Volume One: The Overseer and the Student Chapter Forty-Six: The Tree Longs for Stillness, Yet the Wind Will Not Cease

The Inner Cabinet? That was, of course, an impossibility. Not only did Huang Ming not dare entertain such thoughts, even the Emperor Jiajing's earlier excitement was but a momentary lapse. He simply did not possess such power; otherwise, the entire court would descend into chaos.

Furthermore, Huang Ming's bold remonstrance before the emperor brought him no tangible benefit. In fact, what he offered today would not be known to outsiders for at least several years. The only real gain was perhaps the emperor's personal favor—more precisely, he had found a place in the imperial heart. This would certainly aid his future prospects.

But for now… apart from the cold sweat soaking his clothes, the tension in his heart, and a hint of regret, there was little else to show for it.

Yet, for Huang Ming, today's gains were already considerable. In the grand lecture hall, he not only achieved his intended goal—completely disrupting the plan of the civil officials to dominate public opinion—but also, by stepping over Yang Shen, earned widespread acclaim.

After today, the name Huang Ming would surely echo throughout Beijing, whether infamous or renowned. No matter the nature of his fame, he was destined to become a celebrity in the capital—a chance many dreamed of but could never attain.

At the same time, his standing and reputation at the Imperial Academy soared to great heights. Previously, Huang Ming was considered audacious and hot-blooded for his confrontations with Zhang Pan and the servants of the Marquis of Jianchang’s household. But after this episode, he became the very figure everyone at the Imperial Academy looked up to.

Not only his fellow students, but even the lecturers and officials now approached him with newfound respect, no longer treating him as a mere junior or student.

Yet, at this moment when his reputation was at its peak, Huang Ming chose to keep a low profile. He did not seize the opportunity to create further incidents or seek personal gain. Instead, he quietly adhered to his role—each day, he simply traveled between his home and the academy, leaving early and returning late.

Even when Zhang Han, Xu Qingzhi, and other friends wished to celebrate his recent exploits with a banquet or suggested they indulge themselves in one of the capital's renowned pleasure houses, Huang Ming politely declined.

His friends, though disappointed, found it hard to understand. Had it been them in the limelight, they would have been elated beyond measure by now.

But Huang Ming clearly thought otherwise. If he truly were an impetuous sixteen-year-old, perhaps such fortune would have made him reckless. But with the mind of someone well past thirty, how could he be so rash?

His reputation was established, he had gained much, and now, even doing nothing, he would remain the focus of many. It was best to proceed with caution.

What he needed to do now was digest these gains and then refine himself, laying a solid foundation for his future ambitions. Through this recent experience, Huang Ming had clearly seen his own shortcomings and weaknesses.

His literary foundation was woefully inadequate. Not to compare himself to those who had studied diligently for a decade, but even among average scholars, one should at least be able to wield a brush or read unpunctuated texts. He could do neither.

Therefore, he resolved to study diligently, at the very least becoming literate. Fortunately, he was still young and happened to be studying at the Imperial Academy, with many teachers to consult. If he set his mind to it, catching up would not be difficult.

So, in the days that followed, what everyone saw was a humble, hardworking Huang Ming, never displaying the slightest arrogance. This further impressed the academy’s lecturers, who began to believe he might one day become someone truly extraordinary.

Having weathered the crisis, Huang Ming felt it best to lie low for a while, perhaps spending a few years consolidating his foundation. Then, upon reaching adulthood, with his father's influence, he could formally enter officialdom through other channels.

At least, this was how he planned his life.

But alas, the tree may wish for calm, yet the wind does not cease…

Half a month slipped by in the blink of an eye, and soon it was the eleventh lunar month.

Winter had arrived in Beijing. Amidst the biting winds, the grass and trees had long since withered, and with the deepening cold, the morning streets saw far fewer pedestrians than before.

Especially on Huang Ming’s route to the Imperial Academy, the broad roads seemed almost deserted.

Despite the cold, Huang Ming had begun his studies half an hour earlier than before. Each day, around dawn, he would arrive at the academy.

Today was no exception. Early in the morning, his carriage carried him and Yu Mo northward along the nearly empty avenue, passing Andingmen Avenue, Jiaozhong Ward, and the Shuntian Prefecture, before finally reaching Chongjiao Ward.

The Imperial Academy was located in this ward.

Since this area was close to the northern Anding Gate, it was far less commercial than the bustling streets to the south. Along the way, there were only a few bookshops and stationery stores, all still closed.

Apart from their own carriage, only four or five other carriages or sedan chairs, and a handful of early-rising pedestrians, could be seen.

Everything appeared no different from usual.

But as Huang Ming sat in the carriage, gazing through the half-open window, a flash of wariness crossed his eyes.

“It’s been five days in a row now…” he suddenly murmured, his gaze settling on a carriage passing theirs in the opposite direction.

Yu Mo let out a puzzled “Ah?” and asked, “Young master, what are you talking about?”

“Be alert for anything unusual!” Huang Ming spoke again, this time a clear warning.

With years of experience as a seasoned detective, Huang Ming’s observation of his surroundings was far keener than most. Even after changing lives, his vigilance remained undiminished.

So when, over the past few days, he noticed that every morning on his way to the academy he encountered that same carriage, he became cautious.

If it were just one carriage appearing in the same place every day, it might not warrant alarm—perhaps their schedules simply coincided.

But the problem was that, over several days, this carriage alternated with a donkey cart, both appearing near him. Clearly, whoever arranged this was cautious, using two vehicles in rotation to avoid suspicion.

But to Huang Ming, an expert, such measures only made the cover-up more obvious—a greater flaw.

Today, not only was the carriage’s route different, but some of the pedestrians along the road seemed off as well.

That seller of candied hawthorn—who would be peddling in such a deserted spot at this hour?

And that supposed merchant, his eyes darted constantly, often sneaking glances at their carriage…

Something was wrong. Everything here today was suspicious!

A strong sense of alarm rose in Huang Ming’s heart. After warning Yu Mo, he called out urgently, “Huang An, turn back!”

Though the coachman Huang An did not know why his young master gave such an order, he obeyed, slowing the carriage to prepare for a turn.

But just then, a sudden crisis erupted!