Martial Cultivator

Xie Nandu retorted, "Why wouldn't I be interested?"

She was very serious and looked at the dean as she said, "If it has meaning, then I want both the academy and the Xie Family."

This sentence sounded ordinary, but in reality, it was not an ordinary matter at all.

Being the family head of the Xie Family and the Dean of the academy were both important positions in the Great Liang Dynasty.

The Dean said, "If that day really comes, I dare not imagine what will happen to the Great Liang Dynasty."

The dean was very serious. This matter was also of great significance to him. Hearing Xie Nandu say this was somewhat unexpected for him.

If both the Xie Family and the academy were in Xie Nandu's hands, she would undoubtedly become an influential figure capable of influencing the political landscape of the Great Liang Dynasty. It was often easy for such a character to become an extremist.

Regardless of whether was it power over the imperial court, or because their superiors become suspicious and jealous of them because they hold too much authority, their end result would not be good.

Powerful officials never had a good end result.

Xie Nandu smiled nonchalantly and did not say anything more.

With a slight movement of her mind, a hint of sword qi surged between her fingers, appearing incredibly sharp.

She truly was naturally suited for sword cultivation.

The Dean looked at her solemnly and asked, "Is that matter something you must do?"

Xie Nandu looked at the dean and nodded seriously.

The Dean nodded without saying another word. It was just that he took a few steps in front of the bookshelf, seemingly lost in thought, and then he left.

The Dean walked away quickly, without laughing this time. Otherwise, rumors of hauntings might still spread throughout the academy.

Xie Nandu put down the book in her hand and fell into silence for a long time, looking towards the North.

……

……

The two wine flasks were not drunk quickly, but eventually, the time came to finish drinking.

The Second Prince's face had a slight flush. This prince was starting to feel a bit intoxicated.

Chen Chao's eyes remained clear. He had consumed a fair amount of alcohol, but he showed no signs of drunkenness and remained fully aware.

"There's something that that no one has thought through, but this prince is very clear."

The Second Prince narrowed his eyes and said softly. "It's that whether it's you, Commander Chen, or that Lord Warden Commander, or even that Dean, or that Northern Frontier Great General, none of you should be dragged into the so-called struggle for the throne."

Chen Chao said softly, "This lowly official cannot be mentioned in the same breath as those individuals."

Whether was it the Dean or the Lord Warden, they were truly prominent figures of the Great Liang Dynasty. Although Chen Chao had gained some fame by now, he could not be compared to these characters in any way.

The Second Prince shook his head and retorted, "Don't underestimate yourself. Even if you're truly insignificant, this prince is also far inferior to Royal Father in many ways, and I can only look up to Royal Father at this moment. But this prince never thinks that I'll be inferior to Royal Father for my entire life."

"Your Highness has great ambitions..." Chen Chao looked at the empty wine cup on the table. The last cup of wine had already been consumed.

"Don't you?"

The Second Prince looked at Chen Chao and casually said, "I can tell that you'll be the exact same person as me. That's why I simply want to be friends with you. It has nothing to do with the throne, the struggle for the heir, or the world. Even if one day, you choose to stand by my royal brother's side, I think we can still be friends."

This was the first time tonight that the Second Prince referred to himself as "I" instead of "this prince."

It might not signify much, but in reality, it could really illustrate some things.

Perhaps at this moment, Chen Chao and this Second Prince had truly set aside their respective identities.

Chen Chao looked into the Second Prince's eyes, as if trying to find what he wanted to see within those slightly hazy eyes.

"This lowly official will be taking my leave."

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Chao stood up and performed a bow, taking his leave.

The Second Prince did not stop him, nor did he rise from his seat.

They had chatted a little tonight, but it was actually not much. The two of them did not truly open up to each other, not because the Second Prince was unwilling, but because Chen Chao did not give him the opportunity.

This young man from Wei River did not provide the Second Prince a chance for an in-depth conversation.

When he left White Crane Pavilion, that horse carriage was waiting not far away.

The steward smiled at Chen Chao and said, "Commander Chen, please."

Earlier, Chen Chao had mentioned that he would first attend the Second Prince's banquet. This steward had made the decision to agree without informing that First Prince. This had already made Chen Chao regard him highly. Now, seeing him again, Chen Chao took the initiative to ask, "May I know your name?"

The steward shook his head and replied, "My surname is Zhou."

Chen Chao nodded, knowing when to step back as well.

Steward Zhou glanced at Chen Chao and then smiled, saying, "His Highness sent word earlier: it's too late tonight, so Commander can go back and rest. His Highness won't bother Commander tonight."

As he spoke, several people behind him walked over holding some items.

"These are gifts from His Highness to Commander. Please be sure to accept them."

Steward Zhou looked at Chen Chao with a faint smile from start to end.

Chen Chao contemplated for a moment and understood the meaning behind it. The Second Prince was already an extremely clever person. If the First Prince was a fool, then he would not be a worthy opponent for the Second Prince.

Chen Chao said, "It's too far, can you give me a lift?"

Hearing this, Steward Zhou gave Chen Chao a somewhat peculiar look, but soon broke into a smile.

He was also an astute person and naturally understood the meaning of returning a favor.

He quickly lifted the curtain and welcomed Chen Chao inside.

The horse carriage left the place, heading towards the academy.

Driving the carriage was none other than that Steward Zhou.

He did not seem very good at driving a carriage, but how could something like this be discerned?

Chen Chao was silent for a long time when he suddenly said, "Perhaps I won't be able to pay a visit to His Highness' manor before leaving the Divine Capital."

Steward Zhou did not even turn his head and said with a smile, "It's not a big deal, I believe His Highness can understand."

Chen Chao said, "Many thanks for His Highness' understanding."

Steward Zhou said softly, "Commander Chen should also be cautious. There are many people who don't want to see Commander Chen continue living."

Chen Chao said, "But I don't think I'll die so easily."

Hearing the words coming from inside the carriage, Steward Zhou nodded with a smile as he said, "Of course, His Highness also doesn't want Commander Chen to die like that."

Chen Chao fell silent for a moment and said, "Many thanks, His Highness."

This was not the first time he had said such words, but the meaning behind each time was different.

Steward Zhou, naturally understood.

Chen Chao said, "When I return, I will personally visit His Highness."

Steward Zhou shook his head with a smile and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter whether you meet or not, as long as you have the intention, it will suffice"

Chen Chao sighed emotionally as he said "His Highness is really fortunate to have someone like you, Sir."

'Sir', this form of address, was very formal and not something that anyone could live up to.

Steward Zhou chuckled and said, "If His Highness can make a friend like Commander Chen, then it would truly be fortunate."

……

……

The horse carriage returned from the academy, back to the First Prince's manor.

Steward Zhou jumped off the carriage and entered through a side door.

Not long after, Steward Zhou walked through the corridor and arrived at the study.

After pausing for a moment at the door of the study, he walked in.

The study was simple and could be described as plain and elegant. There was only a row of bookshelves, and in front of the bookshelves, there was an ordinary desk.

The First Prince sat there, resembling a small mountain.

He was very fat.

There was no sense of ruthlessness on his rotund face, but rather an unexpectedly magnanimous expression.

It was rumored that when the current Emperor was still Prince Fan, he did not like the First Prince much because of his poor health. He even had the idea of changing heirs, but it was the Empress who strongly opposed it, that protected his position as heir. After that, when the Great Liang Emperor took over the Divine King, he never appointed a crown prince. It was likely related to this.

Perhaps it was only because the Empress was still alive before, but now that the Empress had passed away, everything became delicate once again.

The First Prince sat here and could hear those voices too, but he did not mind. He was just listening to Steward Zhou speak.

The First Prince was listening for the final answer to the events that had taken place tonight.

After an unknown amount of time, Steward Zhou finished recounting the events and began sharing his thoughts on Chen Chao.

He did not seem like a steward, but more like the First Prince's adviser. Their relationship also seemed to go beyond that.

After who knows how long, Steward Zhou finished speaking, then looked at the First Prince.

The First Prince rubbed his face, picked up the hot tea next to him, took a sip, and then slowly said, "This Commander Chen is indeed a very clever person, but perhaps too clever for his own good."

"In the view of this lowly one, although this Commander Chen is still a teenager, he shows a great sense of propriety. What he displays may very well be what he wants others to see."

Steward Zhou lowered his head. It was unknown what he was looking at.

"In that case, you have a pretty good opinion of him."

The First Prince set down the teacup and said with a slight smile, "Actually, Royal Father's evaluation of him... cough... is also pretty good."

Steward Zhou quickly handed him a handkerchief.

The First Prince covered his mouth and nose, coughing violently, for a solid few minutes.

After a few minutes, he passed back the handkerchief, then looked at Steward Zhou with some weariness.

"Since he has already made such a choice, let him be. I understand my second brother's thoughts. I don't necessarily have to compete with him, it's merely a matter of expressing my attitude."

The First Prince picked up the hot tea and took a sip.

Steward Zhou quickly picked up the iron kettle placed on a nearby stove and added some fresh boiling water for the eldest prince.

A few sparks flew up.

The First Prince said softly, "I heard that during Royal Mother's final days, she met him several times. There had always been rumors in the Divine Capital that he was actually a descendant of the previous dynasty's fallen families, but how could Royal Mother be mistaken? If he were truly from the previous dynasty's fallen families, Royal Mother wouldn't have met him a second time."

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhou knew that what followed was not something he could listen to anymore, so he quickly left the study room.

Even if it was him, he did not want to get involved in the royal family's secrets too.

Because one misstep could cost him his life.

The First Prince muttered to himself, "So, can I call you 'little brother' too?"