The following day, after the Fourth Prince finished court, he went to the Imperial Observatory. The Imperial Observatory was a place exclusively for Emperor Kangxi to consult the heavens and ask about fate; other people were not allowed to come there under normal circumstances.
The Fourth Prince stood at the entrance of the Imperial Observatory and told the young guard that he wanted to invite Chief Eunuch Ji to dinner and asked him to go in and inform him. Although he couldn't ask directly, he would phrase it indirectly.
After the junior student went in to announce his arrival, Ji Changming heard that it was Fourth Master who had come to invite him to dinner, and he immediately became a little suspicious. As for their relationship, Ji Changming and Fourth Master had a relationship that was neither too close nor too distant. They didn't have much contact on a daily basis, but they had mutual affection.
After pondering for a moment, Ji Changming decided to meet with the Fourth Master. He gave some instructions and then left the Imperial Observatory.
"It is truly my fault for keeping Prince Yong waiting!" Ji Changming said, cupping his hands in greeting to the Fourth Prince who was waiting at the entrance of the Imperial Observatory.
"It's alright. Lord Ji has never drunk with me before. Today, I would like to invite Lord Ji for a drink," the Fourth Prince replied. An official like Ji Changming might not hold a high rank, but he was a close advisor to Emperor Kangxi, even directly influencing the emperor's thoughts. Therefore, the Fourth Prince was willing to befriend Ji Changming.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Then let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest today," Ji Changming said.
The two left Shenwu Gate together. Ji Changming was invited by Fourth Master to ride in his carriage, while Ji Changming's own carriage followed behind.
When the two carriages stopped beside Zui Bai Lou, Fourth Master and Ji Changming alighted one after the other and went inside, where they were led to a private room. Fourth Master was too lazy to order food, so he simply asked the innkeeper to bring out one of his best dishes and then ordered the finest wine.
"Your Highness has gone to so much trouble," Ji Changming said, bowing in thanks.
"Actually, it would be great if I could invite Lord Ji to my residence for a drink. I must come to your residence for a drink next time," said the Fourth Prince.
"Thank you for the invitation, Prince Yong. I wonder if Your Highness has something on your mind?" Ji Changming had begun to guess what was going on since the Fourth Prince had been so overly friendly. He knew that the Fourth Prince was not the type to form cliques, so his eager invitation must mean something.
The Fourth Prince had been hesitant about how to broach the subject with Ji Changming about Hongli, but seeing him ask first, he quickly replied, "It's like this, Lord Ji. I was fortunate enough to have twin sons. The elder was taken into the palace by my father to be raised, while the younger one stayed with my concubine. The younger one is often ill, so I invited the eminent monk Master Kongji from Tantuo Temple to pray for his well-being and read his fate. Alas, unexpectedly, he actually found a problem. Master Kongji said that my Seventh Prince's fate clashes with that of the Niohuru clan, and he must be raised by someone whose fate is compatible with his to avoid misfortune."
Upon hearing this, Ji Changming was secretly surprised. He was, of course, well aware of the destinies of his two sons, Hongli and Hongzhou. Hongzhou's frail health was something he hadn't expected. Hongzhou was supposed to be a descendant of the Martial Star, so he should be very handsome; how could he be so weak?
"I would like to ask Lord Ji to examine the horoscopes of my two sons," the Fourth Prince continued.
“That’s not entirely impossible. Then let me do the divination for the two princes,” Ji Changming said. It was not uncommon for high-ranking officials to invite him out privately to have his future and destiny calculated, as long as it wasn’t discussed in the palace.
"Thank you, Lord Ji!" Fourth Master didn't ask about Hongli directly, because he felt that Ji Changming definitely wouldn't tell him.
"Please, Your Highness, tell me the birth dates and times of the two princes," Ji Changming said.
The Fourth Prince quickly told Ji Changming the birth dates and times of Hongli and Hongzhou. In fact, the latter already knew the children's destinies and was wondering how to tell the Fourth Prince, and to what extent. Emperor Kangxi had explicitly stated that the secret of twins should not be mentioned to anyone.
Dishes were served one after another, and wine was also brought out. Ji Changming counted on his fingers, squinting as he calculated the fates of the two princes. The Fourth Prince sat quietly to the side, personally pouring wine for Ji Changming.
"Thank you, Your Highness! I have already calculated the destinies of the two princes. Hongli is born with a noble countenance and is destined for great wealth and honor. Now that he is being raised by the Emperor, his future prospects are incomparable to those of other princes. Hongzhou was only somewhat weak at birth, but with careful nurturing, he will also have his moment to shine. However, what Master Yuanji said is not without merit. Hongzhou's destiny is somewhat different. If Your Highness's concubine is truly incompatible with him, it is advisable to separate for a period of time," Ji Changming said. He said a lot, but also said nothing. He naturally understood that some things could be said, and some could not.
"Thank you, Lord Ji. Come, let's have a drink." The Fourth Prince, still puzzled by these words, asked, "Lord Ji, Hongli's destiny is extraordinary. Is it related to his destiny that Father Emperor chose to raise him?"
Ji Changming picked up a piece of sea bass with his chopsticks and was about to put it in his mouth when he heard Fourth Master ask these questions.
"What makes you say that, Your Highness?" Ji Changming asked.
"I didn't feel anything special, it's just that right after Hongli was born, Father Emperor wanted to bring him into the palace. Hongli's connection with the Emperor is truly profound," said the Fourth Prince.
“Your Highness, I can only tell you that it is a very good thing that Prince Hongli is now being raised by Emperor Kangxi’s side. Your Highness, please rest assured,” Ji Changming said.
Fourth Master nodded and personally poured wine for Ji Changming.
After the two finished drinking at Zuibailou, Ji Changming was slightly tipsy. Fourth Master personally helped him into his carriage and instructed the coachman to go to the Ji family first.
"Sir, you can have Lord Ji's carriage take him home," Su Peisheng asked, puzzled.
“Lord Ji is drunk; it would be better to take him home!” Fourth Master insisted. Su Peisheng dared not say more and immediately ordered the coachman to go to Lord Ji’s house. In fact, the Yong Prince’s Mansion and Ji Changming’s house were quite far apart. When Fourth Master’s carriage arrived at Ji Changming’s mansion outside Xizhimen, he found that the courtyard where he lived was very small, which was really inconsistent with the status of a fourth-rank official.
After knocking on the Ji family's door and handing Ji Changming over to his servant, Fourth Master gave a few more instructions before leaving.
Throughout the journey, Fourth Master sat silently in the car, seriously considering Ji Changming's words.
“Sir, it’s surprising that Lord Ji, a fourth-rank official, lives in such a shabby courtyard,” Su Peisheng couldn’t help but remark.
“Ji Changming is in charge of the Imperial Observatory and doesn’t interact with anyone else; he’s only responsible to Father Emperor. In addition, he’s honest and upright, so he shouldn’t have many opportunities to make any extra money. However, the salary of a fourth-rank official is not small, so he can buy a larger courtyard,” the Fourth Prince said.
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