Chapter 269: Blocking the Way

Chapter 269: Blocking the Way

The group of youths blocking the way was led by someone familiar to Xin You—Zhang Xu.

During the recent summons to the palace, Xin You had encountered the Senior Grand Secretary and that person discussing matters privately twice, indicating the importance that person placed on the Senior Grand Secretary.

During this period, in terms of actual power, the Senior Grand Secretary was still not as influential as the Six Ministers. However, a cabinet minister who frequently engaged in secret talks with the Emperor naturally held an increasingly high status among officials and nobles.

Having met the grandfather, and now seeing the grandson, Xin You's attitude towards Zhang Xu underwent a subtle change.

Maybe she could put up with his childishness a bit more?

"So, you are Xin Dai Zhao?" Zhang Xu held a fan in one hand, looking Xin You up and down.

"Yes. You—"

Zhang Xu straightened up instinctively, waiting for her to ask about his identity.

"Are you trying to rob me?" Xin You asked calmly.

He coughed violently, then angrily retorted, "Don't talk nonsense! Who's robbing you? Since you are Xin Dai Zhao, then we've found the right person. Tell me, why did you impersonate Songling?"

It was the end of the workday, and the commotion attracted many officials who stopped to listen, listening intently.

"Why aren't you speaking?" Zhang Xu asked coldly.

His companions chimed in with laughter, "He’s probably too ashamed to speak! Impersonating Songling, claiming Songling's great works as his own, and using that to enter the Hanlin Academy—he must have run out of shame long ago, how could he still have the face to speak?"

"Well said!" A young man among the onlookers shouted.

The young man was a newly minted scholar who had just entered the Hanlin Academy for further study. After over a decade of arduous study, he had squeezed across the narrow bridge into the sacred hall that many scholars could only dream of entering in their lifetimes. At the height of his pride and glory, he found someone who had easily entered the same place by borrowing a famous name. How could he not be angry, not feel insulted?

Forget about being the late Empress’s adopted son; the late Empress had left the palace many years ago, and whether her coffin could be buried in the imperial mausoleum under the title of Empress was still uncertain.

Even if the Emperor protected him, it was worth noting that the century-old aristocratic families still looked down on this Emperor of humble origins. In some distant parts of the country, people even sang mocking folk songs about the Emperor.

Simply put, it was hard to shut everyone up, and even the Emperor could not kill everyone who spoke ill of him.

The young man was not far from the painting official, who couldn’t hold back any longer, "We're all in the same office, how can you act like this?"

The young man sneered, "I’m ashamed to be in the same room as you!"

Zhang Xu looked towards the noisy area, somewhat confused.

"What’s happening? Weren’t we the ones arguing with this fraud? Why is someone else stealing the spotlight?"

The poetry official and a few others hurriedly pulled the painting official aside. Once they were at a distance, the poetry official whispered, "Painting Official, why are you defending Xin Dai Zhao?"

The painting official angrily replied, "I can’t stand hearing these people talk nonsense!"

The poetry official turned and pulled the divination official over, "Brother Divination, check if Brother Painting’s been cursed or something!"

The others didn't pay attention to the painting official and his group, focusing entirely on Zhang Xu and Xin You.

"Step aside, please," Xin You said indifferently.

"Aren’t you going to explain yourself before you leave?"

"What does this gentleman want me to say? About Songling?" At the mention of Songling, Xin You noticed that Zhang Xu and the other youths became even more agitated.

They truly are defending Mr. Songling.

This realization left Xin You feeling somewhat wistful.

She hadn’t been the least bit upset by the rumor, and now she was even more composed: "May I ask, who is the author of *The Painted Skin*?"

"Of course, it was Mr. Songling," the youths replied in unison.

"And what about *Journey to the West*?"

"Naturally, it was also Mr. Songling. Why are you wasting time with such pointless questions?" Zhang Xu, facing the imposter of Mr. Songling, looked impatient.

Xin You remained calm and composed: "Then do you know Mr. Songling’s real name?"

"Mr. Songling’s name is—" Zhang Xu paused, stumped by the question.

Xin You then asked the other youths: "Do any of you know?"

The youths exchanged glances and shook their heads.

Xin You smiled: "You see, the world doesn’t know Mr. Songling’s real name, and my name is Xin Mu. How can I be impersonating Mr. Songling?"

Hmm, that does seem reasonable.

Zhang Xu frowned.

This isn’t right; she’s leading us in circles.

"But everyone thinks you’re Mr. Songling. Isn’t that still impersonation?" Zhang Xu retorted.

Xin You calmly asked: "Do those present here believe I am Mr. Songling?"

Those who heard instinctively shook their heads.

Of course not—otherwise, why would they be so disdainful?

"His Majesty granted me the title of Dai Zhao not because I am Mr. Songling, but because I remembered his stories and spread them. This Dai Zhao isn’t about writing books but about storytelling. Do you still find this inappropriate?"

Zhang Xu opened his mouth but found no words to refute.

One youth, still unconvinced, retorted: "Then how does a mere storyteller qualify to join the Imperial Academy?"

Is writing books rare, but storytelling commonplace?

Xin You looked at the questioning youth and smiled gently: "I see you’re all dressed as students of the Imperial Academy. Did you gain admission through exceptional talent or family connections?"

At this, the youths’ faces turned red.

Why does he always hit a nerve!

Some who heard this pondered, while others grew even more disdainful.

In truth, everyone knew Xin Dai Zhao’s admission to the Imperial Academy wasn’t due to Songling’s reputation but his status as the late Empress’s adopted son.

But how could such a blunt truth be spoken aloud?

"Please step aside, sir."

Hearing this, Zhang Xu instinctively moved aside and noticed many people behind him changing their expressions.

"The Jinlin Guard!"

A squad of Jinlin Guards strode forward, led by a man in crimson robes and a long saber, his cold, handsome face as smooth and pale as jade—none other than the renowned He Qingxiao, North Town Envoy of the Jinlin Guard.

Xin You watched as He Qingxiao approached, their gazes meeting briefly before his icy gaze fixed on Zhang Xu.

Zhang Xu frowned, "What do you think you're doing—"

"Arrest those causing a disturbance in front of the Six Ministries," He Qingxiao coldly ordered before Zhang Xu could finish.

"Yes."

A squad of Jinlin Guards moved in, restraining Zhang Xu and his companions.

Zhang Xu's face twisted in shock, "He, what are you doing? My grandfather is the Senior Grand Secretary!"

He Qingxiao looked at him expressionlessly, "Rest assured, if your grandfather is uninvolved, he won’t be arrested either."

With that, He Qingxiao gave Xin You a slight nod, turned, and left, paying no heed to Zhang Xu's furious curses as he was hauled away.

In an instant, the troublemakers were all hauled off, leaving the onlookers gaping in disbelief.

Have the Jinlin Guards lost their minds, arresting people so brazenly?

Xin You turned, and the nearby officials recoiled in fear.

Don’t mess with her!

Xin You frowned, deep in thought as she walked: What is Lord He’s true motive behind such a public arrest?

Once she was gone, the stunned officials finally snapped out of it, and someone shouted in outrage, "How is the Jinlin Guard’s conduct any better than that of wild beasts!"