Chapter 670 – A Decree (1/2)

Chapter 670 – A Decree

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

The clear light of the autumn day shone both inside and outside the library. It was very peaceful.

Suddenly, a voice spoke. This voice was very old, calm and unperturbed. It was a graceful voice, leisurely and unoppressive, a voice that inspired trust.

Eunuch Lin said, ”I know what you are thinking. You think that His Majesty has been compelled by us treacherous officials, thus requiring three days to send out this decree, for the Orthodox Academy to be surrounded, forbidding anyone from leaving. But you are wrong. This is truly a decree personally drafted by His Majesty, because…he wishes to protect you.”

As he spoke, he never took his eyes off the youth by the window, as if he was trying to see through him. Yet this youth displayed no reaction. No matter what he heard, he kept his head lowered in silence. How could there be no response? It could be gratitude, disbelief, ridicule, or anger, or some other emotion, but upon hearing these words, shouldn't there have been some emotional change?

The library remained quiet. Perhaps it was precisely because of this silence that Eunuch Lin said nothing, did not read out the decree, and instead allowed the silence to persist.

After quite some time, the youth finally raised his head, looking out the window at the cool and refreshing autumn scenes.

Three days had passed since the momentous battle upon the Mausoleum of Books, but his face was still very pale and he had clearly gotten much thinner. His expression, however, was still very calm.

There was no sorrow or anger on his face, no frustration or helplessness, only calm.

Because of the pensive look on his face, his clear and young features seemed even more composed. He was not, as once assessed by the common people, an old-fashioned youth, but had truly matured.

In a single night, he had experienced so many things, overcome death, seen many ugly or magnificent sights. Anyone would mature after all this, right?

As he thought of these things, the gaze Eunuch Lin aimed at the youth was unexpectedly tinged with pity.

The bright yellow imperial decree had already been taken from his sleeve. He did not open it, instead tightly holding it like a spear in his hands.

”You know why I have come to the Orthodox Academy today.” After a very long pause, Eunuch Lin continued, ”I am here to take the Empress's body away.”

The library was still quiet. The autumn breeze blew in through the window and freely traveled amidst the bookshelves and floorboards.

”And then?” Chen Changsheng asked.

In these three days and nights, he had not eaten, had not drunk, and had not opened his mouth, until now.

He spoke very slowly and his voice was very hoarse, just like sands that had been baked under the autumn sun for three days.

”You finally spoke.”

Eunuch Lin gazed at him, his voice containing many emotions.

Chen Changsheng shook his head. ”I spoke earlier. If I didn't speak, how would you have been able to come in?”

As he spoke, he kept looking out the window, at the yellowing lawn, the chilled autumn waters of the lake, and the great banyan tree by the lake. His voice was very calm as if devoid of emotion. His expression was very serious without the slightest derision, because he was just giving a very cool-headed and objective explanation.

However, Eunuch Lin was greatly discomfited by this, and felt a weight on his chest.

This was a fact. Although meaningless, it was still a fact that it was he who had let Su Moyu open the Orthodox Academy's gate.

It had nothing to do with Eunuch Lin, nor did it have much to do with the imperial decree. He just wished to say something.

As a certain youth had said three years ago in the Plum Garden Inn, Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong were both people that made others speechless.

The library became silent once more, until Eunuch Lin again spoke.

”Yes, but you still spoke. Just as how not everyone is willing to die together with the Orthodox Academy,” he said as he looked at Chen Changsheng.

”The Orthodox Academy is not Star Seizer Academy. The rules of the academy aren't too strict and there are no ethics that need to be adhered to. This is a place of study; what right is there to require these things?”

Chen Changsheng bore no ill will towards those teachers and students that had left the Orthodox Academy, nor did he feel any need to give this explanation to the old eunuch.

”And then?” he asked, looking out the window at the autumn scenery.

This was a repetition, a reinforcement. Importantly, this was the question he wanted an answer for.