Chapter 778: 314. Elder Lei’s Imperial Capital Dragon Tour (10,000-Character Grand Chapter)_3

Master Lei could only lament that what Ye Cheng had given him were mostly Spiritual Objects that assisted in cultivation. If he could choose for himself, he would have much preferred Ye Cheng to give him Spiritual Objects passed down from the Confucian Classical Studies of the Qingzhou Ye Clan, like calligraphy or paintings. This way, he could further ponder and study the nuances of the Qingzhou Ye Clan’s family learning. He had already thoroughly scrutinized what he had obtained from Ye Ming... Alas, Brother Ye Jifeng was not considerate!

After leaving the grand mansion of the Qingzhou Ye Clan in Luoyang City, Lei Jun returned to Lianyun Temple.

He had attended many similar banquets these past few days, all open and above board, involving various parties. This trip was primarily about making appearances and familiarizing himself with people; there was no need to consider taking sides.

When Lei Jun returned to Lianyun Temple tonight, someone had personally come to visit and had been waiting for him for some time.

His fellow disciple, Lin Shixiong, was attending to Lei Jun’s guests.

"Lin Shixiong," Lei Jun greeted Lin Shan with a nod and then turned to the two visitors.

They appeared to be two young scholars judging by their attire. One of them was none other than Meng Shaojie, and the other young man was clearly the current Crown Prince, Zhang Hui.

"Your Highness honors me by coming in person. Please forgive my lack of courtesy," Lei Jun said as he approached.

Crown Prince Zhang Hui smiled and shook his head repeatedly. "It is I who have come unannounced. Please, Elder Lei, do not take offense."

Meng Shaojie, who seemed much more composed than before, performed the courtesies with great respect and said, "Elder Lei, I apologize for the disturbance."

After exchanging greetings, Lei Jun invited the two to sit down and asked Lin Shan to remain and keep them company.

Listening to their conversation, Lei Jun understood what Xiao Chunhui had mentioned. Meng Shaojie had previously been engrossed in his studies, a period akin to when cultivators of other Taoist Heritages enter deep seclusion. He had only emerged today.

He had not forgotten how, back on Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lei Jun had helped him overcome the calamity of the Balance of Motion and Stillness, nor Lei Jun’s initial encouragement. Now that Lei Jun had arrived in the Imperial Capital, Meng Shaojie had come to pay his respects. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

It so happened that Meng had just finished his seclusion. Crown Prince Zhang Hui had intended to meet with him to reminisce. Upon hearing that Meng Shaojie planned to visit Lei Jun, the Crown Prince decided to accompany him.

As time went by, Zhang Hui’s excursions out of the palace had become less frequent. Fortunately, the Empress had returned to Luoyang, allowing Zhang Hui to relinquish his duties as Regent, and his movements were now less restricted than before.

Of course, this trip out of the palace to visit Elder Lei of the Celestial Master Mansion also had to be reported and recorded in the palace records. Though he was visiting in disguise, officials from the Eastern Palace still accompanied him. They were currently being entertained in Lianyun Temple, awaiting the Crown Prince’s return.

"Your Highness governed ably as Regent, stabilizing the court and allowing Her Majesty to be free of worries. This is truly a blessing for the people," Lei Jun said calmly.

Zhang Hui replied, "Over these years, I have felt as if I were walking on thin ice, constantly fearing that a single misstep could disrupt the court order. Thankfully, the Imperial Aunt has been strategizing from behind the scenes, and with esteemed individuals like Elder Lei supporting the state, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief now that the Imperial Aunt has returned to the capital."

He looked towards Meng Shaojie at his side and smiled. "Composing poetry and painting are more to my taste. I was just discussing with Qingyan how my brushwork has become quite rusty over these past few years."

Meng Shaojie said apologetically, "It is this subject’s dullness and inadequacy; I am unable to help ease Your Highness’s burdens concerning matters of the Imperial Court."

Zhang Hui shook his head repeatedly. "Nonsense. You are diligently pursuing your studies and achieving great things; I couldn’t be more pleased."

Lei Jun also took the moment to appraise Meng Shaojie. "After many years, Young Scholar Meng," he observed, "through your studies and Qi Cultivating, you have indeed made significant progress."

Although Lei Jun had guided and even aided Meng Shaojie through the Celestial Book’s Dark Universe, he couldn’t constantly monitor the other party via the Dark Side of the Celestial Book. Therefore, Lei Jun was not entirely clear about the specific details of Meng Shaojie’s cultivation progress over these years. Observing Meng Shaojie now, it was evident that his Cultivation Realm had not only reached the Middle Three Heavens level but was even a bit higher than expected. It seemed Meng had indeed embarked on a path that, while still nascent, was exceptionally suited to him, forging his own distinct way. His remarkable talent was beginning to show.

Lei Jun was actually quite keen to discuss the details of history—a branch of the Confucian Sect’s cultivation path—with Meng. However, this wasn’t urgent. He would be in Luoyang for some time, allowing for gradual exchanges and discussions with Meng Shaojie. Of course, Meng Shaojie was still just starting on this path, with much to explore in the long run. In the eyes of the world, he was still a relative unknown.

Of those visiting Elder Lei this time, the main focus seemed to be on Crown Prince Zhang Hui. Although Zhang Hui visited incognito, the news was not secret, thus drawing attention from many parties.

"The Crown Prince spent a considerable amount of time at Lianyun Temple, returning to the palace only around curfew," said Deputy Minister Shangguan Qing at his residence, conversing with General Lu Zhen of the Divine Strategy Army.

Not long ago, Lei Jun had been invited as a guest to the homes of both Shangguan Qing and Lu Zhen.

Shangguan Qing and Lu Zhen weren’t particularly concerned that Lei Jun had a wide circle of associates and accepted invitations from Chu Lin, Ye Cheng, and others. They certainly wouldn’t suspect that Lei Jun, representing the Celestial Master Mansion, was completely shifting allegiance to align with Confucian families like the Qingzhou Ye Clan and the Suzhou Chu Clan because of it. What Ye Cheng, Chu Lin, and the others sought was merely to temporarily stabilize their relationship with the Celestial Master Mansion, understand Lei Jun’s stance, and gauge the potential changes his becoming the Celestial Master might bring.

However, Crown Prince Zhang Hui personally visiting Lei Jun after leaving the Eastern Palace did capture the attention of Shangguan Qing, Lu Zhen, and others.

"His Highness previously had close contacts with Qingzhou, Suzhou, and Jingxiang," Shangguan Qing remarked. "However, it’s clear he wouldn’t focus on just one side. With the Celestial Master Mansion’s resurgence and its potential to lead the Taoist Sect, His Highness naturally wouldn’t ignore that."

He believed that Qingzhou, Suzhou, and Jingxiang would also be paying close attention to this matter.