Emperor Mingkang was unable to accept this cruel reality for a time, leaning against the dragon throne in a daze for quite a while.

Wei Wuxie kept his head lowered, bowing as he stood behind Emperor Mingkang.

Jiang Tang’s death was greatly beneficial to their Eastern Depot.

The Eastern Depot had been suppressed by the Jinlin Guards for many years. With Jiang Tang’s death, the great mountain pressing down on them had finally been removed. However, no matter how pleased they were in their hearts, they could not show it in front of the Emperor, or it would be courting death.

“Go summon Master Zhang for Us!”

Before long, a middle-aged man wearing wide Daoist robes walked over.

This person was tall and thin, with quite an ethereal, sage-like appearance – he was the newly appointed Celestial Master.

“This subject greets Your Majesty.” Master Zhang cupped his hands in salute.

In the past, Emperor Mingkang would humbly return the courtesy, but at this moment, he stared at Master Zhang with a gloomy expression, saying nothing.

Master Zhang remained composed, his face calm as he allowed Emperor Mingkang to scrutinize him.

After a long while, Emperor Mingkang finally spoke: “Celestial Master, our milk brother has died.”

“Your Majesty has this subject’s condolences.”

Emperor Mingkang placed his hand on the dragon throne’s armrest and asked coldly: “Celestial Master, why is it that every time we emerge from seclusion, unsatisfactory events occur?”

Master Zhang assumed an expression of earnest listening.

“Not long ago, when we emerged from seclusion, there was a matter that displeased Us. Can the Celestial Master divine what this matter was?”

“Please allow this humble Daoist to cast a divination.”

“Proceed.” Emperor Mingkang nodded.

Master Zhang took out several copper coins and arranged them, muttering incantations under his breath. Then he casually tossed the coins, stared at their distribution, calculated with his fingers for a moment, and said to Emperor Mingkang: “Your Majesty’s troubling matter should be related to matrimonial affairs.”

Emperor Mingkang listened with an expressionless face, but his heart stirred.

He had intended to recruit Marquis Guanjun as an imperial son-in-law, which was naturally related to matrimonial affairs.

“Looking at this hexagram, one above and two below, so this matrimonial matter should concern the younger generation.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingkang secretly nodded, his gaze toward Master Zhang quietly shifting from cold indifference to appreciation.

Seeing this, Master Zhang secretly rejoiced in his heart.

When he had agreed to help Marquis Guanjun by encouraging the Emperor to enter seclusion at that time, it was originally to repay a debt of gratitude to Marquis Guanjun.

He was from the Northern Territories. Years ago, he had fallen into Tartar hands and nearly had his head twisted off by the Tartars to use as a wine vessel, fortunately rescued by a young man.

That young man was Marquis Guanjun.

After this narrow escape from death, being alone in the world, he immediately decided to leave the Northern Territories. Later, he wandered into the Five Elements Sect and gradually revealed his talent for… ahem, not deception, but divination!

Unfortunately, after his master ascended to immortality, those senior brothers who had grown up in the sect from childhood could not tolerate him. After much deliberation, he gritted his teeth and came to the Capital. Perhaps his fortune had arrived, as he managed to become a Celestial Master.

Debts must always be repaid. When Marquis Guanjun sought him out, he knew this matter could not be refused; even at the risk of losing his head, he had to successfully deceive the Emperor.

Unexpectedly, through various twists and turns, the matter that had made his heart anxious became an advantage. This showed that knowing gratitude and repaying kindness brings good fortune.

Master Zhang put on an expression of surprise: “Your Majesty, this situation has been resolved. By rights, you should feel at ease.”

“How so?”

Master Zhang pointed at the copper coins: “Though this hexagram foretells matrimonial affairs for the younger generation, there is a conflicting lone star. If forcibly arranged, it could bring great disaster.”

Emperor Mingkang was startled upon hearing this: “So not succeeding was a good thing?”

Master Zhang smiled: “Your Majesty speaks correctly. Not succeeding was indeed a good thing. This is also because Your Majesty possesses the true dragon’s body, naturally blessed and protected by divine spirits…”

The subsequent string of praise and flattery made Emperor Mingkang feel considerably more cheerful, but thinking of Jiang Tang’s death made his mood heavy again. He sighed: “Our milk brother died so suddenly—”

Master Zhang secretly curled his lips.

If you find it sudden, go investigate! What use is there in consulting a Daoist priest?

Such thoughts naturally could not be revealed. Master Zhang offered a round of consolation, and Emperor Mingkang’s grief over losing his milk brother was slightly eased. He called Wei Wuxie over to question: “Wei Wuxie, who is currently in charge of the overall situation at the Jinlin Guards?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, currently presiding over the Jinlin Guards’ overall situation is the Grand Commander’s adopted son, Jiang Shisan.”

“Jiang Shisan? The milk brother’s son-in-law?”

Wei Wuxie hesitated for a moment, then nodded: “Precisely so.”

Summon him to the palace. We wish to question him.”

Jiang Yuanchao received the imperial edict and followed Wei Wuxie into the palace for an audience. The sovereign and subject held private discussions for a long time. After he emerged, Emperor Mingkang’s edict soon followed, appointing Jiang Yuanchao as the new Jinlin Guards Commander.

Jiang Yuanchao had leaped to become a second-rank official, a close minister to the Son of Heaven, instantly becoming the most prominent figure in the entire court.

Upon hearing this news, Qiao Zhao merely smiled.

For Jiang Yuanchao, this could be considered getting what he sought.

These matters were of no consequence to her, but Jiang Tang’s death had brought a profound impact to another matter.

This year was the year for the triennial metropolitan examinations. The spring examinations should have been held in the second month, but due to Jiang Tang’s death, Emperor Mingkang was overwhelmed with grief and issued an edict postponing the metropolitan examinations to the fifth month.

The postponement of the metropolitan examinations brought joy to some families and sorrow to others, but for Qiao Zhao, it was a good thing.

Her elder brother’s facial burn treatment and recovery required time, and she had originally worried about not being able to make this session’s spring examinations. This way, she could breathe a sigh of relief.

With one worry off her mind, Qiao Zhao felt much more relaxed. She was just contemplating finding a suitable opportunity to inform Old Madam Deng of Bing Niang’s identity when something happened on Bing Niang’s side.

Bing Niang was actually with child.

Upon learning of this, Old Madam Deng flew into a rage, looking at the two old women kneeling on the ground and trembling, her face dark as water.

“You watched Concubine Bing drink the contraceptive decoction?”

Both old women dared not raise their heads. One of them replied tremblingly: “Old Madam, after Second Master was intimate with Concubine Bing, we watched Concubine Bing consume the contraceptive decoction. As for why Concubine Bing could become pregnant, this old servant truly does not know!”

Old Madam Deng closed her eyes.

In any proper household, before the legitimate wife gave birth to a legitimate son, concubines and chamber maids were required to take contraceptive decoctions to prevent the disorder of having illegitimate children before legitimate ones, disrupting the proper hierarchy.

This type of contraceptive decoction had mild effects and was not a harsh poison, as these concubines would later be relied upon to bear children and continue the family line.

Speaking of it, situations where contraceptive decoctions failed were not unheard of, but they were extremely rare. If the male master particularly favored a certain concubine and was intimate frequently, the probability would naturally increase.

Old Madam Deng suddenly opened her eyes and shot Li Guangshu a fierce glare.

This scoundrel!

Li Guangshu imperceptibly tugged at the corner of his mouth and bowed deeply to Old Madam Deng: “Mother, for the sake of the child in Bing Niang’s womb, please let her stay. Your son guarantees that from now on, she will not easily step half a foot outside Jinrong Courtyard and will not offend your eyes.”

“You are truly wonderful!”

Li Guangshu lowered his eyes: “Mother, you also questioned the two old women. Bing Niang drank the contraceptive decoction without missing a single dose, yet she still became pregnant. This proves this child has great fortune and is destined to come into this world.”

With matters having reached this point, Old Madam Deng could not say anything more despite her anger. She could only sternly instruct Li Guangshu to pay more attention to Lady Liu in the future.

Li Guangshu repeatedly agreed.

Upon hearing this news, Lady Liu’s vision went dark, and she swayed unsteadily.