Chapter 426
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
Last night, the celestial phenomena were unusual. The officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau observed the night sky and noticed a phoenix soaring in the southern heavens, surrounded by auspicious clouds—an omen that seemed to signify the presence of an imperial star. Yet, this celestial sign was truly peculiar.
Since ancient times, the imperial star had almost always been symbolized by a coiling azure dragon. However, the celestial configuration that night displayed a phoenix star. Even the most experienced officials of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau found it difficult to interpret, and thus sought the wisdom of the learned Zhang He'an.
Zhang He'an came from a family that had served in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for generations. Though he was well-versed in divination and mystical arts from a young age, he did not follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he chose to enter the imperial examinations and became a disciple of the venerable Prime Minister Li.
With the court in dire need of capable officials, Zhang He'an's political acumen and mastery of power dynamics made him indispensable. The court officials were well aware that Zhang He'an was likely destined for a high-ranking position, perhaps even that of a marquis or prime minister.
Upon receiving the invitation from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, Zhang He'an arrived under the cover of night. He activated the star chart, adjusted the armillary sphere, and after careful calculations, calmly declared, "The star chart is flawed, and the calculations are erroneous. The southern region belongs to the Yelang Kingdom. There is no phoenix star."
His authoritative conclusion left the other officials with lingering doubts, but none dared to refute him. The matter was thus hastily dismissed.
As Zhang He'an departed beneath the moonlight, he paused outside the palace walls and gazed toward the southern outskirts of the Qing State's imperial palace. Just then, a meteor streaked across the sky, crashing through the roof tiles and igniting a blaze.
Zhang He'an ordered his guards to extinguish the fire.
From the ashes, the guards retrieved a peculiar silver object, no larger than a palm. Zhang He'an examined the strange artifact, then cast another glance at the starry sky.
"How curious," he murmured, his usually impassive face betraying a flicker of interest. Pocketing the small silver sphere, he turned and left.
---
That morning, Li Qingxun dragged her aching body out of the Qiu Liang Palace.
The winding palace paths made her head and feet throb with every step. She longed for the convenience of the transport devices from her research institute.
Passing by a section of charred palace wall, she noticed several eunuchs clearing away the broken bricks. Li Qingxun turned to Yuan'er and asked, "Why is this wall burned?"
Yuan'er shook her head. "This servant doesn’t know. Fires often break out in the rear palace—perhaps it was an accident. Your Highness, the imperial garden lies ahead. We must not go any further."
Li Qingxun halted.
The warmth of April bathed the imperial garden in radiant beauty. From a distance, she could see a group of elegantly dressed noblewomen strolling among the flowers.
Thanks to her keen eyesight and fragmented memories, Li Qingxun could vaguely identify them: the Empress, Consort Xie, the Seventh Princess Li Qingling, and five or six noblewomen from the Yue Kingdom’s envoy delegation.
The Yue Kingdom envoys had recently arrived, seeking to foster peace between the two nations. While the emperor entertained the envoys in court, the Empress and Consort Xie hosted the noblewomen in the rear palace.
Traditionally, the Empress alone would have overseen such receptions. However, Consort Xie, favored by the emperor, held equal influence, resulting in a joint effort to entertain the foreign guests.
In the imperial garden, one of the Yue noblewomen praised, "The peonies of Qing State are truly magnificent. We have none so splendid in Yue Kingdom."
The Empress smiled with pride. "These were planted by Qingling in her leisure. For some reason, they bloom more beautifully than the others."
Consort Xie suppressed a disdainful smirk.
Another noblewoman chimed in, "Peonies are difficult to cultivate—they require meticulous care to flourish. The Seventh Princess must be a kind and attentive young lady."
Li Qingling, standing beside the Empress, blushed demurely, her radiant face outshining even the garden’s most vibrant blooms.
Consort Xie’s disdain deepened.
As the group continued their stroll, a eunuch’s sharp reprimand cut through the air: "Who goes there?"
All eyes turned toward the imperial pond, where a shabbily dressed young girl knelt by the water’s edge, desperately fishing for something. Startled by the eunuch’s shout, she trembled violently.
"I—I just wanted to retrieve the bun… Please don’t beat me," she stammered, barely able to stand.
The Empress recognized the emaciated girl as the Sixth Princess, Li Qingxun.
Fury simmered within her.
Today’s reception was meant to showcase Qing State’s prosperity and the harmony of the rear palace. Yet here was Li Qingxun, threatening to expose the court’s ugly underbelly to foreign eyes.
The Empress signaled the eunuchs to drag her away. If the Yue envoys remained unaware of her identity, the kingdom’s dignity—and her own—would remain intact.
But before the eunuchs could act, Yuan'er, ever quick-witted, knelt and kowtowed. "Forgive us, Your Majesties! My princess was merely hungry and meant no offense!"
The Empress’s expression darkened.
Consort Xie, ever eager to undermine the Empress, feigned surprise. "Oh? That pitiful child is the Sixth Princess? How she has withered! Someone, bring her here at once."
Her attendant swiftly helped the trembling Li Qingxun to her feet and led her before the noblewomen.
Li Qingxun appeared utterly terrified, her face ashen, clutching a soggy bun as if it were her last lifeline. "Forgive me, Your Majesty… I was only trying to retrieve the bun… I was so hungry…"
Her emaciation was shocking.
Her arms were little more than skin and bone, marred by unhealed whip marks. Her sunken cheeks and dull complexion made her a stark contrast to the radiant Li Qingling.
The Yue noblewomen exchanged uneasy glances.
This wretched creature was also a princess?
Two princesses stood before them: one adorned in gold and silks, resplendent as a peony; the other, the Sixth Princess Li Qingxun, gaunt and battered, clinging to a ruined bun.
A sympathetic noblewoman murmured, "How long has it been since she last ate? She won’t even let go of a soaked bun."
The Empress seethed.
Of all times for Li Qingxun to appear and humiliate her!
Consort Xie seized the moment. With false concern, she examined Li Qingxun’s wounds. "Good heavens, these whip marks! Who dared lay hands on a princess?"
Li Qingxun shrank back, casting a furtive glance at Li Qingling.
The Seventh Princess, spoiled and vicious, glared back. "Why are you looking at me? You dared to set your sights on Lord Zhang! You’re lucky I didn’t beat you to death!"
Li Qingxun cowered. "I—I won’t do it again… Please don’t hit me, younger sister."
The Yue noblewomen’s expressions soured.
So the radiant Seventh Princess was nothing more than a cruel brat who whipped her own sister.
The Empress yanked Li Qingling’s sleeve. The foolish girl had no sense of propriety—blurting out such things in front of guests!
Li Qingling shrank under the Empress's icy glare, her voice thick with indignation. "Mother, I am the legitimate princess, born to nobility. That Li Qingxun is merely the daughter of a palace maid—destined to serve from birth."
The Empress's expression turned frostier still.
Consort Xie fanned herself with a tinkling laugh, her tone dripping with mockery. "Such grandeur from the Seventh Princess. Have you forgotten? Even our esteemed Emperor of Qing State was born of a concubine."