Ning Wanwan pressed the “Essential Prescriptions” under the “Book of Documents” and slowly stood with her hands on the bookcase. As she did, nearly everyone’s gaze turned towards her. Typically, she sat quietly, barely noticeable.
Everyone knew that a noble lady like her, raised in the inner chambers, could hardly recognize a few characters and was clearly using the guise of studying to approach the crown prince for favor.
As Lu Yixian posed a difficult question, the audience anticipated her embarrassment, mingled with sympathy.
“This student knows her own limitations are shallow.”
As expected, the princes and kings sighed and shook their heads. Si Yi smiled contemptuously and turned away, but then heard Ning Wanwan calmly say: “However, since the Grand Tutor has asked, this student will offer a humble opinion.”
Upon hearing this, everyone wore expressions of amusement.
“This student believes that the Way and Principle are not sequential and should be viewed equally.”
Si Yi turned his head back at this remark. The mockery on everyone’s faces stiffened slightly.
“How do you explain this?” Lu Yixian asked.
Ning Wanwan’s bright eyes met Lu Yixian’s defiantly: “Are we discussing ‘principle’ or ‘Way and Principle’ today?”
“Naturally, it’s ‘principle’,” Lu Yixian replied.
“Then that’s it,” Ning Wanwan grinned, displaying her tiger teeth. “Principle is a unified concept. Only when combined do we find meaning in Way within Principle and Principle within Way. If the Grand Tutor insists on a sequence, he is forcibly splitting ‘principle’, leaving Way as just a Way, and Principle as just a Principle.”
The Zishangtang fell silent, taken aback by Ning Wanwan’s insight, which sounded reasonable.
Si Yi’s handsome eyes flashed, staring thoughtfully at Ning Wanwan’s elegant face. Si Zhan smiled, knowing she was no ordinary woman.
However, Lu Yixian saw her words as fallacious, believing she was deliberately opposing him.
Angrily, he asked, “Even so, tell me how the emperor once asked Prime Minister Zhao, ‘What is the largest thing under heaven?'”
“How did the Prime Minister answer at that time?”
This question seemed unrelated but involved principles that required a deep understanding of the dynasty’s history. Without such knowledge, one would struggle to grasp Lu Yixian’s intent.
Lu Yixian aimed to challenge Ning Wanwan.
