Qiu Qu’er’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she said: “The courtesan competition is about to begin. If she wants to win, she absolutely cannot make mistakes at this time. She must possess both virtue and talent, and conduct herself cleanly. Otherwise, how could she have any chance of passing the initial selection? A’Shu cares very much about this courtesan competition—how could she be so careless about what’s important and what’s not?”
Weilan said: “Then should this servant send someone to the residence to inquire clearly?”
“No need!” Qiu Qu’er slowly sat up from the imperial concubine’s couch, raising her hand and waving lightly, dismissing the people outside who were playing the qin.
The music stopped, and the hall returned to quietness!
Weilan supported Qiu Qu’er as she rose, her steps graceful as she walked out of the inner hall. It happened to be noon, making one’s whole body feel somewhat languid and drowsy.
After a night of heavy rain, the weather today was excellent!
The air carried a warm breeze that felt like soft feathers brushing across one’s face when it touched—very comfortable, making one’s whole body involuntarily feel light.
Qiu Qu’er gazed at the yellow tree leaves quietly falling outside the hall and said in a low voice: “Forget it. That girl A’Shu isn’t courtesan material anyway. This Palace has no other expectations for this younger sister—I just hope that in the future, when the Emperor arranges a good marriage for her, she can live out the rest of her life well.”
“But Miss Qiu is determined to participate.”
“Now that this matter has occurred for no reason, even if she participates, she has no hope.”
“Then… Your Majesty truly won’t intervene?”
“This Palace can’t even finish managing affairs within the palace—how could I have time to manage her affairs?” Qiu Shi’s delicate willow-leaf eyebrows raised slightly, almost imperceptibly.
As the Empress of the Central Palace, all matters large and small in the harem had to pass through her hands.
The overt and covert struggles between the palace consorts were enough to trouble and worry her. She had to guard against this one on one side and that one on the other—where would she find the time and energy to manage her naturally flamboyant younger sister?
Thinking from another angle, perhaps this incident was good—it would teach Qiu Shu a lesson!
And restrain her temperament!
Let’s see if she dares act recklessly in the future.
After hearing these words, Weilan naturally didn’t dare speak further.
After a short while, Qiu Qu’er suddenly asked: “By the way, the Emperor hasn’t come to the harem this entire time. What is he busy with?”
“According to Eunuch Li who serves him, the Emperor has recently been frequently summoning several court ministers and cabinet ministers to the Xinnuan Pavilion to discuss matters.”
“Why not in the Imperial Study?”
“This servant doesn’t know that.”
Qiu Qu’er felt puzzled. Recently there hadn’t been any major matters in court—the Ministry of Rites was merely busy with the courtesan competition. But such a matter didn’t require the Emperor’s concern, much less frequently summoning cabinet ministers. But aside from this matter, what else could there be?
She had always refrained from interfering in court affairs, so she didn’t know much.
The reason she didn’t interfere was not only because the harem was forbidden from meddling in politics, but also because of the cautionary example of the former Empress Liang.
Empress Liang came from a prestigious family and was the Emperor’s legitimate wife. Many years ago, because Empress Liang had repeatedly interfered in political affairs by allying with her family’s court officials, she incurred the Emperor’s displeasure. Combined with the Emperor’s naturally suspicious nature and his worry that the Liang clan would dominate the court, he secretly demoted many Liang family officials under different charges. Empress Liang became so angry over this that she fell ill, never recovering, becoming depressed and melancholy, and passed away not long after.
Because of this, Qiu Qu’er was careful in everything, avoiding walking the former Empress’s path. Although members of the Qiu clan had also entered positions in the court, they weren’t high officials, so they posed no threat. The Emperor never guarded against them. And she was even more clever—she never inquired about court affairs, quietly handling all matters large and small in the harem. She didn’t even involve herself in this courtesan competition, and absolutely wouldn’t open backdoors for her own younger sister. Such an Empress—virtuous, magnanimous, gentle and graceful—was also why the Emperor cherished only her.
Hearing that the Emperor was still busy with court affairs, she immediately ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a bowl of ginseng soup and personally carried it to the Xinnuan Pavilion where the Emperor was.
At this moment in the Xinnuan Pavilion, Emperor Qujiang sat worriedly behind the imperial desk, his fingertips rubbing his brow. Though he wore an expression of melancholy and distress, he was after all an Emperor who had once personally fought on the battlefield. He still possessed an aura of imposing dignity that commanded respect.
In the pavilion were Grand Tutor Yi, Marquis Kangding, and Old General Wen, as well as several court cabinet ministers. Everyone’s expressions were grave, showing traces of anxiety.
What exactly were they worrying about?
Currently the court situation was stable, relations between nations were friendly, the borders were at peace—it was an era of great prosperity.
After a short while, a eunuch entered to announce: “Your Majesty, the Director of the Astronomical Bureau has arrived.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor, who had been rubbing his brow, immediately raised his hand to summon him.
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau entered and reported: “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“No need for excessive courtesy. Speak quickly—what is the situation?” The Emperor leaned forward slightly, extremely anxious.
Several ministers were the same.
They all turned their gazes uniformly toward the Director of the Astronomical Bureau.
Waiting for him to speak.
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau lowered his eyes and said gravely: “Prince Jing’an’s corpse has not decayed, and has even gradually turned white. Recently there has been continuous night rain, and changes in the heavens! This subject observed the celestial phenomena and cast a divination. The Northern Dipper has moved south, indicating anomalous signs. Moreover, for many days the Purple Star has been descending, pointing in the direction of Lingtang Commandery.”
Prince Jing’an’s body had been buried in Lingtang Commandery for many years!
Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression changed greatly.
His mood unsettled!
Somewhat fearful.
Prince Jing’an’s corpse had been buried in Lingtang Commandery for many years. The Emperor had ordered it transported back to Yanjing this time to be placed in the imperial mausoleum, but unexpectedly, when moving the coffin, they discovered the body had not decayed. Moreover, the face was slightly swollen—it didn’t look like a dead person at all. Furthermore, that very night there was a violent rainstorm with lightning and thunder—extremely terrifying! It frightened quite a few people on the spot. The official responsible for this matter immediately entered the palace to report. That very night, the Emperor summoned the Director of the Astronomical Bureau, determined to investigate whether this matter portended sudden changes.
After these days of the Director of the Astronomical Bureau observing celestial phenomena, this was an inauspicious omen!
This greatly worried the Emperor, who deeply believed in celestial phenomena.
“Is there a solution?”
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau was about to speak when Grand Tutor Yi spoke first: “Your Majesty, celestial phenomena cannot be entirely believed! One must not become deeply obsessed with them. The reason Prince Jing’an’s corpse has not decayed is also due to Lingtang Commandery’s year-round dryness. It has no connection whatsoever with celestial phenomena. Please, Your Majesty, be wise.”
“By speaking thus, are you saying that I am confused?”
“This subject has no such intention. I only hope Your Majesty will not make a great fuss over this and cause unrest among the court and people.”
“It is precisely because of unrest that the Director of the Astronomical Bureau speaks thus.”
“Your Majesty…”
“No need to say more.” The Emperor interrupted him.
Slightly angry!
Marquis Kangding had also been worrying about this matter recently, which was why he had been going in and out of the palace during this time. Previously, Li Shiyan had suspected it might be about Prince Jing’an’s remains. Now it seemed that boy had guessed correctly!
It was indeed about Prince Jing’an!
Although Marquis Kangding usually disagreed with Grand Tutor Yi on court matters, this time he stood on the same side as him.
He stepped forward and bowed, saying: “What the Grand Tutor says is very true, Your Majesty. It’s more important to quickly settle Prince Jing’an’s remains. Do not delay further for other reasons.”
The Emperor’s anger between his brows increased considerably. “Marquis, you say this as well.”
“Though celestial phenomena can determine the nation’s fate, ultimately they cannot be entirely believed. Right now, burying Prince Jing’an is the important matter!”
“You all think I am confused, and moreover laugh at my suspicions. But some matters must be handled with care!” The Emperor’s attitude was resolute.
Brooking no refutation!
Throughout the generations, the Emperors of Qujiang had always deeply believed in celestial phenomena, so naturally he wouldn’t heed the court ministers’ persuasion.
Grand Tutor Yi and Marquis Kangding exchanged glances, momentarily unsure how to persuade him further.
Ruler and subject—ruler comes first, subject comes second. They dared not disobey.
The Emperor once again turned his gaze toward the Director of the Astronomical Bureau and asked sternly: “Director of the Astronomical Bureau, since there are celestial anomalies, is there a method to break them?”
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau hesitated somewhat. The words rolled in his mouth for a long while, yet he didn’t know whether he should speak or not.
Not receiving a response for a long time, the Emperor shouted in a low voice: “Speak!”
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau looked with some trepidation at the several ministers beside him before cupping his hands and replying: “Your Majesty, if we wish to avoid the inauspicious signs, there is only… a heavenly sacrifice!”
“Heavenly sacrifice?”
“That is, to take a woman’s blood and sacrifice her physical body to heaven, to be buried together with Prince Jing’an. Only this can break the celestial anomalies.”
Uh!
Wouldn’t that be equivalent to requiring someone’s life?
Several ministers’ expressions showed shock!
They looked at each other!
But the Emperor didn’t seem to place the emphasis on sacrificing a living person to heaven. Instead, he asked: “If so, if a woman is to be buried together, then Prince Jing’an’s remains cannot be buried in the imperial mausoleum?”