Chapter 1 Wangjiang Tower in the Imperial Capital

Top floor, private room.

Jiang Chen stood by the window, drinking alone, waiting for Yang Muxi's arrival.

It was nearly dusk, and the night was gradually descending.

On the river, painted boats, head to tail, began to light up lanterns, like twinkling fireflies, attracting the attention of literati and refined guests.

"Wenchang, have you heard? There's a poetry lantern festival on the Huai River tonight!" A scholar wearing a lun scarf excitedly bumped into his friend beside him.

The Qing Shan scholar, suffering from the elbow strike, looked helpless, and said, rubbing his forehead, "I know, I know, you've been chanting about it in my ear eight hundred times!"

"This Huai River Poetry Lantern Festival is jointly organized by the four major academies. People from all over the imperial capital will participate. Even Zhang Zifang, a great talent admired by the people, will come!"

"Not only that, but there are also countless courtesans from painted boats coming to help, as well as elegant events such as guessing lantern riddles, setting off lanterns, and playing chess..."

During their conversation, a young man in brocade clothes suddenly interjected, his tone very excited: "Two brothers, are you also here at the poetry festival to admire Brother Zifang's demeanor?"

"The title of the number one talent of the Great Wei belongs to him!"

Jiang Chen was standing at the highest point, drinking and overlooking the scenery below.

He happened to hear the conversation of several people, and couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, taking a slight interest in the poetry lantern festival.

He had been practicing the Qiankun Guiding Technique for many days, and with Jing Yue's help in opening up his meridians, his physical fitness had long surpassed ordinary people. He could hear the discussions of those below very clearly.

Recalling the highly praised name, Jiang Chen stroked his wine cup and said, "Zhang Zifang... that name sounds familiar."

As he spoke to himself, he quickly remembered that this person was the scholar recommended by Su Wen earlier, with a reputation for great talent and renowned throughout the world.

A hint of interest flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, and he turned his head and asked, "Jing Yue, what is the origin of these four major academies?"

Jing Yue stood gracefully, raised her hand to fill his wine cup, and handed it to Jiang Chen: "Your Majesty, the four major academies are the highest institutions of learning within the Great Wei. They have mountains of books and countless famous teachers, and have cultivated countless pillars of the country, relied upon by emperors of all dynasties."

"Two of the four academies are official schools, held by the imperial court, namely the Taixue and the Jixia Academy."

"The other two are private schools, held in the hands of aristocratic families, namely the Yuelu Academy and the Songyang Academy."

"These four places are the sacred places in the hearts of the scholars of the Great Wei. Countless commoners and poor families would give up all their wealth to squeeze into them."

Jiang Chen nodded, tapping his finger lightly on the long table: "The new Censor-in-Chief, selected from these people, what do you think?"

Jing Yue bowed, her clear and cold face without the slightest change: "This matter is entirely up to Your Majesty!"

Jiang Chen smiled, his eyes filled with satisfaction and appreciation.

He liked subordinates who were both loyal and discreet!

"Let's go, return to the palace later tonight, and go with Us to the poetry festival to see if we can find a Censor-in-Chief!"

As Jiang Chen spoke, he chatted with Jing Yue: "Before, Su Qing had recommended Zhang Zifang to Us. If this person really has great talent, We don't mind giving him a special promotion... We only hope that this talented scholar won't disappoint Us!"

Jing Yue listened quietly, and when he finished speaking, she softly suggested: "Your Majesty, the poetry festival is crowded and chaotic, and it is easy to hide unruly people."

"The court situation is tense now, can you wait a moment while I transfer a few teams of Imperial Guards to deal with any unexpected events!"

Jiang Chen smiled and refused: "We are participating in the poetry festival to enjoy ourselves with the people, and to observe the character of these students."

"If we make a big show of it, wouldn't we lose both the fun and fail to achieve our purpose?"

Seeing that Jing Yue still wanted to persuade him, Jiang Chen quickly grabbed a pastry from the table and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Alright, with the dark guards around, We will be fine!"

Jing Yue's mouth was full, and she couldn't speak.

Knowing that she couldn't change the Emperor's mind, she could only helplessly exchange a glance with Feng Jin and nodded in agreement.

Just then, a gust of air surged, brushing past Jing Yue's crystal earlobes. Her eyes instantly sharpened, and she subconsciously protected Jiang Chen behind her, making a vigilant gesture to the hidden dark guards in the room.

Jiang Chen retreated behind Jing Yue, following her strength, his expression calm, without any sign of panic.

He had already guessed who was coming!

Sure enough, after the creaking sound of the door, Yang Muxi, wearing a gray Taoist robe, appeared in everyone's sight.

She was still dressed as she had been at the teahouse a few days ago, with a bamboo hat, a package, and a soft sword tied around her waist, outlining her slender waist.

Clearly an ordinary martial artist's attire, but on her, it added three parts of ethereal beauty.

"Sect Leader Yang, you are late today!" Jiang Chen's attitude was amiable, without any hint of unfamiliarity.

Seeing him like this, Yang Muxi felt a little less uneasy. After all, she was not good at dealing with strangers.

"Young Master Jiang, it's not that I'm late, it's that you came too early."

"When I set off, the bells and drums of the city tower hadn't rung yet!"

After explaining herself, Yang Muxi took off the bamboo hat from her head, revealing her face as bright as the moon.

Jiang Chen looked at her, his eyes dimmed for a moment, revealing a strong possessiveness, but it quickly concealed itself, turning into peace.

Carefully placing the bamboo hat, Yang Muxi's pretty face turned serious: "I got the thing, it's here!"

Saying that, she took out a few thick booklets from her sleeve pocket, somewhat old, with yellowed and dog-eared pages, looking very unremarkable.

But when Jiang Chen saw them, his eyes didn't blink, as if what Yang Muxi was holding in her hand was not a tattered book, but some peerless treasure.

Restraining the urge to snatch the ledger, Jiang Chen poured a cup of tea with a friendly attitude and handed it to Yang Muxi.

He boasted: "Sect Leader Yang, you are deeply righteous, risking danger to sneak into the bandit's den to obtain key evidence, and eliminate such a malignant tumor for the people. Jiang admires you!"

"This cup of tea is Jiang's respect to you! Respect to your chivalrous heart!"

Yang Muxi's face flushed with a faint blush when Jiang Chen praised her so much, and the distance between them was unknowingly shortened.

She earnestly said: "Young Master Jiang, don't say that. I, I didn't actually do anything. I just spent some time squatting for a few days."

"To make these things effective, you still have to take action!"

"Otherwise, even if I take them out, they will only be a pile of waste paper, and it will be impossible to get rid of the Mei family's tumor."

Meeting Yang Muxi's sincere and clear eyes, Jiang Chen's conscience began to hurt again.

Of course, only a little bit...

He coughed lightly, shifted his gaze, and said with a routine: "Sect Leader Yang, Jiang has an impolite request... Can I borrow this ledger for a look?"

"I have been busy with this matter for a long time, and now that the key evidence is in hand, I am really a little anxious!"

Saying that, Jiang Chen looked at the ledger reluctantly, pretending to be considerate: "Of course, if 'taking a look' makes Sect Leader Yang feel embarrassed, Jiang can also, can also wait until after fulfilling the promise..."

Halfway through his words, Jiang Chen suddenly stopped.

Looking at the few ledgers that were pushed onto the table without reservation, he suddenly fell silent.

Yang Muxi was completely unaware of Jiang Chen's strange behavior, and pursed her lips slightly, saying: "If you want it, I'll give it to you."

"Between friends, how can there be embarrassment?"