Chapter 320: The Disaster Star Comes From

Gu Rongjin said excitedly.

Being able to watch the meteor shower with the person he likes made him as happy as a child.

Meteors streaked across the sky, filling her vision with dazzling silver light; Mu Yuanzhi couldn't take it all in, she gasped in awe, then realized she hadn't made a wish yet, and hurriedly pressed her palms together.

Seeing this, Gu Rongjin also pressed his palms together and made a wish.

He only wished for her lifelong safety.

Mu Yuanzhi wished for them to grow old together, their descendants filling the hall, and moreover wished for him to be safe and sound, healthy and strong.

Isn't she being greedy like that?

After Gu Rongjin finished his wish, he lifted an eyelid to look at Mu Yuanzhi; seeing her still making a wish, he unconsciously stared, entranced, at her face beneath the silver light, which outshone even the meteor shower.

Mu Yuanzhi, opening her eyes, sensed the gaze beside her, turned her head, and with a smile like a flower asked, "What are you staring at me for?"

"Naturally, because you're beautiful!" Gu Rongjin took Mu Yuanzhi's hand, interlocking their fingers, and asked, "What wish did you just make?"

"I won't tell you; if I say it, it won't come true—don't try to lure me into saying it!" Mu Yuanzhi snapped.

Gu Rongjin: "Okay, okay, my mistake."

Holding hands while watching the meteor shower, they felt nothing could be happier than this.

Because the Witch Doctor accurately divined this meteor shower, the New Emperor looked upon him even more favorably and immediately appointed him as Chief Clerk of the Fifth Rank in the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, an office one rank higher than Xiao Yichen's.

"Everyone throughout the court and countryside is buzzing about the recent abnormal celestial phenomena—what does Sima Qing think?" the New Emperor asked.

The Witch Doctor bowed and said, "Your humble servant has a remark; I don't know if it's appropriate."

"Speak freely," the New Emperor said.

"Lately, omens of chaos have arisen, bearing some resemblance to the ancient times when disaster stars descended," the Witch Doctor boldly said.

"Disaster star?!"

Upon hearing this, the New Emperor's tone changed; he pointed solemnly at the Witch Doctor and said, "Speak properly!"

"Your Majesty, your humble servant does not dare to speak recklessly, but this is also recorded in ancient texts: during the Tianqi era, after a heavenly dog devoured the sun, a meteor shower fell; within three months, the Central Plains suffered frequent calamities great and small, and the high priest at the time prophesied it was divine retribution—sure enough, within three years the people of the Central Plains could not make a living."

The Witch Doctor wore a cautious expression, fearing that remark might offend the New Emperor.

The New Emperor listened, his tone dark and inscrutable: "Do you mean this is an omen of divine retribution? Why would my Great Zhou suffer divine retribution? Or do you think it's because of me?"

"Your Majesty!" the Witch Doctor performed a deep kowtow, "Please calm your anger; your humble servant dares not, and has no such intention!"

"Then what do you mean?" the New Emperor asked.

His tone still gave no hint of joy or anger.

The Witch Doctor glanced at the New Emperor without leaving a trace, pondered briefly, then continued: "Your humble servant just said—perhaps a disaster star has descended into the world..."

"Oh?" the New Emperor raised his eyebrows, "Where does this disaster star come from?"

"It comes from the south; it collided with the Purple Forbidden Palace, thus becoming a disaster star," the Witch Doctor said in a cautious tone.

"The south?" the New Emperor repeated, "Won't the southern region be too vast?"

"Due south, the place closely connected to the Purple Forbidden Palace," the Witch Doctor added.

He had thought the New Emperor would continue questioning, but after the New Emperor heard this, he hummed and let him rise.

The Witch Doctor, puzzled, could only hold back the many things he still wanted to say for the time being.

However, he believed the New Emperor would soon be unable to resist coming to find him.

No rush—first cast a long line to catch a big fish.

The New Emperor had the Witch Doctor retreat, then ordered someone to summon the National Teacher.

He asked the National Teacher the same question.

After listening, the National Teacher only said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured; this is a normal phenomenon, with no other abnormality."

"But someone has told me this might be a disaster star descending, fearing a repeat of the Tianqi era's mistakes and suffering divine retribution," the New Emperor added.

"Your Majesty, that is pure nonsense; our Great Zhou enjoys favorable winds and rains, the country is tranquil and the people prosperous, your ascension more so follows the Mandate of Heaven—why would there be divine retribution? This person must be unskilled in his arts," the National Teacher said.

The New Emperor gave no clear answer, then asked him: "Speaking of this, I have actually always wanted to learn some stargazing; it seems profoundly mysterious to me. In the past, during my infancy, I used to enjoy observing the night sky, but I only used my naked eyes and could see nothing of note."

He sighed, and after a long while asked again: "What exactly does 'the place closely connected to the Purple Forbidden Palace in due south' mean? Beloved official, could you clarify this for me?"

Upon hearing this, the National Teacher immediately understood what was going on.

Even without knowledge of geomancy, a smart person could guess that the Purple Forbidden Palace represents the imperial palace, and what is closely connected to it can only be the mansions of nobles and officials—so due south must be the Grand General's Residence.

It is aimed at Mu Yuanzhi.

Is it that Witch Doctor? Is he suggesting the Guardian State Princess carries a monstrous fetus?

What does the New Emperor mean by these words—is he testing him?

"In reply to Your Majesty, it refers to the Grand General's Residence," the National Teacher answered truthfully.

"It's actually the Grand General's Residence?" the New Emperor doubted, "The Grand General's Residence has just been renovated and stands empty—could it possibly still refer to the Guardian State Princess?"

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"To be frank with you, beloved official, these words were spoken by Sima Qing; I never expected his meaning to actually point to the Guardian State Princess..." the New Emperor murmured.

"Your Majesty!" the National Teacher hastily bowed, "This is sheer fabrication; I hope Your Majesty will not listen to slander."

"Beloved official, you are rarely this agitated." the New Emperor gave a low chuckle, approached the National Teacher, and said, "Except for the time I entered the palace gates."

The National Teacher jerked his head up.

He indeed knew!

"Beloved official." the New Emperor seized the National Teacher's arms raised to his forehead, "Whose subject are you?"

In memory, the Deposed Emperor had once made this gesture.

The National Teacher lowered his head again, "Your Majesty, I have already made my choice; there is thus no reason for regret, and I hope Your Majesty will not suspect me."

"I also don't wish to suspect, but beloved official, you privately released the Deposed Emperor, which forces me to suspect—doesn't that make sense?" the New Emperor asked.

He finally managed to ask that question.

The National Teacher, however, let out a sigh of relief.

If Your Majesty does not believe me, I am willing to resign my office and restore Your Majesty's peace; however, what I just said is truly sincere, the heavenly omens are unchanged, Your Majesty must not listen to the words of villains!

The New Emperor smiled, 'Your words finally have some warmth; before you said that person lacked skill, but now you finally dare to scold.'

The National Teacher blinked, momentarily unsure how to answer the New Emperor's words.

They seem like the same kind of people, yet are completely different.

Probably because one is a ruler and the other is merely a subject.

'Step back, I have my own decision.'

'I, your subject, request to retire!'

'Also, do not bring up the matter of resigning office again; I will pretend I never heard it.'

'Thank you, my lord, for your great grace.'

Only after leaving Xuanshi Hall did the National Teacher finally let out a breath, though his breathing was merely smooth.

The National Teacher could not tell how much Your Majesty believed in himself versus how much he believed in the shaman-physician.

The New Emperor was even harder for him to fathom than the Deposed Emperor.

But he always believed this person was a wise ruler, after all, they unanimously chose him as the new lord, so he would certainly not be mistaken.

As the National Teacher turned to leave, he heard someone behind him whispering.

'Is it true? Your Majesty really wants to change the heir?!'

'Shh, don't be so loud!'

'I just find it strange: why did we go to all the trouble to establish a young heir before, and now we want to establish an elder one?'

'Don't try to guess Your Majesty's thoughts.'