Chapter 687 – Intruding upon the Xue Estate (1/2)
Chapter 687 – Intruding upon the Xue Estate
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The courtyard within the alley of the Northern Military Department was gradually regaining its original appearance. The hole by the wall had already been dug very deep, but the crabapple tree had still not been sent over.
Obtaining a crabapple tree exactly identical to the one from the past was no easy task, even for the Department for Purging Officials, whose power extended to all levels of society.
Zhou Tong was well aware of this point, but he did not display the slightest displeasure to his opponents, especially after he heard the quick succession of reports.
”Assistant Minister Wei did not go back. Apparently, a large quarrel took place in his estate last night.”
”When Lord Huang of the Imperial Board of Astronomy was about to leave, he discovered that his clan's carriage had been borrowed. The borrower was a relative of his wife who said that he was returning to Wu Province.”
”Tianhai Shengxue had already boarded his carriage, but he was stopped by his clan's Guardians. Apparently, a fierce conflict took place between them. Ultimately, Chancellor of the State Chenwu had to appear before things settled down.”
”There has been no noise from the Prince of Xiang's estate, but Prince Chen Liu has not appeared for the entire day. According to our analysis, the prince has probably been locked inside the shrine at the back of the estate.”
Ever since he had learned two days ago that Chen Changsheng had appeared to bury Xue Xingchuan's body, Zhou Tong had had a rather unsightly expression, especially after he heard that the Xue Estate intended to hold a funeral.
Although he had always appeared very calm, his subordinates and many people in the palace were able to tell that his mood was rather disastrous.
When he heard this news, however, his complexion began to improve, and the cold indifference in his eyes gradually began to thaw.
No one dared to pay respects at the Xue Estate; this was an expected matter.
The Xue Estate had held a funeral, giving many people within the capital a way to show their feelings, and also to dig a hole.
Although it was said to be paying respects to Xue Xingchuan, in reality, it might as well have been paying respects to the Divine Empress.
Today, the Imperial Court was watching the Xue Estate, so who would dare appear?
”Chen Changsheng?” Zhou Tong suddenly asked.
A subordinate reported, ”No one has come out of the Orthodox Academy this entire time.”
”I did not think that our Little Principal Chen would be so cool-headed, that he had such grasp over what is within norms.”
Zhou Tong held his hands behind him and walked out of the courtyard, saying, ”But this situation inevitably makes one sigh about the inconstancy of human relations. And that's right, besides me, who could develop a real friendship with him?”
His subordinates were all stunned by these words, not understanding why their lord was speaking this way.
Zhou Tong stopped and turned to them, speaking with a serious tone. ”The entire world knows that he was my only friend. Did none of you know?”
The subordinates gazed at the smile upon their lord's face and felt their bodies turn cold. They were utterly mystified as to how to respond.
……
……
By the lake in the Orthodox Academy, Mao Qiuyu looked at Chen Changsheng and said, ”It now seems that I truly worried too much. You had always been much more mature than your peers.”
”So you came here at the crack of dawn to keep watch over me.” Chen Changsheng gazed at the lake and said, ”But, in truth, I don't much understand your meaning.”
Mao Qiuyu explained, ”What you did two days ago was already enough. To do more might border on excessive.”
Chen Changsheng thought this over, then asked, ”Who decides what is within the norms? Who laid down these rules?”
He already knew that today, besides Daoist Siyuan and Linghai Zhiwang, no one else had come to the Xue Estate's funeral.
”Norms and rules all come from a unique and unequaled will.”
Mao Qiuyu looked at him and said, ”While His Holiness the Pope still lives, the Orthodoxy only has one will, so it can only have one voice, but when His Holiness returns to the sea of stars? When Your Eminence succeeds to the position of Pope, you will still not be twenty, and it will be very difficult for Your Eminence's will to be placed above the Orthodoxy. It can only mutually exist with others.”
These words seemed rather vague, but they were actually very clear. The smooth succession of the Orthodoxy depended on the successor's ability and methods, not just on the will of the Pope.
Maturity, composure, an understanding of norms, patience, and sense of responsibility—these were all things in which ability and methods took concrete form.
Mao Qiuyu continued, ”His Holiness's health is not very good.”
Chen Changsheng replied, ”In another few days, I will go to the Li Palace and see him.”
Mao Qiuyu replied, ”His Holiness will presumably be very appreciative.”