Chapter 1156: His Plan Ruined

Editor: Henyee Translations

At this moment, everything seemed settled, and change appeared impossible.

Yet, it wasn’t a mere shift in position that touched Shao Yunduan, but a profound change in his heart.

Upon learning that his mentor, Master Yun, was none other than Minister Old Yun, Shao Yunduan was utterly dumbfounded. A rush of gratitude and respect washed over him.

Among the scholars, Minister Old Yun was highly revered, and being taught by him for a few months was an unparalleled honor—one they could boast about for a lifetime!

As he pondered this revelation, Shao Yunduan understood why the old master was so remarkably knowledgeable. The guidance he received during those few months had propelled him to tremendous growth, akin to a rebirth.

In the past, he had felt a sense of injustice for the talented old master, who could have easily risen to a first-class official’s rank in the court, yet chose to remain unseen.

However, he realized that it wasn’t that Minister Old Yun was unknown; rather, he simply didn’t care about his reputation.

Upon parting ways, Shao Yunduan felt a deep sadness. He wondered if fate would bring them together again and provide him with the chance to repay the debt of gratitude he owed to the extraordinary mentor.

He found himself unable even to repay the favor bestowed upon him!

To his surprise, he discovered that he had become the tutor of the crown prince.

Shao Yunduan realized that his carefully laid plans had been completely upended.

His original intention had been to find an opportunity to leave the capital next year and distance himself from the political entanglements. But that option was now off the table.

Being labeled as the crown prince’s tutor was a role he couldn’t easily shake off.

He harbored no ill will towards Minister Old Yun, but he had been caught off guard by this unexpected development.

Moreover, he wasn’t entirely willing to take on this responsibility.

It wasn’t that he minded being associated with the crown prince, but he foresaw that the prince might face significant challenges, and he couldn’t be certain of a favorable outcome. This uncertainty made him feel somewhat resistant to the new role he was thrust into.

However, Shao Yunduan recognized this turn of events as the will of the heavens, pushing him into the position of the crown prince’s tutor. Once the initial conflict within himself subsided, he accepted his new role with a calm demeanor.

The Emperor might not have been entirely satisfied with the Crown Prince, but he had never hinted at his removal. It became clear that as long as the Crown Prince and his family remained united, they might weather the challenges ahead.

For Shao Yunduan, it became crucial to navigate this situation successfully.

When he assumed the role of Minister Counsellor of the Ministry of Revenue, his new colleagues warmly welcomed him. Minister Xing and the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry were aligned with the Crown Prince, and knowing of Shao Yunduan’s special relationship with him, they held him in high regard as well.

This favorable opinion from Minister Xing ensured that nobody dared to make things difficult for Shao Yunduan.

The Young Master, aware of Shao Yunduan’s allegiance, treated him as one of his own. He introduced Shao Yunduan to some of his advisors and shared invaluable insights about the workings of the intermediate court. He even invited Shao Yunduan to the East Palace, encouraging him to seek guidance whenever faced with a predicament.

Shao Yunduan thanked the crown prince deeply.

He was speaking truly from his heart.

Undoubtedly, the Crown Prince was a genuinely virtuous man, not merely pretending to be one. Shao Yunduan could discern his sincerity when observing him interact with others.

As a newcomer to the school, Shao Yunduan felt somewhat powerless. While he couldn’t help but think about his wife, his primary concern was how to support and counsel the Crown Prince effectively, encouraging him to display firmness and resilience—especially in the face of challenges.

The crown prince treated his brothers with utmost kindness and consideration. If Shao Yunduan offered any advice that could be misconstrued, he risked being accused of sowing discord within the royal family.