Huo Chengche's imposing aura surged forth, his thunderous rage heading straight for the Imperial Advisor. He angrily rebuked, "What the people of Hengchang say is baseless and unfounded, which is why people call it a rumor. Whenever it is mentioned, it is described as 'it is said' or 'rumor'."
"But you! Grand Preceptor Changxu, what you're saying is different. In matters of good and bad fortune, a Grand Preceptor's words are worth a thousand pieces of gold! Doesn't the Grand Preceptor know this? How dare you compare the rumors of Hengchang with today's events? Is the Grand Preceptor being too modest, or do you simply not take predicting people's fortunes seriously?!"
"No, old Taoist, old Taoist..." The Imperial Preceptor was pressed hard by Huo Chengche, and his momentum weakened again and again.
Huo Chengche, however, gave him no chance to defend himself, his fury and fierceness overwhelming him.
"The late Imperial Preceptor's single word, 'jinx,' led to the tragic and innocent death of my father's Princess Yingying. Such an innocent child, dying in despair—what 'jinx'? It was all utter nonsense! The former Imperial Preceptor was so ashamed to remain in his position that he resigned and went into exile. Shouldn't the current Imperial Preceptor, who succeeds him, take this as a warning?!"
The young man's voice was cold and sharp, his aura surging with killing intent. He stood in the garden with his hands behind his back, his imposing presence awe-inspiring. His piercing gaze forced the usually aloof and arrogant national advisor to lower his head, his legs trembling.
The garden was already surrounded by people. They had just arrived at the time when students were leaving Xinhe Palace. In addition to the noble ladies who were heading out of the palace, many princesses from the palace were also walking with Huo Chengche and the others towards the inner palace.
Of course, many of them were also concubines in the harem who had heard the rumors and came out to see what was going on.
Whether they were concubines or princesses, upon hearing the resounding question from the young man in the garden, those who were merely watching the spectacle or were blocked and dared not step forward fell silent, their gazes towards Huo Chengche filled with a sense of bewildered shock.
Previously, the Crown Prince rarely appeared in their sight. He either lived and studied in the Xiaochen Hall of the Gantai Palace, or paid his respects to the Empress Dowager in the Shouci Palace, places that they, as concubines and daughters of concubines, were unworthy of and difficult to enter.
To dare reprimand the Imperial Preceptor in such an overbearing manner is something even the former Emperor Chongjin probably wouldn't have dared to do. Only the Crown Prince of this dynasty could possess such an imposing presence.
Huo Chengche glanced at the concubines and princesses who stood quietly to the side with their heads bowed, his deep eyes narrowed, and his anger towards the Grand Preceptor of Changxu surged even more fiercely.
The Imperial Advisor? Just a bunch of Taoist priests! What are they that he, or the royal concubines and princesses, fear so much? Ha!
If there were truly a great person, they would be calm and humble, so how could they be so arrogant and domineering, making the ladies of the harem unable to raise their heads?
Huo Chengche looked at the speechless Grand Preceptor of Changxu, his anger rising, his aura becoming increasingly restrained yet dangerous. "No matter how noble the Grand Preceptor's status is, does he really think he can surpass the sons and daughters of my Huo royal family? The emperors of all dynasties have treated him with great courtesy, not so that you servants could bully your masters, spout nonsense, and stir up trouble."
"Yes, yes, yes..."
The Imperial Advisor, who usually looked down on everyone, was now intimidated by Huo Chengche's stern rebuke and repeatedly answered "Yes".
Emperor Chongjin, who had come upon hearing the news, stopped in his tracks upon seeing this scene.
Standing behind the crowd, he looked at the imposing young man in the courtyard from afar, listening to his resounding and cold words. Unbeknownst to him, his hands beneath his wide sleeves had clenched into fists.
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