SWDnovel Chapter 193: Finding Clues
Chapter 193: Finding Clues
Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Finding CluesBut in such a large palace, how should one
When had she ever discussed geomancy with him?
Was it her memory that was wrong, or his?
Never mind, now was not the time to dwell on this.
"Come with me."
She called to Tang Ze, then led him into the east hall.
Since the east hall was not the main hall, its furnishings were somewhat simpler.
Chu Baihan pushed the door open and only saw a simple bed and a bookshelf.
She fumbled around near the entrance and finally found a flint; she quickly lit the oil lamp in the room.
Now, they could see the layout inside more clearly.
It truly was...
Very simple.
"These are books on governance. It’s evident that your great-grandfather indeed lived here,"
Tang Ze walked to the bookshelf, picked up a book, and after reading the cover, he murmured, "This book, it should be extinct now, shouldn’t it?"
"How do you know it’s extinct?" Chu Baihan curiously looked over.
"From childhood, I..."
"Hmm?"
"From childhood, I’ve been broadly knowledgeable about books. Although I come from Jianghu, I also care about matters of the Imperial Family and court," Tang Ze put the book back and answered in a subdued voice.
Really?
Chu Baihan frowned slightly.
Why did she feel like his answer just now held another meaning?
But that was not what she needed to focus on at the moment.
"I can’t quite understand why my great-grandfather didn’t reside in the main hall? It’s odd for an emperor of a nation to live in such a small room."
Chu Baihan shook his head, his expression puzzled.
"Do you know what that extinct book was about?" Tang Ze suddenly countered Chu Baihan with a question.
"I indeed haven’t read that book, why don’t you tell me about it?" Chu Baihan’s curious eyes fixed on him.
"That book discussed the philosophy of governance. But in its final Chapter, it talked about a world united, where the ruler retreats into seclusion. Perhaps, your great-grandfather had grown tired of the throne."
Tang Ze spoke slowly.
So that was it...
Chu Baihan sat down in a chair beside him, a trace of concern knitting between his brows.
She had checked the imperial historians’ records, and her great-grandfather had done numerous deeds for the wellbeing of the people during his reign.
But he must have been weary as well because during his reign, the Nanduan Kingdom experienced numerous natural disasters and calamities.
It was also during that time that the Qiang Residence began to harbor thoughts of rebellion...
"So there really are those in this world who disdain the throne," Chu Baihan pressed on his brow, murmuring softly.
"Sitting on the Dragon Throne means being bound together with the common folk. Being an incompetent emperor is easy, but to be a wise ruler means losing one’s freedom," Tang Ze said, his back turned to Chu Baihan, his voice deep.
"Why do I feel like you understand the Imperial Family very well?"
Chu Baihan suddenly looked at him with a probing gaze.
"I’ve read many books on court strife, just some reflections. How could I, a mere Jianghu man, truly understand your Imperial Family?" Tang Ze answered calmly.
Candlelight shone on his silver mask, her eyes unable to discern his expression.
"I think that, unrelated to court or Jianghu, no one is nobler than another. Everyone is just striving to maintain order in this world. I’ve even heard that in a world thousands of years from now, everyone will be equal," Chu Baihan spoke as she flipped open a book nearby.
"A world thousands of years later? Who told you about it?"
Tang Ze caught the key point in her words and immediately turned around, his intense gaze resting on her.
Chu Baihan’s expression stiffened slightly.
She realized she had misspoken.
With a light cough, she feigned composure and said, "Just something I read in some books. Probably the author saw too many other books and then started imagining about the future world."
"I’m very curious, that night in Jiangnan of Yan Country, when you prayed for rain, what did you do? Why were you so confident that you could successfully pray for rain?"
Suddenly, Tang Ze turned around, stepping toward her.
His tall figure blocked the candlelight in front of her, casting a large shadow.
Chu Baihan’s eyelids twitched slightly.
Why was he suddenly curious about this matter?
"How did you know about my rain-praying in Jiangnan?" she asked quietly.
"I have many eyes in Jiangnan too," Tang Ze didn’t hide it, openly admitting.
Chu Baihan nodded in understanding.
"Right, there are people from the Tang Sect in Jiangnan too, I’ve known this for a while. As for the rain-praying, it was naturally because my sincerity moved the heavens, so it was willing to rain for the common people."
She answered Tang Ze earnestly as she lifted her head.
The response was enough to bluff anyone.
But she couldn’t reveal the actual truth...
Even if she felt Tang Ze was a trustworthy person, she couldn’t say it, after all, it was her master’s secret!
Fortunately, Tang Ze did not press the matter further.
"Let’s keep searching, now that we’ve confirmed this place was lived in by your great-grandfather, there should be some clues here."
He turned away then continued looking through the books on the shelf.
But after searching for about half an hour, their hands weary from flipping, they still had not found any clues.