Chapter 1265: Chapter 1232: Questioning
Zhao Cheng never expected that one day he could take something from Zhao Hu without a word of argument.
So when he received the token, his expression was still somewhat puzzled. He gave his father a deep look before turning to leave.
Zhao Cheng was eager to find answers, so without delving into it, he took the token and left.
Zhao Hu couldn’t keep his balance for a moment, shouting from behind, "You just returned home..."
Seeing Zhao Cheng turn around, Zhao Hu softened his voice and whispered, "At least change your clothes before you go. You can’t enter the palace looking so dusty and weary."
Zhao Cheng said, "The Third Lady won’t mind such trivial matters."
He was anxious, not wanting to waste time. It was almost noon, and everyone was busy on New Year’s Eve. If he didn’t see her now, it would be even harder to see her later.
Zhao Cheng hurriedly entered the palace with the token.
Zhao Hanzhang was leisurely playing chess with Guo Pu at the observatory.
When Zhao Cheng hurriedly arrived, Guo Pu had just lost a game. Seeing the visitor, he immediately put down his chess piece and said to Zhao Hanzhang, who was about to start the game, "Great General, your guest has arrived."
Zhao Hanzhang glanced down the stage and said, "It’s also Mr. Guo’s guest."
Guo Pu muttered to himself, what’s it got to do with him?
Recently he hadn’t promised Zhao Cheng anything. Wait, Zhao Cheng wasn’t resigning, was he?
Zhao Cheng walked up to the observatory, bowed to Zhao Hanzhang first, then directly asked Guo Pu, "Mr. Guo, did you predict the prophecy about the incessant winter thunder in the eastern suburbs on the 26th of last month, which felled a tree?"
Guo Pu said, "Who is so shameless, using my name to deceive?"
Zhao Hanzhang threw the chess pieces back into the chess basket and replied, "It was me."
Guo Pu held back his curses, swallowing them back with difficulty as he looked at Zhao Hanzhang and then Zhao Cheng, silently sitting without moving.
But holding back curses feels really uncomfortable.
Indeed, cursing not only harms others but oneself.
Take this matter as an example, whether spoken or not, it injures oneself.
Zhao Hanzhang invited Zhao Cheng to sit down for a talk.
Zhao Cheng, however, wasn’t really angry. From suspicion until now, two days had passed. While traveling, he had thought of all kinds of suspicions, and only doubts remained in his heart, not anger.
He sat to Zhao Hanzhang’s left and asked, "Why did you deceive me?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I didn’t deceive you."
"On the 25th, I told Uncle Cheng that the 26th might have winter thunder in the eastern suburbs; it was a prediction about the future. On the 26th, who can guarantee that there would be none? Uncle Cheng chose to leave through the South City Gate because of this prophecy. How could he be sure that the thunder would only strike the tree in the eastern suburbs and not in the southern suburbs?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "At that time, wasn’t it the safest method to stay in the capital and leave after the 26th? Why didn’t Uncle Cheng change his itinerary and had to travel according to his plan?"
The sequence of questions sparked Zhao Cheng’s interest in debating, just as he was about to refute her one by one, Zhao Hanzhang said, "Fact proves that your decision was average; you didn’t change your schedule, so you left the city on time. However, you changed your route, hence you had to expend half a day more than planned. If you hadn’t cared about the prophecy and went through the East City Gate on the 26th, you wouldn’t have encountered winter thunder, nor would your time and schedule have been delayed."
Zhao Cheng’s breathing was slightly rapid, and after a moment, he asked, "You mean, one should act bravely forward without concern for prophecies?"
Zhao Hanzhang said, "I do what I believe is right, without regret. What about you, Uncle Cheng? After leaving the city, did you regret coming back?"
Thus, she wouldn’t be deterred by Zhao Cheng’s worries from advancing; she would continue choosing to move forward. What about him, faced with hesitation for various reasons—is this a good thing?
Judging by this event, it’s not. He left the city and returned uselessly, ending back at the starting point.
Zhao Cheng opened his mouth but couldn’t speak for a long time.
Seeing him ponder silently, Zhao Hanzhang didn’t disturb him, gesturing to the chess basket for Guo Pu to continue.
Guo Pu glanced at the chessboard and sighed.
Playing chess with Zhao Hanzhang holds no pleasure; competing against Zhao Cheng gives him the satisfaction of dominating; playing with Fu Tinghan as opponents, similar in math skills, understanding each other, exchanging blows—win or lose uncertain, brings the excitement of encountering a kindred spirit...
Facing Zhao Hanzhang, this person is too cunning; he can predict her possible moves but is uncertain where she’ll ultimately place her piece. He’s been losing all day in chess today; it’s hardly fun!
The gloomy Guo Pu looked at the chessboard, clenched his teeth, and roused himself as if invigorated, determined to win at least once today!
Guo Pu grabbed the chess piece again and chose a conventional opening.
Half an hour later, Zhao Hanzhang was hungry and finally won another round, while Zhao Cheng awoke from his contemplation. Looking at the chessboard and then Guo Pu, he decided to vent his anger, saying, "You still deceived me, claiming the winter thunder was predicted by Mr. Guo."
Zhao Hanzhang paused her hand collecting the chess pieces between arguing and being honest, then sincerely nodded, "Yes, I did deceive Uncle Cheng about that."
Guo Pu remarked, "Shameless."
Zhao Cheng nodded.
Zhao Hanzhang remained unfazed and counter-questioned Zhao Cheng, "If Mr. Guo had predicted it, would Uncle Cheng believe it would certainly happen?"
Zhao Cheng replied, "Perhaps not definitely, but there’s a high probability it would happen, so I trusted it more."
Guo Pu was pleased with Zhao Cheng’s trust.
Zhao Hanzhang put all her black chess pieces into the basket, then swept the remaining white pieces into Guo Pu’s basket with a smile, "Then, is Uncle Cheng aware of the prophecy Mr. Guo made upon first seeing the Fifth and Seventh Ancestors?"
Initially, Guo Pu’s pronouncement of "Heaven’s Mandate" was kept sealed from spreading, but being the sons of Zhao Song and Zhao Hu, and considering Zhao Hanzhang’s important backing power, Zhao Ming and Zhao Cheng knew.
Consequently, Zhao Ming supported Zhao Hanzhang more firmly, whereas Zhao Cheng...
Was it due to Guo Pu’s saying, Zhao Family rises and falls with people’s hearts?
Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Uncle Cheng is too pessimistic; can you abandon food for fear of choking?"
Afraid of future failure, would you give up present success?
As Zhao Cheng’s eyes landed on him, Guo Pu promptly disassociated, "It is merely the trend; I couldn’t predict the specific time. This is national destiny, beyond my calculation."
Zhao Hanzhang said to Zhao Cheng, "National destiny~~"
Zhao Cheng:...
This can’t be considered a hint anymore, but an outright suggestion.
Zhao Hanzhang asked whether Zhao Cheng was planning to leave the city again, and if he wished to resume his official duties.
Zhao Cheng declined.
Although feeling much at ease, he still decided to venture out again, explore people’s livelihood, and listen to their voices.
Zhao Hanzhang always said he looked down from afar, seeing hardships but not knowing how people suffered. He must bow down and attentively listen to their voices.
Therefore, this time, Zhao Cheng wanted to go out and see for himself.
Upon seeing his determination, Zhao Hanzhang said, "If that’s the case, Uncle Cheng could bring more students along."
She consecutively named eight students.
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