Chapter 6
Chapter 6
A single rain in Hebei Prefecture decided whether we lived or died.
National Teacher Ye was torn apart by five horses.
The emperor asked me, “What reward do you want?”
I bowed low with utmost respect. “Imperial Father, this son wishes to beg a favor of you.”
“Please release Second Brother and restore him to his former post.”
“This son will return to the Cold Palace and pray day and night for Imperial Father and my elder brothers.”
The emperor’s imposing voice came from above my head.
“Granted. We absolve Jing’er of his crimes.”
“Jing’er, you will continue serving as Deputy Commandant of the Imperial Guard.”
From the corner of my eye, I glanced at Li Jing. In the way he kowtowed and thanked the emperor with fear and trembling, I caught a trace of resentment he could not quite hide.
Between an imperial father and son, life and death were decided by a single word from the emperor.
Li Jing’s mother, like the mother of the Seventh Prince, had been of low birth and died early.
He was nothing more than a tool in the struggle between the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince.
The Crown Prince had no need of him, so he could only throw his lot in with the Fifth Prince.
Of course he was resentful. Of course he was unwilling to accept it.
I was very pleased.
His resentment could be of use to me.
The emperor turned to me. “You need not return to the Cold Palace.”
“Go to the Imperial Observatory. We have a more suitable position for you.”
At the end, the emperor asked me, “What is your name?”
Consort Yu had been a palace maid. She had offended the National Preceptor over some trivial matter and been condemned for it.
No one had ever treated the lives of that mother and son as worth anything.
The Seventh Prince had no name.
I kowtowed deeply. “This son begs Imperial Father to bestow one.”
“Chen. From now on, you will be called Li Chen.”
The Imperial Observatory observed celestial signs and calculated fortune and disaster.
For three months, every divination I made was accurate.
I had already risen to the position of Director of the Astronomical Bureau.
The emperor’s trust in me grew heavier by the day.
But it was not enough. Far from enough.
I was waiting for the right moment.
The Second Prince came to visit me in private.
He thanked me for saving his life and brought many gifts.
I offered him a cup of plain water. “Second Brother, your health has not fully recovered yet. Tea would not be suitable. Please have some hot water instead.”
Warmth rose in his eyes.
I watched him finish that cup of warm water, then asked with a smile, “Second Brother, is there something you would like to ask of me?”
Li Jing froze, rubbed his nose, and gave a wry smile. “As expected of Seventh Brother. I came to ask my younger brother for a small favor.”
I raised a finger and said, “Let me guess. Second Brother came because of the post of Vice Minister of Revenue?”
He nodded with a smile. “Seventh Brother truly is a living immortal. Nothing can be hidden from you.”
I shook my head and pointed to another unopened gift in the main hall.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has already sent someone here.”
The Second Prince’s expression changed.
I had long since found out that Li Jing had allied himself with the Fifth Prince and the Empress.
The Fox Demon Calamity had been the Crown Prince Faction’s attempt to use talk of evil spirits to eliminate one of the Fifth Prince’s right-hand men.
He lowered his voice. “Seventh Brother, are you choosing…”
Back when I saved him, he must have thought I would choose the Fifth Prince.
But I did not want to choose either side.
I shook my head and chuckled.
“Second Brother, I am only someone who calculates fate. I know nothing of affairs at court.”
“Whatever command the Heavenly Lord gives me, I act according to the Heavenly Lord’s will.”
He had a furious argument with me, picked up his gifts, and left in a huff.
Before he went, he looked back again, his bright eyes smiling as he winked at me.
I understood the meaning of that look: See? How was Second Brother’s acting?