Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Lord Liu of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau was only a fifth-rank official. In a place like Shangjing, where imperial relatives and noble Aristocratic Families were everywhere, he was truly unremarkable.

And yet, in my dream, when the Rong State invaded and the important figures of the court fled with their entire households, this old man still picked up a spear without hesitation. From atop the city walls, he berated the invaders-only to die beneath the iron hooves of the Rong soldiers.

This old man had backbone.

So even in the face of a princess as favored as me, he didn’t feel the slightest fear.

His expression was respectfully composed, but the doubt in his eyes ran deep-his face all but had the words written on it: “What are you here for?”

I looked around and said evenly, “I’ve heard you are well-versed in the Book of Changes, Lord Liu. This Princess would like to ask: if a person dreams the same dream for several days in a row, what does it mean?”

Lord Liu thought for a moment. “What one thinks by day, one dreams by night. What did Your Highness dream?”

“Mars guarding the Heart, and chaos under heaven,” I said softly.

Lord Liu went rigid, staring at me with widened eyes. His face plainly read: Why are you spouting nonsense here-do you have any idea you’ll get me killed?

He lifted a hand to his forehead, swaying as if he could barely stand.

“Aiyo, Your Highness-this humble official is old and can’t take such shocks. Please return, Your Highness! This humble official will respectfully see Your Highness back to the palace.”

Me: “…”

I’d been careless!

The Lord Liu I’d seen in my dream was a man who’d risked his life for righteousness. In reality, he was still a seasoned bureaucrat-no worse than any other lord at the art of keeping himself safe.

My cheeks warmed, but I bit the bullet and pressed on.

“Lord Liu, This Princess is not playing around. Think about it: if what This Princess says is correct, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau fails to predict Mars guarding the Heart, then when the time comes, who will be the one in trouble?”

“If Mars guarding the Heart occurs and the court has no response, and someone in the common folk deliberately spreads rumors, blaming the omen on Father Emperor’s lack of benevolence-wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?”

“Father Emperor is easy enough to deal with. At worst, he goes along with public sentiment and issues an Edict of Self-Reproach. But you, Lord Liu, will likely be pushed out to take the blame.”

Lord Liu finally raised his head. His sharp eyes fixed on me, baffled.

“Your Highness, what exactly do you want?”

“Obviously, to be a princess properly!” I said, utterly righteous.

“…”

Lord Liu had nothing to say for a moment. Strangely, it was precisely because my motives were so selfish that he believed me a little more.

After a long pause, he asked, “Your Highness-what if Mars guarding the Heart doesn’t happen?”

I smiled.

“Then, Lord Liu can treat it as indulging a wayward princess for a bit.”

Lord Liu choked again.

In the end, he beckoned, and a handsome young man stepped out from the side hall.

“Your Highness, this is my son, Liu Xu. He holds a minor post at the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. If Your Highness wishes for someone to accompany you in play, my son may be dispatched at your convenience.”

So he half-believed, half-doubted-and sent a little tagalong to interface with me.

If I was telling the truth, all would be well.

If I was lying, it would just be young people being ignorant and playing at nonsense.

This old man was cautious, alright.

I looked at Liu Xu. He was strikingly good-looking-red lips, white teeth, clean brows and clear eyes, a jade-like young gentleman.

But he really didn’t look like someone with much ability.

I lifted my chin slightly. “Can you read the stars?”

Liu Xu smiled and bowed lightly.

“The histories record that Mars guarding the Heart has occurred a total of twenty-eight times.

“Of those, nine were all connected to war and calamity. Thus Yinghuo is also called the disaster star, the punishment star.

“In Records of the Grand Historian: House of Song Weizi, it is recorded that when King Hui of Chu destroyed Chen, Mars guarding the Heart appeared. In the time of the Qin State, a falling star descended from the heavens, and the First Emperor passed away…”

There was light in Liu Xu’s eyes. He answered smoothly, every word orderly and assured.

I listened, stunned.

Good grief!

I only wanted to ask a question, and he was giving me a lesson.

Terrifying.

I hurriedly said, “No need. Young Lord Liu, you’re excellent. Let’s discuss this instead-if Mars guarding the Heart truly happens, how should we respond?”

Liu Xu closed his mouth, regret all over his face. “Yes, Your Highness. What is your idea? Xu will obey every command.”

I tapped the table lightly with a finger. “Mars guarding the Heart concerns the fate of the nation. Why don’t we divert the trouble elsewhere?”

“Oh? Divert it how? And to whom?”

“Divert it to Chen Xiang-how about that?”

Liu Xu and Lord Liu both went blank.

One hurried to shut the door, the other prepared to send me away.

In that moment, they both felt I was about to get them killed.