Chapter 1661 – Extra:慎订, The Nie Yang and Nie Qing Segment (Part Two)
Spring turns to autumn, and seasons change.
On the outside, Nie Yang appears to be a young child, but inside, he has the schemings of a deep-minded adult.
He assists the Teacher in managing the private school while voraciously absorbing the knowledge of this era. The Teacher observes this keenly and does not intervene, sometimes even guiding Nie Yang. In his eyes, Nie Yang is destined for greatness; should he have a bright future, the Teacher stands to benefit as well.
When Nie Yang turned ten, the Teacher suggested he take the Child Scholar Examination to test his luck.
The exams were conducted in three stages: the county, the prefecture, and the academy. If successful, he could receive government grain monthly to sustain himself.
Even if he couldn’t progress further, it was still far better than the average person’s lot.
Nie Yang humbly replied, “I have a shallow foundation; I fear I might not pass.”
The Teacher said, “The Child Scholar Examination is not as difficult as you think. Given your current abilities, passing should be no issue.”
The examination registration required extensive procedures, so the Teacher let him focus on reviewing and ran around to sort out all the necessary paperwork himself.
Nie Yang watched from the side, harboring unspeakable melancholy.
Neither Nie Qing nor the Teacher knew what sort of shambles the real Nie Yang was.
The Teacher lent Nie Yang some silver to take a ride and participate in the examination.
As anticipated, the Child Scholar Examination posed no challenge to him, and he passed on his first attempt, becoming a distinguished student—the youngest of that cohort—earning the title of genius.
With his new status, Nie Yang’s life improved significantly. He continued his studies at the private school, dedicating more time to his learning.
After several years of focused preparation, at sixteen, Nie Yang participated in the autumn provincial exams, achieving the second highest rank. He subsequently took part in the spring tests, securing the highest rank once more. His performance in the imperial examination was excellent, and the Emperor had the intent to showcase a tale of conquering all three exams, thus promoting Nie Yang from the second place to the first.
Before even reaching his coming-of-age ceremony, Nie Yang had achieved all three top ranks; his value skyrocketed, attracting numerous factions looking to attract him.
People expected Nie Yang to become arrogant because of this, but this little top scholar remained calm, sophisticated in his conduct. If thrown into a sea of nobility, one could hardly tell he was once a beggar; he looked every bit the natural aristocrat.
Nie Yang wasn’t swayed because he understood well that being a top scholar was merely a ticket to enter the officialdom, not a direct path to success.
How far he could climb and how much power he could control depended solely on his future endeavors.
At the Qionglin banquet, many wished to see what this adolescent top scholar looked like.
Nie Yang wore an innocent smile, deftly navigating the elite circles; his movements resembled those of a seasoned politician rather than a bookish student who had endured years of hardship. By the time of the imperial examination, Nie Yang had already devised several means to gather intelligence about the court’s situation.
The current Emperor’s surname was Nie. He ascended to the throne at the age of thirty-two, and he had five sons and three daughters. The first four princes had reached maturity, but the fifth prince, who was also the Crown Prince and born of the late Yuan Empress, had yet to come of age, being just half a year older than Nie Yang.
Years ago, the Yuan Empress had passed away, and the Emperor harbored intentions to suppress her family, the Duke of Town, along with the four older princes entering court to handle affairs, hinting at a conspiracy against the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was but a prince presumptive, enjoying privileges slightly below that of the Emperor. Still, as he was not the Emperor, he faced the threat to his life. Nie Yang smiled on the surface but calculated which prince held the advantage in his heart.
However,
His careful calculations went awry when he heard the name of the Crown Prince.
Nie Qing…
It was actually Nie Qing!
Nie Yang was greatly surprised, his hand shaking, spilling the wine.
Once the Qionglin banquet started, the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the other four princes appeared sequentially, causing Nie Yang’s expression to shift rapidly.
For there was no mistaking it: the Crown Prince’s face, shape, speech, and aura were practically identical to that of his cousin Nie Qing from his previous life!
The difference was that his cousin Nie Qing was an upright gentleman, as bright as the full moon, with a constant gentle smile on his lips, setting the standard for young aristocrats in every gesture. The Crown Prince before him, though similar, bore a hint of melancholy between his brows.
Nie Yang steadied his racing heart, maintaining an even breath, yet his gaze reluctantly stuck to the Crown Prince.
Why such a resemblance?
Could it be that the Crown Prince is his cousin Nie Qing reborn?
It’s quite possible; Nie Qing was born into wealth and privilege, doing no evil deeds; it would make sense if he were reborn in a royal family as a Crown Prince.
Nie Yang nervously swallowed, his hands hidden in his sleeves sweating profusely, fingers almost tangled together.
Cousin—
Nie Yang whispered his name, tears welling in his eyes.
Others merely took him for a child lacking alcohol tolerance, teasing him before redirecting their attention to the second and third ranks.
During a break in the Qionglin banquet, Nie Yang noticed the Crown Prince getting up from his seat and followed, only to be blocked effectively.
“What is the top scholar doing here?”
The Crown Prince eyed him with suspicion, but the wariness in his gaze jolted Nie Yang back to reality; he wasn’t Nie Qing!
No, rather, he wasn’t the Nie Qing he had known.
Nie Yang turned the thought over in his mind but displayed an awkward demeanor on his face, lowering his head, he said, “This minister… cannot hold liquor, and drank a bit too much earlier, but I could not find a place to change, so I am… cough, I ask for your forgiveness for my rudeness, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s expression softened; it was only natural since Nie Yang was too innocuous, giving no cause for alarm. Perhaps it was destiny; Nie Yang in this life bore the exact looks from his previous life, so he knew how to portray his harmless side.
Following his response, the Crown Prince’s expression eased, summoning palace maids to guide Nie Yang.
Nie Yang watched the Crown Prince’s departing figure, an inexplicable aching sensation flowing through his heart.
In the previous life, he owed so much—would he be able to repay it in this life?
After the Qionglin banquet concluded, Nie Yang was appointed as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, starting at the sixth rank, managing the national history, editing official records, and recording the Emperor’s words and actions—essentially serving as a secretary. For someone with a less privileged background like Nie Yang, this position was already a strong starting point. If he didn’t work hard, he might spend his life at that level, but if he performed well and gained favor, the position could wield considerable influence.
In fact, there had been instances where top scholars remained at the sixth rank for their entire lives.
The imperial examination was merely a ticket; the height one could reach in the officialdom ultimately depended on individual capability.
Nie Yang squinted his eyes with a smile, not at all worried about his future.
Though Nie Qing claimed that he had a poor temperament, it had to be admitted that his type of character was just what was needed in the bureaucratic world.
Compared to this, the Crown Prince attracted more of his interest.
“Nie Qing…”
Nie Yang murmured, his eyes displaying a glimmer of determination.
No matter whether this Crown Prince was a reincarnation of his cousin or not, he would assist him in ascending the throne, thus perhaps… they could both settle their debts.
Nie Yang’s character seemed tailor-made for the political arena; or one might say, he was born to flourish in this world.
In just half a year, he gauged the Emperor’s thoughts, becoming one of the Emperor’s most trusted aides, with limitless potential ahead.
Court officials attempted to ally with this newcomer, while the four older princes also sought to extend an olive branch.
Nie Yang neither refused nor confirmed any proposals, merely working steadily at his assigned duties.
With his role in the Hanlin Academy, Nie Yang found more opportunities to meet with the Crown Prince. As they were of similar ages, they found more topics to discuss than with others, occasionally able to share a few words. Through their interactions, Nie Yang gained a deeper understanding of the Crown Prince’s precarious situation.
His situation wasn’t optimistic.
With the Yuan Empress’s death, her family was under continued pressure, and the four older brothers were tightening their grip; the Emperor’s attitude towards the Crown Prince grew increasingly ambiguous… In such a besieged position, it would be enough to drive anyone mad, let alone this Crown Prince.
Nie Yang waited for the Crown Prince to reach out to him but found no response even after half a year.
Unable to wait any longer, he took the initiative to hint at issues facing Nie Qing’s faction.
The Crown Prince looked confused, then smiled gently, “I heard that Zong Yi has continuously rejected the four elder brothers’ offers. I was curious and guessed that Zong Yi might have other plans, perhaps a dedication to the Emperor… but unexpectedly, Zong Yi favored me instead? In my current circumstances, I fear I would disappoint you.”
The Crown Prince was, after all, the heir; his qualities were outstanding, and to Nie Yang, he seemed almost indistinguishable from his cousin.
If not for the surrounding circumstances reminding him otherwise, Nie Yang might have thought they had returned to their previous life.
Nie Yang felt a stir in his heart, surprised that the Crown Prince was so aware of his own situation.
Given that, why didn’t he try to find a way to save himself?
To Nie Yang, the Crown Prince’s demeanor seemed overly passive lately.
“Your Highness, you are mistaken. You are the Crown Prince, the son of the Yuan Empress, the world’s heir, the rightful successor.” Nie Yang asserted one word at a time, “As long as you maintain your composure and focus on being a ruler, a father, the court, and the people, how could the four princes possibly surpass you?”
This was not passive resistance; this was a strategy of enduring change while remaining unchanged, not contending was itself a form of contention.
Warmth surged through Nie Qing’s heart, and sincerity filled his gaze.
“The Grand Mentor and my grandfather said something similar, but back then… I felt disturbed and couldn’t listen. Hearing you say this, Zong Yi, I feel a different experience.”
When the Crown Prince met his gaze, a certain indescribable familiarity washed over him.
Though he had not frequently interacted with the Hanlin Academy scholar, he instinctively trusted him, as if they were old friends from a previous life.
“If you focus on the power struggle, you fall into a trap,” Nie Yang continued, “You are the heir; it’s your birthright. There’s no need to squabble with the other princes. Why not observe the world, the people, their livelihoods? That is the mindset of an emperor, and I believe… perhaps it is also a lesson from His Majesty to sharpen you. The influence of the maternal family is great now, but one day they may become a hindrance…”
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed, a hint of anger showing.
“Nie Yang, do you know what you’re saying?”
Fomenting discord with the maternal family?
Nie Yang replied, “I know in my heart.”
The Crown Prince retorted, “Then dare you still speak?”
Nie Yang said, “Some things must be said, even if they shouldn’t. I wish to serve Your Highness wholeheartedly; you are the rightful heir, and I naturally must plan for you.”
The Crown Prince was momentarily silenced, but undeniably, Nie Yang’s words cleared the restlessness that had clouded him for years, calming his heart.
“I don’t know why…” The Crown Prince gazed intently at Nie Qing, “I feel like you see something in me.”
Nie Yang’s smile grew a bit awkward as he said, “If I may offend, I have a cousin named ‘Qing’ as well. During last year’s Qionglin banquet, when I heard your name, I couldn’t help but feel… so that’s why I felt especially close to you, Your Highness; I ask for your forgiveness.”
The Crown Prince hadn’t expected that to be the reason. He lifted Nie Yang, who had gone to bow in apology.
“It’s no big deal,” the Crown Prince replied, “Where is your cousin now?”
Nie Yang said, “I made a mistake, and my cousin unfortunately passed away young. Before his demise, he said to me, ‘Our ties have been severed; let’s not meet again on the road to the underworld.’”
Instead of expressing irritation, the Crown Prince grew curious about what Nie Yang could have done to make his cousin speak such harsh words.
“No… it’s not my cousin’s fault. Though I hold no shame in my heart, it was indeed an unpardonable sin against him…”
“Zong Yi, you’re behaving a bit like a girl, crying at such a mention?”
Perhaps feeling more relaxed, the Crown Prince’s attitude towards Nie Yang softened considerably.
Nie Yang then realized, somewhat shocked, that tears streamed down his face; he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, “Actually… I won’t hide it from you, I had a familiar feeling when I first saw you.”
Upon hearing this, Nie Yang’s eyes widened in shock.
Regardless of whether the Crown Prince spoke truthfully or not, Nie Yang decided to place all his chips on him.
As the Emperor grew older, the struggles for power within the court intensified. Riding the winds of turmoil, Nie Yang soared, navigating the path of an official with remarkable speed, akin to riding a rocket, quickly attaining the position of the Emperor’s closest aide, the pinnacle of the civil servants.
Though he enjoyed a good relationship with the Crown Prince, it remained a personal friendship; politically, he didn’t shy away from confrontation, leaving ministers confused and bewildered.
The Crown Prince’s presence still felt muted; his position appeared to tremble precariously, while the old Emperor showed no signs of deciding to retain or dispose of him.
Nie Yang wasn’t in a hurry; the pressing matters weighed more on the four older princes.
With a sneer, Nie Yang observed, secretly devising strategies to push the Crown Prince’s elder brother, who held military power, into making foolish decisions, leading to accusations… well, one couldn’t exactly say accusations, for this eldest prince did harbor ambitions; Nie Yang merely made those ambitions manifest.
As for the second prince, overseeing the imperial examinations, Nie Yang exposed a significant cheating scandal that year, successfully bringing him down.
The third prince, son of the favored concubine, held weight in both the harem and the former court; Nie Yang targeted the maternal clan associated with the concubine.
In this world, there are no skeletons left unfound; there are no noble families entirely unblemished.
The fourth prince was more straightforward; Nie Yang, an Oscar-worthy actor in a sense, could easily recognize the depth of the seemingly passive fourth prince, who actually harbored many schemes. Like against a similar adversary, Nie Yang showed no mercy. Within mere years, he managed to bring down all the princes. He cleared the path for political enemies, while the Crown Prince Nie Qing tidied up the loose ends, ensuring the old Emperor remained unaware.
After two years, the old Emperor abdicated to the Crown Prince, stirring great shock across the court, leaving Nie Yang dazed.
Just before ascending the throne, the old Emperor shot him a meaningful glance, while the Crown Prince asked Nie Qing what his aspirations for the future might be.
Nie Yang pondered for a long time.
“Firstly, a position at the pinnacle of government service.”
“Secondly, confronting my cousin in the underworld.”
“He said we would not meet again on this road to the underworld, but I must see him once.”
Nie Yang met the Crown Prince’s gaze coolly and said, “Whether he acknowledges it or not, what I owe him, I will repay.”
The Crown Prince chuckled softly, “What if he does not recognize you?”
“I would consider it a debt. Or perhaps…” Nie Yang said slowly, “If he does not recognize me, I will entangle him in the next life.”
