And the refusal was quite resolute: not accepted.
Why did he now accept Tang Fei as a disciple?
Such extraordinary talent Tang Fei possessed, could it really have aroused Xuanyuan Mingjing’s admiration for talent?
Or had he saved the Milky Way in his last life, and this was a noble mentor arranged by fate?
If Tang Fei were merely Tang Fei, Zhong Tianque would have every reason to disregard him.
But if he became the direct disciple of Xuanyuan Mingjing, his significance would naturally increase...
In Zhong Tianque’s mind, every value had a price or cost.
However, when compared to the value of Shen Xinglan, who sat beside him, Tang Fei paled significantly.
There was simply no comparison.
Absolutely no comparison.
Zhong Tianque looked towards Xuanyuan Mingjing and asked aloud, "Dean, you accepted Tang Fei as a disciple?"
"Yes." Xuanyuan Mingjing nodded.
He did not explain to Zhong Tianque the reasons for taking Tang Fei as his disciple, nor did he feel the need to explain anything to anyone.
A real man never explains.
"Congratulations, Dean, on gaining a beloved disciple," Zhong Tianque said with a cheerful smile.
Then, looking at Tang Fei, he said, "You are also very fortunate. If the outside world knew about this, who knows how many would envy you."
"Yes, my godfather always said that men who smile are never short of good luck. Not to mention others, even I envy myself. Thinking of what merits or abilities I, Tang Fei, have that I could become a disciple under my mentor."
This guy was bold, even flattering men...
"Let’s all sit down and talk," Xuanyuan Mingjing invited.
Si Yinchuan, who was very close to Xuanyuan Mingjing, directly pulled up a chair and sat next to him.
Zhong Tianque, holding onto Shen Xinglan’s hand, said, "Xing Lan, have a seat. You’ve been cultivating at White Crane Academy for a while and I haven’t seen you... Have you been back to Luojia Mountain recently?"
After they both took seats, there were no vacant spots left around the tea table.
Tang Fei then stood behind Xuanyuan Mingjing, acting like a servant, and took the initiative to refill tea for anyone whose cup was empty.
"I went back. My second grandfather is unwell; I went to visit him," Shen Xinglan said calmly, his expression unchanged.
In his current position, he was not much weaker than a prince.
His grandfather was the Imperial Military Minister Shen Wuxiang, his father Shen Jingchen was a vice-chairman at the Supervision Committee, and his mother a high official in the Ministry of Finance. The Shen Family was famous and prestigious.
Even though they had intentionally kept a low profile over the years, they still firmly held the top position among the nine major families, and no family could easily shake their status.
When people mentioned Shen Xinglan, they often said, "They wouldn’t trade him for a prince..."
"Ah, what happened to second grandpa? I’ve been following my father and observing politics; it’s been a long time since I visited Luojia Mountain," Zhong Tianque asked concernedly. "Is he all right? Should we send a doctor from the palace to check on him?"
"It’s nothing serious, just aged and caught a cold; he’s better after taking some herbal medicine," Shen Xinglan responded respectfully, then gratefully added, "Thank you, Eldest Prince, for your concern."
"There’s no need for thanks; we’re brothers. I used to freeloader meals at your home when I was little," Zhong Tianque said with a laugh. "It’s good to hear he’s okay. When I return, I’ll report this to my father and ask him to send a doctor to check. We’ll send some high-quality medicinal herbs from the palace to nourish second grandpa’s health."
"Thank you, Eldest Prince."
"As I said, no need for thanks among brothers," Zhong Tianque pretended to be slightly displeased.
"Yes, Eldest Prince," Shen Xinglan responded.
Despite Zhong Tianque’s all-out charm, Shen Xinglan maintained a humble demeanor.
He understood that in this country, the residents of Phoenix Palace were the true masters; everyone else was subordinate, a mere servant.
If you considered yourself a master just because someone praised you, it meant you neither recognized your position nor the situation, and soon great disaster would befall you.
Zhong Tianque nodded and his gaze fell on Xuanyuan Mingjing’s face, speaking with a smile, "Before leaving, my father specifically called me over and told me to visit White Crane Academy and to come see the Dean as soon as possible... He also asked me to convey his regards and invited you to have tea at the palace when you’re free."
"Thank my King and thank you, Eldest Prince. I will visit and have tea with the King when I have time," Xuanyuan Mingjing responded.
"My father will be pleased; he loves to play chess with the Dean," Zhong Tianque looked at Xuanyuan Mingjing with respect and said with a grin, "I’m here on my father’s orders to check on the preparations for the Heaven Path Convention..."
"Among the Four Great Imperial Academies, my father values White Crane Academy the most. Choosing White Crane Mountain as the venue for the Heaven Path Convention also shows his trust that the students of White Crane can bring glory to the Empire..."
"The students of White Crane will devote all their hearts and effort."
"I trust the Dean and I trust the students of White Crane Academy," Zhong Tianque smiled and nodded, standing up and saying, "Tian Que has official duties and can’t stay long. I’ll come to have tea with the Dean after I’m finished."
"Go ahead," Xuanyuan Mingjing said. "Dean Si will take care of the hospitality; he is more familiar with these matters than I am."
"I’m just helping the Dean by running errands," Si Yinchuan said with a jovial laugh, clearly aware of his own role.