Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

"Sir, my drone has detected that Ouyang Xu is attending a banquet with Gao Guancha. Those present are all officials in the court who are close to them. Do you wish to participate?"

After leaving Zhao Pan'er's courtyard, Zhou Feng heard Lin Yin's report through his Bluetooth headset.

He had already given orders that everything that happened around all the characters in the story had to be reported to him.

So when Ouyang Xu and Gao Hu appeared at the same time, Lin Yin spoke up immediately.

After hesitating for a while, Zhou Feng pressed the Bluetooth headset and said, "Continue to observe. If any events occur that differ from those in the original story, then report back."

"yes!"

Although somewhat puzzled, Lin Yin readily agreed.

Zhou Feng boarded the carriage and headed towards his own courtyard. His reason for not seeking out Ouyang Xu was quite simple: the emotional value Ouyang Xu had provided him that day at the Kaifeng government office was already substantial.

Even if he continued to chase after him and cause trouble, or even disrupted a banquet and made Ouyang Xu lose even more face, it wouldn't cause Ouyang Xu much emotional fluctuation.

After all, losing face once or twice in such a short period of time makes little difference; it might even lull Ouyang Xu into a false sense of security.

Instead of chasing after him to kill him, it would be better to do what Gu Qianfan did to Ouyang Xu in the original work and just put pressure on him.

Although Zhou Feng didn't feed Uncle De dog poop, Uncle De's fate was much worse than in the original story.

Most importantly, Zhou Feng believed that the pressure he was putting on Ouyang Xu today was far greater than the pressure Gu Qianfan was putting on him in the original story.

Given this, the likelihood that Ouyang Xu will choose the palace official according to the original plot will definitely become higher.

Give him a couple of days to recover. When he goes to see the emperor with the top two scholars, the emperor will grant him an official position. Then Zhou Feng will appear directly.

When Ouyang Xu learns that he has become Zhou Feng's direct subordinate and is disliked by the Gao family, who are preparing to break off the engagement, the emotional value generated will be maximized.

The idea was certainly good, but something unexpected happened on Ouyang Xu's side, which gave Zhou Feng an extra amount of emotional value for no reason.

At this banquet, Ouyang Xu did not behave as obsequiously and humbled himself to the high-ranking officials in the original story. Instead, he was extremely rude from beginning to end.

The reason why Zhou Feng could feel emotional value was naturally because of him, although it was only indirectly.

Because Jia Changchao, whom I had just met during the day, also appeared at this banquet!

It goes without saying how much face Ouyang Xu lost in the Kaifeng government office. Now he was at the same banquet as Jia Changchao. Even though Jia Changchao didn't mention Ouyang Xu's daytime incident to anyone else, his attention was still focused on him, as if he was afraid that Ouyang Xu would say too much to the officials around him.

This led to Ouyang Xu not only failing to respond immediately when Gao Hu introduced him to other officials, but also appearing as if he had lost his mind, which Gao Hu found extremely rude and disgraceful to the Gao family.

"My lord, I am truly sorry for my poor performance today!"

Following Gao Hu out of the banquet, Ouyang Xu took advantage of the fact that no one was around and bowed deeply, lowering his posture to the lowest level.

Now that Zhao Pan'er has a powerful backer in Tokyo, she has completely broken ties with Uncle De because of what he did before.

Now, in this city of Tokyo, his only support is the Gao family.

Therefore, in front of Gao Hu, he adopted an even more humble posture than before.

Gao Hu looked at Ouyang Xu, and the dissatisfaction on his face instantly intensified.

Although he was somewhat disappointed with Ouyang Xu's poor performance at the banquet today.

But Ouyang Xu was, after all, the son-in-law he had chosen. If he didn't perform well once, he could do better next time.

But now that Ouyang Xu had lowered his stance so much in front of him, Gao Hu was instantly enraged.

"You are the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination, destined for a position in the imperial academy. High-ranking officials value integrity and uprightness, while those who flatter are despised!"

Gao Hu's gaze towards Ouyang Xu was filled with anger: "I brought you to this banquet to teach you about social etiquette, and this is the attitude you've shown!"

Even if he were facing his father-in-law, Gao Hu would not want to see his future son-in-law looking as pathetic as a broken-backed dog.

"Your Excellency is right. I hope you will continue to guide me in the future."

Seeing Ouyang Xu's attitude, Gao Hu could not say anything more. He could only assume that Ouyang Xu was a talented person from a poor family who did not know much about how to be an official. He would teach him slowly in the future.

"Ouyang, once you have met the Emperor and received your official appointment, the Empress in the palace should request an imperial decree to grant you marriage. The wedding will be held on the sixteenth of next month."

Seeing the smug look on Gao Hu's face, Ouyang Xu pursed his lips and unconsciously clenched his fist behind his back.

This is said to be a marriage bestowed by the Empress, but what is the difference between this and a son-in-law marrying into the wife's family?

Although the Gao family girl was very affectionate towards him, her possessiveness was terrifyingly strong in every word and action.

The other party didn't even ask for his opinion on the choice of the wedding date, which shows that they don't value him at all.

However, he dared not disobey Gao Hu and could only force a smile.

Lin Yin pursed her lips as she stared at the images transmitted back from the drone. This guy looked rather pitiful.

Not only did his attempts to curry favor with the powerful and influential result in him losing all his status, but he also attracted the attention of his superiors, who then thoroughly persecuted him.

A scholar who ranked third in the imperial examinations would have had a very high status in ancient times, yet he ended up in such a state.

Despite her sighs, she didn't stop reporting to Zhou Feng: "Boss, Zhao Pan'er has met with Ouyang Xu and issued a warning to him. The eunuch from the palace who was supposed to deliver the decree has also arrived at Ouyang Xu's place. It's not much different from the original plot. He is to enter the palace at 1-3 PM."

"Wei Shi... that's 12 PM, right? Let's prepare tomorrow, and go directly to the official's residence at noon to say goodbye. I need to arrange things at the courtyard house."

"yes!"

Several voices echoed in the earphones at the same time.

After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict, Ouyang Xu sat in his room with an indescribably gloomy expression.

After Uncle De was sent to the clinic, the doctor made a diagnosis, saying that his mobility would probably be affected for the rest of his life.

He was obsequious to Gao Hu outside, and he was obsequious to eunuchs. Today, he was still obsequious to Zhao Pan'er, who had a new patron!

On what grounds?

He was the third-highest scorer in this imperial examination!

With gritted teeth and clenched fists, Ouyang Xu silently vowed that when he met the Emperor tomorrow, he would make a name for himself and win the Emperor's favor.

It wasn't to tell others how amazing he was as the third-ranked scholar, but to make everyone who had bullied him pay the price!

"Greetings, Celestial Master Protector of the Nation!"

Although this was the first time Zhou Feng had come to the palace on his own initiative after receiving the emperor's reward, the guards at the gate recognized him at a glance.

In this era, people without status might need tokens or warrants to enter the palace, but the guards had long since memorized the faces of nobles who were entitled to free access to the palace.

After Zhou Feng became a courtier in the Chonghe Hall, his portrait was already clearly remembered by the imperial guards who guarded the palace.

While Zhou Feng was still heading towards the palace where the emperor was located, the Imperial Guards had already gone to report the situation as quickly as possible.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Zhou Feng watched as several ministers left the hall, and then a eunuch summoned him and led him into the hall.

The emperor's expression was not good at this moment. Zhou Feng did not ask about matters of state, but instead talked directly with the emperor about the contents of the Daoist Canon.

Although his understanding was only superficial, many works on Taoist doctrines have been published since the Song Dynasty.

When the officials asked questions, someone relayed the answers to Zhou Feng in real time via Bluetooth headset, and the two of them answered each other quite well.

Even on many questions concerning Taoist scriptures, Zhou Feng's oral explanations were enlightening and deeply moving for the official.

It wasn't until Ouyang Xu and the others entered the palace that Lin Yin reminded Zhou Feng through his earpiece. Only then did he find an excuse to bow to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, yesterday I received a message from the Immortal Master of Penglai, stating that he summoned me and that I needed to return as soon as possible. Therefore, if Your Majesty summons me in the next few days, I'm afraid I will be unable to respond."

"In the last few days? Does it only take Master Zhou a few days to travel to and from Penglai?"

The officials were not focused on the Immortal Master Penglai, but rather on the speed at which Zhou Feng traveled back and forth.

"Since the immortal master has summoned me, he will naturally have the means to take me back."

Listening to Zhou Feng's words, Zhao Heng's eyes were practically overflowing with envy.

From Tokyo to Penglai, it's more than a thousand miles.

It only takes a few days to make a round trip?

"Your Majesty, the three top-ranking scholars of this year's imperial examination are already waiting outside the palace."

Just as the two were speaking, a eunuch outside whispered a message, and Zhou Feng immediately understood: "Since Your Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs, it is inappropriate for me to participate. I should excuse myself for now."

Zhao Heng hesitated for a few seconds, then gave a wink to the eunuch in the hall, who immediately led Zhou Feng and the other two to wait behind the hall.

Zhao Heng summoned these three top scholars of this year's imperial examination today to prepare for their official appointments. There was nothing confidential or important about it, so Zhou Feng and the other two simply stayed at the back to avoid the situation.

As the eunuch relayed the imperial decree, Ouyang Xu and the other two slowly entered from outside the palace. At this moment, his gaze towards Zhao Heng held a hint of fervor.

As he walked from the palace gate, he once again witnessed the grandeur and magnificence of the imperial palace, and also saw the esteemed status of the Taoist priests within.

So what if you're among the top three in the imperial examinations?

Upon seeing the old Taoist priest, they still had to bow and pay their respects, but he didn't even glance at them!

Then what does all those years of hard study amount to?

Having made up his mind, Ouyang Xu had already forgotten Gao Hu's instructions and only wanted to climb higher.

If he could also obtain the status of a celestial master, would he also gain the favor of the emperor and be granted a palanquin in the palace?

At that time, with this honor bestowed upon him, who would dare to look down on him, whether it be the Gao family, Zhao Pan'er, or the person behind Zhao Pan'er?

As Ouyang Xu was busy making plans, he forgot one thing: in Kaifeng Prefecture, Jia Changchao addressed Zhou Feng as "Master Celestial".

How could a Celestial Master who could use his status to intimidate people in the Kaifeng government office be just an ordinary Taoist priest?

Unfortunately, at this moment, he was completely focused on the government and had no chance to think things through.

Seeing the three top-ranking scholars bow before him, Zhao Heng nodded expressionlessly.

He had just had a fight with Qingliu and was shocked by what Zhou Feng said, so the arrangement of these top three scholars did not cause him any emotional fluctuation.

However, since these three were the top performers in this imperial examination, he still managed a forced smile: "All three of you are well-versed in literature, as I already knew during the examination. Therefore, today I will not ask about your scholarship, but rather what your leisure activities are like?"

"Your humble servant has some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine."

"Your humble servant enjoys playing the zither, playing chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is quite knowledgeable about Go."

After the top two scholars had spoken, Ouyang Xu sighed inwardly and glanced at all the Taoist ritual implements displayed in the hall.

Just now, Zhao Heng was showing off these items to Zhou Feng, but Zhou Feng refuted them one by one, making him lose face.

Originally, they were going to have the eunuchs remove them, but the three of them entered the hall, so they didn't bother to clean up. Inadvertently, this gave Ouyang Xu a sense of reassurance.

"Your Majesty, I have no particular hobbies except for reciting the Three Thousand Daoist scriptures and studying the Huang-Lao philosophy."

In an instant, the expressions of the top two scholars changed. They instinctively wanted to get away from Ouyang Xu, but they were mindful of the gaze of the officials above them and forced themselves to stay away.

However, the look in his eyes was already filled with disdain.

He was clearly a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, yet he didn't join the ranks of the virtuous and upright officials, choosing instead to become a favored official. He has utterly disgraced all scholars!

I am ashamed to associate with him!

Sitting upright on the dragon throne, Zhao Heng was taken aback, a hint of interest piqued: "Then tell me, what is your favorite scripture?"

"Your Majesty, I am most fond of the Great Jade Scripture of the Cavern and the Supreme Mysterious Capital's Wonderful Edition of the Pure Body and Mind Scripture. In addition, I also remember the biography written by Minister Wang when Your Majesty performed the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai."

As Ouyang Xu recited them one by one, a smile appeared on Zhao Heng's face.

He was well aware of the attitudes of his upright officials towards his fondness for Taoism.

Unexpectedly, Ouyang Xu, the third-ranked scholar, took the initiative to study Huang-Lao philosophy, which could also form a bridge between the Taoist temple and Qingliu.

For an official, although he needs to maintain a balance of power in the court, the fact that his subordinates, who are upright and honest, are at odds with his personal interests is also a major source of trouble for him.

With Ouyang Xu's presence, it might be possible to ease tensions between the two sides.

"Not bad, finally a young man who understands the profound principles of Tao has arrived!"

Zhao Heng grew to like Ouyang Xu more and more the more he looked at him.

Although Zhou Feng is not very old, in Zhao Heng's mind, he can no longer be compared with Ouyang Xu's generation!

They are celestial messengers; how can they be compared to mortals in terms of seniority?

"I wish to bestow a plaque upon the newly built Ziji Palace in Xijing and invite Immortal Master Baoyi to be its abbot. However, I am still missing an imperial edict. What do you suggest we draft?"

If Zhao Heng's earlier remarks were an expression of appreciation for Ouyang Xu's speech, then his current question is a test for Ouyang Xu.