Chapter 606 – The Downcast (2/2)
However, this morning by this lake in the Orthodox Academy, he realized that he had just been deceiving himself with these thoughts.
”What an unworthy daughter…”
Xu Shiji's voice was cold as ice. His right hand trembled as if it would strike Xu Yourong's face in the next moment.
Xu Yourong calmly gazed at her father. She would naturally not return a blow.
The gazes of the South Stream Temple disciples sharpened, and Ye Xiaolian and the other young girls even tightened the grips on their swords.
It was just then that a thin old man arrived. The sword array of South Stream Temple was of no use against this old man. Not because he was very powerful, but because he was the chief eunuch of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, a member of the Divine Empress's inner circle who received no small measure of trust. Moreover, when he arrived, he held aloft an imperial edict.
”The Empress says, do not let a trifling matter like this influence the affection between father and daughter.”
The chief eunuch expressionlessly declared to Xu Shiji.
The Divine Empress's words were clearly meant for two people, but the eunuch only gazed at Xu Shiji. The meaning was naturally crystal clear.
This was a warning.
Xu Shiji's expression turned even more unsightly as he thought, this sort of unfilial deed only amounts to a trifling matter?
Is she my daughter or the Empress's daughter?
He could only think of this and not show it on his face, and even had to force his face to grow calmer.
He glanced at Xu Yourong and said no more, leaving the Orthodox Academy.
His back was somewhat downcast, looking like a lion that had been expelled from its pride.
Xu Yourong gazed at her father's back in silence, her thoughts a mystery.
The chief eunuch turned to her with a much humbler expression and whispered, ”The Empress invites my lady into the palace.”
Xu Yourong received the edict and replied, ”Wait for me a moment.”
……
……
”I don't know how to confront her, and between her and the Orthodoxy, I absolutely cannot stand on her side.”
Chen Changsheng refused Xu Yourong's idea to go together with her to the palace. The 'her' in this sentence naturally referred to the Divine Empress.
Xu Yourong said nothing. In truth, she also knew that bringing Chen Changsheng into the palace was an extremely risky endeavor. She knew what sort of arrogance and disregard these Saints who embraced the world and even more held towards these sorts of emotions. The Divine Empress had not done anything to Chen Changsheng in these two years because she had to consider the Li Palace, or also because she had found it impossible to be sure. Nw, all those clues pointed to that unresolved case from ten-odd years ago. No person could guarantee what would occur if she were to see Chen Changsheng in the Imperial Palace.
”You don't have to worry about me.” Chen Changsheng had seen the look on her face and knew what she was thinking. He soothed, ”You used the Sacred Light technique right before entering the capital, and yesterday, Martial Uncle used Sacred Water to bathe my body, creating another barrier. In this short time, there shouldn't be a problem, and won't South Stream Temple's sword array always be outside?”
Xu Yourong said no more and departed.
As Chen Changsheng stood by the window and watched her figure gradually fade into the distance, his expression became somewhat downcast.
He knew better than anyone else his current situation, better than her and better than the Pope.
His meridians had all been melted and ruptured by star radiance and could not be repaired.
His soul had seeped into flesh and bones along with his blood and was impossible to remove.
His injuries could be controlled, but his vitality was constantly being lost.
His body and fate had long been riddled with holes, tattered beyond belief.
Any other person at this time would have long since lost their wits and become downcast, but he still maintained his calm.
He went downstairs and walked to the Orthodox Academy on the other side of the curtains.
With Xu Yourong absent, the South Stream Temple disciples were utterly incapable of preventing him from leaving. Although the sword array was frightening, how could they allow it to fall upon his body?
There were many sculptures around the main hall of the Orthodox Academy that still showed signs of that heaven-shaking coup from ten-odd years ago. The fountain had been repaired, but the stone beasts were still somewhat damaged.
He looked at Su Moyu and said, ”After today, I might have to hand this place over to you.”
He turned to Tang Thirty-Six and said, ”If possible, it would be best if you could delay your return to Wenshui for one year.”
He then turned to Xuanyuan Po and advised, ”You shouldn't keep thinking about how your injuries are already better, you still have to keep eating medicine.”
Finally, he turned to Zhexiu and said, ”It's impossible for me to keep treating you, but I'll try as quickly as possible to write out the case history. You absolutely can't give up on being cured.”
……