Chapter 47: Silhouette and Green Tangerines
Someone from the Divine General’s Mansion had invited him, politely yet coldly. Chen Changsheng told Luoluo to stay where she was and walked toward the carriage waiting outside the alley. Only when he approached did he realize that the area around the carriage was utterly silent, with no one in sight—not even the attendant from the Divine General’s Mansion who had summoned him earlier.
The warhorse hitched to the carriage was tall and powerful, its mane faintly tinged with a reddish hue in the night, clearly no ordinary breed. It likely carried the bloodline of some exotic beast, drawing the eye irresistibly. Yet Chen Changsheng did not spare it a single glance, because the person he needed to see was inside the carriage.
That person did not alight but remained seated within. A red lantern hung on the far side of the carriage, its light streaming through the window and spilling out from the other side, casting his silhouette onto the curtain—sharp and distinct, as if carved by a blade.
Chen Changsheng bowed to the silhouette on the window. The silhouette was clear, and so was the person inside the carriage. The aura of authority, terror, and murderous intent was even clearer. Only then did he understand the source of the pressure he had felt twice during the Ivy Banquet—once at the beginning and once later on. One of his purposes in attending the Ivy Banquet had been to see this person face-to-face. Throughout the entire banquet, it seemed that person’s gaze had never lingered on him, but now he realized that person had been watching him all along.
“It’s been a long time since you left Xining and arrived in the capital. Up to now, I haven’t heard any unwelcome rumors, which proves you’re a clever man who acts with prudence. I appreciate that.”
Xu Shiji’s voice came through the carriage window, calm and indifferent. “After entering the National Academy, you even learned to leverage influence. I’ve discovered that you’re even smarter than I imagined. I have to say, I’m growing more and more appreciative of you.”
Chen Changsheng knew he was telling the truth—not mocking or belittling him—because he had no standing to warrant mockery or belittlement from the esteemed Eastern Divine General, let alone lies. Yet this realization brought him no joy, because he found that he still disliked Xu Shiji’s flavor.
Flavor wasn’t about bitterness, spiciness, sourness, or sweetness; it was an indescribable sensation. The tone Xu Shiji used with him now was also a kind of flavor.
Calm, aloof, and distant, without deliberate effort yet naturally condescending, and very much like an elder.
Chen Changsheng disliked this intensely. If it weren’t for the matters tied to that marriage contract, if it weren’t for the humiliation and suppression, if the other party had truly treated him as an elder would, then perhaps he could let it slide. But the problem was that none of those “ifs” held true.
Xu Shiji fell silent for a moment—perhaps because Chen Changsheng’s silence caught him off guard, or because he needed to think something over. The night breeze gently stirred the dim light of the lantern, and he asked, “Who is she?”
Yes, this was what he truly cared about. Of course, his concern had nothing to do with the marriage contract tied to Chen Changsheng. He wouldn’t care about Chen Changsheng’s interactions with any woman, because he had never truly regarded Chen Changsheng as his daughter’s fiancé.
From the moment Luoluo stepped onto the dueling platform at the Ivy Banquet, the subordinates of the Eastern Divine General’s Mansion had begun secretly investigating her origins. Yet even after the Ivy Banquet ended and Xu Shiji’s carriage left the Heavenly Academy, they still hadn’t uncovered any information.
Xu Shiji knew his men’s capabilities well, so he was somewhat startled.
That young girl was with Chen Changsheng, and this fact made him wary beyond his initial surprise.
Chen Changsheng did not answer his question, because he felt no need to respond to any of Xu Shiji’s inquiries.
The silhouette on the window grew sharper, its lines more severe—likely because Xu Shiji had leaned closer to the window.
The aura of authority became even more terrifying, the pressure turning into something almost tangible.
Chen Changsheng felt a wave of nausea in his chest, as if a mountain were pressing down on him.
“Actually, I do have some regrets,” came Xu Shiji’s emotionless voice from inside the carriage.
“When you first arrived in the capital, unknown to anyone, I should have killed you outright. I understand the principle that mercy doesn’t command armies, but your master’s sect has ties with my Xu Mansion. Someone wanted you alive, so I let you live.”
Chen Changsheng lowered his head and said nothing.
“In the height of summer, the capital is a place where people can easily die… The flood season is hard to predict, but it’s certain that the rivers in the capital will swell. When the waters rise, whether it’s a floating corpse or ashes, they’re easily swept away.”
Xu Shiji spoke through the carriage window, his tone indifferent.
“Take the Heavenly Academy’s instructor, Master Cao, for example. After tonight, he might become a floating corpse on the banks of the Lan River Plain thousands of miles away, or food for the carp in the Luo River. But in any case, no one will ever see him again.”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng looked up in shock at the window, thinking, why would the Heavenly Academy’s instructor die?
“That little monster is still a member of the Tianhai family… No matter how things unfold afterward, the instructor acted on his own, and Her Majesty will be displeased. When Her Majesty is displeased, Lord Zhou Tong will be very angry. When Lord Zhou Tong is angry… he’ll find death a mercy.”
“So, tonight, the instructor will definitely commit suicide.”
“I truly regret not killing you back then. Now it’s inconvenient to act directly, but I must remind you: there are many ways to survive in this world that are more terrifying than death. The instructor understands this truth, and I hope you do too.”
The lantern swayed slightly, its light dim. Over a dozen subordinates and adjutants emerged from the shadows, flanking the carriage as it slowly departed the alley, heading toward the Eastern Divine General’s Mansion. The tall, majestic warhorse cast a cold, indifferent glance at Chen Changsheng before leaving.
Inside the carriage, Xu Shiji remained silent. Deep in his eyes, countless ghostly flames flickered—not blazing, but chillingly cold. He realized that some things were slipping beyond his control. Although he had never truly controlled this matter due to that letter from the Holy Maiden Peak, the situation now seemed even more bizarre.
He knew the full story of how Chen Changsheng had entered the National Academy. Initially, he thought it held no deeper meaning, but now it seemed that even if it had started that way, someone was using this matter to stir up trouble. The factions within the State Religion still loyal to the Chen Imperial Clan, after years of silence, seemed to have finally found an opportunity to exploit. They were gradually surfacing. What impact would this have on the Eastern Divine General’s Mansion?
This matter was too significant. Even as the Divine General most trusted by Her Majesty the Saint, he dared not involve himself too deeply. For now, he had only confirmed one thing: if Chen Changsheng were truly dragged into that murky water, then this marriage contract must be kept hidden even more carefully—at least for a few more days.
In a few days, the joint delegation from the southern powers would arrive in the capital, bringing with them dozens of students preparing for next year’s Grand Examination. It was for this reason that the final two nights of this year’s Ivy Banquet might be postponed.
There was still a long time until next year’s Grand Examination, yet the southerners had broken convention by arriving months early. This had already sparked much discussion and speculation, but he knew well that Her Majesty the Saint welcomed this delegation’s arrival.
Only a handful of people across the continent knew that the southern delegation had come early because they intended to propose marriage on the Qixi Festival.
Xu Shiji knew this because the southern delegation’s proposal was for his daughter.
He would not allow anyone or anything to disrupt this marriage.
Chen Changsheng could not, that mysterious young girl could not, and no one could.
As for the National Academy, the Heavenly Academy, the old imperial clan, or the undercurrents in the capital—whatever schemes or plots there were, he wanted nothing to do with them. If anyone threatened this marriage, he would not hesitate to kill, even if it meant killing someone he shouldn’t.
Because he had a good daughter. As long as he didn’t betray Her Majesty, he could do whatever he pleased.
Of course, if there were a better way to eliminate unstable factors like Chen Changsheng and that young girl, that would be ideal. First, he needed to confirm certain things, then ask certain people to prepare certain matters.
“To the Little Tangerine Garden,” he said.
The Eastern Divine General’s Mansion carriage slowly turned onto the street, moving along a quiet road, ignoring the capital’s strict curfew, heading toward the imperial palace.
The Little Tangerine Garden was a small estate not far from the palace. It wasn’t large, but it was planted with many tangerine trees, giving it a rustic feel.
To have a garden so close to the palace, planted with worthless tangerine trees, was no ordinary privilege.
That was the residence of Miss Mo Yu.
…
…
Back at the National Academy, standing beneath a tree by the lake, thinking of the silhouette on the carriage window, Chen Changsheng’s mood soured. He wanted to shout twice at the lake, but feared startling the people in the Herb Garden beyond the wall. He wanted to curse a few times, but realized his master and senior brother had never taught him how. He didn’t know where to start.
Disgruntled, he turned and walked toward the library. As he passed through the lakeside grove, he spotted a tangerine tree laden with small, green, unripe fruits. On impulse, he reached up, plucked one, and popped it into his mouth. The sourness twisted his brows and eyes together.
“Even you’re bullying me?” He kicked the green tangerine tree, his breath coming in short, rough bursts.
Small green tangerines fell like raindrops, and from behind the tree came a soft cry of “Ouch!”
Luoluo emerged, rubbing her head. In her right hand, she carried a food box; her left hand covered her mouth, her face full of surprise, as if she had witnessed something bizarre.
Chen Changsheng was also startled. “Didn’t you go back to sleep?” he asked.
Luoluo said, “Mother Li prepared a midnight snack. I came to share it with you, Teacher.”
Seeing her expression, he asked in confusion, “What’s so surprising?”
Luoluo widened her eyes and said seriously, “I never expected that someone like you, Teacher, could have such a childish side.”
Chen Changsheng felt a bit embarrassed and headed toward the library.
A barely audible murmur drifted through the grove, tinged with the sourness of the green tangerines and a hint of grievance.
“I’m still a few months shy of fifteen. What’s wrong with being a little childish…”