The Imperial Palace, Royal Garden.
Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie sat by the lakeside as if in deep meditation, each holding a fishing rod.
However, it was only the third month, with ice and snow just beginning to melt. Catching a fish here... was no different from relying on sheer luck.
When Song Yu and the others hurried over, this was the "harmonious" scene that greeted them.
Song Yu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Were these two old men getting along so well?
"Your Highness, Princess, Young Master Shen."
The disciple of Wu Qi spoke softly, startling the group.
"What's the situation with my father and Lord Ye?" Shen Qingping asked. He simply couldn't believe his father could coexist peacefully with Ye Shijie.
The young eunuch sighed silently in his heart. Remembering his master's instructions, he looked at Song Yu:
"Your Highness, Master Wu Qi instructed that you should temporarily avoid appearing before the two lords."
"Why?" Although Song Yu's words posed a question, his feet obediently took several steps back, putting more distance between himself and Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie.
It's wise to heed good advice.
"The two lords were arguing fiercely over who is Your Highness's true teacher, even demanding His Majesty to judge. His Majesty then decreed that the two lords should come here to fish and could only enter the Zichen Hall for an audience after catching a fish."
Hearing the young eunuch's words, the three of them simultaneously twitched the corners of their mouths.
Both old men were figures of great renown, so why were they out fishing in the third month?
"However... judging by Lord Shen and Lord Ye's current demeanor, they do seem to be getting along relatively harmoniously. We probably needn't worry."
Song Shihuan took another look before finally speaking.
Grandfather certainly has his methods.
Song Yu and Shen Qingping both nodded upon hearing this. Such matters were best left untouched.
Better to avoid getting involved and suffering the consequences.
......
"When I was guiding His Highness, you didn't even know which cold, forgotten corner you were sitting in."
"I was personally appointed by His Majesty as His Highness's teacher back then. Where was Lord Shen at that time?"
If Song Yu and the others had taken just a couple more steps forward, they would have surely detected the underlying currents beneath the seemingly calm surface.
The two old men remained motionless in posture, but their lips never stopped moving!
"Old Ye, I find you exceedingly thick-skinned. Why don't you mention how you were once so angered by His Highness that you spat blood? His Highness simply has no master-disciple fate with you."
"Your face isn't thin either! You knew His Highness's identity all along yet didn't tell me, making a fool of me."
The two engaged in a war of words, their verbal sparring flying back and forth.
"Ye Shijie, His Highness will undoubtedly acknowledge me as his teacher."
“Shen Mingwen, His Highness's entire journey through the imperial examinations cannot be separated from my involvement. My chances are greater.”
"Then let His Majesty be the judge."
"Fine."
The two old men snorted coldly in unison.
So what if it's fishing?
A piece of cake.
Elsewhere, Song Yu took Song Shihuan for a leisurely stroll around the palace for a couple of rounds before finally heading towards the Zichen Hall.
Along the way, Song Yu vividly described how everyone's jaws dropped during the daytime palace audience for the top scholars, causing Song Shihuan to burst into laughter.
Just as the father and daughter were about to reach the Zichen Hall, the smile on Song Shihuan's face suddenly froze.
"Isn't that Grand Tutor Shen and Lord Ye?"
Song Yu followed Song Shihuan's gaze and saw Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie, each holding a fish, standing outside the Zichen Hall.
Strange. When they saw them earlier, neither had caught a fish.
How did they both catch one so quickly?
"Father, perhaps we should return to the Qin Prince's Mansion first?"
"A-Huan makes a good point."
The thirty-six stratagems... the best is to flee...
......
Inside the hall.
"I hear commotion outside. It must be Yu'er. Wu Qi, go quickly and summon him in."
Emperor Yuanyou was growing impatient, eager to see his top scholar son immediately.
But the next moment, he saw two old men glaring at each other like fighting cocks.
"Why is it you two?"
Emperor Yuanyou was greatly disappointed.
The next instant, Emperor Yuanyou frowned. "Didn't I say you could only seek an audience after catching a fish?"
"Your Majesty, I have caught one," Shen Mingwen hastily spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I have also caught one," Ye Shijie raised his fishing net to show.
Emperor Yuanyou was dumbfounded.
He had sent people to clear the lake in the Royal Garden in advance, ensuring not a single fish could be caught.
Where did these two fish magically appear from?
"I beg Your Majesty to grant me justice. Ever since I learned of His Highness's aspirations, I have meticulously planned for him, enabling His Highness to smoothly participate in the imperial examinations. I have also guided His Highness in his studies, devoting all my efforts. I ask myself in all conscience, I am worthy of being His Highness's teacher."
Shen Mingwen spoke while wiping away tears, sniffling with every sentence.
Emperor Yuanyou instinctively closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight.
Even the third son of the Shen family never behaved like this.
Ye Shijie was at least more restrained.
Before Emperor Yuanyou could finish praising Ye Shijie in his mind, he saw Ye Shijie step forward and kneel directly:
"Your Majesty, I also beg you to grant me justice."
“Back then, I already recognized His Highness's great talent. It was merely heaven that delayed arranging our master-discourse fate. I have witnessed His Highness progress from the county-level exam to becoming the top scholar, grading countless of His Highness's practice papers, and serving as His Highness's chief examiner on multiple occasions. According to etiquette and law, I am His Highness's true teacher.”
"Ye Shijie, you speak nothing but sophistry."
"Shen Mingwen, you utter complete nonsense."
The two faced off like angry roosters, neither yielding to the other.
"Silence."
Emperor Yuanyou spoke while massaging his temples. "It's just the title of a teacher. Is there any law stating a person can only have one teacher?"
"This..."
Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie were embarrassed. A person could indeed have two teachers, but the position of Imperial Tutor... could only go to one person.
They couldn't very well say it directly.
Seeing the two men's faces turn red with anxiety, Emperor Yuanyou pretended not to notice and played the mediator:
"Enough. Both of you are Yu'er's teachers."
A quarter of an hour later, the two men left the Zichen Hall looking disheveled and crestfallen.
They glared at each other.
Who would ultimately secure the position of Imperial Tutor was still uncertain. The outcome was undecided; either could still be the winner!
......
"The two lords remain utterly unconvinced by each other. When they left the palace, there was a great distance between them."
Hearing Wu Qi's words, Emperor Yuanyou couldn't help but laugh.
"These two... their tempers are equally stubborn."
Emperor Yuanyou continued, "Now that these two are gone, go summon Yu'er and A-Huan."
Emperor Yuanyou didn't need to think to know the father and daughter were hiding.
Half an hour later, Song Yu and Song Shihuan appeared cheerfully before Emperor Yuanyou.
"Father, have you settled those two old men?"
No sooner had he spoken than Emperor Yuanyou shot him a glare.
Did this rascal also call his emperor father an old man outside?
Emperor Yuanyou snorted coldly before speaking, "I sent them away."
Song Yu gave Emperor Yuanyou a thumbs-up.
A few moments later, Emperor Yuanyou addressed Song Yu and Song Shihuan:
"Come and take a look. How is this edict appointing the Crown Prince that I have written?"
