Emperor Yong’an naturally knew that Princess Changle’s visit to the palace wasn’t purely because she missed him.

And the supreme favor Princess Changle had enjoyed over the years meant she had no inclination to play coy before Emperor Yong’an.

After the father and daughter chatted casually for a while, Princess Changle said with a smile: “I heard that the Ministry of Rites’ conditions for selecting imperial consorts this time require women born on the Qixi Festival.”

Emperor Yong’an looked deeply at Princess Changle. “Why is Changle concerned about this?”

“Because A’Sheng was born on that day.” Princess Changle’s expression softened as she mentioned her friend. “A’Sheng and I have been close since childhood. Father Emperor is the finest man in this world, so naturally I hope she has the good fortune to enter the palace—”

Noticing Emperor Yong’an’s unusual reaction, Princess Changle paused slightly. “Father Emperor?”

Emperor Yong’an suppressed the sudden turmoil in his heart and asked impassively: “Luo Chi’s daughter was born on Qixi? How old is she this year?”

“A’Sheng is a bit younger than me. After this new year, she’ll be seventeen.”

“So you’re saying Luo Chi’s daughter was born on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen?” Even with Emperor Yong’an’s profound composure, his tone changed at this moment.

Princess Changle nodded with a smile. “A’Sheng’s birth date is particularly fortuitous—she was born at the mao hour on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen. When I heard about the selection criteria, I immediately thought of A’Sheng.”

“The mao hour on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen?” Emperor Yong’an asked, emphasizing each word.

“Yes.” Princess Changle pressed her lips together slightly. “Father Emperor, has my association with A’Sheng affected her eligibility for selection?”

Emperor Yong’an slowly forced out a smile. “How could that be? Father Emperor would be delighted to have more women with this birth date and hour enter the palace.”

Thinking of the rumors circulating among the common people, Princess Changle smiled.

Whether women born at this hour could become empress, she didn’t know. But she knew Luo Sheng definitely didn’t want to enter the palace as a consort. Making Luo Sheng serve the same man alongside so many other women would be more agonizing than killing her.

Even without her previous memories, she believed this wouldn’t change.

Being able to make Luo Sheng wish she were dead would satisfy her.

Thinking of the frustration in the meditation room, Princess Changle’s eyes turned ice cold.

Emperor Yong’an lost all desire to continue chatting. “Changle, you should return first. Father Emperor still has some matters to handle.”

Princess Changle curtsied and took her leave.

The hall suddenly grew quiet. Emperor Yong’an sat unmoving for a long time, his expression growing increasingly dark.

So Luo Chi’s daughter was born at the mao hour on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen. He truly had been blind to what was right under his nose.

What a fire at the Ministry of Revenue, what a loyal and devoted Commander of the Jinlin Guard!

The more Emperor Yong’an thought about it, the angrier he became, his face freezing over.

Zhou Shan stood silently in the corner, not daring to breathe loudly.

“Zhou Shan—” After a long while, Emperor Yong’an called out.

Zhou Shan immediately responded: “This servant is here.”

“Zhen recalls that Luo Chi’s daughter has a good relationship with Prince Kaiyang?”

Zhou Shan hesitated briefly, then lowered his eyes and said: “In response to Your Majesty, Prince Kaiyang and Miss Luo are indeed on good terms. Previously when Prince Kaiyang was in the capital, he would visit the Youjian Tavern almost daily.”

Emperor Yong’an’s gaze grew profound, his tone cryptic. “Indeed quite good.”

Before leaving the capital, Prince Kaiyang had entered the palace once, and it was related to Luo Chi’s daughter.

And at that time, he had even planned to bestow a marriage between them.

Emperor Yong’an repeatedly recalled the Imperial Preceptor’s words: The general star has turned from auspicious to ominous, forming a mutually reinforcing relationship with the calamity star…

Prince Kaiyang, whom he had long valued highly, was precisely the general star the Imperial Preceptor had divined years ago. And Luo Chi’s daughter had the same birth date and hour as the calamity star, and was also closely connected to Prince Kaiyang.

Looking at it this way, Luo Chi’s daughter was most likely that calamity star. Yet Luo Chi, as a close minister to the Son of Heaven, had concealed this for his daughter’s sake.

That contemptible wretch who disregarded his sovereign!

“Summon Luo Chi to the palace!”

Zhou Shan was about to carry out the order when Emperor Yong’an changed his mind. “No need to summon Luo Chi. You quietly leave the palace and convey Zhen’s decree to Lei Ming…”

Lei Ming, like Grand Marshal Luo, held the rank of Grand Marshal and commanded the capital’s Three Great Camps.

Among the Imperial Guards, the Jinlin Guard was responsible for palace security, while the Three Great Camps defended the capital internally and prepared for campaigns externally.

The Jinlin Guard controlled the imperial city’s safety. Naturally, one couldn’t be careless when moving against the Jinlin Guard’s commander. Deploying the Three Great Camps was undoubtedly the most prudent approach.

Zhou Shan received the order and withdrew from the hall. Emperor Yong’an slowly rose and walked to the window.

Outside, flowers bloomed red and willows greened as spring gradually intensified.

The spring of the new year was nearly over. It was time to discard and replace tools that were no longer useful.

Though Zhou Shan’s departure from the palace on imperial orders was low-key, it couldn’t escape the many eyes already watching.

Among those tailing him were Grand Marshal Luo’s people as well as Luo Sheng’s. Thus, father and daughter received the news at roughly the same time.

“Father sent for me.” Luo Sheng walked lightly into Grand Marshal Luo’s study.

“Sit, Sheng’er.”

Luo Sheng sat down silently, pondering how to broach the subject.

But Grand Marshal Luo spoke first: “Normally, as a young lady, you shouldn’t be burdened with these matters. But this affair concerns you too greatly—knowing more is better than remaining confused.”

“Please speak, Father.”

Grand Marshal Luo paused briefly, then said: “Shortly after Princess Changle left the palace, Zhou Shan, the Emperor’s chief eunuch, also left. He went to see Grand Marshal Lei, who commands the Three Great Camps.”

At this point, Grand Marshal Luo paused and looked at Luo Sheng. “Sheng’er, do you understand what this means?”

Luo Sheng’s eyelids trembled slightly as she asked calmly: “Is His Majesty preparing to move against you?”

Grand Marshal Luo looked at his daughter, who had immediately grasped the key point, momentarily uncertain whether to feel gratified or distressed. He said in a heavy voice: “If I’m not mistaken, within three days at most, Grand Marshal Lei will lead troops to surround our Luo household.”

“Father, aren’t all the Three Great Camps stationed in the suburbs?”

Grand Marshal Luo nodded. “From the moment His Majesty ordered me to slaughter women with your birth date and hour, and you refused to leave the capital, I began considering our escape routes. The Three Great Camps are in the suburbs. A sudden entry of soldiers into the city would cause an uproar and alert me. If His Majesty truly takes this step, nine times out of ten he’ll choose to quietly enter the city after nightfall—and that will be our Luo household’s chance for survival…”

Luo Sheng listened to Grand Marshal Luo’s arrangements, nodding continuously.

After Grand Marshal Luo finished, he looked at the young woman whose composure remained steady and smiled reassuringly. “Sheng’er, you should also go back and pack. Only prepare light clothing and shoes—don’t worry about gold, silver, or valuables.”

“Rest assured, Father. Your daughter understands.”

Grand Marshal Luo raised his hand and gently patted Luo Sheng’s shoulder. “When Lei Ming enters the city will be when our Luo household makes our escape. Stay calm and don’t panic.”

Watching Luo Sheng leave, Grand Marshal Luo let out a soft sigh.

Such an earth-shattering matter ultimately came down to doing one’s utmost and leaving the rest to fate. He could only hope no unexpected complications arose and that Heaven would stand with the Luo family.

Returning to Xianyun Courtyard, Luo Sheng didn’t rest idle either. She immediately gave instructions to Kou’er: “Five days from now, have someone quietly spread a rumor claiming this consort selection is just a deception. Say that His Majesty’s true purpose in selecting women with that birth date and hour to enter the palace is to kill them as sacrificial offerings to the gods, to add blessings and longevity for Princess Changle!”

By now, she could be certain that His Majesty’s move against the Luo household was connected to Princess Changle.

Courtesy demands reciprocity—she naturally ought to return the favor.