Chapter 192 [VIP]
"Let's go."
A light, cheerful sound came from inside the carriage as its wheels rolled out of the gates of the Prince of Jin's residence.
"Young master, look at these dark clouds."
Gu Zhizhu leaned out of the window, gesturing for him to look at the dark clouds overhead.
It was nearly dusk, and the sky was getting dark. Dark clouds swirled over the Prince of Jin's mansion, and a gust of wind caused the large red "double happiness" character pasted on the gate to fall down again.
Xie Yingchen, who had studied celestial phenomena with Gu Zhizhuo, pondered and said, "Dark clouds overhead signify the destruction of families and the death of loved ones?"
"Mmm." She nodded with a silly grin, "Master said that Young Master has talent."
Xie Yingchen laughed and said, "Master says that to everyone."
"No, that's not true. My master said I have the most talent. If I were to become a monk and enter the Taoist order, I might even become a national preceptor and bring glory to my family."
"Nonsense, what kind of monk are you talking about!" Xie Yingchen hooked the end of her hair with his fingers, leaned down and whispered in her ear, "How about becoming the commander of the Imperial Guards instead of the Imperial Preceptor?" His voice carried a seductive tone.
Gu Zhizhu hesitated for a moment between the Imperial Preceptor and the Commander of the Imperial Guards, but happily chose the latter.
Very good, he's no longer going to become a monk! Xie Yingchen was relieved.
The wheels rolled forward, leaving the Prince of Jin's residence behind.
The Prince of Jin's residence was decorated in white, all the large red "double happiness" characters were taken down and burned to ashes, and the death was officially announced to the public.
The Prince of Jin summoned the steward of the small estate overnight and asked him about the whole story of how Xie Jing and his companions had mistakenly entered the estate. After learning that Xie Jing dared not return to the capital, and after settling Ji Nanke, he hurriedly returned to the Western Frontier, his heart turned cold.
When the steward of the Prince's residence came to inquire about the arrangements for the Crown Prince's funeral, the Prince of Jin only said "keep it simple" and then locked himself in his study for three whole days. Everyone thought he was heartbroken over the Crown Prince's death, until the early morning of the fourth day when the Prince of Jin emerged from his study.
Although his face no longer showed the same dejection as three days ago, in just three days, his temples were frosted with gray, and his black hair was intertwined with silver strands.
When he entered the Wenyuan Hall, his aged appearance startled everyone.
“Your Highness…” Duke Wei blurted out, “How come you’ve aged so much?”
The Prince of Jin smiled and said, "I'm getting old." He didn't say anything more.
The morning court session has been suspended for a long time, and all political affairs of the Great Qi Dynasty are now being handled in the Wenyuan Hall.
After exchanging greetings with Xie Yingchen, Prince Jin presented a memorial in full view of everyone and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, since the beginning of this year, disasters have struck Daqi one after another. First, the dam broke, then there was an earthquake and an epidemic. Moreover, the remnants of the previous dynasty are eyeing us covetously, stirring up the people's hearts in Jiangnan and plotting treason."
Not just this year.
Thinking about it carefully, since the current emperor ascended the throne, there hasn't been a single year with favorable weather and abundant harvests.
It's either a natural disaster or a man-made one.
Everyone else had thought of it too, and they all sighed with regret.
Chongjiu took the memorial and presented it to Xie Yingchen. As Xie Yingchen read it, he heard the Prince of Jin say, "I would like to request His Highness the Crown Prince to perform the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple on behalf of the Emperor and pray for the country's well-being."
These words left many people somewhat bewildered.
Why would you pray for blessings when everything is fine?
Moreover, having the Crown Prince perform the sacrifices on behalf of the Emperor? Wouldn't that be declaring the Crown Prince's legitimacy to the world...? Of course, this is a great thing for the Crown Prince's faction, but it also means that the possibility of the Third Prince succeeding to the throne has been greatly reduced once again. Could it be that the Prince of Jin has been driven mad by the Duke of Cheng'en and is planning to abandon the Third Prince and pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince?
The Duke of Cheng'en thought so too, and said with a smile, "Your Highness, let's talk this out, don't be impulsive."
Xie Qiyun is dead.
But the Prince of Jin also stabbed him in the back, so they're even. Why be so unforgiving? To choose a new master over such a trivial matter would be utterly unprincipled.
"I grant your permission."
Xie Yingchen closed the memorial, gestured for the Duke of Cheng'en not to interrupt, and said calmly, "Since the passing of the True Man of Yuncheng, the position of Grand Preceptor of the Great Qi has been vacant for ten years. The Great Qi has suffered one disaster after another. I believe that a Grand Preceptor should be selected as soon as possible."
The Imperial Preceptor sought to greatly enhance the nation's fortune. When Master Yuncheng was alive, he often went into seclusion to pray for the nation's prosperity.
Master entered the mortal world for Yaoyao's sake. Once Yaoyao's matter is settled, he will return to Tianxin Temple. Otherwise, Master would definitely be the most suitable person.
"The Daolu Division shall first select suitable candidates and present them within three days."
The Daolu Division was under the Ministry of Rites, and the Minister of Rites quickly agreed.
Without the imperial advisor, the auspicious day for the sacrifice had to be chosen by the Minister of Rites, who went to the Taiqing Temple to ask the abbot to divine the best date. After three divinations, the date was set for the fifteenth of October.
It was also the day Gu Zhizhuo came of age.
With only ten days or so left, the Ministry of Rites immediately sprang into action.
Duke Cheng'en wanted to stop him, but he was also afraid that Prince Jin would really turn against Xie Jing and stop caring about him. He went to Prince Jin's mansion for several days in a row, but he couldn't even get in the door.
After seven days of mourning, Xie Qiyun's coffin was hastily exhumed and he was buried in the accompanying mausoleum according to the rites for a prince's heir.
All funeral arrangements should be kept simple.
The black coffin left the city silently. Duke Cheng'en arrived early in the morning, wiping away tears as he called out "Dear son-in-law," while lagging behind and trying to ingratiate himself with Prince Jin. Thanks to his thick skin, he finally managed to hitch a ride on Prince Jin's carriage on the return journey.
When he got into the carriage, his face was full of ingratiation and anxiety.
Feeling refreshed after getting off the carriage, he quickly handed over his token and went to the palace.
For several days in a row, the capital was peaceful and tranquil.
The government posted a notice stating that, in order to pray for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the people, the Crown Prince would pray on behalf of the Emperor, and the court would formally appoint a National Preceptor.
This immediately sparked a city-wide discussion.
The most prominent figure in the capital right now is undoubtedly Master Qingping, and the people are secretly speculating whether he will be the new Imperial Preceptor.
I don't think so.
A scholar, fanning himself with a folding fan, pointed at the landscape and said, "The Qingping Master associates with powerful and wealthy people. As the national advisor, one should prioritize the well-being of the people and seek national prosperity and peace. How can one be so focused on serving the powerful and wealthy?"
"This imperial advisor? He's not worthy of the title."
Did you hear that?
Gu Zhizhuo sat in a private room on the second floor, glaring at Qingping and saying, "Senior brother, you just lack this sense of public duty."
Qingping raised his mustache in dissatisfaction: "What do you mean by saying that I only associate with the powerful and wealthy? Only the powerful and wealthy would specially invite me to their door! Ordinary people go to the temple on their own."
His trip to Beijing was at someone's request to come and look at feng shui. Who would specifically seek him out for feng shui advice?
That is incorrect.
Someone below countered the scholar, saying, "Master Qingping is kind and gentle. He never refuses anyone who comes to Taiqing Temple seeking divination or talismans."
"Yes, yes." Qingping nodded repeatedly, then glared back at his junior sister.
“You are able to do everything in the temple, but how many people have seen it?” Gu Zhizhuo instructed, “When it’s time to show off, you should show off and make a show of it.”
"With your head covered, who would know what you did, senior brother?"
"If you want to become the Imperial Advisor, you must have the charisma to stand above ten thousand people, do you understand?"
"Yes, that makes a lot of sense." Qingping nodded blankly.
"That's more like it."
Gu Zhizhu patted his chest confidently and said, "Senior brother, you can't go wrong by listening to me!"
Becoming the Imperial Preceptor was Qingping's greatest wish in both his lifetimes.
"So," Qingping scratched his head, unsure, "are we going to the city tower to have our fortune told?"
Gu Zhizhuo: "...What did I say that would make you think of going to the city wall for divination?"
"Isn't that so?"
Qingping looked at her sincerely, her small eyes with bright, clear pupils.
Gu Zhizhuo: "..."
A commotion arose from the direction of the city gate, and Qingmei reminded her, "Young lady, they're here."
Gu Zhizhuo couldn't wait to move to the window facing the street, and leaned out the window with both hands on the windowsill.
Who's here?
“My brother,” Gu Zhizhuo said, adding, “My brother went to Xiliang to welcome the Third Prince’s bride.”
Oh, oh. Qingping also sat down to take a look.
Xie Yingchen did not personally greet them, but only sent officials from the Ministry of Rites to receive them. The group of more than a hundred people entered the city gate along the main road of the capital. Leading them was Gu Yican, who was dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, making quite a show of himself.
Gu Yican's letter arrived three days early, saying he would return to Beijing today. Gu Zhizhuo went out early in the morning to pick him up.
It's not noon yet.
Following behind were Xie Jing and an unfamiliar young man. The man wore armor and had his long, black hair tied in several small braids. Judging from his attire, he should be the eldest prince of Liang Kingdom, Duo Leng.
Behind them were two more horses, one white and one black. On the white horse was a girl with an exotic look, and behind her, half a horse's length, was Ji Nanke.
Huh, Ji Nanke? What's she doing here?!
As the group drew closer, Gu Zhizhuo casually tossed a walnut, which Gu Yican caught with her hand. When she looked up, she saw her younger sister and smiled brightly at her.
"Wait for me, I'll be right there!"
Xie Jing and Duo Leng also looked over at the sound.
"Huh?"
Qingping quietly pointed at Duoleng, "That person has good fortune; he will surely become the king of the grasslands in the future."
Gu Zhizhuo gave him a thumbs up and praised him, "Senior brother's face reading skills have become even more sophisticated."
In the previous life, after the death of the King of Liang, Duo Leng succeeded to the throne.
At that time, because Xie Qiyun was cowardly in battle, Duoleng advanced step by step, and the Western Frontier was in grave danger. The court was already discussing ceding territory. The young master used a scheme to sow discord between Duoleng and the King of Liang, causing internal strife in Liang. Liang could not attend to the Western Frontier and ultimately withdrew its troops.
Later, Duoling won, but it was also severely weakened.
Before the prince passed away, the Liang Kingdom had not been able to make any further progress.
Qingping stroked his chin: "There's also a chilling aura about him. He's not simple."
He took out the counting rods from his sleeve and casually cast a divination.
The people below had already walked far away. Gu Zhizhuo turned his head and asked, "Senior brother, what are you calculating?"
“The one with good luck.” Qingping didn’t even look up. “I noticed a dark shadow between his eyebrows. He will face a calamity soon.”
"Tell me quickly."
Qingping smoothed his upturned beard with his little finger: "Kan represents water, and earth overcomes water, so encountering earth is inauspicious."
Then he cast another divination.
Gu Zhizhuo leaned closer to take a look and pondered, "A trapped dragon finds water."
This divination is very auspicious.
The third hexagram of Qingping is: to go through danger but achieve success.
Seeing that Gu Zhizhuo had finished reading the divination, Qingping put away the divination sticks and said, "This person has excellent fortune and everything he does will be well-received. However, he will face a calamity within three months. If he dies, it will be a fatal one. But if he avoids it, he will never face another major calamity in his life and will surely become the king of the grasslands in the future."
"Got it!" Gu Zhizhuo snapped his fingers, meaning he should hurry up and die, and not delay.
Gu Zhizhuo was concerned about the third divination.
Taking risks and succeeding.
Like "a trapped dragon finding water," it is an auspicious hexagram.
Gu Zhizhuo used a compass to complete a divination and showed it to him: "Adventures lead to success, the Nine Purple Fire Luck."
Qingping stared at the compass. "Nine Purple Fire Luck" is usually related to the fate of the nation.
He pondered deeply, repeatedly calculating and casting a hexagram, but the hexagram was too complex, with countless threads and variations, and he couldn't understand it even after an hour.
"Senior brother," Gu Zhizhuo said, resting his chin on his hands, "this concerns the fate of the nation. You should go into seclusion and thoroughly understand the divination."
She raised her hand with great confidence: "When the time comes, once we emerge from the pass, the sky will be filled with colorful clouds and celestial music will fill the air. The position of Imperial Preceptor will be a piece of cake!"
Qingping thought about it and it made more and more sense. He stroked his beard and thought it best to go back to seclusion as soon as possible. He also needed to consult his master.
"Yaoyao".
Light footsteps clattered up the stairs, and the door to the private room was pushed open.
"Senior brother."
Gu Yican first greeted Qingping, then sat down next to Gu Zhizhuo: "Little sister, I'm back."
He draped his right arm over her shoulder and leaned closer to look: "What are you two calculating?"
"The fate of the nation. My senior brother wants to be the national advisor."
Gu Yican clapped in support: "Senior brother's divination is always accurate, it's sure to be successful!"
Qingping blushed slightly at his flattery: "Nonsense. This humble Taoist priest will go back to seclusion first."
"Let's go together."
As Gu Zhizhuo spoke, he didn't forget to pour Gu Yican a glass of warm water: "You went to the palace?"
Gu Yican finished his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "Yes, I saw the Emperor at Hanzhang Palace. Let's not go home yet, I'll take you somewhere!"
The two followed Qingping downstairs, helped her onto the carriage, and then walked back side by side.
"Tell me quickly, how is the Western Frontier now?" Gu Zhizhuo pulled his arm and skipped along, while Gu Yican's ponytail swayed back and forth.
“Jiang Youzheng is quite capable, and he has governed the Western Frontier quite well. He asked you when you would like to go again, and he will take you around to have some fun.”
"Let's go next year!"
Last time I went to Western Xinjiang, I only made a quick trip and didn't get a proper look around.
She also wanted to go to the Void Temple to ask about the Blessing Mantra.
The Great Enlightenment of the Dao means that worldly affairs do not concern the Daoist temple. Therefore, the Shangxu Temple will not be shut down because of Changfeng's transgression. However, the imperial court will send documents to the Shangxu Temple to publicize Changfeng's crimes.
"And then? Xie Jing ran away, did you know that? Did the Prince of Liang agree?"
Gu Zhizhu asked several questions in one breath, asking whatever came to mind. After asking, he excitedly said, "It's a sugar figurine. I want to eat it. Go buy some."
Alright! A moment later, Gu Yican brought back two sugar figurines, one a raccoon and the other a peacock. Gu Zhizhuo picked the raccoon and took a bite out of its tail.
Click.
It's crispy and sweet.
Gu Yican ate the peacock's tail in one bite and said, "We hadn't been in the Western Frontier for long when Xie Jing said he had business to attend to in the capital and needed to go back. He said he'd be back as soon as he was done, but I didn't care and let him be."
This matter was so insignificant to Gu Yican that he didn't even bother to mention it in his letter home.
“After I met with the Prince of Liang, I threatened… no, I persuaded him amicably.” Gu Yican carefully chose his words. “We talked, well, very happily.”
"After we had finished welcoming the bride, we were almost leaving when Xie Jing returned."
"Why is Ji Nanke here too... Can Can, buy that."
Gu Zhizhuo was referring to the crabapple cake.
This was the first time she had ever seen anyone selling crabapple cakes in the capital.
"Quickly, there are only two left."
Gu Yican was fast enough, but he was still a step too slow. When he ran over, there was only one left. He would have to wait until he could drink a cup of tea to start another batch.
"We'll each have half."
Gu Zhizhu broke the begonia cake in half with oil paper and gave him half.
One bite reveals sweet red bean paste, while the golden-brown bottom is crispy and chewy, making it especially fragrant.
This interruption, however, made Gu Yican remember where they were and continue: "In Yizhou, Xie Jing told the Liang Kingdom princess about his relationship with Ji Nanke. The Liang Kingdom princess said she wanted to meet him, so Xie Jing brought him over."
The freshly baked begonia cake was extremely hot; the high temperature made the red bean paste inside very thick and creamy, which scalded him quite a bit.
Gu Yican was too lazy to care about their messy affairs; he had already achieved his goal of going to Liang Kingdom.
After finishing the crabapple cake in his hand, Gu Yican thought of something important.
"By the way, sister. We just went to the palace. The emperor was very pleased with this marriage and immediately had the Imperial Observatory summoned to set the wedding date."
After wiping her hands with a handkerchief, Gu Zhizhuo pulled his hands over and wiped them as well, asking without looking up, "When?"
"On the 14th of October, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau declared it an auspicious day."
It's already the ninth day of the tenth month, which means there are only five days left? Gu Zhizhuo calculated the time: "It's so rushed."
However, the Ministry of Rites had already begun preparing for the wedding long after Xie Jing was chosen for the marriage alliance.
Even if we're in a rush, squeezing in isn't a problem; it'll just be a bit rudimentary at most.
The Ministry of Rites has to juggle a grand wedding and a sacrificial ceremony, all scheduled for two days in a row. They must be really overwhelmed.
Gu Zhizhuo said happily, "I don't know if October 14th is an auspicious day, but October 15th is definitely an auspicious day!"
"certainly!"
That was their birthday.
"arrive."
Gu Yican pulled her around a corner and stopped in front of the Golden Jade Pavilion.
A note from the author:
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