The Orthodox Academy's seat was still in a corner with no one paying it attention. It was lonely and deserted, just like it was on the first night of the Ivy Festival. All of Chen Changsheng's mind was on the imminent proposal of the southern diplomatic mission, in no mood to care about anything else, and Luoluo was even less likely to care about such trivial concerns. She noticed the look on Chen Changsheng's face and guessed at what he was thinking. Occasionally, she would pick up some fruit and feed it to him, but she paid not even a glance to the tea on the table. To normal people, the tea of the Imperial Palace was naturally of the finest quality, but in her eyes, it was extremely coarse and not worthy of drinking.
A middle-aged palace maid appeared in the rear of the Orthodox Academy's seating area, her face bearing no emotion. She seemed particularly cold and proud, and from her appearance, she was most likely a close attendant of some noble in the palace. However, when she approached Luoluo, the coldness on this palace maid's face completely transformed into respect and just the right amount of cordiality. Her voice was also controlled very well, only allowing Luoluo and Chen Changsheng to hear.
The Princess of Ping had issued an invitation? Chen Changsheng was somewhat shocked, turning to Luoluo, his eyes asking just what was going on.
Luoluo turned towards the depths of the great hall. Seeing the figures of Guardians Jin and Li in the shadows, she had a rough guess of what was going on. Somewhat embarrassed, she said to Chen Changsheng, "Teacher, it's been a long time since I've entered the palace, so I might have to go over and see."
Chen Changsheng was gradually growing accustomed to the surprises Luoluo brought him, even somewhat numb, so he said, "Since it's an old friend, just go."
Luoluo looked at those gazes in the great hall that would occasionally drift towards the Orthodox Academy's seating area and said, "Relax, Teacher. I will come back in a moment."
Chen Changsheng knew that she was worried about something, but he didn't feel it awkward. Smiling, he corrected, "It should be that you will definitely come back."
After a while, another palace attendant came with an invitation. This time, the invitee was Chen Changsheng himself. He gazed out the side door at the figure waiting outside in the darkness, his figure an imposing mountain. After a moment of silence and upon confirming that nobody in the hall was paying attention to his movements, he stood up and walked towards the side door.
The hall's side door was gradually shut, but the gentle and moist light of Night Pearls within the hall still shone through the window and fell upon Xu Shiji's body, clearly tracing the outline of his figure. Chen Changsheng, seeing his back, suddenly felt a little shaken, yet he didn't respond in any way.
"You did not attend the second night of the Ivy Festival, so I originally thought you would not appear tonight either."
Xu Shiji turned and coldly asked, "Why did you come?"
Chen Changsheng himself did not know why he wanted to come to this final night of the Ivy Festival, what he would do in a little while when the southern diplomatic mission would formally propose to Xu Yourong in Qiushan Jun's place, but he knew why Xu Shiji wanted this private meeting outside the hall before it took place.
This reason made him somewhat angry. He looked into Xu Shiji's eyes and said, "Uncle Shi, I'm a student of the Orthodox Academy. I have the right to attend the Ivy Festival."
This answer would naturally not satisfy Xu Shiji. What dissatisfied him even more was that Chen Changsheng had addressed him as 'Uncle Shi'. This way of addressing an elder was obviously intentional, and within lay this youth's meaning, a very profound meaning.
He looked back at Chen Changsheng and replied, "It seems that you are not prepared to keep your promise."
Chen Changsheng said, "I've never held the extravagant hope that every person will keep their promise, but I will keep mine."
From the moment he entered the capital, the Divine General of the East's estate had suppressed him so many times, all the way until, for some reasons that he still was not sure of, some powerful people appeared and allowed him to enter the Orthodox Academy, attempting to exchange it for some promises. In reality, however, he had never made any sort of promise.
If one had to speak of promises, the engagement that had been decided so many years ago was the true promise.
The Divine General of the East's estate had not acted according to this promise, so what right did they have to accuse him of not keeping a promise?
With a calm expression, Xu Shiji said, "Just what does a child like you think you can change?"
Chen Changsheng did not respond. Turning around, he prepared to return to the hall.
Xu Shiji smiled. "Truly a naive child."
Chen Changsheng stopped because he suddenly felt his body grow somewhat stiff.
Xu Shiji's simple comment had caused his heart to suddenly tighten, and the blood traveling through his veins to quicken to a terrifying level.
A ruthless and blood-soaked Qi took control of his body.
Chen Changsheng's face was suddenly flushed with an extremely unhealthy red as he felt incredible pain. Only at this moment did he truly confirm that for an expert on Xu Shiji's level, killing an ordinary person like him was truly a matter of absolute simplicity.
He stood at the great hall's side door, gazing at the light within.
Although it was night, it was still in broad daylight.
No person dared to commit murder in front of a crowd within the Imperial Palace, especially on an important night like this—not even Xu Shiji. But precisely because this night was far too important, Xu Shiji would certainly be unwilling to just watch as he sat in the great hall, possibly standing at any moment to shatter this feast that the entire human world had great expectations for, to break this engagement.
Xu Shiji could injure him, even knock him into a coma. These actions would certainly bring many troubles, but could erase all variables in advance.
Chen Changsheng was keenly aware of what Xu Shiji was thinking. If it were him, he would probably also choose to risk it, but he did not regret that he chose to not remain in the hall and come out to meet Xu Shiji. Just like in the Xu Estate and outside the Temple Seminary, he looked into his heart and felt no shame, and so he felt no fear.
His right hand gripped the button made of rhino horn that Luoluo had sewn into his sleeve.
Let all this be exposed under the light of the Night Pearls.
Just then, a voice came from the darkness outside the palace hall.
This voice was incomparably gentle and warm, giving others a very intimate and refreshing sensation.
Just like a spring breeze blowing against one's face.
"Divine General Xu, what are you doing here?"
A young man walked out from the darkness. He was dressed in yellow, his hair tied neatly into a bun. His face was handsome, his expression warm.
Anyone who saw this scene would understand that a problem existed between Xu Shiji and Chen Changsheng, but this young man still calmly asked. He asked very naturally like he truly did just want to call out to Xu Shiji, to begin a little chat.
A spring breeze came out of the darkness.
The blood-soaked and ruthless Qi instantly vanished.
Chen Changsheng escaped from danger and his complexion gradually began to improve.
Xu Shiji gazed at the young man and greeted, "I have seen Your Highness Prince Chen Liu. This general is attending tonight's Ivy Festival. I met an old friend and was chatting with him."
Chen Changsheng felt a chill as he thought, this is the legendary Prince Chen Liu.
Prince Chen Liu gazed at him and seemed rather shocked, saying, "So it was you?"
Xu Shiji slightly creased his brow, saying, "Your Highness recognizes him?"
Prince Chen Liu smiled, saying, "The first student of the Orthodox Academy in so many years? It would be hard for me to not recognize him."
Ever since the Divine Empress ascended to the throne, the Chen Imperial clan was completely exiled from the capital to the counties and provinces. Only Prince Chen Liu remained in the capital and was even raised within the palace.
Prince Chen Liu was the sole member of the old Imperial clan in the capital. He signified many meanings.
A few weeks ago, the Orthodox Academy once more emerged in the eyes of the world. In many people's views, that also signified many meanings.
Coincidentally, the meanings these two signified were exactly the same.