Chapter 699: Chapter 694, Chapter 695: First Encounter with "Guo Xian

Xiangyang, main hall of Prince Wei’s Mansion.

Even though the maid asked them to sit and wait, saying the Prince would be here soon, both Guo Ning and Lin Zhong were still extremely nervous.

Although Guo Ning had previously mentioned casually that they could directly visit to see King Wei, now that they were here, they couldn’t help but feel anxious, wondering what to say when they met him.

Lin Zhong felt much the same, but more than that, he was excited. He hadn’t expected that King Wei would actually agree to see them. When they came, they were prepared to be refused.

"My lord."

With the voice of the maid sounding from outside the hall, and hearing the footsteps, the two quickly adjusted their appearance, stood up straight, and when a figure appeared outside the hall, they instantly bent down, cupped their hands, and greeted: "Greetings... King Wei."

However, what they didn’t expect was that the one who entered first was the same maid who had served them tea earlier. The maid entered first only to pour tea for Chen Mo, and seeing this scene rendered her quite embarrassed, with her face turning red, she whispered, "The Prince is behind."

Then she quickly went to the head of the hall to pour hot tea.

Guo Ning and Lin Zhong looked back awkwardly, and just when they were calming their nerves, the actual host walked in from outside the hall, startling them into another hurried greeting:

"Student Guo Ning/Lin Zhong greets... greets King... King Wei."

Both were so nervous that their speech was disjointed. They exchanged glances and wished they could find a hole to hide in.

Chen Mo chuckled lightly at this: "Why so nervous? I won’t eat you. Sit down."

"Being in the presence of the Prince, it is inevitable to feel nervous inside as students," Guo Ning said.

"...Yes... yes," Lin Zhong echoed.

"What? Do I look scary, making you nervous?" Chen Mo joked, noting that their ages seemed similar to his own.

The two were shocked, and Guo Ning hastily said, "No... not scary at all. You, my lord, are majestic and handsome, an extraordinary talent, not frightening in the least."

"The Prince is both talented and handsome, astonishingly brilliant," Lin Zhong added.

"You can tell they’re scholars; even their compliments sound better," Chen Mo smiled lightly.

"My lord, we are speaking the truth, not flattering," Guo Ning quickly explained, fearing that Chen Mo might think of him as a sycophant.

"Just joking, no need to stand, take a seat," Chen Mo said as he moved to the head seat, sat down, took a sip of tea, and then asked, "You two came to me for something?"

"The Prince has petitioned the Court to restore the examination system and hold exams in Qing, Yu, Lin, and Huai Four States. For us, we must salute you as disciples," Guo Ning said, rising to bow again to Chen Mo at the head seat.

Lin Zhong somewhat struggled to keep up with Guo Ning’s pace, and only after Guo Ning finished his bow did he belatedly rise and bow.

"Seeking to become disciples?" Chen Mo set down his teacup, scrutinizing the two.

Lin Zhong bowed his hands and said, "The Prince has restored the examination system, fulfilling the wishes of scholars everywhere, and has also granted us official positions. We must accept this ceremony."

"Although the treacherous rebels in the court have been removed, the country still struggles to recover and people’s lives are in distress. From the Capital to here, I’ve seen bandits rampant everywhere, oppressing commoners. To bring true peace to the land, I rely on you," Chen Mo said.

"Your words, my lord, we will remember," Guo Ning and Lin Zhong exchanged a look, gravely affirming.

Chen Mo turned his gaze to Lin Zhong and said, "When I was in the Capital, Chancellor Geng spoke highly of you, especially praising your essays. I hope that once you assume your post in Lu’an County, you can fulfill what you promised in your papers and not betray the trust of me and Chancellor Geng."

Hearing this, Lin Zhong felt greatly encouraged. He nodded to Chen Mo, resolving to achieve significant accomplishments in his future posting.

After exchanging a few more polite words, Guo Ning said, "My lord, the students take their leave."

Lin Zhong bowed along.

"Wait," Chen Mo got up, came over, took out two envelopes from his chest, and handed them to the two, saying, "I cannot let you receive the ceremony for free, here are some principles for being a person and an official, for you."

"Thank you, my lord. The students take their leave." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

...

Leaving the Prince’s Mansion, Guo Ning and Lin Zhong let out a sigh of relief. The latter said, "I was so nervous just now, but I found King Wei quite amiable, not as fearsome as the rumors say."

"To set your mind on the heavens and earth, to establish life for people, to continue the teaching of the sages, to bring peace for all generations, is my life’s wish, and I hope you remember it," Guo Ning read from the letter Chen Mo had given him, stunned, feeling a deep sensation of transcendence.

He turned back to look at Prince Wei’s Mansion, the young man with a smile in his mind seemed almost sage-like in his eyes.

"To set your mind on the heavens and earth, to establish life for people, to continue the teaching of the sages, to bring peace for all generations," Lin Zhong’s envelope contained the same message. Though the number of words was few, light as a feather, each weighed heavily on Lin Zhong’s heart, filling him with deep respect for Chen Mo.

He turned and bowed towards Prince Wei’s Mansion, then cupped his hands towards Guo Ning and said, "Brother Guo, though I planned to depart tomorrow, knowing the Prince’s wish makes me feel like I can’t waste time. I plan to go pack and head to Cangzhou, and bid you farewell in advance."