At this moment.
Imperial Capital, Longleaf Mountain.
This was a vast and towering mountain, covered entirely in maidenhair trees(a kind of tree).
Autumn had arrived, and the yellowing leaves drifted on the mountain breeze, dancing wildly in mid-air before settling on the ground—a truly beautiful scene.
Imperial Preceptor Min Youguo, having relinquished his power in the Imperial Capital, walked clad in simple cloth robes atop the carpet of ginkgo leaves.
He was a man who could wield power that shook the court and the commonalty, yet could also find leisurely contentment amidst the mountains and wilds.
Min Youguo strolled forward.
"This Longleaf Mountain was bestowed upon this old man by His Majesty.
His Majesty said that this Longleaf Mountain is just like me; the maidenhair trees(a kind of tree) within the mountain possess long lives, standing tall and unbowed no matter how great the wind and rain.
He need only look at Longleaf Mountain to know that the years are peaceful outside its borders.
Even when autumn arrives and the leaves fall, the coming year will see this place teeming with vibrant life once more."
Behind Min Youguo, Li Chang'an, who had come from Azure Cloud, and Li Yuanshang, the Head of the Merchant Branch Family, followed respectfully.
"Chang'an, what do you think His Majesty meant by that?" Min Youguo asked without turning his head.
Li Chang'an replied without hesitation, "Chang'an does not know what His Majesty meant.
However, I venture to guess that the Lord Imperial Preceptor wishes to reassure my Li clan: the Lord Imperial Preceptor cannot fall, and as long as the Lord Imperial Preceptor remains, the Azure Dynasty will not fall either.
But Lord Imperial Preceptor, please also be at ease—if anyone truly believes they can make an enemy of you, they are merely seeking their own death."
Hearing this, Min Youguo's footsteps paused.
He cast a deep look at Li Chang'an—a look of profound meaning, as if he were looking at someone who knew his innermost thoughts perfectly.
Then, he shook his head and continued walking.
Min Youguo's voice was calm.
"Your Li clan has quite the appetite, seeking a marriage alliance with my Min family.
Li Yuanshang, Head of the Merchant Li Branch Family—your Li Clan Chamber of Commerce has only been established for a dozen years or so. Aren't you afraid that by borrowing my Min family's power, you'll gorge yourselves to death?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the fat man Li Yuanshang, following beside Li Chang'an, instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
He furiously wiped the sweat from his forehead and cried out his grievances:
"Lord Imperial Preceptor, I am wrongly accused! It's... isn't it just that my brat Jianguo passed by your family's Grotto-Heaven and Blessed Land while on a business trip and got to know a woman from your clan? But... your clan's patriarch didn't agree and looked down on my kid."
The corner of Min Youguo's mouth twitched.
Li Yuanshang was sweating profusely.
He had met many powerful nobles, but it was his first time meeting someone like the Imperial Preceptor, and he couldn't help but panic, spouting nonsense.
"What could I do? That stinky brat really isn't anything good; he cried, made a scene, and threatened to hang himself, giving me no peace.
I truly had no choice, so I went to find the Min Clan Head myself, but before I even reached the Grotto-Heaven, he had people throw me out."
"Hmph! Who doesn't have an elder of their own?"
The more he spoke, the more the flesh on Li Yuanshang's face trembled. Losing all fear, he simply ran right up to the Imperial Preceptor.
"I beg you, Lord Imperial Preceptor! That brat is making such a fuss that my wife is about to divorce me over it.
I went home and knelt for a month, begging everyone under the sun, before the clan elders finally agreed to help me out.
Please help me, otherwise... otherwise I'll come and kneel here on your Longleaf Mountain!"
"..."
Min Youguo sidestepped with a face full of utter disgust, while Li Chang'an was seen holding his forehead in his hand.
After a long while, Li Chang'an finally spoke.
"Lord Imperial Preceptor said just now that Longleaf Mountain is like Your Lordship: as long as Longleaf Mountain stands, the Imperial Dynasty stands.
But there are always some who are complacent and arrogant, wanting to test that.
The Lord Imperial Preceptor is busy, and the fallen leaves of Longleaf Mountain need someone to sweep them up.
What does the Lord Imperial Preceptor say?"
"Go."
Min Youguo gave a faint chuckle and waved his hand to Li Chang'an. But catching a glimpse of Li Yuanshang still blocking his path, his face darkened.
"Take your family's junior away at once."
"Lord Imperial Preceptor? Lord Imperial Preceptor? Don't! I've only just met you; I've finally seen a living Imperial Preceptor... Eh?
Don't pull me, the Lord Imperial Preceptor hasn't agreed yet!"
Li Chang'an dragged Li Yuanshang away.
It wasn't until they reached the Imperial Capital Chamber of Commerce that Li Yuanshang straightened his messy clothes.
Grinning, he bowed to Li Chang'an, showing none of the recklessness he had displayed on Longleaf Mountain just moments before.
"Thank you, Great-Great-Grandfather. It seems Jianguo's marriage is settled."
"Mm." Li Chang'an smiled too. "You didn't learn a shred of refined elegance from Zhiheng or Xinnian, but this Imperial Capital has certainly turned you into a slick fellow."
"Hehe." Li Yuanshang scratched his head.
Li Chang'an waved his hand. "Now that the Imperial Preceptor has seen your nature as a shameless scoundrel who pesters relentlessly, in the future, even if you borrow the influence of the Min family, he won't find it abnormal.
He will simply think that this is exactly the sort of thing you would do, and he won't bother with it."
"A gentleman is most unwilling to entangle himself with street ruffians." Li Yuanshang shrugged.
"The Lord Imperial Preceptor is a true gentleman.
I am a businessman; since Jianguo is going to marry a daughter of the Min family, we have to get some extra benefits out of it. Otherwise, wouldn't we be losing out big time?"
After speaking, Li Yuanshang looked puzzled.
"By the way, Great-Great-Grandfather, you and the Lord Imperial Preceptor spoke about the matter of Longleaf Mountain... why couldn't this child understand it?"
"This is a game of chess between the Lord Imperial Preceptor and Crown Prince Sheng, and it is also an exchange of moves between our Li clan and the Zhao clan."
Li Chang'an shook his head and smiled. "However, it seems that they have all chosen the wrong opponents."