73 I Chopped a Mass of Peach Blossom that Spring I (2/2)

Taking notice of his father's pleasant countenance, the fourth princess Lee Yu smiled and said, ”Congratulations, father. All of these talents will be at your liberty.”

Upon hearing those words, the emperor laughed out loud, expressing neither a look of approval nor disapproval.

The empress said nothing but looked up tenderly at her husband. Her eyes were filled with admiration as she touched his hand with her plump right hand approvingly.

Looking at his wife and daughter on each side of him, officials standing on both sides, and promising students who would become useful pillars for the Tang someday, the emperor was filled with satisfaction. All of a sudden, he noticed a person was missing. He frowned and asked one of the officials, ”The Headmaster of the Academy still… doesn't want to come?”

The official bowed and answered with fear in his voice, ”The headmaster believes that the Academy examination was meant for you to choose talents, and it was unnecessary for him to be here. Besides, he is preparing his luggage for his upcoming departure that will be in a few days.”

Something just occurred to the emperor's mind as a penitent expression crossed his face, like a child who did something praiseworthy yet failed to hear praise from his father. He slowly patted the stone banister and said with a sigh, ”I barely remembered that the headmaster will go away earlier than in past years.”

He turned around for a last look at the mountain behind the Academy, which was partly visible in the clouds and mist, and remained silent for a while and then bowed with folded hands in respect.

Some 10 miles from this mountain was a pavilion, in which a monk and a Taoist priest were drinking tea and chatting. It was still early in the morning and no one could comprehend how they could be in such a good mood this early.

The monk was in his 30s, with a calm and composed countenance, and looked like someone who was out of this world. He stared at the crossing lines on the ground for a short while, then looked up in the direction of the mountain and the Academy, and suddenly said, ”I heard that the Headmaster of the Academy is very tall.”

The Taoist priest was usually a dignified and serious person, but today seemed a bit light-hearted and casual. Stretching his hand and snapping his fingers, he answered, ”Yes, very tall indeed.”

”How tall is he?”

”How could a nobody like me know that?”

”You, the Nation Master, don't have a clue?”

”And you're the younger brother of the emperor! Yet you know nothing, just like me?”