But the Emperor didn’t seem to place his focus on the matter of human sacrifice to Heaven. Instead, he asked: “If that’s the case, if a woman is to be buried together with him, doesn’t that mean Prince Jing’an’s remains cannot be interred in the Imperial Mausoleum?”

The Astronomy Bureau official replied: “That’s correct. If this is the case, Prince Jing’an’s remains cannot be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum.”

Wouldn’t this go against the Emperor’s previous intentions? The reason for transporting Prince Jing’an’s remains to the capital was precisely to give him a proper burial and let him rest in peace in the Imperial Mausoleum. But if he couldn’t be interred in the Imperial Mausoleum this time, wouldn’t the original purpose be rendered futile? It would have been better to leave him in Lingtang County from the start rather than transport him back, which would have avoided all these troubles!

The Emperor fell silent for quite a while before continuing to ask: “Then… would any woman do?”

“Absolutely not!” The Astronomy Bureau official’s expression was grave. “This subject has already calculated the auspicious time. The woman for the heavenly sacrifice is no ordinary woman. This woman is one in ten thousand—she is precisely this year’s courtesan champion candidate.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the chamber fell completely silent!

This year’s courtesan champion candidate!

Winning the courtesan title was supposed to be the highest honor, yet she would have to sacrifice her body to Heaven and be buried together with Prince Jing’an. If this were to spread, it would surely throw the people’s hearts into chaos.

The Emperor’s expression immediately grew somber, his brows tightly furrowed, his hands clenched into fists resting on the imperial desk, without saying a word.

Grand Tutor Yi and Old General Wen exchanged glances, both sharing the same expression and sentiment. Old General Wen, being of military origin, had never believed in such things. He stated directly: “Your Majesty, celestial phenomena cannot be entirely trusted. The Grand Tutor is correct—the reason Prince Jing’an’s remains haven’t decomposed is due to Lingtang County’s perpetually dry climate. It has nothing to do with national fortune. If we sacrifice human lives to Heaven, what will the common people throughout the realm think? Your Majesty must think this through carefully. You absolutely must not completely trust this, and even more so, you cannot… sacrifice human lives to Heaven because of this.”

The Emperor sighed. “What you say, I naturally understand. But since ancient times, celestial phenomena have been mighty and cannot be disbelieved.”

“Precisely because of this, Your Majesty absolutely cannot do this. If you truly sacrifice human lives to Heaven, how will you explain this to the common people throughout the realm?”

“Then what does General Wen think I should do?”

“You should immediately bury Prince Jing’an’s remains. That would be the most appropriate course of action.”

Grand Tutor Yi, the Marquis, and several cabinet ministers also bowed and petitioned the Emperor to bury Prince Jing’an’s remains without further delay.

But the Astronomy Bureau official said: “Your Majesty, since celestial phenomena represent the Mandate of Heaven, and the Mandate of Heaven is our nation of Qujiang’s fortune, if we ignore this, I fear the consequences will be unthinkable!”

Upon hearing this, Old General Wen rebuked him: “Astronomy Bureau official, cease your alarmist talk! Our Qujiang realm was won by countless soldiers. How can you permit such absurd discourse? If this were true, what need would there be for border garrison troops? What need for civil and military officials in the court? Wouldn’t it be better to simply pray to celestial phenomena instead?”

With a grand sweep of his sleeve!

Impassioned and indignant!

The Astronomy Bureau official was suppressed by his imposing manner and couldn’t speak for a moment. He could only explain to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, this subject is absolutely not being alarmist.”

The Emperor was truly troubled!

On one hand, he deeply believed in celestial phenomena.

On the other hand, sacrificing lives to Heaven was not befitting of him as Emperor.

Caught between these two vexing positions, he truly couldn’t make a decision.

And just outside the chamber, two figures stood by a side window, having heard everything inside.

Qiu Qu’er was utterly shocked!

So the Emperor had been dealing with Prince Jing’an’s affairs all these days. She hadn’t expected that Prince Jing’an’s corpse wouldn’t decay, that there were celestial anomalies, and now according to the Astronomy Bureau official’s words, they wanted to sacrifice the courtesan champion to Heaven—this was even more astonishing.

Actually, she also deeply believed in celestial phenomena.

It seemed that this time, they truly were going to sacrifice a life to Heaven.

Beside her, Weilan’s complexion looked terrible. She didn’t dare speak, her eyes also filled with shock.

Inside, the Emperor couldn’t make up his mind either way. After sighing several times, he waved his hand dismissing everyone. As for how this matter should ultimately be handled, he still needed to think it through carefully before making a decision.

When those ministers began filing out, Qiu Qu’er immediately led her palace maid to step aside. After everyone had left, she emerged, thinking that now wasn’t the time to see the Emperor. She handed the ginseng soup she’d brought to the eunuch outside the door, then departed.

On the way back to the palace, Qiu Qu’er’s expression was grave.

She didn’t say a word!

It wasn’t until Weilan beside her asked: “Your Highness, the Emperor won’t really plan to use this year’s courtesan champion candidate as a heavenly sacrifice, will he?”

Qiu Qu’er rebuked her sharply: “Is this matter something you can discuss?”

“This slave deserves death!”

“Remember this—just now, this palace and you heard nothing, and you absolutely cannot speak of this anywhere. Otherwise, if you bring down fatal disaster, even this palace cannot protect you.”

“Yes, even if this slave had tremendous courage, she wouldn’t dare speak of it.”

If word of such matters got out, it would mean losing one’s head. Who would dare speak?

She was just a lowly palace maid—she didn’t have such courage.

After returning to her palace, Qiu Qu’er thought it over repeatedly, then finally instructed Weilan: “Send Little Shunzi to personally leave the palace and inform A’Shu that… she is forbidden from participating in this year’s courtesan competition.”

Weilan worried: “I’m afraid Miss Qiu won’t be willing.”

“Just tell her. If she has any objections, she can come directly into the palace to see this palace.”

“Yes.”

Actually, Qiu Qu’er was worried that if the Emperor truly decided to sacrifice the courtesan champion candidate to Heaven, and her scheming sister somehow managed to get selected through some channel or by good fortune, wouldn’t that mean she’d have to watch her own sister go to her death?

Better safe than sorry!

She could only prevent Qiu Shu from participating!

…

At the Palace Gate

Old General Wen and the others remained silent all the way to the palace gate. They were originally going to board their separate carriages, but Grand Tutor Yi called out to them and invited Marquis Kangding and Old General Wen to share his carriage.

They all agreed! After all, with such an incident occurring, several court ministers naturally needed to discuss it behind closed doors. They might as well deliberate thoroughly on the journey home, hoping to persuade the Emperor to abandon the idea of heavenly sacrifice and absolutely not risk lives, which would invite criticism from the common people throughout the realm. Wouldn’t trading something small for something large be more loss than gain?

After the three men boarded the carriage, it departed from the palace gate…

In the carriage, Grand Tutor Yi sat properly upright, lightly tapping his knee with one hand, his gaze rolling about before he spoke: “Marquis, General Wen, what are your views on this matter?”

Marquis Kangding let out a heavy breath and said: “The Astronomy Bureau’s claims cannot be completely trusted. Sacrificing human lives to Heaven is unprecedented. In any case, I don’t approve, and we absolutely cannot let His Majesty do this.”

His attitude was firm!

What celestial phenomena?

What sacrificing lives to Heaven?

What burial together?

All utter nonsense.

Rubbish!

Old General Wen was a steady person. He took up the conversation: “It’s not that it can’t be trusted! It fundamentally cannot be trusted! His Majesty believes in celestial phenomena, but we few cannot be confused about this, and even more so, we cannot go along with His Majesty’s current thinking. We must properly correct this.”

“But both the Late Emperor and emperors of past generations have all greatly believed in celestial phenomena. I’m afraid we cannot persuade him. Moreover, you all just saw His Majesty’s attitude. Persuasion is impossible—we must think of another method.”

“Naturally, we cannot let His Majesty have his way.” Old General Wen’s tone was quite heavy.

Carrying an oppressive force!

Marquis Kangding said: “Since the founding of Qujiang, while celestial phenomena have indeed proven accurate at times, there’s never been anything as absurd as this! It’s simply preposterous! That Astronomy Bureau official relies solely on his words—who knows what ulterior motives he harbors!”

Filled with righteous indignation!

His fury was evident!

After listening to them finish, Grand Tutor Yi finally interjected: “His Majesty has always had his own ideas. We’ll likely find it difficult to persuade him. But no matter what, we must earnestly remonstrate. If there’s truly no other way, we can only make the Astronomy Bureau official change his statement.”

Make the Astronomy Bureau official change his statement?

Old General Wen and Marquis Kang exchanged glances.

They didn’t understand the meaning!

“Grand Tutor, what do you mean by this…?”

Grand Tutor Yi then lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, seemingly worried about eavesdroppers. Seeing that the carriage hadn’t yet reached the busy market district, he spoke with relief: “If we cannot change His Majesty’s mind, then we can only make the Astronomy Bureau official change his explanation, have him alter the matter of sacrificing lives to Heaven, and quickly bury Prince Jing’an without further delay.”

“This… I’m afraid that will be difficult!” Marquis Kangding said. “The Astronomy Bureau official takes orders directly from His Majesty. How could he possibly listen to us?”

“That depends on what we do at that time. The Astronomy Bureau official is not divine either—naturally he also has weaknesses.”

Old General Wen said: “It seems Grand Tutor Yi already has an idea?”

“I wouldn’t say I have an idea. Let’s first see whether we can persuade His Majesty. If we can’t persuade him, we’ll discuss it further.” Grand Tutor Yi said.

This brief discussion thus concluded.

If they truly couldn’t persuade the Emperor, in the end they could only find a way to make the Astronomy Bureau official change his celestial phenomena interpretation. As for what method to use, they would likely need to plan carefully…