“What?”

“An earthquake really occurred in the south?”

“That means Master Ding’s divination was correct.”

“I said Master Ding’s divinations were very accurate, didn’t I? You all didn’t believe me at first!”

“…”

Everyone’s gazes all fell on Ding Yiyuan.

From the moment he entered the hall, he had consistently maintained this appearance of being unfazed by favor or disgrace.

Whether it was just now when he was almost about to be dragged out and executed, or now when his divination had been verified, there wasn’t the slightest ripple of emotion on his face.

When everyone looked at him, his eyes revealed an expression of compassion for all living beings: “Your Majesty, this is the calamity brought by the National Preceptor’s false words and tampering with Heaven’s mandate. The National Preceptor acts under Heaven’s mandate. The retribution that falls on him will all transform into Heaven’s punishment. If National Preceptor Qi is not dealt with, the common people throughout the realm will fall into dire straits!”

“No, no…” National Preceptor Qi’s face had turned white. “He’s a wandering charlatan. He’s fabricating things from nothing…”

He didn’t understand how it was possible to truly divine an earthquake.

He had been National Preceptor for so many years, had performed so many rituals at the Star Observatory Platform, yet had never received Heaven’s will.

Could it be that because he had been tainted with the stench of copper, he had lost his qualification?

The Emperor’s eyes were filled with frost.

Ding Yiyuan’s divination had already been verified, which meant every single word from Ding Yiyuan was true.

His Great Jin was going to suffer calamity because of the National Preceptor.

“Qi Sheng, kneel down!” The Emperor spoke in anger. “Qi Sheng, National Preceptor of the Bureau of Astronomy, has been National Preceptor for over twenty years, used power for personal gain, held his position while doing nothing, tampered with Heaven’s mandate, showed no respect for the nation’s foundation, no reverence for the imperial ancestral temple, no thought for the common people… Three days hence, execute him at the Meridian Gate!”

“Your Majesty! Please spare this subject’s life, Your Majesty!” National Preceptor Qi completely wilted. “This humble subject has been by Your Majesty’s side for over twenty years. Even without merit, there has been hard work. Please, Your Majesty, in consideration of this humble subject’s bit of hard work, show mercy and spare this humble subject’s life…”

He had obtained so much silver but hadn’t enjoyed it for even a single day, and now his life was ending—how could he be reconciled…

The Emperor kicked him away: “In consideration of your hard work, We shall spare you from having your bones crushed and ashes scattered. Come, take him away!”

The Yulin Guards from outside the hall walked in. Four men seized National Preceptor Qi’s shoulders and dragged him out.

His pleading voice gradually faded into the distance.

The assembled ministers in the great hall couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

The National Preceptor held the first rank, and was different from other first-rank officials. He primarily handled matters for the Emperor, remained by the Emperor’s side year-round, and was the person the Emperor trusted most.

Yet even such a person of high position and great authority only required one word from the Emperor to be executed.

The Emperor was only distracted for an instant.

Just like when the Fourth Prince died in rebellion, he had only felt somewhat sad when seeing the Fourth Prince’s corpse.

That bit of emotion fundamentally couldn’t affect him at all.

He quickly returned to normal, his gaze falling on Ding Yiyuan: “Now the position of National Preceptor is vacant. Would Master Ding be willing to become the National Preceptor of our Great Jin Dynasty?”

The assembled ministers: “…”

The National Preceptor wasn’t even dead yet, and His Majesty was already finding a new National Preceptor.

Indeed, serving the sovereign was like serving a tiger. No one could stand at the highest position forever.

Ding Yiyuan’s heart suddenly jumped.

Everything, absolutely everything, had been accurately predicted by Miss Yun.

His Majesty was actually personally inviting him to be National Preceptor… It was like a dream.

Though waves of shock surged in his heart, his expression showed no change. He gently shook his head: “This commoner is accustomed to freedom and cannot serve as National Preceptor. Many thanks for Your Majesty’s kind intention.”

The ministers were shocked one by one.

Did this Taoist even know what being National Preceptor meant? That was a first-rank official position, above all officials, the person the Emperor trusted most.

And he just refused like that?

However, it was also possible that true transcendent experts simply didn’t care about such things.

The Emperor’s gaze gradually held some appreciation. If Ding Yiyuan had agreed immediately, he might have harbored some doubts.

He rubbed his fingers together: “That Master Ding could divine in advance such a major event as the earth dragon turning over sufficiently demonstrates Master Ding’s abilities. If Master Ding were to become National Preceptor, it would be a blessing for the people of the Great Jin Dynasty. We hope Master Ding will think this over carefully.”

Ding Yiyuan pondered slightly, then raised his head: “In that case, this commoner will ask Heaven’s opinion.”

He took out three copper coins, sat cross-legged on the ground with exactly the same posture as when he had divined a few days ago. After examining them for a moment, he stood up: “It seems the latter half of my life will be spent in this imperial city. This is my fate.”

The Emperor was greatly pleased.

Just moments ago he had been thinking that if Ding Yiyuan still refused to be National Preceptor, should he issue an imperial decree?

He worried that using an imperial decree to keep the person would make Ding Yiyuan resentful, and consequently disloyal to the Great Jin.

Fortunately, Heaven was also on the Great Jin’s side. This outcome could be said to delight everyone.

“However—”

Ding Yiyuan suddenly spoke again.

The Emperor’s fingers paused: “However what?”

Ding Yiyuan coughed: “This commoner’s learning is incomplete. I only have considerable understanding in the path of fortune-telling, but the Bureau of Astronomy, besides fortune-telling, has other matters—such as calculating celestial phenomena, formulating calendars, astronomical calculations and such—this commoner has only learned the surface. I’m afraid I’ll be difficult to be competent…”

“The Bureau of Astronomy has supervisors, vice supervisors, and registrars. These matters don’t need you as National Preceptor to handle.” The Emperor said loudly. “Eunuch Gao, transmit Our decree: Appoint Ding Yiyuan as National Preceptor of the Bureau of Astronomy, and swiftly announce it throughout the realm.”

Eunuch Gao immediately received the command and went to handle it.

Ding Yiyuan made a hand gesture and said: “All that is past turns to dust. Regarding National Preceptor Qi’s tampering with Heaven’s mandate, there are still two matters that can be reversed. First is the southern earthquake. As long as the court properly provides disaster relief, appeases popular grievances, and reduces the number of displaced people, it will naturally repel Heaven’s punishment.”

The Emperor nodded.

Seven days ago, after Ding Yiyuan divined this hexagram, he had already commanded the Ministry of Finance to issue orders layer by layer, allocating large quantities of grain in Huzhou at the border between north and south. Furthermore, after Qicheng in the southern frontier was recovered, the granaries held as much as three million catties of grain. It was completely sufficient for disaster relief.

He couldn’t help but ask: “What is the second matter?”

“This commoner has divined that National Preceptor Qi has ruined a Heaven-made match.” Ding Yiyuan spoke in a slow voice. “The male has dominant inauspicious stars, weak wealth stars, and is destined to be alone in life. The female has weak official stars and will definitely bring misfortune to her husband if she marries. Looking solely at the eight characters, neither of these two people should be matched with anyone. But if the eight characters are examined together, one can see that the male’s wealth star, under the influence of the female’s official star, shines brilliantly. This is what is called a Heaven-made union in destiny—it is a fine match ordained by Heaven.”

Having said this, everyone present vaguely understood whom he was speaking of.

Sure enough, the next moment Ding Yiyuan said: “Prince Pingxi and the eldest daughter of the Yun Family have extremely compatible eight characters. Yet National Preceptor Qi calculated a result of conflicting eight characters. This is malicious tampering with Heaven’s mandate. As for why National Preceptor Qi did this, that is something this commoner cannot divine.”

Hearing this, Yun Silin stepped forward in one stride: “Your Majesty, given the Yun Family’s current situation, it is unsuitable to form a marriage alliance with an imperial prince. Even before the marriage is settled, someone is already creating obstacles. If the marriage were to be completed, who knows how many storms would arise.”

Chu Yi also cupped his hands: “Father Emperor, your son would rather remain alone for life and never take a wife. Now that there is an earthquake in the south, your son wishes to go provide disaster relief!”

The Emperor’s brows were furrowed.

The Yun Family had already fully demonstrated their determination not to participate in power struggles. He should trust the Yun Family.

If because of his own suspicions he ruined a fine match ordained by fate, the Yun Family might not say anything now, but what about in the future?

When the eldest daughter of the Yun Family spent her entire life lonely and desolate, would the Yun Family harbor no resentment in their hearts?

The men of the Yun Family had all died in battle. The women of the Yun Family should not suffer any more.