Chapter 166: Kong Rong pledges allegiance, Gongsun Zan enters the trap
"Chancellor, it is time to eat."
While Kong Rong was lost in thought over the imperial edict, Taishi Ci entered the study carrying a tray of food.
After returning to Beihai Commandery from Ye City, Taishi Ci had stayed behind.
Kong Rong had been unable to distinguish which of the two Sons of Heaven was genuine, ruining his reputation and drawing condemnation from people across the realm.
Even after he returned to Beihai Commandery, people occasionally threw stones and cow dung at the Chancellor's Residence. Some radical scholars even tried to climb over the walls to confront Kong Rong in person.
To protect Kong Rong, Taishi Ci had no choice but to abandon his plan to take his mother back to Liaodong. With his mother's support, he stayed at the Chancellor's Residence.
"Mm, leave it there."
Kong Rong spoke distractedly.
How could he have any appetite now? His eyes remained fixed on the imperial edict, his expression shifting between delight, worry, and indecision.
Taishi Ci could not help feeling puzzled at the sight.
Ever since returning to Beihai, Kong Rong had shut himself away, spending every day either handling government affairs or reading and writing at home. He had never smiled again, either. This was the first time in all that while that Taishi Ci had seen such complex shifts in his emotions.
"What is troubling you, Chancellor?"
Taishi Ci's gaze fell on the imperial edict. It had been sent by the Son of Heaven in Ye City and had only arrived at the residence that morning.
Kong Rong did not hide anything in response to Taishi Ci's question. "Ziyi, have you heard lately that Yuan Shao and his son turned against each other, and that Yuan Shao was