Chapter 177 – Ruler’s Burden
"Lord Su!" A voice pulled Su Yi out of his reverie. When he looked up, he realized he had unconsciously walked to the Heaven Facing Gate. The eunuch assigned to guide him stood at the entrance, smiling warmly.
"Lord Su, I’ve been waiting here for a while," the eunuch said with a bright smile.
Su Yi walked over and gave him a polite bow. "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Li."
"No trouble at all, my lord. It’s my duty," Eunuch Li replied with a smile, giving Su Yi a friendly look. "The Crown Prince is already waiting in the Academy Hall. Let’s proceed." With that, Eunuch Li led the way.
Su Yi followed behind, somewhat lost in thought as he watched Eunuch Li’s figure ahead of him.
Since becoming the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, his teaching days at the Hanlin Academy had become fewer. However, on the few days he was able to visit, the academy’s teachers greeted him warmly, unlike the indifference or disdain they’d shown before.
Even Chief Cao was now polite to him and always exchanged pleasantries whenever they met. Invitations to poetry gatherings and literary feasts also started arriving regularly, sincerely inviting him to attend.
Initially, Su Yi was puzzled by the names on these invitations, wondering who these people were. After attending a few, he gradually realized that the officials in the capital knew he was a prominent young scholar, so they sent their sons to associate with him.
How did young scholars socialize? They held poetry gatherings in flower workshops, invited distinguished guests, and called on courtesans to liven things up. The gatherings were supposed to foster friendships through poetry, yet, at heart, they were simply excuses for their indulgences.
Su Yi understood these social intricacies well. When he was merely a Hanlin Scholar, he hadn’t been important enough for such attention. A single imperial edict had changed everything.
Now, he was the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and when the Crown Prince eventually ascended the throne, he would be the imperial teacher. Given his young age, his future achievements were boundless.