The Reticent Blade

Chapter 108 - Teacher and Student

After hearing the news, Su Yi hurriedly ran from the inner courtyard of the Hanlin Academy without stopping.

Upon arriving at the outer hall, he saw the highest-ranking official of the Hanlin Academy, Chief Cao, conversing with a eunuch dressed in a luxurious crane robe.

Chief Cao appeared quite respectful, while the eunuch smiled slightly, seeming a bit distracted, occasionally glancing toward the inner courtyard as if he had been anticipating something for a long time.

As Su Yi approached, he was taken aback. He had not recognized the Crown Prince before, as he had never seen him, but the person who had come today was someone he had seen many times. Wasn’t this the Eunuch Yue, who stood beside the dragon throne during every imperial court session?

Looking more closely, Su Yi realized the situation was quite serious. In addition to Chief Cao and Eunuch Yue, there was a complete honor guard of sixteen men behind them, all dressed in armor and carrying swords who stood perfectly still without making a sound.

So many people? What kind of imperial edict could this be? Could it be that he would be executed on the spot after receiving the imperial edict?

Su Yi felt a surge of anxiety and hesitated as he approached.

Before his thoughts could fully form in his mind, Eunuch Yue, who had been watching, spotted him.

"Oh! Scholar Su, over here!" Eunuch Yue ignored Chief Cao who stood beside him and waved to Su Yi from afar. "Scholar Su, come over here quickly!"

Feeling a wave of dread, Su Yi steeled himself and walked over.

"Thank you for your patience, Eunuch Yue." Su Yi approached and bowed respectfully. "I, Su Yi, have come to receive the imperial edict."

Eunuch Yue exclaimed and quickly supported Su Yi’s arm, lifting him up. "Scholar, you are a precious top scholar. Please, there is no need for such formalities. I am merely a eunuch and cannot bear such a bow from you."

Su Yi internally smiled bitterly, thinking that Eunuch Yue was reproaching him for his earlier words.

Su Yi straightened up, and Eunuch Yue also became solemn.

Eunuch Yue waved his ceremonial duster, straightened his attire and, pulled out a bright yellow imperial edict from his wide sleeves, and read aloud, "Hanlin Scholar Su Yi, prepare to receive the decree..."

Su Yi slowly knelt down. "I am ready."

Chief Cao followed suit and knelt down, as did the honor guard behind Eunuch Yue.

Eunuch Yue took a deep breath and declared loudly, "By heavenly mandate, the emperor decrees Hanlin Scholar Su Yi, a talented scholar and outstanding writer, whose character and actions are commendable, is to be rewarded to exemplify his modest virtue. He is hereby appointed as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, to assist the Crown Prince in his studies and impart virtue to him. Thus it is decreed."

Wait... What? What? Su Yi was completely floored while kneeling on the ground! Had he misheard?

"Scholar Su, will you not receive the decree?" Eunuch Yue’s voice rang out from above.

Su Yi finally came to his senses and quickly raised his head. "I... I shall receive the decree... Long live the Emperor!"

After speaking, Su Yi stood up from the ground, not bothering to dust off his clothing. He quickly took the imperial edict from Eunuch Yue’s hands and carefully read it, missing not a single word.

"Scholar Su..." Eunuch Yue smiled as he looked at Su Yi, then quickly covered his mouth, saying, "Oh, no, no, I misspoke. I should be calling you Grand Tutor Su now. Grand Tutor, please don’t blame this old servant for—"

Su Yi quickly waved his hand. "Not at all, Eunuch Yue is overthinking things."

At this time, Chief Cao also approached, smiling and cupping his hands to Su Yi. "Congratulations, Grand Tutor Su! How wonderful, how wonderful! Although the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince does not have real power, it is still a high rank. Grand Tutor Su, I hope to receive your guidance in the future."

Su Yi also cupped his hands. "I have often received care from you in the Hanlin Academy, and I will remember it in my heart."

As the three spoke, Eunuch Yue suddenly turned and took something from a person behind him.

Su Yi was instantly stunned upon seeing the object.

"Grand Tutor Su, this is... a gift from the Emperor to you," Eunuch Yue handed over the object in his hand.

Su Yi received it with both hands before he examined it.

It was a ruler, a bright golden ruler.

Eunuch Yue continued, "Regarding what happened... the Emperor is fully aware of everything. He said that only someone with your disposition, Grand Tutor Su, can nurture a truly wise ruler...

"This is also the reason for your appointment as Grand Tutor... Hehe, the Emperor’s judgment has always been impeccable."

Su Yi opened his mouth but was momentarily speechless.

"Hehe... Grand Tutor Su, look." Eunuch Yue stepped aside to make way. "The Crown Prince is over there."

Looking in that direction, Su Yi noticed that little Chen Xun was standing not far away, hiding behind a guard, appearing somewhat timid.

Previously, Su Yi had been completely preoccupied with his fears of execution, so he hadn’t looked closely, which was why he only noticed the slight Crown Prince now.

Though the ruler issued by the Emperor had not warmed up in his hands yet, Su Yi already felt assured. He clearly understood the Emperor's intentions.

"Chen Xun, come here." Su Yi's had not changed into his official robes yet since a guard was still holding onto them, but his expression had already turned stern.

Little Chen Xun had already felt some fear from afar, and when Su Yi called out to him, he jumped in surprise.

If Su Yi was clear about the Emperor's intentions, then Chen Xun was even more aware of what his father was thinking.

He had run back to the palace to complain, but his father scolded him after the truth was uncovered.

His father praised Su Yi highly and directly instructed him to heed his teachings and not to disobey him.

Thus little Chen Xun knew he was in trouble, he was helpless in front of his new Grand Tutor.

Chen Xun twisted and turned, taking forever to approach. Su Yi's brow furrowed again. "A gentleman walks boldly in the world. What are you doing? Hurry up and come over!"

Little Chen Xun pouted and hurried over reluctantly, calling out, "Mr. Su..."

"Give me your hand..." Su Yi held the ruler in one hand and placed the other behind his back.

Chen Xun lowered his head, sniffled, and slowly extended his little hand.

Smack!

The sound was crisp and clear.

A red mark instantly appeared on the chubby little hand. Little Chen Xun winced in pain, quickly pulling back his hand, and rubbing it behind his back.

"Lift your head," Su Yi said in a deep voice.

Little Chen Xun slowly raised his head to look at the tall man in front of him, tears welling in his eyes.

"Straighten your chest," Su Yi instructed.

Little Chen Xun straightened his posture.

"This is your punishment because you fought with your classmates, disregarding friendship. Chen Xun, do you understand your mistake?"

"I understand, I understand my mistake," Chen Xun replied in a small voice.

Su Yi nodded and said, "Give me your hand."

Chen Xun pouted again, looking like he was about to cry, but he still slowly extended his hand... this time, it was the other hand.

Su Yi raised the hand holding the ruler, ready to bring it down.

"Ah, Su, Grand Tutor Su." Eunuch Yue suddenly grasped Su Yi’s arm. Su Yi turned, puzzled, and heard Eunuch Yue whisper in his ear, "Grand Tutor Su, I know it’s not appropriate to say this, but... please go easy on him."

Su Yi nodded, noncommittally.

Smack!

Another crisp sound rang out, leaving another red mark.

"This punishment is because you destroyed a book, which is a serious crime! Chen Xun, do you understand your mistake?" Su Yi’s face was expressionless as if he hadn’t heard Eunuch Yue’s earlier words.

"I... I made a mistake..." Little Chen Xun’s eyes were filled with tears, but he still held his head high, stubbornly preventing the tears from falling.

Eunuch Yue looked at Chen Xun’s pitiful appearance, sighing repeatedly.

"Give me your hand," Su Yi said again.

Chen Xun sniffled but still extended the hand he had initially given. A clear red mark was visible on his chubby palm.

Su Yi raised his hand again, and Eunuch Yue said softly from the side, reminding Su Yi. "Go easy, go easy—"

Smack!

Another red welt appeared on the chubby palm.

"This final strike is to punish you for being disrespectful and not understanding the importance of respecting teachers. Do you understand?" Su Yi looked down at the stubborn child before him.

Chen Xun’s tears flowed without him realizing, leaving clear tracks on his small face. However, he no longer stuttered. He took a deep breath, looking at the unyielding scholar in front of him, and replied, "I understand my mistake."

In the outer hall of the Hanlin Academy, the cold wind blew down a few petals of the winter plum, ruffling the scholar’s dust-stained robe and tousling the Crown Prince’s black hair.

The scholar looked down at the Crown Prince, standing tall and straight. The Crown Prince looked up at the scholar, his eyes filled with stubbornness.

As the end of the year approached, the two individuals thus became acquainted with one another.