Way of Choices: Book II - Youths We Were, Schoolmates, Part 2
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Way of Choices
Book II
Youths We Were, Schoolmates
Part 2
Written by Mao Ni(猫腻)
Translated by Hypersheep325
Edited by Cameron Schimming
Translation Checked by Hypersheep325
Final Review & E-Book Formatting by C. J. Carlson
© 2018 by Gravity Tales
All rights reserved. Published 2018.
Originally published as择天记.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
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Table of Contents
Chinese Measurement Reference Guide
Chapter 60 – Pushing Through the Palace and Entering
Chapter 61 – Please Let Me Say to You a Single Word
Chapter 62 – Zhizhi
Chapter 63 – Coincidentally
Chapter 64 – Ask the World
Chapter 65 – She is My Fiancée
Chapter 66 – The White Crane as Proof (I)
Chapter 67 – The White Crane as Proof (II)
Chapter 68 – The White Emperor as Surname (I)
Chapter 69 – The White Emperor as Surname (II)
Chapter 70 – There Is a Youth
Chapter 71 – The Fourth Person
Chapter 72 – Please Grant Us Your Instruction
Chapter 73 – Difficult to Satisfy
Chapter 74 – The Swords of Youths
Chapter 75 – Collapsing the Clouds into Disarray
Chapter 76 – Pretty Good Youths
Chapter 77 – Telling a Story in Four and Nine City
Chapter 78 – Donglin's Remote County and Its Seven Stars
Chapter 79 – From the Wilderness to the Temple
Chapter 80 – A Battle That Will Immediately Go Down in History?
Chapter 81 – Luoluo's Sword
Chapter 82 – The Resounding Crack of a Whip
Chapter 83 – Carriages in the Night
Chapter 84 – A Conversation in the Night
Chapter 85 – Destroying the Academy (I)
Chapter 86 – Destroying the Academy (II)
Chapter 87 – Destroying the Academy (III)
Chapter 88 – The Counterattack of the Youths from the Orthodox Academy
Chapter 89 – Breaking the Curtain of the Rain
Chapter 90 – Faster, Tougher, Stronger
Chapter 91 – The Academy Gate and the Hearts of the People
Chapter 92 – A Gatekeeper, a Conversation, and the Person in the Bed
Chapter 93 – Blame It on the Autumn Rain
Chapter 94 – Fighting a Capital (I)
Chapter 95 – Fighting a Capital (II)
Chapter 96 – Fighting a Capital (III)
Chapter 97 – The Bloody Case of the Bureau and the Academy in the Autumn Rain
Chapter 98 – Listen to the Empress
Chapter 99 – Cultivation Is Above Life and Death
Chapter 100 – The Generation of Wildflowers Blooming Across the Mountain and Fields
Chapter 101 – Reminiscing on the Past in the Hundred Herb Garden
Chapter 102 – Contemplating the Present on the Dew Platform
Chapter 103 – Falling in Love with Your Bed
Chapter 104 – Thinking of a Person
Chapter 105 – Going to the Li Palace
Chapter 106 – Crossing the Divine Avenue
Chapter 107 – A War of Words
Chapter 108 – One Flower, One World
Chapter 109 – Reunion
Chapter 110 – Teachings
Chapter 111 – The Pope
Chapter 112 – The Proclamation of Azure Sky has New Entrants (I)
Chapter 113 – The Proclamation of Azure Sky has New Entrants (II)
Chapter 114 – The Proclamation of Azure Sky has New Entrants (III)
Chapter 115 – The Top Ten
Chapter 116 – Declaration
Chapter 117 – Starlight Between the Fingers (I)
Chapter 118 – Starlight Between the Fingers (II)
Chapter 119 – Riddle
Chapter 120 – New North Bridge
Chapter 121 – The Dragon's Worries
Chapter 122 – I Really Do Want to Live Another Five Hundred Years
Chapter 123 – Blazing Plains
Chapter 124 – Stainless
Chapter 125 – Red Makeup
Chapter 126 – Wondrous Changes
Chapter 127 – Ten Thousand Strings of Cash Wrapped Around the Waist (I)
Chapter 128 – Ten Thousand Strings of Cash Wrapped Around the Waist (II)
Chinese Measurement Reference Guide
Way of Choices is a Chinese novel and uses Chinese measurements. In some cases, such as Chinese inch(寸) or the Chinese foot (尺), the measurements are similar enough that they are directly translated as such. Other terms, such as zhang (丈), which is equivalent to ten Chinese feet, have no good English equivalent. This table gives approximations of these Chinese measurements for imperial and metric.
Length
Chinese
Imperial
Metric
Chinese inch (寸)
~1 inch
~3 centimeters
Chinese foot (尺)
~1 foot
~33 centimeters
Zhang (丈)
~3.6 yards
~3 meters
Li (里)
~0.3 miles
500 meters
10 Chinese inches = 1 Chinese foot | 10 Chinese foot = 1 zhang | 1500 zhang = 1 li
Area
Chinese
Imperial
Metric
Mu (亩)
~0.17 acres
~666 square meters
Qing (顷)
~17 acres
~7 hectares
100 mu = 1 qing
Chapter 60 – Pushing Through the Palace and Entering
The Palace of Young Brilliance was located one thousand, nine hundred and forty zhang from the Imperial Palace's Gate of the Southern Sun. From the Gate of the Southern Sun to Weiyang Palace was a distance of seven-hundred-some zhang. With her speed, and taking care to not alarm the Guardians of the palace, how long would it take to get from here to Weiyang Palace? What part had the music coming out of the darkness reached?
The southern diplomatic mission had certainly already arrived, and was probably even seated by now. The Ivy Festival is on the verge of beginning and if I can hurry over soon, I probably won't be too late. First, I must obtain the reason. Luoluo thought of these matters in silence, her small face seeming to be covered in a sheet of ice, so much so that the entire palace hall seemed to be rather chilly.
Fortunately, besides a single female official, there was no one else in this hall but her and the master of the hall, so no one would criticize her for discourtesy.
The Palace of Young Brilliance was the quietest palace in all of the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, yet it was also the most lavish. This was because here resided the Divine Empress's most beloved and only daughter, the Princess of Ping. The girl sitting at the master's seat had a gorgeous complexion. She did not look very old, but she had a natural grace about her that seemed inerasable.
Confronting this Princess of Ping who collected the adoration of the
countless people of the Great Zhou in a single body, around whom normal people would not even dare to breathe too heavily, Luoluo displayed utter discourtesy, her tone even faintly carrying a hint of criticism. "Ping, you've tricked me here and won't let me attend the Ivy Festival. Are you not even going to give me an explanation?"
Previously, that female official had come up, representing the Princess of Ping in inviting her to the Palace of Young Brilliance. Unexpectedly, when she reached the Palace of Young Brilliance, the female official constantly delayed for time. Only after she began to react did the Princess of Ping finally appear, but a long time had already passed.
She was clearly aware that the Princess of Ping was doing this because she had been entrusted with it by someone, that it assuredly had something to do with the Ivy Festival, but she was only thinking about those followers of the Divine Empress who were watching the Orthodox Academy like tigers eying their prey. Yet she had not imagined that their gazes had always been on Chen Changsheng.
The Princess of Ping was not angry at Luoluo's inquiry. Smiling, she explained, "It was just that we hadn't met in several months and I heard that you were playing the part of an obedient student in the Orthodox Academy, so I was somewhat interested. That's right, just what sort of person is that person you acknowledged as a teacher?"
Luoluo ignored the question, staring into her eyes and asking once more, "Why?"
"Mo Yu knew that I had a close relationship with you, so she had me keep you for a while. As for why… she certainly didn't tell me."
The Princess of Ping spoke with a very calm expression, not treating this as much of a pressing matter.
Yet Luoluo had seen painstaking care in her appearance. Many people knew that the Princess of Ping and Lady Mo Yu did not have much of a close relationship. It was only because of the Divine Empress that the two maintained a cordial relationship on the surface, so Luoluo would naturally not believe her explanation.
The Princess of Ping commented, "Don't think about it too much. Mo Yu received Imperial Mother's orders to host the last night of the Ivy Festival, and what she's most concerned about is that engagement between that Phoenix and the child of the Qiushan clan. She had me keep you here probably because she was afraid that you would stir some trouble when the time came."
Her appearance was clearly young and immature, yet she called Qiushan Jun a child. This seemed very bizarre.
Luoluo was most ill-suited for this sort of appearance. She slightly creased her brow and resentfully replied, "Speak properly… I'm not you; why would I stir trouble?"
The Princess of Ping's eyes faintly glowed. Looking rather shy, she replied, "Why would I stir trouble? Luoluo, you really like telling jokes."
Luoluo replied, "You don't like Xu Yourong… as long as they've lived in the Imperial Palace, who wouldn't know?"
The Princess of Ping's smile faded as she coldly said, "Imperial Mother likes her, but for what reason should I like her? Moreover, that child of the Qiushan clan is perfect and so excellent that he should be my Great Zhou Dynasty's son-in-law. For what reason should he be married off to someone like her, a muddy monkey stinking all over with the smell of the wilderness!"
Luoluo lightly mocked, "Even if you spoke countless times about how you quarreled with her and lost, you still wouldn't be able to affect her position in the Divine Empress's heart, and in the hearts of everyone else. Let alone Qiushan Jun, even I would be willing to have him marry her and not you."
The Princess of Ping was very angry, saying, "Just which side are you standing on?"
Luoluo replied, "It's not like you don't know, I've always liked her—of course, if you're willing to let me go, I can stand on your side."
The Princess of Ping stood up and calmly gazed at her, then suddenly revealed a smile. "This is the first time Mo Yu has requested me to do something. You think I'll mess it up?"
Luoluo stood up and asked, "I thought you never did these sorts of things that don't provide you any benefit?"
The Princess of Ping helplessly sighed. "In the end, I'm still a princess—I have to do some things for the sake of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
Luoluo needed to think a while before understanding that the matter she spoke of was most likely related to the southern diplomatic mission's proposal. Yet she couldn't understand just how her presence at the Ivy Festival would influence this proposal. Although she also admired Qiushan Jun, she didn't have any designs on him.
She raised her hand and brought it extremely close to her belt. As long as she willed it, she could take out the Falling Rain Whip.
Standing across from her was the Princess of Ping of the Great Zhou Dynasty, greatly doted upon by the Divine Empress. Even Luoluo could not do anything too excessive against her, but right now, she suddenly wanted to kill her. This was because she suddenly realized that the princess might not only dare to trick her into the Palace of Young Brilliance, but she might dare move against her teacher!
The Princess of Ping knew what she was feeling, but she did not fear. Smiling, she commented, "A few days ago, I heard that during the Ivy Festival, you beat that distant cousin of mine into a cripple, just as can be expected from Luoluo. I can't beat you, but… if something happens to me, can your family bear the responsibility?"
Luoluo looked at her and said, "The Tianhai clan is nothing but a group of madmen, we truly can't bear it… but you understand that my family also has many madmen. If something happens to me in the capital, will just you and Mo Yu be able to bear the responsibility?"
The Princess of Ping innocently replied, "This is the Great Zhou Imperial Palace. How can anything happen to you?"
In the darkness outside the Palace of Young Brilliance, countless Guardians and experts were concealed.
Those people would naturally not dare to truly wound Luoluo, but they could entrap her.
Just like how for certain reasons, Mo Yu could not truly hurt Chen Changsheng, forcing her to think of ways to trap him.
Right now, teacher and disciple were both facing similar plights.
"Don't try to act silly or foolish or cute; I'm also quite skilled in those."
Luoluo gripped and slowly pulled out the Falling Rain Whip, saying very seriously to her, "If I want to make trouble for myself, who can stop me?"
The Princess of Ping's expression turned somewhat apprehensive, because she had seen Luoluo's resolve. If something really did happen to Luoluo in the Great Zhou Imperial Palace, she and Mo Yu added together would be incapable of bearing the responsibility. Crucially, the Empress did not know of tonight's matter. If the eight hundred li of the Red River were to rage, what could be done?
"Just what is so good about that youth called Chen Changsheng that you've actually become so dead set on doing this?" She gazed at Luoluo, very confused.
"This is not something you need to concern yourself with, nor is it something you really care about."
Luoluo's right hand lightly moved and the Falling Rain Whip slowly moved along the golden bricks. She looked at the Princess of Ping and said, "Right now, I also don't want to concern myself over what your goal is. I just want you to order those people outside the hall to open a path. I want to attend the Ivy Festival."
The Princess of Ping fell silent, seeming to hesitate and struggle. In reality, she was silently counting time, waiting until she was sure that, based on what Mo Yu had said, the youth should have been imprisoned within the Tong Palace. Only then did she raise her head and faintly smile.
"Please." She looked at Luoluo and said, "I hope that you are still in time."
* * *
The night was dark, but the palace was bright as day. Luoluo arrived outside Weiyang Palace, her black hair brushing against her cheeks, her forehead beaded with sweat. She turned toward the shadows behind the palace and saw the figures of Guardian Jin and Guardian Li. After tilting her head and listening for a few moments, she raised her delicate brows slightly, barely concealing her anger.
Chen Changsheng was not within t
he palace. A moment ago, he had been outside the hall, speaking with Divine General of the East Xu Shiji. Afterward, Prince Chen Liu spoke a few words to him, making it inconvenient for Guardians Jin and Li to approach. Unexpectedly, in the next moment, he vanished in the darkness, whisked off to parts unknown.
Luoluo turned to silently gaze through the darkness at the Great Zhou Imperial Palace and its countless overarching eaves and pavilions. She knew how challenging it would be to search such a vast area for a single person at this time, so what should she do next?
There were some people of the Great Zhou Imperial clan that did not want her teacher to take part in the Ivy Festival because of the southern diplomatic mission's proposal, but why was this? She squeezed the silk bag in her sleeve, thinking of what her teacher had said to her before leaving the Orthodox Academy. Her two eyebrows arched even higher, almost as if they were going to take flight.
The other side did not want her to do this thing, so she would do it.
Luoluo no longer needed to think. She opened the tightly shut door to Weiyang Palace and walked into the light within.
Within the palace, the southern diplomatic mission had already arrived and was currently in the midst of greeting the important figures of the Ivy Academies, the Imperial Court, and the Orthodoxy. Some people who had never met were currently introducing themselves, both sides speaking about how they had longed to meet the other. It was a joyous and harmonious scene, particularly lively.
Just then, there was a bang as the palace door was pushed open by someone!
Although the chilly wind could not blow inside, the light within the hall still seemed to change, as did the mood. This was because the person who had pushed open the door seemed to be very rude.
But when they could clearly make out the girl who had pushed open the door, the hall grew abnormally silent.
Some had previously noticed to their astonishment that the Orthodox Academy's seating area was empty. Now, they finally saw this girl.