Chapter 147 — Yuyuan Academy
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 1 of 4
Libationer Bashan walked out of the Scholars' Lodge and came to the Princes' Garden next door.
In the Princes' Garden the princes, princesses, commandery princesses and heir princes were many in number and wildly uneven in quality, and to make matters worse their factions were tangled beyond reckoning. The princes and princesses were the Emperor's own children; the commandery princesses and heir princes were the children of the princes of the blood.
Besides the contention for princely titles among the heir princes, there was the contention for influence among the Emperor's sons and daughters — a thing to give any man a headache. This was precisely what Libationer Bashan loathed most, and yet he could not refuse to choose among them; offend the imperial and princely houses, and one would surely be tripped up at every turn.
"Better to ask the Second Prince's opinion. " He made up his mind and came to consult the Second Prince.
Ling Yushu was both startled and delighted: Bashan was Libationer of the National Academy, second only to the Grand Libationer in the Grand Academy, his strength unfathomable, in no way inferior to a first-rank minister of the court, nor to the sect masters, sect lords and patriarchs of the great sects — he was one of the supreme figures of the present age.
If one could obtain his instruction, it would of course be a fine thing! "The Second Prince seems to be overthinking this. " Seeing the delight on his face, Libationer Bashan knew at once that he had misunderstood, and said with a smile, "I teach only scholars below the Six Harmonies realm. Since I know little of the Princes' Garden, I would ask the Second Prince to recommend two of them.
" Ling Yushu's face fell.
The resources the Crown Prince received were far, far greater than those of the other princes.
For a prince like himself, merely because he was not the Crown Prince, the cultivation he received after birth was less by countless times than the Crown Prince's. Though princes and princesses could enter the Grand Academy to cultivate without examination, the Crown Prince had at the very least six teachers of sect-master rank to transmit the Way and instruct him in learning, and the Emperor himself would from time to time give him personal guidance; even the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping would go to teach him. The Crown Prince was not only taught the very highest of secret arts, he must also study the Way of the Sovereign and the art of commanding the civil and military officials, and even cultivate ties with the ministers at court and build a little court of his own.
The other princes and princesses might harbor the ambition to contend for the throne, but they simply had no capacity to compete.
Libationer Bashan's ability was the equal of a sect master's; to win his guidance, though it could not compare with the Crown Prince's circumstances, was still far better than nothing. But Libationer Bashan taught only scholars of the Spirit Embryo realm and the Five Luminaries realm; naturally he had no share in it.
Ling Yushu pressed down the disappointment in his heart and said with a smile, "My seventh sister's comprehension and aptitude are both superb. When the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping saw her, he too said her gifts were extraordinary, surpassing even mine — she is only a little unruly. Libationer Bashan is strict, and can temper her for me.
" Libationer Bashan was surprised. "The Seventh Princess?
She is indeed rather too fond of play, and has held back her progress in cultivation.
Those of the National Academy, mindful of her status as princess, will not give her trouble; but in my hands, she will have a taste of hardship. " Ling Yushu's eyes flickered, and he thought, "Seventh Sister, you have grown too close to that cast-off.
There is no telling when you might do something to disgrace the imperial name.