"Lord Lin, I know this might be improper, but since I am back in the capital, it would be best for my younger brother to be disciplined by me," Xiao said.
Lin Qingge ignored Ye Shengxiao, who was constantly winking at her. She brushed off the remnants and debris from her hands and stood up, cupping her fists in a bow.
"Let it be as General Xiao suggests."
Xiao Zhanbei, who had been prepared for an exorbitant demand, was slightly taken aback. He cupped his fists again.
"Lord Lin, your kindness is deeply appreciated. Should you ever have a request, I will do my utmost to fulfill it!"
"General Xiao is too kind. It was but a small favor, hardly worth mentioning."
It wasn't that Lin Qingge was intimidated by the presence of the Great Xia's God of War, but rather that the Xiao family's unwavering loyalty and their sacrifices for the nation were reasons enough for her not to refuse.
Moreover, she felt that Ye Shengxiao would suffer far more from being disciplined by the Great Xia's God of War than from her own methods.
Alas.
She wondered if she would ever see Ye Shengxiao alive again after this parting.
Ye Shengxiao, sensing a peculiar look in his Lord's eyes, still wanted to resist.
But in the next moment, his vulnerable nape was grabbed by the calloused hand of his long-lost elder brother.
"Lord Lin, I have some urgent family matters to attend to. I will trouble you to receive the envoy from Khitan on my behalf."
"Easily done, easily done."
Lin Qingge waved her hand and personally walked to the door to see the two Xiao brothers off.
With the crisis averted and their lives saved, the Khitan Emperor and the Cavalry General breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Lord Lin turn around with a smile that sent shivers down their spines.
"Your Majesty, General, how about a 'Luxury Seven-Day Capital Tour Group'?"
As the Khitan Kingdom had not yet recovered from its defeat, the financially strapped Khitan Emperor only paid for the tour group for himself and the Cavalry General.
As for the other escorts, they refused to return to the Marquis of Protectorate's manor, so Lord Lin kindly took them in, and they all stayed at the Lin manor.
After all, with the recent influx of people at the Lin manor, there was a need for someone to handle the cleaning and washing.
Meanwhile, the delegation from Chile, having finished lunch, expressed their admiration for the Great Xia's long history and rich cultural heritage, and wished to observe the lives of its 'scholars and literati' and how they typically studied.
Lin Qingge thought for a moment and immediately set her sights on the Hanlin Academy.
On the way, she had asked Lin Yan, who was also from the Hanlin Academy, and he had mentioned that most of the scholars from the same cohort as his elder brother had already left the academy.
Furthermore, as she was now the Prefect, it was understandable if she appeared aloof or distant.
However, the tutors at the academy could not be neglected.
As Lin Qingge noted down the characteristics of the Hanlin Academy tutors based on Lin Yan's descriptions, the group had already arrived at the academy entrance.
This group, comprised of kings and princes, briefly explained their purpose, and the head of the academy, the venerable Master Ouyang Xiu, personally came out to greet them.
"I am Ouyang Xiu. Greetings, Lord Lin."
Lin Qingge quickly stepped forward to support the elder who was about to bow, "Dean Ouyang, please do not demean yourself.
As a former student of the academy, I am considered your disciple in a way. I cannot possibly accept such a profound bow."
Hearing Lin Qingge's words, Dean Ouyang Xiu's expression filled with a mix of relief and a smile.
"I received a letter from Elder Su a few days ago, in which he praised you profusely. Initially, I was skeptical.
Now, it seems Elder Su truly has a discerning eye."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Dean Ouyang Xiu personally invited Prince Andre and the others into the academy.
"Besides academics, our Hanlin Academy also teaches the Six Arts of a Gentleman, namely 'Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics.'
If my memory serves me correctly, Lin Yan, you are the second person in the history of our Hanlin Academy to achieve excellence in all Six Arts.
Lord Lin, you are also commendable; aside from being less adept at archery due to physical reasons, you excel in the other five arts."
Lin Qingge, who had not expected her nominal elder brother to be so accomplished, twitched her lips. However, she felt a pang of concern at the mention of 'physical reasons.'
Was her nominal elder brother's health so poor?
He was somewhat frail, but surely not so much that he couldn't ride a horse?
At least, during the few days she had interacted with him, she hadn't noticed anything unusual.
Meanwhile.
Lin Yan, whose name had been called, stepped forward and cupped his hands in a bow.
"I am honored that Dean Ouyang remembers me.
However, why have I never heard of anyone else who achieved excellence in all Six Arts besides myself?"
Dean Ouyang Xiu stroked his gray beard and recalled.
"It is understandable that you have not heard of him. That person achieved full marks during the academy's transfer examination.
Because of this, he found the academy's curriculum too simple and did not enroll."
Full marks here is equivalent to a perfect score.
The Hanlin Academy is already the premier institution in Great Xia, so achieving full marks here is exceptionally rare.
Lin Qingge, curious about this formidable individual, could not help but press further.
"Dean Ouyang, who is this remarkable person?
Could it be His Majesty, or the highly talented Prime Minister Feng, who achieved the top position at such a young age?"
"No, no. His Majesty is tutored personally by Elder Su and would not condescend to enroll in the academy.
As for Prime Minister Feng, he was raised by the Empress Dowager from a young age. I wished to take him into the academy, but Prime Minister Feng is self-taught and we elders have no role to play.
However, that person is also of noble status. He is the only son of the late Grand Princess, inheriting not only his father's dashing looks but also the Grand Princess's intelligence and wit.
He left the capital years ago for certain reasons, which is why you have not witnessed the demeanor of that Young Lord.
With the knowledge and literary talent of the three of you, it would be an understatement to say you would feel like you'd met your match, even if you stayed up all night talking."
Dashing looks?
Left the capital years ago?
Why did these keywords sound somewhat familiar to Lin Qingge?
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from afar.
"Thief! You're a thief!"
"Yes, I saw you acting suspiciously this morning. Brother Sun's lost inkstone must have been taken by you!"
"Hmph, a country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin, always coveting other people's possessions!"
Dean Ouyang Xiu, surprised by the students causing a disturbance at such a crucial moment, quickly strode over and reprimanded them sternly.
"You few, instead of focusing on your studies, you are making such a ruckus. What kind of conduct is this?"
"Dean Ouyang, it is not the students causing trouble, but someone who has clearly not learned the teachings of the sages and is engaging in petty theft within this sacred hall!"
Lin Qingge then strode into the room and saw several students surrounding another student dressed in the Hanlin Academy uniform, pointing at him with excitement and disdain.
Unexpectedly, the surrounded student was someone she recognized.