Ze Tian Ji

Edited by: Michyrr

With just a glance, Xu Yourong could tell that Yuren did not like her.

Yuren calmly gazed at her. He said nothing, because he could not speak.

Xu Yourong mocked herself, "I always believed that everyone liked me."

It was a rather cute phrase.

Yuren smiled.

But the laughter in his eyes was rather faint, or perhaps indifferent.

Xu Yourong looked into his eyes and suddenly smiled.

Because she understood why Yuren did not like her.

Tonight’s events had probably already been sent into the palace. Yuren probably knew that Chen Changsheng had truly gotten angry.

In his view, these matters had been instigated by Xu Yourong.

So he did not like her.

Upon understanding this, Xu Yourong realized that she did not need to ask any further questions.

Yuren truly did regard Chen Changsheng with great importance, just like Chen Changsheng did for him.

These martial brothers from Xining Village were just like brothers by blood, perhaps even closer.

Xu Yourong’s smile was very beautiful, because she had always been very beautiful.

And this was a sincere smile.

Whether it was the effect of her beautiful face or her sincere smile, the indifference in Yuren’s eyes somewhat decreased.

"Yes, he doesn’t like being Pope, and he did not have the ability to choose in this matter."

Xu Yourong went on, "I was different. When I was five, the Empress and Master gave me a chance to choose. This was a choice that I made, and it has already become my habit, so it is more suitable for me to do what comes next."

What would happen next?

Firstly, it was naturally a continuation of this conversation.

Xu Yourong very casually took a seat across from Yuren.

Yuren used his right hand to push over a small plate.

Xu Yourong realized that the plate contained sugared plums.

Yuren in no way seemed like a person who liked eating sugared plums, so perhaps these were meant for the eunuchs and maids?

Xu Yourong did not think this was a disgrace. On the contrary, she knew that this was an expression of Yuren’s kindness.

Though the method he used to express his kindness was, just like Chen Changsheng’s, rather awkward.

She used her fingers to pick up one of the sugared plums and pop it into her mouth, and a satisfied expression appeared on her face.

Yuren smiled, also very satisfied.

Xu Yourong said, "I do not cultivate the Dao of the Orthodoxy’s legitimate line. Up until today, I also do not quite understand what Chen Changsheng means by following his heart. As a result, I can’t understand the relationship between you disciples and your master. Across the entire continent, it’s probably only you three that understand it, but the problem must still be resolved."

Yuren calmly gazed at her, using his eyes to inquire as to how she planned to resolve it.

"It’s very simple. You martial brothers will work together and invite your master to retire."

Seeing as her mouth held a sugared plum, Xu Yourong’s voice was rather garbled.

But the meaning she wanted to convey was clear, as sharp as the edge of the temple sword.

A gasp could be heard from the shadows of the hall, like someone had eaten an extremely sour plum.

Xu Yourong’s expression did not change. It was evident that she already knew someone was there.

Yuren shook his head at the shadow.

Eunuch Lin gradually walked out from the shadow, then bowed and retreated out of the hall.

Perhaps it was because the impact of Xu Yourong’s suggestion was too great or perhaps it was just his age, but this expert of the Imperial Palace appeared rather stooped as he departed, and when he left, he even forgot to bar the door. A chilly winter breeze blew in out of the heavy darkness, and when it was blocked by the array installed in the hall, it made a flapping sound as if it was blowing against paper.

A window on the western wall was blown up, its cover clacking against the wall. Several wisps of breeze penetrated the array and ruffled the yellow silk in the hall. The Night Pearl was not a candle, but its light seemed to be affected by the breeze, constantly swaying so that it could not properly illuminate the faces of Xu Yourong and Yuren.

Their faces were devoid of expression and their eyes did not blink. They quietly stared at each other.

Xu Yourong’s eyes were absolutely calm.

Yuren was somewhat puzzled.

He could not understand why she had given this suggestion, or how she would even dare to make such a suggestion.

The entire continent knew that, in utter contrast to the callous and emotionless way he treated Chen Changsheng, Shang Xingzhou treated Yuren extremely well.

So well that there was nothing to criticize.

Even Shang Xingzhou’s foes, even Chen Changsheng, had to admit to this point.

"Yes, he raised you and taught you, cherished you and protected you. He made you emperor and taught you how to rule, and now he even intends to hand over the government to you. In every aspect, he seems to treat you very well, but the problem is, is he really treating you well?"

Xu Yourong calmly said, "He loves Emperor Taizong, not you. You are just a projection of his feelings, or perhaps a puppet."

The wind stirred once more.

The bright yellow sleeve drifted in the wind.

Yuren raised his brows.

He did not leave with a sweep of his sleeve, did not slap the desk and rise.

But Xu Yourong knew that he did not want to listen.

So she approached the problem from a different direction.

"If those two really do break into hostilities, can you really just watch them kill each other? If your master really does want to kill Chen Changsheng, will you not feel regret in the future? Even considering how well your master treated you, you should at least attempt to stop this from happening."

Xu Yourong said, "You should choose where you stand, the sooner, the better, and you cannot choose the middle."

Yuren shook his head.

He did not believe Xu Yourong was wrong, nor was he rejecting her proposal. He was telling her that doing this had no meaning.

Xu Yourong’s gaze fell on the jade pendant tied to his waist and she understood.

Three years ago, when the capital was shrouded in snow, Chen Changsheng went to kill Zhou Tong, and Shang Xingzhou prepared to leave the palace. At the time, Yuren stood in the snow, the jade pendant in his hand.

This jade pendant had been gifted by the Qiushan clan and symbolized how Qiushan Jun had stabbed himself in the chest during Mount Li’s internal strife.

Yuren had used the jade pendant to express his own resolve and stop Shang Xingzhou from leaving the palace.

But at the time, Shang Xingzhou had said to him that this was the last time.

Yuren understood his master. Since he had said that this was the last time, it really was the last time.

He did not believe that if he worked together with his junior brother, they would be able to force their master to yield.

Xu Yourong suddenly asked, "You and Chen Changsheng have never met after the coup of the Mausoleum of Books. Even though you are both in the capital, perhaps only one wall away. Why is this?"

Yuren looked out the window to the west, a hint of yearning on his face.

The Orthodox Academy was over there.

Xu Yourong continued, "Because the two of you know that your master does not want you to meet."

Yuren gave no response.

Both he and Chen Changsheng knew what their master was most wary of.

So he and Chen Changsheng had never thought about meeting.

Even though they dearly wanted to.

Xu Yourong continued to ask, "But did either of you ever think about why he was not willing to see the two of you meet?"

Yuren was somewhat confused, thinking to himself, isn’t it because of those reasons that the entire world knows of?

Xu Yourong gave a faint smile and said, "Because he is afraid of the two of you."