With Jiang Zhizhou's abilities, he could have avoided the book the Marquis of Anguo hurled at him with the slightest turn of his body. Instead, he chose not to move.
The book struck Jiang Zhizhou squarely on the forehead, opening a bloody gash at once.
The Marquis of Anguo had acted on impulse. He had never expected Jiang Zhizhou to take the blow without dodging.
At the sight of blood seeping from his son's forehead, something seemed to stab at the Marquis of Anguo's heart.
He hurried around the desk and came up to Jiang Zhizhou. "Why didn't you dodge?"
Jiang Zhizhou lowered his head slightly and said softly, "One must not refuse what an elder bestows. Besides, you are my father."
The Marquis of Anguo fell silent for a moment. After motioning for Jiang Zhizhou to rise, he went to the door, opened it a crack, and ordered the guards outside, "Let no one approach or disturb us."
Once they acknowledged his order, the Marquis of Anguo closed the door again. Only then did he return to Jiang Zhizhou and lead him into the study's secret chamber.
As soon as they entered, the Marquis of Anguo asked urgently, "Zhizhou, why have you returned to the residence now? Did anyone follow you?"
Jiang Zhizhou slowly shook his head. "Rest assured, Father. No one noticed me along the way."
"Then have you returned because His Majesty has given you new orders?" the Marquis of Anguo asked.
Though Jiang Zhizhou had been forced to go to Western Chu under the pressure of Regent King Duan Hongzhuo, he had understood his identity and his mission ever since he was old enough to remember.
Unless it was a matter of importance, he was forbidden to have any private dealings with the Marquis of An's