sovbooks Chapter 58 The mother-in-law meets her son-in-law and is increasingly pleased with him.
Chapter 58 The mother-in-law meets her son-in-law and is increasingly pleased with him.
Empress Zhangsun took another sip of tea before she felt her face return to normal.
Yang Zhengdao's legendary work coincides with Erlang's plan.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but want to give Yang Zhengdao a few pointers.
"Zhengdao, you've put in a lot of effort this time, but have you considered what those powerful clans would think if this legend were to spread?"
What else can one think?!
Naturally, they harbored murderous intent and wanted to get rid of me as soon as possible.
But I'm doing dirty work for your family, Old Li!
If Su Hongyi can deliver a timeless masterpiece to your desk, I don't believe you don't know about my "fall from my horse" yesterday.
Since you asked, I'll have to pay extra to do this job! And I'll have to pay for insurance too!
Yang Zhengdao's face immediately showed fear: "I had never thought of this. Thank you for reminding me, Your Highness. I will burn the manuscript when I get back. I won't write the remaining two volumes."
"Two more volumes?!" Empress Zhangsun exclaimed in surprise.
"Zhengdao conceived a total of three volumes." Yang Zhengdao didn't mention that the extraordinary book had a full hundred chapters, twenty volumes, and hundreds of thousands of words.
Unfortunately, he only remembered the classic plots and unforgettable details.
After simplifying the process, he could only conceive the idea in three parts: upper, middle, and lower.
Empress Zhangsun realized her slip of the tongue as soon as she spoke.
She subconsciously picked up her teacup again, paused for a moment, and then continued speaking.
"Since your legend uses events to illustrate the harm of not marrying close relatives, then it is a good deed, and it would be a pity to burn it."
"But if..."
"Success is achieved through secrecy, and failure through leaks. Caution is key."
Empress Zhangsun paused for a moment, then said earnestly, "Once you have finished your manuscript, present it to His Majesty and explain your strategy. That would be a great achievement."
Yang Zhengdao felt reassured and quickly bowed in agreement.
Once the matter was settled, Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but recall what Yang Zhengdao had said about the remaining two volumes.
What stories and moods will the last two volumes hold...?
Yang Zhengdao could never have imagined the impact that this timeless masterpiece would have on the people of the Tang Dynasty who had never read the novel.
Seeing that Empress Zhangsun did not ask any more questions, he looked up.
Empress Zhangsun, who was sitting behind the table, seemed to be lost in thought, her cheeks flushed.
I'm going to die! I'm going to die!
If Li Er knew that he had seen Empress Zhangsun with such a shy and alluring expression, he would surely kill him.
Yang Zhengdao immediately lowered his head, keeping his eyes down and not daring to look at him again.
A moment later, Empress Zhangsun suddenly came to her senses and was immediately startled.
Once this legend was born, it was truly a scourge, making people unable to resist its allure.
She glanced at Yang Zhengdao somewhat guiltily, and seeing him sitting upright and proper, she was quite satisfied.
He's a polite young man, though.
If that's the case, we must not let him pick up Li Hui's bad habits. The legend should not be written in such a captivating way... nor so vulgarly.
Empress Zhangsun coughed lightly and said, "But that legend..."
How can I bring this up? I can't exactly say that his legend is written too explicitly, can I?
Doesn't that mean I'm admitting that I've secretly looked at it?
This is truly too embarrassing to talk about.
Empress Zhangsun pondered for a moment, thought of what to say, and then continued speaking.
"The saying goes, 'Highbrow art is like spring wine, while lowbrow art is like folk music.' If Zhengdao wants to write a legendary story, it should naturally be written in a more elegant style. He should not write about vulgar things, otherwise he will fall into a low-class style."
Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengdao breathed a sigh of relief.
Empress Zhangsun's request is really difficult for people.
If he were to forcibly alter that timeless classic, not only would its dissemination be greatly diminished, but he would also find it difficult to tell the story in a way that only those who understand it can truly grasp its essence.
After all, he was just a porter.
Yang Zhengdao gritted his teeth and could only stick to his opinion, giving Empress Zhangsun a lesson on communication studies that everyone in the short video era understands.
Moreover, coincidentally, in the analysis of the perfect score essays in the imperial examination provided by the system, there was an essay from the metropolitan examination that discussed a similar viewpoint.
He immediately put on a grateful expression: "Zhengdao knows that everything Your Highness says is for Zhengdao's good. If it is to sing praises, then naturally we need to use highbrow language, but if it is to warn and awaken people, then we need to use popular language."
Empress Zhangsun frowned slightly.
Yang Zhengdao quickly continued, "The Zuo Zhuan says, 'The words of a gentleman are trustworthy and verifiable; the words of a petty person are presumptuous and without evidence.' Ge Hong also said, 'Praise is scarce while criticism is abundant; accolades are rare while slander is plentiful.' This is what is meant by 'Good deeds don't travel far, but bad deeds travel a thousand miles.'"
"Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast." Empress Zhangsun repeated this unconsciously.
No wonder this young man is so talented. He is not only well-versed in the words of Zuo Zhuan, but also has some knowledge of Daoist miscellaneous works such as Baopuzi. He can even summarize the simple and clear proverb "Good things don't go out the door, but bad things travel a thousand miles".
Thus, he and A-Zhi did indeed get married, which was quite a suitable match.
Unbeknownst to Empress Zhangsun, a gentle smile spread across her face.
When she looked up at Yang Zhengdao again, it was like a mother-in-law meeting her son-in-law, and she was more and more pleased with him.
Not bad! He's quite handsome and has a dignified appearance.
If he could pass the imperial examination, there would likely be less resistance between him and A-Zhi.
At least Jiro would agree, and I imagine the imperial family wouldn't object either.
Thinking of this, Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "You are exceptionally talented in politics and remarkably intelligent. Have you ever considered taking the imperial examination to become a scholar?"
Um! ?
Are all women's thoughts so unpredictable? Even Empress Zhangsun was no exception?
We were just talking about timeless masterpieces, how did we suddenly turn to the scholar's actions?
This is a scholar from the Tang Dynasty! Not a scholar from the Ming or Qing Dynasty!
The Xiucai examination was considered the most prestigious among all examinations during the Sui and Tang dynasties.
The exam tests strategic planning, not the current affairs policies required for the imperial examinations. It demands a far-sighted approach to governance and insightful understanding of world affairs.
Historically, only 29 people passed the imperial examination during the entire Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, the examination was discontinued because it was too difficult and no one could pass it.
Yang Zhengdao could only brace himself and bow, saying, "My cultivation is still shallow; I dare not hope to achieve that."
"It's alright! If you fail this time, you can try again."
Was this decision made so hastily?!
Seeing the expectant look on Empress Zhangsun's face, Yang Zhengdao could only groan inwardly and bow, replying, "Yes!"
Empress Zhangsun nodded in satisfaction.
Seeing that Empress Zhangsun was in a good mood and seemed quite satisfied with him, Yang Zhengdao suddenly had a bold idea.
Could it be that Empress Zhangsun has taken a liking to me?!
Otherwise, why would he be asked to take the imperial examination to become the top scholar among all subjects?
Since that's the case, let's be bold this time!
Yang Zhengdao has made his decision.
It was a rare opportunity to meet his mother-in-law alone... and to meet Empress Zhangsun, he naturally wanted to express his feelings.
He immediately bowed and said, "There is something I must keep from you, Your Highness. Please forgive me."
Empress Zhangsun was taken aback, her face showing suspicion. What else was this boy hiding?
"What is it?"
Yang Zhengdao raised his head, his gaze frank: "The legend I wrote was entirely out of personal motives. I hope Princess Changle will be safe and happy, so I asked Immortal Sun to advise Your Highness against marriage between close relatives."
Oh, so that's what it was about!
Before Empress Zhangsun could even breathe a sigh of relief, she heard Yang Zhengdao's bold and abrupt words.
"Your Highness, you are wise enough to know that while the Yellow River flows ceaselessly, my desire for lasting happiness will never die!"