Director Liu’s study had a strong smell of ink, mixed with a scent of medicinal herbs, and a hint of the musty odor emitted by damp paper.

This study was smaller than Teacher Zhou’s, but the sense of oppression it gave off was ten times stronger.

There were no calligraphy scrolls, no potted plants.

All four walls were bookshelves, crammed full of books. Those books weren’t haphazardly placed; they were neatly arranged and categorized according to the classics, histories, philosophers, and literary collections.

Behind the desk sat a man.

The man appeared to be around fifty, with a lean figure, wearing a somewhat old dark blue robe. His face resembled mountain rock that had been hacked by axes and knives—the lines were rigid, and his nasolabial folds were deep.

The most striking feature was his eyes. They were like the eyes of a hawk, deeply set, yet the pupils shone with a startling brightness.

He was the Vice Director of the Imperial College, Liu Wenyuan.

Su Ming dared not be negligent. He stepped forward three paces, took out the wax-sealed secret letter from Zhou Wenhai from his bosom, and respectfully presented it with both hands.

“Student Su Ming, following the orders of my teacher Zhou Wenhai, has come specially to pay respects to Lord Liu. This is a personal letter from my teacher.”

Director Liu’s gaze fell upon the letter, especially on the dark red, intricately patterned wax seal. His eyes seemed to freeze for an instant.

Then, he reached out and took the letter.

He did not tell Su Ming to rise, nor did he offer any pleasantries.

He simply sat there quietly, using a small paper knife to carefully pry open the wax seal.

He unfolded the letter paper, his eyes sweeping over the handwriting on it.

Throughout the entire process, the only sound in the study was the faint rustling of the letter paper being unfolded.

Su Ming maintained his bowing posture, motionless, his breathing steady.

Director Liu read the letter at a measured pace, his face devoid of any expression.

Finally, he finished reading the last word. Slowly, he refolded the letter paper along its original creases, but instead of putting it back into the envelope, he simply placed it by his hand.

Only then did he lift his eyes and direct his gaze back at Su Ming, who was still standing bowed.

Su Ming dared not be negligent, stepped forward three paces, and bowed.

“Student Su Ming, paying respects to Lord Liu.”

Director Liu grunted in acknowledgment, but did not tell him to rise, nor did he offer any pleasantries.

He simply sat there quietly, using those sharp eyes of his to scrutinize Su Ming inch by inch.

The air seemed to solidify.

Su Ming maintained his bowing posture, motionless, his breathing steady.

He could feel that gaze dissecting everything about him.

His attire, his demeanor, the rhythm of his breathing, every subtle twitch of his muscles.

“Rise.” Director Liu’s voice, like the man himself, was dry, cold, and devoid of any emotion.

“Thank you, Lord.” Su Ming straightened up, still keeping his eyes lowered, not daring to meet his gaze.

Director Liu pointed to a wooden stool in front of the desk. “Sit.”

Su Ming complied, sitting only on the edge of the stool, his back ramrod straight.

“I’ve read Wenhai’s letter.” Director Liu got straight to the point, his voice betraying neither joy nor anger. “In his letter, he holds very high expectations for you.”

He paused, and those hawk-like eyes fell upon Su Ming once more.

“Now that you’ve entered the Hanlin Academy, how does it feel?”

Su Ming quickly organized his thoughts in his mind, while his face showed just the right amount of a young man’s apprehension and restraint upon first entering the officialdom.

“Replying to Lord Liu, this student… this student is doing well in all respects.”

He didn’t directly answer “how does it feel,” but first set a tone.

“The Hanlin Academy is a place of pure prestige. The seniors within the academy are all great scholars. This student feels only the shallowness of his own knowledge while being there daily, and dares not slack off, adhering only to the words ‘diligence and earnestness’.”

“Reader Guo, taking pity on this student’s unstable foundation, specifically ordered this student to copy the ‘Da Xing Compendium’ as a form of tempering. This student copies books every day; though it is tedious, it is also greatly beneficial.”

He paused, as if somewhat reluctant to speak.

“However… most of my colleagues in the academy come from prominent families. This student, from a humble background… cannot converse with them. But this student keeps in mind the teachings of my teacher and Lord Liu: observe more, listen more, speak less, and act cautiously. So far, no one has given me a hard time.”

This speech contained a huge amount of information.

He mentioned being punished to copy books, mentioned being isolated, but his tone was calm, without a trace of complaint or bitterness—he was merely stating a fact.

Finally, he cleverly drew Director Liu into it as well, pointing out that he had been “keeping in mind the teachings.”

This response both revealed his own situation and demonstrated a level of forbearance and steadiness beyond his years.

“Hmph.”

A cold snort came from Director Liu’s nose, filled with undisguised contempt.

“Copying books? Guo Huan is left with only these petty, unsightly methods.”

His opening words made Su Ming’s heart jolt.

Guo Huan—Reader Guo’s name.

Director Liu addressed him by his name directly, clearly not placing him in his eyes at all.

“They are leaving you out in the cold not to destroy you.” Director Liu picked up a cup of tea on the table that had long gone cold and took a sip. The tea must have been extremely bitter, yet his expression didn’t change. “They want to see if you are ‘usable’ and ‘controllable’.”

He put down the teacup, his gaze becoming even sharper.

“As for Guo Huan,” the corner of Director Liu’s mouth curled into a mocking arc, “the person behind him is the Transmission Commissioner, Li Wen. Li Wen isn’t particularly capable, but he is best at guessing the emperor’s intentions.”

Transmission Commissioner, Li Wen!

This name was like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the fog before Su Ming’s eyes.

He instantly understood that the harassment he faced from the Hanlin Academy Reader was not a personal grudge, but came from instructions at a higher level.

“This student… is obtuse.” Su Ming lowered his head even further.

“You’re not obtuse; you’re just in the middle of the game and can’t see clearly.” Director Liu stood up and walked to the window.

With his back to Su Ming, he looked at the parasol tree in the courtyard, his voice becoming somewhat distant.

“Do you know how your Second Class, tenth-place ranking came about?”

Su Ming’s heart constricted violently.

“This student does not know, I only thought it was by chance.”

“By chance?” Director Liu slowly turned around. A bone-chilling coldness flashed in those hawk-like eyes. “In this world, there aren’t that many chances. That wasn’t solely the intention of Minister Wang. It was someone adding another subtle stroke to your teacher’s old case from years ago!”

The old case!

The framing case triggered years ago by Teacher Zhou Wenhai’s “Memorial on Rectifying Canal Transport Malpractices”!

“They lifted you high and placed you in the Hanlin Academy, a position everyone is watching, precisely to see everyone’s reaction,” Director Liu walked step by step back to the desk, each step seeming to land on the beat of Su Ming’s heart.

“To see if those who received favors from your teacher in the past, or those who shared his ideals, would make any unusual moves because of your appearance.”

“To see how the Yongchang Marquis Manor would deal with you, the ‘disciple of their enemy’.”

He leaned forward, placing both hands on the desk, his eyes blazing like torches, staring fixedly at Su Ming.

“They want to see even more whether Zhou Wenhai’s disciple will become a second Zhou Wenhai trying to shake the great tree, or…”

“A knife that, after being honed, becomes sharper and more obedient!”

The study fell into dead silence.

Su Ming only felt it difficult to breathe. The bitter taste of the medicinal herbs seemed to have drilled into his lungs, making his internal organs feel chilled.

The waters of the capital were deeper and murkier than what his teacher had said!

He wasn’t a chess piece.

He was bait!

Used to see just how many unwilling fish were still hiding beneath this stagnant pond!

“Thank you… Lord Liu for your guidance.” Su Ming’s voice was terribly dry.

Director Liu sat back in his chair, his expression returning to its previous cold hardness, as if the earth-shattering words he had just spoken were merely about some trivial matter.

He picked up the teacup and blew on the nonexistent tea leaves on the surface.

“In the Hanlin Academy, scholarship is the surface; stance is the core. Before you have the ability to overturn the chessboard, be a good chess piece and stay put.”

“What you hide is not only your edge, but also your ‘teacher’s legacy’.”

“Remember, the three words ‘Zhou Wenhai’—in the capital, sometimes they are a protective talisman, but more often, they are a death warrant.”

These words were both a warning and a final piece of advice.

Su Ming stood up and bowed deeply to Director Liu once more.

“This student has been enlightened.”

This time, his bow came from genuine awe and gratitude.

Director Liu said nothing more, merely waving his hand to indicate that Su Ming could leave.

Su Ming knew that today’s meeting had come to an end.

He took out the gift wrapped in blue cloth from his bosom and respectfully placed it on a corner of the desk.

“This student is new here and has prepared a humble gift. It is nothing much, but I hope you will accept it.”

Director Liu’s gaze swept casually over the cloth-wrapped package, and he nodded.

Su Ming performed a bow and turned to leave.

Walking out of the black-lacquered wooden door of the Liu residence, Su Ming felt a layer of sticky cold sweat on his back.

The wind in the capital in October already carried a chill. Blowing against his face, it felt like being scraped by a soft knife.

He didn’t leave immediately. He just stood at the mouth of the alley, looking back at the mansion that appeared even more desolate in the morning light.

Bait.

These two words were like two red-hot iron nails, brutally hammered into his mind.

He had originally thought he was a chess piece, passively awaiting the fate of being placed on the board. Now he understood that he didn’t even have the qualification to be on the chessboard. He was merely bait thrown into murky waters, his purpose to stir up the winds and clouds, to lure the snakes out of their holes.

“Master, I…” Su Ming spoke in his heart, his voice somewhat tight.

Lin Yu, unusually, did not immediately mock him. He remained silent for a moment.

“Disciple, don’t panic.” His voice was very calm. “Fear solves nothing. What you need to do now is to figure out how to be this bait.”

Lin Yu’s soul body paced within the ring space.

What kind of mess is this! These political players, their hearts are all dirty! One careless move, and my precious disciple won’t even have bone fragments left!

“They see you as bait because you appear weak, tempting, and without any poisonous sting.” Lin Yu’s analysis was as calm as solving a math problem. “Then we’ll just go along with their wishes.”

“We’ll be the perfect bait. Bait that appears completely non-threatening, even a bit foolish and clumsy, that everyone wants to take a bite of.”

Su Ming’s footsteps started moving again, merging into the flow of people on the street.

Lin Yu continued, “From today on, in the Hanlin Academy, you are that Su the Dullard who only knows how to copy books and is slow-witted.”

“Bait can also devour its master.” A hint of a chilling coldness entered Lin Yu’s voice. “But that’s for later. Right now, your task is only one—survive, and see clearly just how many big fish are under the water.”

Su Ming returned to his small courtyard and closed the door.

He didn’t light a lamp, just sat quietly in the darkness for a long time.

Only when the light from outside the window was completely swallowed by the night did he let out a long sigh. The trace of panic and shock in his eyes was replaced by a deeper calm.

Who is the prey is not yet certain.

…

Days passed one after another. Su Ming’s life seemed to have been pressed onto a repeat playback button by an invisible hand.

Copy books, finish duty, return to the courtyard.

Three points, one line, as monotonous as a cup of overnight plain water.

The copies of the “Da Xing Compendium” he had made were already piled half a person high. That neat, rigid Hanlin-style handwriting became his only calling card in the Wenyuan Pavilion.

Qian Bin and the others had long since grown tired of bothering him.

Su Ming enjoyed the peace. Like an inconspicuous patch of moss, he silently absorbed nutrients in the outermost corner of the Hanlin Academy’s massive machinery.

Until the first snow of early winter fell, and the atmosphere in the capital suddenly grew tense.

An urgent military report delivered by express courier was like a massive rock thrown into the deep waters of the court.

In the northern border garrison, the Heirong tribe had invaded the border. Three military forts were besieged, the defending generals had died in battle, and the border army had suffered a minor setback!

The news spread throughout the capital’s streets and alleys overnight as if it had grown wings.

The serene scent of ink in the Wenyuan Pavilion was also diluted by an anxious, impending-storm atmosphere.

Even those old Hanlin scholars who usually only buried their heads in ancient texts began to gather in twos and threes, discussing in low voices.

“These Heirong barbarians are going too far!”

“I heard the one leading the troops this time is the Heirong’s newly ascended ‘Wolf Lord,’ exceptionally fierce and brave.”

“Hmph, fierce and brave? They’re just taking advantage of our northern border’s troop rotation and lax military preparedness! The Yongchang Marquis has already submitted a memorial, requesting to lead troops on an expedition. He’s determined to beat these barbarians back to their homeland!”

Qian Bin’s voice sounded particularly loud in the hall. He spoke passionately, as if he himself were the general about to head to the front lines.

“Our Great Xing soldiers are ready and waiting. How can we allow these northern barbarians to run wild at the border! This battle must be fought, and fought decisively!”

His words drew agreement from a few young compilers.

Su Ming still sat in the corner, the tip of his pen moving at a steady pace on the paper, emitting a faint rustling sound, as if everything outside had nothing to do with him.

Qian Bin’s gaze swept over him, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

He strode over to Su Ming’s desk and knocked on the tabletop with his knuckles.

“Compiler Su.”

Su Ming looked up, his face wearing that trademark slightly bewildered expression. “Brother Qian, what guidance do you have?”

“Guidance is not for me to give.” Qian Bin smiled a thin, insincere smile. “I just wanted to ask, with the northern border war situation like this, do you feel even a ripple in your heart while copying these old papers all day?”

Su Ming put down his pen, his expression turning serious.

He stood up and actually bowed with clasped hands to Qian Bin.

“Brother Qian’s admonishment is correct.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a tone of “earnestness.” “This student is insignificant and knows nothing about military and state affairs. I only hope to finish copying the compendium soon to contribute my meager strength to the court. I dare not recklessly discuss border war matters, lest I engage in empty talk and become a laughingstock.”

The bellyful of sarcasm Qian Bin had prepared was once again deflected by this soft punch.

Looking at Su Ming’s “sincere” face, he felt like he was arguing with a fool. It was utterly pointless.

“Hmph, rotten wood!”

He spat out these two words, flicked his sleeve, and left.

The surrounding gazes also shifted away from Su Ming.

A bookworm who only knew how to copy books really wasn’t worth wasting words on.

Su Ming sat back down and continued copying.

However, no one saw that within his lowered eyes, there was a demeanor as still as an ancient well.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep