In the night, a carriage rolled steadily along. Its horses were well trained, their gait smooth and soundless; only the crystalline crunch of wheels over the gravel road could be heard.
On the right side of the carriage, beside the window, a carriage lamp had been fixed in place. Its cold light echoed the gas streetlamps by the roadside, lending a little illumination to the dim interior.
"I had thought that, being from the Duke of Cai's household, Headmaster Bai would at least have some sense of propriety." Gazing at the gas lamps outside, Grand Secretary Dong spoke. "I never expected him to have so little regard even for His Majesty."
"Headmaster Bai is indeed stubborn by nature. Grand Secretary, there is no need to lower yourself to his level," Xu Songnian said. "If it truly comes to it, simply have him return home and reflect behind closed doors."
"If he were willing to honestly shut himself away, that would be for the best. I only fear he may truly stir the Old Five Battalions into going to weep at the imperial tombs. Then things will be difficult to settle. His Majesty wishes to be a wise and virtuous ruler; such a thing cannot be allowed to happen." Grand Secretary Dong shook his head.
Xu Songnian remained silent as Grand Secretary Dong continued.
"Regarding Prince of Fushi's death, everyone said Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower was responsible. They have even caught the culprit now, yet the whole matter is far too coincidental. Heaven-Blessed Hall put the greater situation first and did not pursue it further, but that has only made Bai Deyou increasingly out of line."
Xu Songnian remained silent.
"Rongjun!" Seeing that Xu Songnian would not speak, Grand Secretary Dong directly addressed him by his courtesy name.
"Please give