Chapter 13: The Great Righteousness Under Heaven

  In the spacious and bright Langting Hall, a green bronze tripod was placed in the center, thick and ancient. Just by looking at it for a moment, it seemed as if one could smell the scent of history. It is said to be an antique from the Zhou Dynasty, dating back thousands of years. The fragrance of high-quality sandalwood wafted through the air, and wisps of pale smoke drifted out of the tripod, making everything seem hazy.

  With Xiangjun at the forefront, the people in the grand hall of Lanting were all busy and joyful, filling the entire hall with a festive atmosphere. Just now, the Crown Prince, who rarely set foot in the Grand Hall of Lanting, sent a large batch of rewards through his emissaries. Those rare and precious treasures dazzled the eyes of these young girls who had never seen anything like it before. Overnight, the timid and cowardly Empress Lan turned over a new leaf and gained great honor, and this news spread throughout the six palaces in an instant. Even the empresses outside the Crown Prince's East Palace stepped into the threshold of Lanting Hall, offering their flattering congratulations to this newly honored imperial noblewoman who was now the most prestigious in the harem.

  After a busy half-day, it finally calmed down. Xiangju carefully replaced a new pot of fragrant tea, in the warm inner court, Lan Fei and Zhuang Taifu had been sitting opposite each other for half an hour.

  The slightly graying Zhuang Taifu wore a simple green robe with a plain blue sash around his waist, paired with hemp black boots on his feet, looking clean and unadorned. Sitting in the magnificent Lan Ting Hall, he seemed somewhat shabby, not at all like the cunning traitor who betrayed his lord for wealth and glory that people outside spoke of. Half an hour of sitting had made his back slightly uncomfortable, his eyebrows faintly furrowed as he shifted his body lightly, unintentionally startling the brocade-clad woman sipping tea with her head down. Qing Xia slowly raised her head, casting him a meaningful glance, yet still said nothing.

  Is she patient? She has plenty of it.

  "Xia Er, do you blame your father?" Finally, unable to bear the awkward silence, Zhuang Tai Fu, who had been in politics for decades and was known for his ability to turn a situation around with a single word, couldn't help but speak up first.

  Qing Xia wore a magnificent outfit, her face as pale as ice and snow, with an eight-treasured hairpin on her head, her temples as smooth as celestial water flowing clouds. She raised her icy face, gave a cold smile, and said in a soft voice: "Qing Xia is just a pawn in your hands, why do you need to care about the feelings of a pawn? Whether it's strange or not, what does it have to do with anything?"

  Zhuang Tai Fu's eyebrows furrowed, looking at Qing Xia with a hint of pain. After a long while, he let out a deep breath and said in a low voice: "You've indeed changed. The you from before wouldn't have spoken to me like that."

  "Changed?" Qing Xia sneered, straightening her back and slightly raising her head. She said calmly: "As a father, you clearly know your daughter's thoughts, yet you use such despicable methods to exploit her emotions. If I were still the Qing Xia of old, I shouldn't be sitting here chatting with you peacefully. White Ling, one cup of poisonous wine would have been enough for me to apologize with my death. You've already become so ruthless, why bother putting on a pretentious act of being a loving father in front of me?"

  Zhuang Taifu's face was momentarily stagnant, revealing a hint of helplessness and pain. His deep eyes gazed at Qing Xia, and he finally said with a heavy tone: "Xia'er, you may hate me now, but one day you will understand your father's good intentions. Nan Chu is where you should settle down for the rest of your life, and leaving the prince is the right decision for your lifelong happiness. As your father, I will never regret making this decision for you."

  Qing Xia didn't respond, but instead smiled coldly, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, revealing a hint of mockery. Zhuang Taifu's expression sank for a moment, and for an instant, he seemed to have aged many years. He said in a dejected tone: "Xia'er, tomorrow I will be leaving on a mission to Da Qi. The journey is long, and who knows when we'll meet again. Is there anything you want to say to me?"

  Looking at the real Zhuang Qing Xia's father, she suddenly didn't know what to say. Having been an orphan since the age of five in modern times, the word "father" had long been out of her reach. Before meeting Zhu Dian Ru, she thought he must be another feudal patriarch who would sacrifice his daughter's happiness for his own fame and wealth. But after really seeing him, all her calculations were shattered. Looking at his slightly hunched back, a sense of sadness was born in her heart. A vast and desolate feeling swept over her, making it unclear whether it was Zhuang Qing Xia's sorrow or her own.

  She helplessly sighed and bitterly said: "What's good to hear, everything is already so obvious. The so-called private collection of men's items, confusing the palace, was just a trick. Even if I didn't resist Dan Fei, you would have other ways to convict me. This big fanfare, isn't it just to lure the Crown Prince of Qi into a trap? From now on, the name of Zhuang Qing Xia Shui Xing Yang Hua, lewd and shameless, will spread throughout the world and stink for ten thousand years. The world is so big, except for this Nan Chu imperial palace, there will be no place for me to stand or live, isn't that what you want me to understand?"

  "Father," Qing Xia suddenly stood up and walked to Zhuang Dianru's side, looking into the old man's eyes, and asked seriously: "Can you tell me why you want to betray Qi Guo and come to Nan Chu? The Zhuang family has been a powerful noble family in Qi for generations, with a prosperous family history. The ruler of Qi also showed great respect to the Zhuang family. Qing Xia was already a crown princess in Qi back then, and it was only a matter of time before she became the mother of the country. The Zhuang family's prosperity was within sight, and you were a three-time prime minister, honored as the current Taifu, with wealth, glory, and honor at your fingertips. Why did you want to risk the greatest taboo in the world, betray your lord and sell out your country, helping Chu Li escape from Qi where he was being held hostage? You are not someone who covets glory, so what is it that you wanted?"

  Zhuang Taifu's body shook, and he lifted his head in disbelief, staring tightly at the eyes of this daughter who was no longer familiar to him. His lips trembled, and for a long time, he couldn't speak. Finally, he still forced out a wry smile, and said dejectedly: "Xia'er, you've finally grown up. In the end, I still can't deceive you."

  Zhuang Tai Fu closed his eyes slightly, pondering for a long time before speaking in a low voice: "In the past, Emperor Qin unified the world and established an unprecedented achievement. Later, Emperor Wu of Han expanded the borders and created a prosperous era where people lived stable lives and were content with their work. It was a joyful scene of peace and prosperity. Who would have thought that 300 years ago, the vassals rebelled, war broke out everywhere, and the Qin family was unable to stabilize its rule? If not for Emperor Sun's good fortune, perhaps the Qin state could hardly maintain even a small corner of its territory. For 300 years, the various states fought wars, and the people suffered greatly, their lives unbearable. Now, although the four countries appear calm on the surface, in reality, undercurrents are constantly flowing. The Qi state is rich and prosperous but has a fatal weakness - the constant attacks by the Japanese pirates along the southeastern coast. Moreover, in the north, there is still the remnants of Xichuan's forces that have been left behind, which can be used as a path for the Xiongnu people to invade. Furthermore, to the west lies Southern Chu, and to the northwest, they are under pressure from the powerful Qin state. Therefore, no matter how strong their military or how many famous generals they have, it is impossible to save them from defeat. In a situation where they are surrounded by enemies on all sides, eventually, there will come a day when they will be defeated and destroyed. It is not a place that can last for long."

  Qing Xia furrowed her brow, puzzled and said: "Although Chu has the advantage of geography and is rich in iron ore, its sharp knives and guns are not enough to make its soldiers strong. The bravery of its soldiers is not as good as that of Qin, and its war horses are not as good as those of Xichuan. Why does father want to go there?"

  Zhuang Tai Fu nodded slowly and said in a low voice, "You have a deep understanding of the situation, which is not ordinary. However, you still can't see the big picture. The Qin dynasty may be strong and powerful, but since the Second Emperor abolished the system of appointing crown princes and established the selection system, the Qin dynasty has been declining. Internally, it's unclear, with various princes fighting for power and position. If the Qin dynasty doesn't change its ways, it will be difficult to look eastward. The Song King is cruel, and the people of Western Chu are not civilized, so they're not worth worrying about. On the other hand, Southern Chu may not have strong troops, but its geographical location is treacherous, and in the rear, there's a huge granary in the southern border. Moreover, the crown prince has great talent and strategy, and the mission of unifying the world will surely fall into the hands of Southern Chu. I'm fortunate to be able to assist the wise king in pacifying the world, stopping the flames of war, and bringing peace to the world, which is a blessing from heaven."

  At this, Zhuang Taifu couldn't help but raise his head, gazing intently at Qing Xia's eyes, and said in a deep voice: "Xia Er, leaving the Crown Prince is a wise decision, and Nan Chu is far away from the war-torn lands, it's a peaceful place. Your father doesn't expect you to be a virtuous empress, just wishes for your safety and well-being for the rest of your life, that's your father's greatest wish."

  Qing Xia heard this and smiled faintly, her smile bitter. She couldn't help but look deeply at the elderly man, furrowing her brow as she said: "If you want her to be safe for a lifetime, why make her marry into the palace? Once you enter the palace gates, it's like entering the deep sea - don't you understand?"

  Zhuang Tai Fu shook his head slightly and said slowly, "To stand firm in this world, one must have the capital to survive. Only by standing at the highest point can one have the right to freedom, and I am precisely trying to give you this freedom."

  Qing Xia's smile froze, and she shook her head helplessly. Though she was in a high position, she felt chilled to the bone, unaware that this boundless wealth and nobility were actually an invisible shackle. Trapped as she was, how could she speak of freedom? Qing Xia slowly turned around, facing the small icicles on the tree outside the window. Winter had quietly arrived, bringing with it a biting wind even in southern Chu. She gently pushed open the slightly ajar window and said: "Father is not a good father, but he is a great wise man who has the world at heart. You are not seeking fame, wealth, or glory for personal gain, but for your own ideals. In this world, to achieve some ideals, one must make sacrifices and give up certain things. From the perspective of justice in the world, I admire you, but from Qing Xia's perspective, I cannot forgive you. May your future be smooth, Taifu, take care."

  The old man's eyes suddenly welled up with tears, streaming down like rain. He had been through a lifetime of hardships and was ridiculed by the world, yet it was his daughter, whom he had repeatedly exploited, who ended up comforting him. As he listened to Qing Xia's words, from "father" to "Taifu", he suddenly realized with pain that this daughter, whom he had once taken for granted, was really going to leave him. Something in his heart slipped quietly away, and he wondered if everything he had done was worth it.

  A strong gust of wind suddenly poured into the grand hall, blowing up Qing Xia's wide robe. That infatuated man who came to rescue her from prison, how is he now?

  In the boundless expanse of time and space, who has wronged whom?