Chapter 36: Left Emperor’s Scheme, Chen Changsheng Enters the Xuanwu Pavilion
“Sir, why do you choose the Ancient Forbidden Ground?”
After the banquet ended, Zuo Xinghe directly stopped Chen Changsheng, who was wandering around.
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng smacked his lips and said, “I just talked about it!”
“Only the Ancient Forbidden Ground has the possibility of helping His Majesty live against fate. Other places do not have this possibility.”
“Sir, the reason you just mentioned is indeed impeccable, but Xinghe believes you have other reasons.”
Looking at the stubborn Zuo Xinghe in front of him, Chen Changsheng scratched his head.
“I thought you were smarter, able to see through the current situation, but I didn’t expect you to have not figured it out yet. I’m a little disappointed.”
“What do you mean by that, sir?”
“I ask you, who is the strongest in the Xuanwu Kingdom?”
“Of course, it is my father, the Left Emperor.”
“Then who understands the Xuanwu Kingdom the most?”
“Also my father, since he ascended the throne, the Xuanwu Kingdom has entered an unprecedented strong state.”
“The territory has more than doubled, and these lands are all conquered by my father himself.”
“Every inch of land in the Xuanwu Kingdom has been measured by his own feet; he knows the Xuanwu Kingdom better than anyone.”
“Isn’t that enough?” Chen Changsheng spread his hands and said, “His Majesty is the strongest in the Xuanwu Kingdom and also the one who understands it best.”
“It is difficult for him not to know which place can help him live against fate?”
Upon hearing this, Zuo Xinghe was taken aback.
“Sir, are you saying that the Ancient Forbidden Ground is His Majesty’s meaning?”
“Yes.”
“As the crown prince of the Xuanwu Kingdom, you know the history of the Xuanwu Kingdom better than I do.”
“His Majesty has already lived for two thousand three hundred years. In the previous two thousand two hundred years, His Majesty had no offspring or partners.”
“But in the last hundred years, you were born, and there have been eight more brothers.”
“Not having relationships for two thousand two hundred years and suddenly doing so in the last hundred years, don’t you think it resembles the actions of a bygone era?”
“Living against fate is more difficult than ascending to the heavens; it is impossible to succeed with short-term preparations.”
Upon listening to this, Zuo Xinghe also began to understand a little.
“You mean to say that His Majesty started preparing for this more than a hundred years ago?”
“Probably more than that. Such a major undertaking requires at least two or three hundred years of preparation; it is inconceivable otherwise.”
“His Majesty asking you to find the dragon’s den is merely to test your abilities.”
“To expect nine children under a hundred years of age to prepare for something as monumental as living against fate is simply a huge joke.”
After finishing speaking, Chen Changsheng started wandering again.
Zuo Xinghe stood quietly for a moment, then hurriedly caught up with Chen Changsheng’s footsteps and said, “Sir, could you persuade His Majesty? The Ancient Forbidden Ground is very dangerous; a small mistake could lead to the destruction of the entire Xuanwu Kingdom.”
“How can I persuade His Majesty? I am merely an outsider; this task should fall to you.”
“When I came here, I had you persuade your father because I had already guessed that His Majesty would choose the Ancient Forbidden Ground.”
Saying this, Chen Changsheng arrived at a pavilion.
This was the place where the Xuanwu Kingdom’s martial arts were stored, the Xuanwu Pavilion.
Looking at the towering pavilion before him, a gleam of excitement appeared in Chen Changsheng’s eyes.
A place rich in books was the greatest temptation in the world for Chen Changsheng.
“This should be the place where the Xuanwu Kingdom’s collection of books is stored. Do you want to accompany me inside and take a look?”
In response to Chen Changsheng’s invitation, the troubled Zuo Xinghe forced a smile and said, “I can’t accompany you, sir. This Xuanwu Pavilion is only accessible when permitted by His Majesty; I cannot enter at will either.”
“Also, sir, remember, you can only observe inside, not touch anything at will.”
“Once you touch something carelessly, it may…”
Before Zuo Xinghe could finish his sentence, a dark shadow suddenly appeared before both of them.
“His Majesty has commanded that if Mr. Changsheng wishes to take anything, he may do so freely. No one is to obstruct him.”
“Additionally, Prince Xinghe is responsible for taking Mr. Changsheng on a tour of the palace, ensuring Mr. Changsheng is fully satisfied.”
Zuo Xinghe: ???
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Zuo Xinghe questioned inwardly: Is my father joking? This isn’t how things work!
Could it be that Chen Changsheng is my father’s illegitimate child? Otherwise, why do none of us legitimate children have such treatment?
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Chen Changsheng smiled gratefully and then dragged the dazed Zuo Xinghe into the Xuanwu Pavilion.
……
In the Xuanwu Pavilion.
Looking at the dazzling array of books in front of him, Chen Changsheng was nearly drooling.
At this moment, Zuo Xinghe also came back to his senses from the shock.
He hesitantly asked, “Sir, you aren’t surnamed Zuo, are you?”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes and said speechlessly, “Please don’t make that kind of ethical joke. I’m surnamed Chen; that’s undeniable.”
“I’m not the illegitimate child of the Emperor, nor am I your biological brother.”
While complaining about Zuo Xinghe, Chen Changsheng selected books from the Xuanwu Pavilion.
Seeing this, Zuo Xinghe continued to ask, “Since sir is not the Emperor’s child, why does the Emperor treat you so kindly?”
“Is it just because sir guessed the Emperor’s thoughts?”
While Zuo Xinghe was questioning, Chen Changsheng had already selected a large pile of books.
Soon, a book as large as a house appeared before Chen Changsheng.
“What kind of book is this?”
Though Chen Changsheng did not answer his question, Zuo Xinghe still respectfully replied, “This is the history book of the Xuanwu Kingdom, recording everything since the founding of the Xuanwu Kingdom.”
“So it’s the history book of the Xuanwu Kingdom!”
“This is a great treasure.”
Saying this, Chen Changsheng slowly rose into the air, aligning himself with the huge history book.
He saw that the massive history book had been opened to a certain section, which just happened to record information about the Bronze Ancient Palace.
Seeing this, Chen Changsheng pointed to the record about the Bronze Ancient Palace and said, “The record of the Bronze Ancient Palace, you found out about it from here, right?”
“Yes, I came to the Xuanwu Pavilion not long ago to retrieve the Nine-Turn Xuan Skill, wanting to invite you out of seclusion.”
“I accidentally discovered this clue.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng nodded, “His Majesty has indeed gone to great lengths to invite me out!”
Zuo Xinghe: ???
What do you mean by that? When did my father invite you?
Faced with Zuo Xinghe’s puzzled expression, Chen Changsheng said, “What are you staring at? You don’t really think you discovered the clue to the Bronze Ancient Palace, do you?”
“This book is so thick, with so much content; it’s a coincidence that you opened a page that records the Bronze Ancient Palace I’m looking for.”
“Don’t you think this is a bit too coincidental?”
Hearing this, Zuo Xinghe exclaimed in surprise, “Then who is pushing this matter behind the scenes?”
“Who else could it be? Of course, it’s your father!”
“For ten years, you have come to find me once every year; with such unusual behavior, how could His Majesty not pay attention?”
“Once His Majesty discovered my existence, he would naturally investigate my background and my situation.”
“Perhaps out of curiosity about me, His Majesty gently nudged you, causing me to arrive in this Chang’an City.”
“But the matter of the Bronze Ancient Palace, you have only said to me alone!”
“Exactly. If it’s you investigating the Bronze Ancient Palace, the news is bound to leak!”
“Investigation requires asking people or consulting ancient texts. In this Chang’an City, how could you do anything without His Majesty knowing?”
Zuo Xinghe: “……”
I suddenly feel like a child.
