66 The Fish That Jumped Across The Sea I (1/2)

There were seven words written on the budpaper made in Xuanzhou in an unrestrained manner: ”The Fish that Jumped Across the Sea.”

Looking at the scroll on the stand, there should be a second sentence to this writing. However, for unknown reasons, the author had stopped after writing the first line, leaving the word ”Sea” incomplete, the underlying reluctance evident.

These seven words were written in a way that showed the strictness and magnanimity of the author. It would be considered a good piece of writing if it was written by any ordinary folk. However, Ning Que felt that it wasn't anything worth a second look, especially since he had just had feasted on the works of great scholars before him. He felt that the seven words were really bad and even though he guessed that it was written by the emperor, he would not change his mind about it being a lackluster piece.

An idea struck Ning Que as he thought that he had come to the palace as a calligrapher. If his calligraphy skill impresses the emperor, he would have no worries for the rest of his life. He could become a servant of the court with a fancy title and would not even be called up to serve.

An angry voice floated towards the Imperial Study as he was thinking. The voice was strong and seemed to be exceptionally violent. He could only catch certain words spoken when the voice sounded at its most irate.

”Imbeciles!… Imbeciles!…. A bunch of imbeciles!”

The derogatory remark rang sharp and clear in the air like a war cry.

Ning Que stood in the Imperial Study, unsure of what to do. He gradually fell into a trance after hearing the voice that sounded as if it had descended from the heavens. He felt that it sounded familiar and wondered which manager it was, for he sounded slightly coquettish while cursing.

The Palace of Tang Empire was a great solemn place. Not even the highest-ranking eunuch manager would dare scold in such a loud volume. Besides, the angry voice had come from within the Palace of Counsel.

Ning Que was unaware of the architecture within the palace. He did not know that the security in the area was very tight. The Palace of Counsel was near to the Imperial Study, which was why he could hear the numerous counts of imbeciles while others could not.

…

…

There were motifs of the Panlong, an aquatic dragon carved into the pillars of the Palace of Counsel. There were images of heavenly maidens scattering flowers embroidered on the curtains. On the left of the royal couch sat a beautiful woman dressed in the clothes of royalty. She appeared to be in her thirties. Her features were sharp but gentle and she looked charming. Her slightly plump lips were tightly pursed, giving her an air of determination. Based on the phoenix on her headdress, she must be the Empress of Tang.

On the right of the royal couch sat a girl of 16 or 17. Her eyelids were hooded as her slender fingers performed the art of tea brewing. Her clear features along with her quiet performance afforded her an air of grace. Her face had lost its tan from her time in the frontiers. This was the fourth Princess of the Tang, Lee Yu.

Between the empress and the princess sat a middle-aged man. His hair was braided behind his head and he had on a loose robe. His voice was gentle but imperious. On the occasion where he mentioned the word, his tone would raise like a cloud meeting the mountains. It rang across the entire palace.