Imperial Cultivation

73: Chapter 71 Means

73 -71 Means

Upon hearing the words of the man in the green robe, everyone avoided looking at Chu Zhiyuan’s expression.

At this moment, Chu Zhiyuan was at his most sensitive and furious.

Cheng Tianfeng, this Princely Heir of Da Zhen, dared to covet Chu Zhiyuan’s woman.

It was outrageous and lawless.

Just thinking about it made Chu Zhiyuan immensely angry.

If it were him, and his woman was coveted and manipulated, he would undoubtedly retaliate regardless of consequences, not giving a damn about him being the Princely Heir of Da Zhen.

Even though Da Jing and Da Zhen were to form an alliance now, retaliation at this time would damage the relationship between the two countries.

Yet, revenge was a must.

If Cheng Tianfeng wasn’t afraid of rupturing the alliance between the two nations, then why should he bother about it!

Anger indeed surged within Chu Zhiyuan.

Even though his Super Sense gave him a divine-like calmness, he was still furious at this moment.

No matter what Cheng Tianfeng’s intentions were, he shouldn’t have laid a hand on Xiao Ruoling; it was a great humiliation to him.

What made him even angrier was that Cheng Tianfeng’s actions completely disregarded the alliance between the two nations, humiliating not only himself but also all of Da Jing.

Did he represent the entire attitude of Da Zhen, or was it just some people’s stance in Da Zhen?

Cheng Tianfeng was the closed-door disciple of the State Preceptor and the direct disciple of Wentian Cliff.

Did this also represent Wentian Cliff’s attitude?

So, was the alliance between Da Zhen and Da Jing genuine or not?

Was it a temporary expedient or a deceit?

Huang Shiron spoke softly, “Your Highness?”

“Hmm, let it be.” Chu Zhiyuan slowly said, “Treat today’s matter as if you don’t know about it.”

“It won’t get out.” Huang Shiron nodded lightly, looking at Ma Tianhe.

Ma Tianhe nodded hurriedly, “Naturally.”

Xiao Ruoyu wanted to speak but hesitated.

Even with his back turned, Chu Zhiyuan clearly saw him and said, “Young Master, it’s okay to tell your sister.”

Xiao Ruoyu nodded quickly.

This matter could not be concealed from his elder sister.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced in the direction of the Four Directions Pavilion, sighed, “This Princely Heir of Da Zhen, really is…”

Huang Shiron frowned, “It’s said that this Prince Ying Heir is very wise and martial, how could he be so obsessed like this?”

“Who knows if it’s intentional,” Chu Zhiyuan shook his head, “Let’s just assume he’s obsessed.”

Huang Shiron seemed thoughtful.

She sensed the unspoken meaning behind Chu Zhiyuan’s words.

Could there be uncertainties in the alliance between Da Zhen and Da Jing?

Is it just Da Jing’s wishful thinking?

Chu Zhiyuan seemed a little disinterested, “Let the Inspection Department handle him, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Everyone left the house.

Huang Shiron bid farewell to Chu Zhiyuan on the street.

She did not offer any words of comfort, knowing that saying more at this moment would be pointless; pretending nothing happened was the best.

——

Xiao Ruoyu bid farewell to Chu Zhiyuan and hurried back to the Duke An Mansion, heading straight to the backyard.

The bright sunlight made the lake’s surface glisten like countless piles of jewels.

A painted boat gently rocked with the waves on the lake surface.

Xiao Ruoyu walked on the water as if on solid ground, like a leaf floating onto the painted boat, then he lifted the curtain and entered the cabin.

Amidst the refreshing fragrance, Xiao Ruoling was reading in front of a desk.

Hearing the sound, she turned her head and looked over; her limpid eyes swiftly scanned over him, “Little Hu, encountered any danger?”

The two little maids, Lu Xiaoqing and Cheng Ju, came over to greet him.

Cheng Ju offered a cup of tea.

Xiao Ruoling wore a lake-green gauze robe, loose and wide, her graceful figure faintly visible.

She lightly placed the jade scroll down, “Have some water first before speaking.”

Xiao Ruoyu, who had just had a cup of tea at the tea shop, wasn’t thirsty but still took a sip.

“Young Master, you’ve been away for so long, did you go along with them?”

“Yes, I went with the Fourth Prince.”

“Fourth Prince?”

Xiao Ruoyu glanced at the two little maids, then at Xiao Ruoling.

Xiao Ruoling smiled, “They’re not outsiders, it’s fine.”

“This matter shouldn’t be spread; I had promised.”

“Then just forget it, don’t break your promise.”

“He said you can be told, my elder sister,” Xiao Ruoyu thought for a moment, “this matter involves you.”

“Alright then, speak up, they are like a part of me.”

Reluctantly, Xiao Ruoyu narrated the events once more.

After the three ladies listened, the two little maids couldn’t hold back.

“Young Master, is our brother-in-law really that formidable?”

“He could capture the mastermind just with an invitation card, isn’t that too miraculous?”

“It is indeed that miraculous!” Xiao Ruoyu snorted.

He admired Chu Zhiyuan’s abilities but didn’t want to praise him, feeling conflicted.

Lu Xiaoqing asked puzzledly, “Since brother-in-law has such capabilities, why doesn’t he join the Military Suppression Department or the Inspection Department?

It should be easy to make merits, right?”

Xiao Ruoyu also looked at Xiao Ruoling with uncertainty.

Xiao Ruoling smiled.

She could vaguely guess the reason, but it was inappropriate to say much.

The Realm was insufficient, the ability to protect himself was weak, entering the Military Suppression Department or the Inspection Department was very dangerous.

After all, being her future husband, she had to maintain his image.

Cheng Ju whispered, “Miss, the brother-in-law really understands human nature.”

Xiao Ruoling said, “Perhaps it’s the environment that forced it.”

The Prince Mansion was much larger than the Duke Mansion, with far more people, essentially a small society.

The Prince Mansion was also in decline.

As the head of the family, one had to keep the hearts united while maintaining authority, which was no easy task.

This kind of situation most effectively tempered a person, possibly honing eyes capable of seeing through human nature.

Of course, it required enough insight.

Xiao Ruoyu sighed, “Indeed, it is truly illuminating; things are quite complicated.”

Previously, he saw the world too simply, thinking that if his cultivation was powerful or his authority strong enough, everything would go smoothly and easily.

Now he realized, there are many twists and turns in life, requiring much thought.

Xiao Ruoling lightly furrowed her brows, her jade fingers brushing the scroll, lost in thought.

After a moment, she slowly said, “Little Hu, the relationship between the Military Suppression Department and the Inspection Department is very delicate, and this matter is extremely sensitive.

The Fourth Prince has handled it quite well, …

However, it’s rare that he managed to suppress both sides.”

“Elder sister, what do you mean?”

Xiao Ruoling explained in detail, finding and discussing each key point and elaborating it thoroughly with him.

Had he been unable to suppress either side, Huang Shiron and Ma Tianhe would certainly have shirked responsibility, leading to a direct clash.

For the Military Suppression Department, this was an opportunity of great merit and a chance to severely impact the Inspection Department, thereby winning the hearts of experts in the Military Suppression Department and elevating its prestige.

For those in the Military Suppression Department, delivering a heavy blow to the Inspection Department was most satisfying and would win the hearts of everyone in the Military Suppression Department.

And as for the Inspection Department, it could be a great merit or a major fault, depending on how it was handled.

The best way would be to directly drive the Military Suppression Department away and even bite back against them.

Both sides remained restrained, which was not merely due to the Princely Heir’s identity.

Ordinary Princely Heirs have limited influence on the Military Suppression Department and the Inspection Department, not enough to cause such restraint.

Xiao Ruoyu nodded vigorously.

Xiao Ruoling then asked him to imagine himself as the Princely Heir of King Qing, how he would handle it, what each step would involve, and she analyzed the possible consequences.

Xiao Ruoyu nodded repeatedly, feeling he had gained much.

“You are still young,” said Xiao Ruoling, “you won’t encounter such things for a while, but you need to develop the habit now—observe minutely, understand human nature, and thereby harness it.”

Xiao Ruoyu nodded vigorously.

Today, following Chu Zhiyuan, he personally witnessed the scene, saw Chu Zhiyuan’s way of handling things, and was given a concrete and clear example.

If he had been following Duke An, seeing these affairs might not have made an impression, but following Chu Zhiyuan was a tremendous revelation to him.

“Miss, what do you think the brother-in-law will do next?” Lu Xiaoqing asked curiously, “Will he directly pay a visit to scold him or teach him a lesson?”

She did not believe that Chu Zhiyuan could swallow this insult.

Having one’s woman coveted, especially when she was the most beautiful woman in Yujing, was an unbearable insult for any man.

In this world, how many massacres have occurred due to women!

Moreover, swallowing this insult might encourage others to take advantage.

Such a situation was absolutely intolerable in the Prince Qing Mansion; they must quickly establish authority to intimidate others.

“It won’t be made big,” Xiao Ruoling smiled with bright eyes, “it’ll be kept under wraps at first.”

“He can endure this?” Lu Xiaoqing was surprised.

Xiao Ruoyu curiously added, “I don’t see the Fourth Prince as someone who would swallow his pride.”

Although Chu Zhiyuan hadn’t done anything domineering, he just gave off that strong and assertive vibe.

Absolutely unable to tolerate such things.

Xiao Ruoling said, “If it gets out, it would be a big scandal, damaging to one’s reputation.”

“So just endure?” Lu Xiaoqing asked.

Xiao Ruoling smiled, “Just endure for now, there’ll eventually be revenge, it’s just a matter of finding the opportunity.”

If it were her, she would do the same.

Lu Xiaoqing said, “Miss, if it were me, I’d sneak into the Four Directions Pavilion at night and give him a good beating to vent the anger.”

Xiao Ruoling chuckled, “The Da Zhen Mission surely has Great Grandmasters; how would you sneak in?”

“There are Great Grandmasters…” Lu Xiaoqing suddenly felt powerless, “Then forget it, but I can’t swallow this anger, I’d be too angry to sleep!”

While they were talking, Chu Zhiyuan was at the Tingtao Courtyard, examining the Dragon Bone that Ma Tianhe had just delivered.