The snowstorm did not cease.
The Dean sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, enjoying wine and eating stewed tofu. However, this time, Wei Xu was not by his side.
So, the Dean who was all alone, looked a bit solitary.
But soon, someone arrived outside the pavilion. It seemed to be the Dean's guest.
That person entered the lakeside pavilion without ceremony, picked up a bowl, and scooped a piece of tofu, smiling as they said, "Eating cabbage and boiled tofu, isn't it even better than being the Emperor himself?"
The Dean clicked his tongue, "If I go and tell the whole world about these words, I'm afraid your days won't be easy."
That person paid no mind, took a bite of the hot tofu, and when they opened their mouth, it was full of steam, "Few people in the world can truly see through His Majesty. This is the case for his cultivation realm and his temperament. Many are eager to speculate about the thoughts of other emperors, but in reality, this Emperor of ours is different from all the past emperors. He may seem indifferent, but in reality, he has true affection. Otherwise, why would so many be willing to die for His Majesty?"
The Dean rubbed his temples, took a sip of hot wine, ate another piece of tofu, and then slowly said with a smile, "People always like to consider themselves clever. How do you, Lord Warden Commander, know that your views aren't wrong? Perhaps His Majesty is naturally skilled in acting and has deceived us all."
It turned out the visitor was none other than the Lord Warden Commander, who supposedly was no longer in the Divine Capital. He had returned at an unknown time but did not reveal himself, keeping his presence unknown to outsiders.
The Lord Warden Commander remarked, "An emperor skilled in acting wouldn't venture alone into the deep north. That's something that will truly cost one's life."
Hearing the Warden mention this, the Dean fell into silence for a while too, and did not deny it.
In history, there was only this one emperor who ventured deep into the desolate north.
"Then you'd better worry about whether His Majesty can return safely or not. The Demon Emperor isn't an ordinary character. If he were so easy to kill, it wouldn't be so troublesome either."
The Dean took a sip of wine and inexplicably remembered his disciple. Sword immortal, it might sound illustrious, but who knew if he was alive or dead at this moment?
The Lord Warden Commander lamented, "His Majesty is really very strong, there's no doubt about it."
The Dean did not speak.
The Lord Warden Commander changed the topic, saying, "I originally intended to have that kid return to the Divine Capital and temper him thoroughly. However, unexpectedly, the princess appeared on the way and disrupted my plans."
The Dean chuckled and said, "Deep down in her bones, this princess is most like Her Majesty. She's resolute and kind-hearted, neither trait is missing. Since she knows the identity of that kid, as his elder sister, why wouldn't she come out and do something? Actually, what you said before about how it's impossible for His Majesty to be acting, I feel the same too. After all, this princess seems to have inherited the temperament of both His Majesty and Her Majesty."
The Lord Warden Commander smiled bitterly. He naturally understood the current situation in the Divine Capital. Those people wanted to cause trouble by taking advantage of His Majesty's departure. He also wanted to seize this opportunity to observe Chen Chao. However, it just started, and that kid had only dealt with the Left Guard, before he could do anything else, he was summoned into the carriage by the princess, wasting a night's time.
This was an extremely crucial night.
The Lord Warden Commander let out a sigh.
The Dean smiled and said, "His Majesty's choice to head North might not be without such intentions either. Now, it's time for you, the Lord Warden Commander, to take action, isn't it?"
The Lord Warden Commander raised an eyebrow and remained silent. He just ate a few pieces of tofu, and then took a few sips of wine.
The Dean suddenly said seriously, "Do you know about the situation in the Northern Frontier? If you do, tell me about it. I don't have many thoughts about what His Majesty is planning, but is my disciple still alive in the Northern Frontier?"
"Liu Banbi?"
The Warden said, "According to previous military reports, that disciple of yours has killed many demons in the Northern Frontier. His display of a sword immortal's might doesn't lose to anyone."
The Dean said angrily, "Who cares whether he's a sword immortal or not! If he can't survive, even if he's really a sword immortal, what's the use?!"
The Lord Warden Commander smiled and remained silent, then suddenly asked, "Dean, with so many disciples, I'm afraid there's endless worry every day?"
The Dean retorted, "Do you think everyone is like Wei Xu, so sensible?"
However, as soon as the words were spoken, the two looked at each other and fell into silence.
Regarding Wei Xu, many people in the Divine Capital might truly think of this scholar as quiet and refined, but in reality, how could it be so simple?
The Lord Warden Commander said, "Both of Dean's students are very good. Oh, and that girl from the Xie Family is also pretty good. However, in this current situation, one has already gotten involved, and if the other one gets involved as well, it might be a real problem."
The Dean naturally knew what the Lord Warden Commander was talking about. He did not hesitate to say, "If Wei Xu really wants to do something, that's his own choice. He should know how to bear the consequences of the final outcome. I won't help him with anything."
"Can you bear to?"
The Lord Warden Commander asked with a smile, "Do you think that with Xie Nandu, you can abandon Wei Xu?"
The Dean narrowed his eyes and said, "Everyone has their own choices, what books to study, what path to take, it's all the same. Even if it's me, what can I do?" "If everyone listened to what I say, that fellow wouldn't have gone to the Northern Frontier, that other guy wouldn't have gone to that lousy place, and then Wei Xu wouldn't be thinking so much. In the end, I'm just a teacher."
The Dean's words were self-deprecating.
The leader of scholars in the world, how could he be just a teacher?
The Lord Warden Commander said, "Teaching people and governing the world are essentially no easier or harder than each other."
After a moment of silence, the Lord Warden Commander suddenly said, "There's a confidential report from the Northern Frontier. Bluestone Pass has been breached, and the overall situation in the Northern Frontier is in danger. That disciple of yours went to Bluestone Pass, and then Bluestone Pass was shattered. He wielded his sword deep into the disciples, and there has been no news since."
The Dean frowned, suddenly cursing loudly, "Who told him to go!"
The Lord Warden Commander said, "No one told him to go. He was already seriously injured before rushing to Bluestone Pass, but he still chose to enter the desolate north, contributing his strength to the Northern Frontier's war. Does it count as dying a worthy death"
The Dean suddenly turned his head and looked at the Lord Warden Commander. He really did not want to hear those words "dying a worthy death"
The Lord Warden Commander looked at the Dean with some sympathy and smiled, "The reports from the Northern Frontier have always been somewhat delayed, so at this moment, I reckon things have already changed. Maybe he's already dead, or maybe not."
The Lord Warden Commander spoke seriously.
The Dean cursed, "This isn't fucking funny."
The Lord Warden Commander sighed and said, "Compared to this news, what I'm going to tell you next is really not funny."
The Dean grunted and looked up at the Lord Warden Commander.
"His Majesty went deep into the desolate north all alone, and fought a great battle with the Demon Emperor. After that, the Great General dispatched Li Changling to lead two hundred thousand cavalry north to find His Majesty."
The Lord Warden Commander narrowed his eyes and said, "His Majesty may have returned safely at this moment, or he might be buried in the desolate north."
The Dean was not foolish and quickly figured out some things, saying, "So you want to intensify the situation?"
The Lord Warden Commander said, "This is His Majesty's intention."
One piece of news fell upon every household along with the heavy snowfall. The prominent figures in the Divine Capital virtually all received this news at this moment.
In front of the ancestral shrine of the Xie Family, many descendants of the Xie Family knelt behind the Xie Family's ancestor.
"Ancestor, it's a time of great changes in the world. The fate of the Divine Capital and the Great Liang lies in the decision of Ancestor. Our Xie Family must not fall behind others in this!"
Someone spoke softly, their face full of concern, looking at the ever-emotionless ancestor of the Xie Family. They gritted their teeth and continued, "His Majesty has already died in the desolate north. We must make plans again, and a choice must be made between the two imperial princes!
Hearing these words, the Xie Family's ancestor felt a bit annoyed, waved his hand, and calmly said, "All get lost."
Listening to this, the person looked incredulously at Xie Family's ancestor, blurting in disbelief, "Ancestor, this moment is the most dangerous time in over two hundred years of the Great Liang Dynasty. Why haven't Ancestor made a decision?"
Hearing this, the Xie Family's ancestor turned indifferently to face the Xie Family descendant who spoke.
Realizing he misspoke, that person quickly lowered his head, but still said, "Ancestor, the glory of the Xie Family lies with Ancestor. We earnestly hope that Ancestor will think thrice!"
The Xie Family's ancestor remained silent. He simply extended his hand, and someone appeared to address these Xie Family descendants.
The meaning was clear; the ancestor was unwilling to make a choice at this moment. He was making them get lost and wait.
"We will wait in the distance for Ancestor's decision, but please, Ancestor, you have to make up your mind!"
After saying these words, Xie Family's descendants stood up and left, soon disappearing.
Watching them leave, the Xie Family's ancestor plopped down on the chair, gazing at the falling snowflakes as he muttered, "Isn't it foolish?"
……
……
Wei Xu sat on the doorstep of the Wei Family's main entrance, flipping through an old book. Occasionally, snowflakes blown under the eaves fell onto the book, and Wei Xu gently blew them away without uttering a word.
Someone approached him from behind, paused for a moment, and then began to speak, their voice soft, audible to few.
Wei Xu remained silent. After hearing it all, he shook his head and said, "Today, I won't leave the Wei Family. I won't see anyone."
The person did not hesitate and chose to leave after receiving a clear answer. Soon, they went to inform the arrival.
Wei Xu continued to look at the old book in front of him, but his thoughts drifted afar. After a moment, he came back to reality and said under his breath, "Turns out that having a patient temperament is such a good thing."
……
……
In the First Prince's residence, within the study, the aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air. The First Prince with a bloated physique set down his medicine bowl, looking at the confidential reports on the table in silence for a considerable time.
A middle-aged steward stood at his side, cautiously inquiring, "Your Highness, should we pay another visit to the Left Guard now? Her Highness has already left."
The First Prince looked at the steward, gave a cold laugh, and waved his hand as he said, "Don't be so stupid. Elder Sister appearing there is to tell me and Second Brother that this youth shouldn't be easily touched. Otherwise, we won't be giving her face."
The steward furrowed his brows, "Compared to the important matters, Her Highness' face probably isn't worth mentioning, right?"
A princess who could not possibly wield real power, what significance did she have?
The First Prince frowned, saying with displeasure, "What nonsense are you talking about? She's this imperial highness' big sister. When this imperial highness was a child and accidentally fell into a well, if it weren't for Elder Sister risking her life, could this imperial highness have survived until now?!"
The steward was startled, wondering why this incident had never been known to outsiders.
