Untouchable Lovers-Chapter 217 - 197 Again the Chess Master
Chapter 217: Chapter 197: Again the Chess Master
Chapter 217 -197: Again the Chess Master
“I haven’t left the Princess Mansion because first, it’s convenient for taking action here, and second, I’m indeed under Tian Ruyue’s control. He has done something to me, turning me into what I am now,” Rong Zhi simply stated his situation, then continued, “All these years, I’ve made numerous arrangements, and now everything is ready. Although the Princess’s intervention was beyond my expectation, we must not let it disrupt our plans.”
However, why did Chu Yu suddenly want that bracelet?
She was so eager, risking so much—what was she scheming for?
Thoughts fluttered through Rong Zhi’s mind before he momentarily set them aside, unable to find any leads.
“Hua Cuo, watch the Princess closely. Starting from today, within a limit of three days, act to steal the bracelet and rescue Tian Rujing. During these three days, as long as the Princess does not kill Tian Rujing, let her do as she wishes,” he instructed.
When Hua Cuo entered the room with that person, he carried a slight chill with him which quickly dissipated under the warmth of the stove. Hua Cuo steadied his thoughts and, connecting Rong Zhi’s comments, asked, “Am I to rescue Tian Rujing, then use the favor to demand his help to save you? Is that it?”
Could it really be that simple?
Rong Zhi smiled faintly and said, “Of course not. If you were to coerce Tian Rujing with this favor, he’d probably rather refuse your kindness than agree to help me. Moreover, when I once decided to confront Tian Ruyue, even though Tian Ruyue is dead and replaced by the more pliable Tian Rujing, I won’t take advantage of him. I won’t beg for their help; I want them to bow to me willingly.”
His demeanor was serene and peaceful, yet with his words, there emerged an aura of vast and majestic intensity, like a legendary sword flashing briefly in his expression.
Even though he was physically under someone else’s control, he didn’t show any signs of distress. Instead, it was as if he was the orchestrator of everything, with others merely following his will.
Rong Zhi, with a gentle smile, said, “As for how to pressure Tian Rujing, you needn’t worry about that.” He then turned to the other person, “Today, I had Hua Cuo bring you here to ease your mind. Even if I manage to hang on to life, I’ll mostly be unconscious and hardly have the chance to speak like this. Don’t concern yourself with me; just follow the secret plan I previously gave to Hua Cuo. If necessary, adapt to the situation on the fly. With your intelligence, it shouldn’t be difficult to manage.”
The person lowered their head, and in the dim room, their soft voice carried a unique resonance: “Yes.” They paused before continuing, “Forgive my boldness, my lord, but there’s something I don’t understand, and I ask for your clarification.”
After speaking at length, Rong Zhi felt somewhat fatigued. He rested for a moment before speaking indifferently, “Speak.”
“Why do you indulge the Princess so much? The situation is extremely dangerous for you; one extra day could make a difference. Why offer the Princess three more days? Wouldn’t it be better to free Tian Rujing right away?” As the person spoke, discontent surfaced in their voice, “Besides, when she was kidnapped that day, why did you go out of your way to rescue her, even going so far as to protect her wholeheartedly? After her wanton behavior for so many years, it’s only right that she would suffer some hardship.”
There seemed to be some resentment in the person’s heart. Initially, they referred to Chu Yu as ‘the Princess,’ but by the end, they couldn’t be bothered to use any honorifics and referred to her simply as “she.”
Ultimately, their resentment towards Chu Yu mostly stemmed from the deterioration of Rong Zhi’s health. If it hadn’t been for that incident, Rong Zhi would not look as haggard as he did now. It wasn’t that they wished for Chu Yu’s death, but if Rong Zhi hadn’t protected her so determinedly, perhaps he could have spared himself some loss.
Moreover, in their view, Chu Yu was in part to blame for Rong Zhi’s predicament. Getting back at her didn’t seem like a big deal.
Listening to the person’s grievances, Rong Zhi’s eyes maintained a semblance of amusement. He exuded an aura of leisurely composure, quietly listening until they finished speaking. Then he said leisurely, “Do you know where you fall short compared to me?”
He didn’t elaborate, posing a question that seemed irrelevant on the surface.
The person, taken aback and thinking Rong Zhi was angered, quickly bowed their head in anxiety: “Your intelligence is beyond my reach, my lord. Naturally, there is not a single aspect in which I can compare to you.” Though humble, their words were sincere, spoken from the heart, and not just to flatter Rong Zhi.
Rong Zhi laughed lazily and said, “What’s the use of bringing that up? This is my oversight. You’ve been with me for a while, and you’ve learned many strategies and schemes. What you’ve seen every day has been mostly covert movements, which is good for your growth in plotting against others, but it has made you somewhat malicious.”
The person’s face was covered by a mask, but his ears turned slightly red as his cheeks flushed from Rong Zhi’s words. The term “despicable” was never a compliment, no matter when or where it was used, especially when uttered by Rong Zhi, it deeply pained him. However, out of consistent obedience and admiration for Rong Zhi, he did not speak up to argue or explain.
Rong Zhi sighed and said, “I don’t have much time left to support you, and this problem will have to be slowly corrected by you in the future. Just remember, if you indulge too much in schemes and conspiracies, you might lose yourself, become deluded by your own clever plans, and be manipulated by them. You need to master strategy but also step out of all schemes, and maintain a majestic and expansive heart.”
He was now so weak that he could not even lift a sword, yet the vision in his eyes remained clear and profound; with his gentle words and a smile in his eyes and eyebrows, it was as if all the swords in the world were converging into one.
What a grand spirit, and what grace.
Hua Cuo watched and suddenly laughed, “Only today have I witnessed a glimpse of the old Rong Zhi. I thought that being trapped and confined over the years had worn you down to weakness.”
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Rong Zhi just smiled and cast him a glance, not taking up the conversation but turning back to the person, saying, “Your strategizing is already quite strong now. You shouldn’t be obsessed with such trivial details. Even though the Princess and I had some issues in the past, it was nothing more than having different views. If I were to take revenge on her with harsh and ruthless measures, making her suffer bitterly, what would it have to do with the big picture?”
He spoke very slowly, and also very composedly, “All along, my great enemy has been Tian Ruyue, not her.”
Not harming Chu Yu, even protecting her, was because there was no need to harm her.
It was not his goal, nor a method to achieve his goal, so why make an unnecessary move?
Moreover, Rong Zhi already knew that the current Chu Yu was no longer the same person as before. But for reasons of his own that he had not yet deeply considered, he did not want to tell others this.
If Chu Yu wanted to act against Tian Rujing, it would not hinder his plans, so why should he stop her?
If she wanted to take action, he would simply let her be.
A truly great strategist is not someone who is masterful in all the world’s schemes and deceptions but rather someone who, despite being well-versed in trickery, never misuses them out of personal likes or dislikes and is not confounded by them.
To control strategy, rather than be controlled by it, what Rong Zhi held was nothing but an exceptionally resilient and stable heart, unshaken by anything external.
Whether it was decisive killing, harsh cruelty, or cunning schemes, whom to kill, whom to hurt, these are merely means, not the end.
He manipulated all this skillfully, but never became obsessed.
Those controlled by stratagems can only be pieces on the board.
He was the one moving the pieces.
And this vast picturesque landscape, this world in chaos for decades, was the chessboard for his play.
Years ago, Tian Ruyue used means that should not exist in this world to force him out of the game, only allowing him to watch, not to make a move. Now, it was time for him to take back his seat.
This time, he would not fail again.
