the books of sages. Now, witnessing Your Highness straying onto the wrong path, if I do not admonish you, it would be my fault."
"Generals die in battle, scholars die in remonstrance. Life and death are but drifting clouds to me. Today, this old minister dares to offer my humble life to urge Your Highness to rein in before the precipice and avoid a grave mistake."
"This old minister implores Your Highness to revoke the decree. Do not allow the Wutuo People to set foot on the soil of Great Wei. Do not invite the wolf into the house or open the door to thieves!"
With these words, he suddenly lunged headfirst toward the vermilion pillar before Chengle Palace.
Blood instantly splattered across the ground.The courtiers standing at the side paused for a moment before exclaiming in shock. The students of Virtuous Prosperity Academy surged forward, surrounding Wei Xuanzhang in the center. The wooden tablets and official caps that had been set aside were trampled to pieces in the chaos. In front of Chengle Palace, everything descended into disorder in an instant.
...
In Qinglan Palace.
Consort Lan sat quietly reading a book. Not far from her, Consort Ni watched the faint blue smoke rising from the bronze incense burner, her expression somewhat agitated.
Tomorrow would be the day Emperor Wenxuan entered the imperial mausoleum—and also the day they would be buried with him. If Guang Yan showed a little mercy, they might be granted a swift death with a cup of poison. But if that boy was deliberately cruel, they would be sealed alive in the mausoleum, suffocating to death.
"Sister, how can you still have the heart to read!" Consort Ni finally couldn't hold back. She stood up, walked over to Consort Lan, and snatched the book away. "Tomorrow is our death day. I don't believe you can truly be so calm!"
No one could truly disregard life and death. Back then, Consort Ni had competed with Consort Lan for favor, relying on her youth and beauty, believing she would inevitably replace Consort Lan. Unexpectedly, she provoked Emperor Wenxuan's fury. After that, Guang Ji was entrusted to Consort Lan to raise. With Guang Ji in Consort Lan's hands, Consort Ni restrained herself, not daring to go too far, though she was never truly content.
Yet now, she and Consort Lan had suddenly become sacrificial offerings together, no different from the vases and ornaments buried with Emperor Wenxuan. Thus, past grievances could all be set aside. At least in this moment, they were on the same side.
There are no eternal enemies, nor eternal friends. Consort Ni was impulsive and willful. After entering the palace, she had no true confidants. Now, there was no one to advise or strategize for her. After much thought, the only person she could rely on was this former thorn in her side.
Consort Lan looked up at her, her tone as gentle as ever. "Tomorrow is tomorrow. Why worry about it today?"
"Why worry?" Consort Ni said. "Of course I worry! Can't you see that this edict is suspicious? The Emperor was always soft-hearted. Others aside, why would he have the two of us buried with him? I think it's nothing but Guang Yan, that scoundrel, settling personal scores under the guise of duty." She glanced at Consort Lan again, her tone mocking. "I know you, sister, follow your heart and don't care about life or death. But have you thought about the Fourth Prince? My Guang Ji is still so young. What kind of person the Crown Prince is, we both know well. Right now, he's targeting us. After the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Guang Shuo and Guang Ji will be next. Are you going to just watch your own son die?"
Hearing this, Consort Lan's calm expression finally showed a faint ripple.
But before she could speak, a palace maid hurried in from outside and whispered a few words to the maid guarding the door. The maid at the door showed a look of surprise, then quickly approached. Only when she reached Consort Lan did she lower her voice and say, "Your Highness, something has happened at Chengle Palace."
Consort Lan and Consort Ni both turned to look at her.
"They say the head of Virtuous Prosperity Academy, Lord Wei, risked his life to remonstrate, begging the Crown Prince to revoke the order for peace negotiations. The Crown Prince refused, and Lord Wei dashed his head against a pillar in Chengle Palace. Many officials witnessed it. Now, everything outside is in chaos, and the students of Virtuous Prosperity Academy refuse to leave.""Death petition?" Consort Ni frowned. "It's been many years since such words were heard in the palace."
Emperor Wenxuan was soft-hearted and overly tolerant. Even if the censors submitted three memorials, he would at least read one, so there was no need for such extreme measures. However, if Guang Yan ascended the throne under these circumstances, he would inevitably earn the reputation of having forced an old minister to his death. Most students of the Virtuous Prosperity Academy came from noble families, and young men were most hot-blooded. Having witnessed their headmaster's death with their own eyes, if Guang Yan still insisted on making peace with the Wutuo People as he had initially intended, it would undoubtedly sound terrible both inside and outside the palace.
Consort Lan leaned on the armrest of her chair, saying nothing.
Consort Ni spoke with a tone neither warm nor cold, "We struggle desperately to survive here, while some rush to their deaths. But Wei Xuanzhang is already in his seventies or eighties—dying isn't much of a loss. I, however, have yet to enjoy many good years. To die like this—I am unwilling." Thinking of Guang Yan, she couldn't help but gnash her teeth. "How hateful!"
Consort Lan sighed softly as her maid helped her stand.
She walked to the window. Outside, the sun was bright—spring, when all things flourished.
"Look, look, take a good look," Consort Ni couldn't help but sneer. "After tomorrow, you won't be able to see it anymore."
"Ni," Consort Lan turned to face her, speaking calmly, "Do you want to live?"
"Need you ask?"
"If you want to live," Consort Lan's voice was gentle, yet within its tranquility, there seemed to be a deeper meaning, "then do as I say."
...
The moment He Yan learned of Wei Xuanzhang's death petition, she rushed to the Wei residence by carriage.
The Wei residence was already packed inside and out, with people still streaming in. Over the years, the Virtuous Prosperity Academy had taught batch after batch of students. If Xu Jingfu's disciples were spread throughout the court and beyond, Wei Xuanzhang was essentially no less influential. However, after students left the academy, Wei Xuanzhang did not care to maintain close ties with them, so on the surface, he appeared less esteemed than Xu Jingfu.
Yet now, having risked his life to offer counsel, his former students, upon hearing the news, came from all directions to see their teacher one last time.
He Yan finally managed to squeeze through the crowd and saw He Xinying supporting Madam Wei, who was weeping nearly to the point of collapse. Seeing He Yan, He Xinying was also taken aback. Only when some newly arrived students came to assist did He Xinying find a moment to approach and ask, "Sister He, why have you come?"
In truth, given the age of the current "He Yan," she could not be called He Xinying's elder sister. Yet He Xinying always felt that perhaps her deceased elder sister, if still alive, would be just like He Yan, so she disregarded many conventions.
He Yan replied, "Master Wei was Huaijin's teacher. Huaijin needs time to rush back from outside the city, so I came first to see how things are. Is Madam Wei alright?"
"Not well," He Xinying shook her head. "Headmaster Wei must have long been resolved to die. After the incident today, Madam found several letters in the wooden drawer of his study—farewell notes to his family."
He Xinying was also deeply saddened. Because of her elder sister, she had been staying at Wei Xuanzhang's residence. Wei Xuanzhang usually spent most of his time at the Virtuous Prosperity Academy and rarely returned home. He Xinying spent more time with Madam Wei, who was gentle by nature and did not mind her past status. Who could have imagined... such a thing would happen so suddenly."I heard that Director Wei was trying to get the Crown Prince to revoke the order seeking peace with the Wutuo People," He Xinying ventured cautiously. "So now..."
He Yan gave a bitter smile. "I'm afraid not."
How could Crown Prince Guang Yan change his mind just because of Wei Xuanzhang's life? It was more likely that he felt no remorse at all and would instead be angered by Wei Xuanzhang's refusal to know his place.
As she was thinking this, a voice came from behind: "Sister He, what are you doing here?"
He Yan turned to see Lin Shuanghe and Yan He entering from outside. Both had been students of Virtuous Prosperity Academy in the past, and upon hearing of this matter, they had rushed over without delay.
"Is Huaijin not with you?" Yan He looked around.
"He's on duty today, training with the Southern Garrison Troops outside the city." He Yan sighed inwardly. It was truly unfortunate timing. If Xiao Jue had been present today, perhaps he could have stopped Wei Xuanzhang.
"General Yan wasn't present today either?" He Yan looked at Yan He.
Yan He fumed, "If I had been, how could I have let such a thing happen!"
Due to Emperor Wenxuan's passing and Guang Yan's reckless actions, Yan He was deeply dissatisfied and had no desire to attend court. He had found an excuse to be absent, knowing that Guang Yan's court sessions were merely a pretense—an opportunity to eliminate dissenters. Who could have guessed that in his absence, such a major incident would occur?
"I'll go see the headmaster's wife," Lin Shuanghe said, stepping inside.
Although Wei Xuanzhang had been rigid and pedantic, and strict with women, he had never taken a concubine. Over the years, he and his wife had weathered life's hardships together. Now, leaving Madam Wei alone in this world, the blow to her was unimaginable.
Young students knelt before the old man's bed, where Wei Xuanzhang lay quietly, his body cleaned of bloodstains. His official robe was crumpled and stained with dirt and dried blood, yet it seemed purer than anyone else's.
He Yan watched, her heart aching with sorrow.
Although this old gentleman had been rigid and stern during his time at Virtuous Prosperity Academy, and the young students had often secretly cursed him as an old fossil behind his back, it was also he who, when all the civil officials sought to protect themselves, bravely stepped forward. Just as he had taught them, "Read the books of sages, do deeds of loyalty and righteousness," he had delivered his final lesson.
Lin Shuanghe's voice grew heavy, his usual lightness gone from his eyes and brows. He said only, "Director Wei was a man of great righteousness..."
"Great righteousness is useless," Yan He sneered. "Look at the one in the palace—has there been any movement from him? I bet that in a few days, once the uproar dies down, those Wutuo People will still appear on the streets of Shuojing!"
"I truly don't understand," Lin Shuanghe murmured. "Why is the Crown Prince so determined? Even someone like me, who knows nothing of court affairs, can see that 'those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts.' Can't he see it?"
"It's not that he can't see it," He Yan said softly. "It's that he has something he desires."
Yan He and Lin Shuanghe both turned to look at her.
Lin Shuanghe frowned and asked, "Sister He, what do you mean by that?"
Yan He didn't ask but instead looked at her thoughtfully.
He Yan thought for a moment and gestured for Yan He to step aside with her. Yan He impatiently said, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Given our different statuses, if others see us, what will they think? What if rumors spread?"
He Yan: "..."
He was unusually strict about such matters, likely due to his family's rigid discipline.If it were any other day, He Yan might have teased him a bit, but today, she truly had no mood for banter with Yan He. Instead, she asked in a low voice, "General Yan, have you ever seen the Fourth Prince?"
Yan He was taken aback, his gaze toward He Yan gradually shifting. After a moment, he replied quietly, "Why are you asking about this?"
"Tomorrow is the day to enter the imperial mausoleum," He Yan looked at him. "According to the late emperor’s decree, the Noble Consort is to be buried alive. How can the Fourth Prince stand by and do nothing? And with what happened to Mr. Wei today… General Yan," she pressed, "you must know."
Yan He’s expression shifted several times. The once arrogant and impatient look faded, replaced by a calm and icy demeanor.
He said, "Marquis of Wu'an, let it end here. There’s no need to ask further."
(End of Chapter)
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