A person of the Divine General's estate came up to invite him, courteous and cold. Chen Changsheng had Luoluo remain where she was as he walked towards the carriage parked at the entrance to the alley. When he walked over, he realized that the surroundings were quiet and deserted. Not a single person was present, and even that attendant of the Divine General's estate had vanished off to somewhere.
The warhorse at the front of the carriage was tall and majestic, its mane in the darkness faintly tinged a dark red. It clearly was not of common stock, but carried the blood of some sort of strange beast. It was extremely striking, but Chen Changsheng did not even pay it a glance. This was because what he wanted to see was the person in the carriage.
That person did not get off the carriage, but remained seated in the compartment. The other side of the carriage also had a red lantern, its light shining through the interior of the carriage, outlining the man's silhouette against the window as distinctly as if it had been carved there by a blade or sword.
Chen Changsheng bowed to the silhouette in the window. The silhouette on the window was distinct, the man within the carriage was also distinct, and that mighty, frightening, and stern Qi was even more distinct. Only at this point did Chen Changsheng realize where the pressure he had felt on two occasions during the Ivy Festival had come from. One of his goals in attending the Ivy Festival was to personally see this man. During the entire feast, the man's gaze had seemingly never passed over him, but it turned out that this man had been watching him the entire time.
"It has already been a very long time since you left Xining and came to the capital. Up to now, I have not heard any rumors that I did not want to hear, proof that you are a smart person, that your behavior is very dependable. I admire these points."
Xu Shiji's voice emerged from the carriage, calm and indifferent. "After you entered the Orthodox Academy, you actually learned how to borrow another's authority for your own needs. I then realized that you were actually smarter than I imagined. I must admit that I've begun to admire you more and more."
Chen Changsheng knew that he was speaking sincerely, not jeering or taunting. This was because he wasn't worthy of being jeered at or taunted by the grand Divine General of the East, let alone being lied to. But he was not the least bit delighted by these words because he discovered that he still did not like Xu Shiji's smell.
This smell was not bitter, spicy, sour, or sweet, but a feeling that was very difficult to clearly state. The tone Xu Shiji was speaking with at this moment was also a sort of smell.
Calm and so indifferent and disaffected. An arrogance that was not deliberate but came on naturally. Moreover, he seemed very much like an elder.
Chen Changsheng greatly disliked these things. If those matters involving the engagement did not exist, if there had not been those humiliations and suppressions, if this man really did act like he was his elder, then it would be fine, but the problem was that all of those 'ifs' were false.
Xu Shiji fell silent for a few moments, perhaps because Chen Changsheng's silence had caught him somewhat by surprise or because he needed to think about these matters. The night wind rustled the dusky light of the lanterns as he asked, "Who is she?"
Yes, this was the matter that he was truly focused on. Of course, the reason for his concern had nothing to do with the marriage contract on Chen Changsheng's person. He would not care about any sort of interaction Chen Changsheng had with the opposite sex because he had never truly regarded Chen Changsheng as his daughter's fiancé.
From the moment Luoluo stepped on the stone platform of the Ivy Festival, the subordinates of the Divine General of the East's estate began to secretly investigate her origins. However, even after the Ivy Festival concluded and Xu Shiji seated himself in his carriage to depart the Heavenly Dao Academy, they still had not managed to turn up any information.
Xu Shiji was clearly aware of the capabilities of the soldiers and officers under his command, so he was somewhat shocked.
This girl was together with Chen Changsheng. This matter made him even more shocked and somewhat wary.
Chen Changsheng did not reply to his question because he felt that he was not required to respond to any of this person's questions.
The silhouette on the window grew even more distinct, its outline growing harsher. Xu Shiji had most likely leaned closer to the window.
That might became even more frightening, and the pressure seemed to become real.
Chen Changsheng felt a fit of disgust in the pit of his stomach like a mountain was pressing upon him.
"In truth, I'm somewhat regretful." Xu Shiji's emotionless voice came from the carriage.
"When you first entered the capital, in that period when no one knew who you were, I should have just killed you. I naturally understand the principle that soldiers should not show mercy, but the Xu Estate is on good terms with your teacher and someone wanted you to live, so I allowed you to live."
Chen Changsheng lowered his head and did not speak.
"The capital in the height of summer is a place where death can easily occur…the flood season is very difficult to predict, but what one can be sure about is that the rivers of the capital will certainly rise. When the waters begin to surge, whether it's a floating corpse or the ashes of the dead, all of it will be easily washed away."
Xu Shiji spoke through the window, his tone very indifferent.
"Take for example Education Overseer Cao of the Heavenly Dao Academy. After tonight, perhaps he might become a floating corpse on some flat shore of a flooded river some several thousand li away, or perhaps he will become food for the carp of the Luo River, but in short, no one will see him again."
Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng raised his head in shock towards the carriage window, thinking, why does the Heavenly Dao Academy overseer have to die?
"That little monster is still a member of the Tianhai clan…no matter how things develop afterwards, the lord overseer acted on his own initiative. The Empress will be very unhappy, and when the Empress is unhappy, Lord Zhou Tong will be very angry. When Lord Zhou Tong is angry…that man will die a very miserable death.
"So tonight, the lord overseer will undoubtedly commit suicide.
"I truly am very regretful that I did not kill you at the beginning, and now it's no longer convenient for me to directly act, but I must warn you that in this world, there are many methods of survival more terrifying than death. The lord overseer understood this reasoning; I hope you will as well."
With the slight swaying of the lanterns, the light dimmed and ten-odd subordinates of the Divine General appeared in the darkness. They surrounded the carriage as it slowly departed the alley entrance and headed towards the Divine General of the East's estate. Before the imposing and lofty warhorse departed, it shot a glance at Chen Changsheng, cold to the extreme.
In the carriage, Xu Shiji was silent, countless gloomy flames in the depths of his eyes. They were not fierce but instead contained a threatening cold. He had realized that these matters were at this very moment escaping his control. Although because of that letter from Holy Maiden Peak, he had never truly had control over this matter, the situation now had seemingly become more bizarre.
He clearly understood the reasons and consequences of Chen Changsheng entering the Orthodox Academy and had originally believed that there was no deeper meaning behind it. It now seemed that even if this was the case at the beginning, people were now using this matter to stir up a storm. Those people within the Orthodoxy still loyal to the Chen Imperial clan, after remaining silent for so many years, seemed to finally discover an opportunity they could use and were gradually preparing to surface from the water. Then what sort of effects would this matter have on the Divine General of the East's estate?
This matter was too big, and even if he was the Divine Empress's most trusted Divine General, he did not dare wade in too deeply. At the moment, he had only dipped a foot in to confirm a matter. If Chen Changsheng had truly been dragged by someone into that swamp, then it was even more vital that this engagement be known by no one. At the very least, it should remain concealed for the next few days.
In a few days, the combined diplomatic mission from the southern powers would arrive at the capital. The several dozen students participating in next year's Grand Examination would be amongst this diplomatic mission. It was precisely for this reason that the other two nights of this year's Ivy Festival were highly likely to be delayed.
It was still quite some time until next year's Grand Examination. The southerners breaking convention and setting off towards the capital several months in advance had already attracted much discussion and suspicion. However, he was well aware that the Divine Empress welcomed the coming of this diplomatic mission.
In the entire continent, only a select few knew that the reason that the southern diplomatic mission were arriving early this year was that they were preparing to propose at the Double Seventh Festival. (TN: The Double Seventh, or Qixi, Festival is a Chinese holiday taking place on the seventh day of the seventh month according to the lunar calendar. It celebrates the romance of the weaver girl and the cowherd, who are forbidden from loving each other and separated by a river. On the day of the Double Seventh Festival, a flock of magpies form a bridge over the river so that the lovers can briefly reunite.)
Xu Shiji knew of this matter because the object of the southern diplomatic mission's proposal was his daughter.
He would not permit any person or any matter to harm this marriage.
Chen Changsheng could not, that girl of mysterious origins could not, no one could.
As for the Orthodox Academy, the Heavenly Dao Academy, or those members of the old Imperial clan, or that undercurrent in the capital, any sort of scheme or plot, he did not want to think about them. If a person dared to threaten this marriage, he would kill them with no fear, even if it was a person he shouldn't kill.
Because he had a good daughter, so as long as he was not betraying the Empress, he did not care what he did for her sake.
Of course, if there were even better methods to address those unstable factors, such as Chen Changsheng and that girl, then that would be the best outcome. In that case, he had to first confirm a few things and then invite a few people to prepare some matters.
"Go to the Little Orange Garden," he declared.
The carriage of the Divine General of the East's estate slowly turned. Going along a quiet road, ignoring the capital's strict curfew, it headed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
The Little Orange Garden was a manor close to the Imperial Palace. Its area was not large and many orange trees were planted there, giving it the appearance of the countryside.
A person able to own a parkland so close to the Imperial Palace and plant worthless orange trees within was naturally no ordinary person.
It was the residence of Lady Mo Yu.
...
...
Returning to the Orthodox Academy, Chen Changsheng stood under the tree by the lake. As he thought of that silhouette in the carriage window, his mood was rather disastrous, wanting to charge the lake and yell, but he was afraid of startling the people in the Hundred Herb Garden. He wanted to say a few curse words, but he realized that his master and senior had never taught him before, so he didn't know how to start.
He resentfully turned and walked towards the library. As he passed through the trees by the lake, he saw an orange tree, its dense branches covered in newly born, delicate, and underripe fruits. He subconsciously picked one and took a bite, resulting in his face puckering from its sour and crisp flavor.
"Even you are bullying me?" He kicked the tree of green oranges, his nose flaring.
The small green oranges rustled down like the rain. From behind the tree came an 'ouch'.
Luoluo rubbed her petite head, her right hand holding a lunchbox, her left hand covering her mouth. Her mouth was awash with astonishment as if she had seen something very strange.
Somewhat shocked, Chen Changsheng asked, "Didn't you go back to sleep?"
Luoluo explained, "Mama Li prepared a night snack. I came to eat together with Teacher."
Chen Changsheng saw the look on her face and confusedly asked, "What are you surprised about?"
Luoluo widened her eyes and seriously explained, "I didn't expect that a person like Teacher would also have such a childish side."
Chen Changsheng felt somewhat embarrassed and began walking towards the library.
A voice so low as to be imperceptible drifted amongst the trees, rendered somewhat sour and wrong by the green oranges.
"I'm still a few months from being fifteen, so what's wrong with being a little childish…"