Chapter 958 - 353: The State Preceptor’s Root Bone, the Celestial Master’s Comprehension (Double-Length - )

Lei Jun sat in the main seat, calmly watching Crown Prince Zhang Hui play the zither.

After Zhang Hui stopped, Lei Jun began to speak, "Your Highness’s attainments in music surpass even the masters of Suzhou, truly admirable."

With no attendants present, Zhang Hui himself put away the ancient zither and smiled, "I am skilled but not refined, it’s a jest to the Celestial Master."

Compared to calligraphy and painting, his musical ability can indeed be considered average.

However, that’s because his painting is extraordinary.

The Qingzhou Ye Clan is known for its painting, yet few can overshadow him now.

The other two listeners on the side applauded, "Your Highness is too modest."

Zhang Hui smiled, "Qingyan might comfort me with some words, but Mr. Yongshan’s praise I will take seriously."

Opposite him, Mr. Yongshan Fang Yue said calmly but earnestly, "Your Highness has considerable attainments in the art of music."

Beside him, Meng Shaojie smiled, "Your Highness, my words earlier were equally heartfelt."

Zhang Hui smiled, "In the presence of the Celestial Master, and Mr. Yongshan who is an expert, Qingyan should not exalt me further."

Fang Yue said, "I dare not accept such honor, but during the Dragon Tiger Mountain’s grand ceremony, I could not attend due to personal matters. Today, visiting the Celestial Master, allow me to play a tune to express my sentiment."

Lei Jun replied, "Curator Fang, you’re too kind, I dare not accept such respect. Today, I gladly steal a moment of auditory pleasure, thank you in advance."

Fang Yue said, "How could I dare."

As he spoke, he took out a bamboo flute that appeared plain.

Crown Prince Zhang Hui applauded and laughed, "I’ve used a brick to attract jade, it worked."

Fang Yue nodded to Lei Jun, Zhang Hui, and Meng Shaojie, then began to play the bamboo flute.

He was an Eight Heavenly Layer Great Scholar from the Confucian Chanting Sect, already at the Exiting Divine Realm.

At this moment, without deliberately invoking the surrounding Global Spiritual Qi, he created a wondrous scene before Lei Jun and the others, altering the surroundings as if they were amidst green mountains and clear waters.

When Fang Yue paused, the lingering melody seemed to continuously reverberate, visibly transforming the landscape into a lasting tapestry of mountains and rivers, making it feel like entering an Immortal Realm.

"I haven’t played for a long time; fortunately, I’m not rusty, and don’t disgrace myself," Fang Yue said while putting away the bamboo flute.

In recent years, he’s been busy with the affairs of the Scholarly Mansion, indeed playing instruments less frequently.

However, with his cultivation level now, everything is akin to Tao, even after a long hiatus, he can handle it effortlessly and isn’t rusty.

"The various scholarly mansions are flourishing, Curator Fang managing them alone with such dedication is truly admirable," Lei Jun said.

In recent years, as the scholarly mansions in Luoyang, Chang’an, and Jianye gradually found footing, Fang Yue, under the Empress’s orders, has begun establishing the fourth and potentially more future mansions.

"As the scholars gradually increase in the mansions, I’ve found it relaxingly light these past few years," Fang Yue nodded toward Meng Shaojie.

He is now one of the iconic figures of the scholarly mansion.

Just three years ago, Meng Shaojie successfully cultivated to the Seventh Layer of Heaven Realm.

This was the first Upper Three Heavens Great Scholar nurtured by the Great Tang Academy.

To this day, Meng Shaojie is only 46 years old, not yet fifty, with a bright future ahead.

This comes even with his previous years of stagnant cultivation.

Once enlightened, he rapidly soared up.

What makes Xiao Chunhui and Fang Yue even more gratified is that, other than Meng Shaojie, new talents gradually emerge within the mansion.

"Ling Hui and Song Hang, although still at Middle Three Heavens cultivation, possess great potential," Fang Yue earnestly said.

Lei Jun replied, "Thanks to Her Majesty and Mister Xiao and Fang’s years of dedication, this flourishing scene is achieved."

Crown Prince Zhang Hui also sighed, "Reflecting on those days in the mansion listening to the lectures as if it was yesterday, today the mansion continues to expand, which is indeed delightful."

Fang Yue looked at Lei Jun, "The scholarly mansion intends to establish a new one in the Xiao Xiang Region and Yuelu area, hoping the Celestial Master and Dragon Tiger Mountain won’t mind."

Lei Jun replied, "I am pleased to see it succeed; setting it in Yuzhang is no problem."

Fang Yue said, "The hospitality of Prince Zhang cannot be refused; if the literary flourishing of the Xiao Xiang Region succeeds, then Southern Wildernes and Qianzhou would benefit, and if the Celestial Master and Dragon Tiger Mountain provide comprehensive support, it would be even better."

After further discussion, Lei Jun looked at Meng Shaojie, "I’ve heard Young Scholar Meng intends to travel away from the capital?"

Meng Shaojie said, "While reading myriad books, one should also travel myriad miles, hence I intend to journey abroad, studying inscriptions and documents to enhance my knowledge."

Having achieved the Seventh Heavenly Layer realm, he took a unique path, perusing many historical texts and consolidating and correcting them, supported by vast collections from Xiao Chunhui, the mansion, Crown Prince Zhang Hui, and Fang Yue.

Thus, despite years spent studying indoors, his accumulation continued to deepen.

However, as his cultivation progressed, Meng Shaojie’s path of practice started expanding continuously.

"I truly envy Qingyan," Zhang Hui looked at Meng Shaojie and sighed with a smile.

Meng Shaojie said, "Should I journey out, I’ll pay attention to collecting prior artworks and musical scores for Your Highness in hopes of fruitful returns."

Zhang Hui laughed, "That would be wonderful, awaiting your good news."

As time passed, the three bade farewell.

After Lei Jun sent them off, he calmly did his evening prayers.

During his time in Luoyang, visitors were constantly streaming.

Lei Jun typically received them in a normal manner.

When acquaintances like Meng Shaojie visited, he’d chat a bit more.

However, people like that were limited.

Shen Qubing and he happened to miss each other, as Shen Qubing went to the Northwest Guanlong area, following Grand General Shangguan Yunbo’s orders, thoroughly sweeping the remnants of the Solitary Eagle Khanate’s recent invasion.

Xiao Xueting recently retreated for cultivation.

Chu Yu had come to visit once.

As a favored figure at the court, her every move garnered much attention.

But at present, there was no serious problem.

The imperial court finally announced the appointment of former Heavenly Master Master Tang as the State Preceptor for the Great Tang Protectorate.

The matter is significant, and ritual preparations need to be made in advance, so the appointment ceremony is scheduled for the New Year’s Day in January, celebrating with the nation.