Chapter 678 – What One Thinks (1/2)
Chapter 678 – What One Thinks
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Several dozen houses had been crushed flat, leaving only a tea house standing. As the dust settled in the depths of Hundred Flowers Lane, several carriages arrived.
There was no one in front of the Orthodox Academy's gate. It was very quiet, but in reality, countless gazes were secretly keeping an eye on this place.
Prince Chen Liu descended from his carriage.
The youngest county prince of the Great Zhou Imperial Clan still had his gentle expression that gave off the impression of a cleansing spring breeze. However, the noble air about him had gotten much thicker, and perhaps for this reason, he was much more easygoing, his appearance much brighter, his facial features much more distinct.
Fourteen princes surnamed Chen had entered the capital, the Prince of Xiang at their head. There was already a proposal in the Imperial Court that would soon confer the position of Chancellor of State upon the Prince of Xiang. Prince Chen Liu was the Prince of Xiang's son, and also the sole member of the Chen bloodline in the capital in the past ten-odd years. This fact caused him to be feared by many princes, and even his own brothers, but it was also a meritorious service. Without him, the princes of the Chen clan would have found very difficult to stabilize the capital in such a short amount of time.
Prince Chen Liu walked up to the gate of the Orthodox Academy.
No person came to welcome or obstruct him. Only a few forceful yet light sword intents came probing out of the wall like winter plum blossoms.
Several experts of profound gaze and clearly unusual cultivation arrived behind him.
Prince Chen Liu gestured to indicate that the experts of his estate should not move without his order and should remain where they were. He would walk in alone.
Even after walking into the Orthodox Academy, he remained unwelcomed and unobstructed. There was only the autumn sun reflected off the lake and the flourishing green of the great banyan tree.
Prince Chen Liu entered the library. In these past two years, he and Chen Changsheng had leisurely chatted, not at Clear Lake Restaurant, but here.
Several dozen young women by the lake, sitting or standing, whispered to each other.
Prince Chen Liu was somewhat perturbed at this sight. He thought to himself, the Holy Maiden has already returned south. Why are these disciples of South Stream Temple still staying here?
The teachers and students were cleaning up throughout the library. Su Moyu was arranging repairs and only after a priest at his side informed him did he notice Prince Chen Liu.
He knew Prince Chen Liu's reason for coming and straightaway said, ”The principal is not present.”
Prince Chen Liu thought, if it were me, I also would probably not meet any of the Chen Imperial clan.
”Then I'll wait,” he said to Su Moyu.
Su Moyu replied, ”The Imperial Court has many great concerns and there are many places where Your Highness is needed. If Your Highness has a concern, leave a message. There is no need to squander your time here.”
Prince Chen Liu heard the meaning concealed in Su Moyu's words. He gave a somewhat bitter smile and answered, ”Just treat it as me seeking my own peace of mind.”
……
……
Prince Chen Liu was noble and pure, each promise of his worth a thousand gold. This was something that many people knew.
If he said he would wait, he would really wait. Holding a cup of tea, he sat under a tree by the lake, smiling in response to the curious gazes of the young women of South Stream Temple. Finally, at twilight, Chen Changsheng returned.
The disciples of South Stream Temple and the teachers and students of the Orthodox Academy knew that the two wanted to talk and very naturally took their leave.
Holding his cup of tea, Prince Chen Liu gazed in silence at the grass and the fallen leaves upon it. After a very long time, he finally asked, ”May I go to the Empress's grave to pay my respects?”
Chen Changsheng had not expected his first words to be these and was somewhat startled.
”Regardless of grudges and matters of right and wrong, the Empress treated me quite well.” Prince Chen Liu raised his head and said, ”I was raised by her for ten-some years before leaving the palace.”
Chen Changsheng thought this over, then asked, ”Was your life very bitter in those ten-some years?”