Chapter 146: Hello Chang’an
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Chapter 146: Blessing or Curse
March 21, 2023
The Holy Emperor’s gaze remained fixed on the register as he asked indifferently, “The best candidate… where would she be found?”
Ming Luo, with a solemn expression, replied, “Your Majesty, this humble servant believes that the lady of the Chang family currently possesses three qualities that align closely with the position of Crown Princess—”
Her voice was slow and objective:
“Firstly, although Lady Chang is merely an adopted daughter of the Grand General's household, it is well known that General Chang treats her as his own. She is the sole daughter of the household. In terms of status, she is regarded as the daughter of a first-rank military officer, a point that is indisputable.”
“A daughter of a first-rank officer sounds sufficiently prestigious. No one can accuse Your Majesty of neglecting the Crown Prince by arranging such a marriage.”
“However, General Chang holds only an honorary first-rank title and no real power. Even though he once commanded the Xuanzhe Army, that army now wholeheartedly supports Grand General Cui. Even if the Chang family were to align themselves with the Eastern Palace in the future, it would still be within Your Majesty’s control.”
“Secondly, Lady Chang possesses an advantage unmatched by others. After the Poetry Gathering at the Dengtai Pavilion, her reputation soared among scholars despite being a woman. Recently, she set up a chess and won against a well-regarded scholar, further solidifying her fame. Her personal renown alone grants her the authority to rival Lady Changsun.”
“Thirdly, as mentioned by the Tianjing Master…” Ming Luo’s tone gained a hint of respectful awe as she continued, “Lady Chang's fate is extraordinary and enigmatic.”
The holy Emperor had earlier asked the Master whether this peculiarity was a blessing or a curse—
The Master had simply shaken his head and answered, “Unknown.”
Moreover, the Master added another statement:
—“I perceive a subtle connection between this lady’s fate and that of Your Majesty, one that cannot be easily explained.”
This remark, even more than the word “unknown,” filled people’s hearts with unease.
For a ruler who holds life and death in his hands, if such an individual were merely an ordinary unknown variable, it would be prudent to eliminate her early and avoid trouble altogether.
But the phrase “her fate is subtly connected to Your Majesty's fate” made rash action unthinkable.
One misstep could risk the empire’s fortunes.
The Tianjing Master was no ordinary fraud or charlatan; every prediction he made came true. Her aunt held him in high regard—
Ming Luo had even heard a secret from her father, Marquis Ying, during her childhood. When her aunt was born, a young Taoist passed by their residence, instantly recognizing the birth of an exceptional child within. After seeing the infant in her swaddling clothes, he declared that she had the face of a future ruler of the world.
At the time, this sounded like sheer madness.
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This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
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Yet decades later, it came true.
Initially, Ming Luo dismissed this mystical tale as a tactic her aunt used to consolidate loyalty among her subjects. However, her aunt eventually located that very Taoist—who turned out to be the Tianjing Master.
Her aunt’s respect for the Master was well-founded.
When it comes to matters of personal safety and interest, people tend to err on the side of caution. Ordinary individuals think this way, let alone emperors.
An emperor would never gamble with his destiny.
Thus, the Holy Emperor had earlier sought the Master’s guidance on whether this intertwining fate could be further analyzed or even resolved.
The Master had only promised to try.
However, given the unpredictable nature of this variable, whether the exact fortune could be divined remained uncertain.
“Your Majesty is Heaven’s chosen ruler. When faced with such an uncertain variable, it is best to keep it within sight and under control to ensure stability,” Ming Luo concluded.
The position of Crown Princess may sound prestigious, but in reality, it is merely a chain to turn someone into a puppet.
An unpredictable variable like this is best turned into a controllable puppet, placed under close watch, wouldn’t you agree?
After hearing this, the Holy Emperor raised his eyes to look at Ming Luo.
“Gu’an—” Her tone revealed no hint of emotion. “You have no fondness for the lady of the Chang family, do you?”
Ming Luo’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. She lowered her gaze and replied, “Indeed, I do not like her.”
She knew very well that when her aunt asked such a question, it was not to hear a denial or an excuse.
Even if she admitted it, it wouldn’t render her argument invalid—the emperor’s decisions are based on weighing advantages and disadvantages, not her personal feelings.
As long as her suggestion was useful and viable, her aunt would consider it.
Otherwise, why would she risk speaking out and inviting her aunt’s suspicion of her motives?
Thus, she admitted with composure, "The lady of the Chang family acts boldly, disregarding the greater picture. Previously, she even refused the honor Your Majesty sought to bestow upon her by appointing her as a court official. It is indeed difficult for me to feel any recognition for her."
"But my proposal just now was not born of personal bias," she continued earnestly. "Previously, like Your Majesty, I had not considered her among the candidates for the Crown Princess. However, due to the current situation and after hearing the Tianjing Master's words, such a thought occurred to me."
She raised her hand in salute and lowered her head slightly, saying, "If she can serve Your Majesty’s purposes and truly be a manifestation of Heaven’s will as indicated by the Master to resolve this pressing issue, I shall accord her due respect and harbor no shallow or petty grievances against her."
The Holy Emperor nodded faintly. "If you can think this way, it is not in vain that I have nurtured you."
She did not mind that those around her harbored their own small schemes.
If she could not tolerate such minor calculations from others, there would be no one left in the world for her to use.
As long as those thoughts could be discerned and kept within her control, they were acceptable.
In fact, those with personal desires and flaws were often easier to manage.
She only needed to issue a timely warning before they crossed any forbidden lines.
Ming Luo added tactfully, "My perspective is ultimately limited, and what I have said may merely be a crude opinion. How to proceed with this matter still requires Your Majesty’s careful consideration."
The Holy Emperor’s tone was calm as she replied, "At present, I lack any piece on the board with absolute certainty of victory. It is likely that they have noticed this vulnerability and dared to propose selecting the Crown Princess at this time..."
Her gaze returned to the name "Chang Suining" written on the register. She spoke slowly, "She was originally not within my considerations, nor within theirs."
"Yet, in just half a year, her reputation has risen... Within the capital, she has become a variable worth mentioning."
This variable might indeed help her achieve an unexpected victory and secure this round of the game...
"However, it would be unwise to act rashly. We must first test the reactions of all parties."
With that, the Holy Emperor raised her hand and gently closed the register.
After a moment of silence, a palace maid entered to announce, "Your Majesty, it is nearly time for the evening banquet."
Today’s flower banquet was arranged as a daytime flower viewing followed by an evening feast.
The Holy Emperor’s move to test reactions would unfold during this evening banquet.
…
Since the daytime gathering in the garden, the enigmatic gaze of the Tianjing Master lingering on her had left Chang Suining with a vague sense of unease.
That unease soon materialized.
Before the banquet began, the Holy Emperor ordered rewards to be distributed to the noblewomen present.
Imperial rewards were meant to be distributed equally. Regardless of whether one had performed during the flower festival, anyone who had arrived with an invitation received a reward.
However, the nature of the rewards varied.
These differences served as the basis for interpreting the Emperor’s intentions.
Most noblewomen received jewelry—while the items differed in design, they were largely similar.
But when Lady Changsun, Changsun Xuan, stepped forward to receive her reward, she was given a jade ruyi scepter instead of ordinary ornaments.
The auspicious meaning of "ruyi" (as one wishes) made it clear that the Emperor held her in particularly high regard.
The women exchanged subtle glances.
Lady Changsun was indeed extraordinary...
For the Emperor to bestow such a ruyi scepter at this moment, could it signify approval of selecting Lady Changsun as the Crown Princess?
Changsun Xuan accepted the reward with a bow and returned to her seat, smiling gracefully.
Sitting just below the Holy Emperor, the Crown Prince clenched his trembling fingers inside his sleeve, a mixture of nervousness, excitement, and apprehension coursing through him.
Whispers broke out among the officials, yet Changsun Yuan remained impassive, his heart unsettled—if the Emperor had gone to such lengths to arrange this grand flower banquet, how could she so easily concede her position?
At this moment, the eunuch announcing the rewards spoke again.
"Lady of the Chang family from the Grand General’s household, step forward to receive your reward—"
Chang Suining stepped forward.
The eunuch announced in a loud voice, “His Majesty bestows upon Lady Chang a pair of luminous pearls.”
The hall fell abruptly silent.
Chang Suining’s lowered gaze flickered briefly, almost imperceptibly.
She did not lift her head to glance around, maintaining decorum, yet she could keenly sense countless astonished gazes fixed upon her.
When she had moved forward to receive her reward, it was supposed to be like the many noblewomen before her—receiving a modestly unique gift and then returning quietly to her seat without drawing attention.
But now, an unexpected turn had occurred.
The pair of luminous pearls, presented in a box before her by the eunuch, lay quietly yet radiated a gentle light, akin to candlelight or stars, even under the well-lit surroundings. They captivated the onlookers, making it impossible to look away.
These particularly precious pearls left no room for dismissal or rejection, and yet the girl hesitated, not immediately reaching out to accept them.
At that moment, the Tianjing Master, standing beside the Holy Emperor, spoke.
“Earlier today in the garden, this humble Daoist observed Lady Chang’s countenance and already found it exceptional. Now, upon closer examination, it appears even more extraordinary—”
The hall grew even quieter.
Was the Tianjing Master about to read the Chang family lady’s fortune publicly?
The Master’s reputation was far above that of ordinary Daoists; his words carried undeniable weight.
His aged voice resounded clearly in the silent hall, each word imbued with profound meaning. “The lady’s eyes are clear and steadfast, and from the brow bone to the occiput, her bone structure is full and defined, an unmistakable sign of greatness. Her destiny is one of noble prominence, beyond estimation…”
As his words fell, murmurs of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
Could it be that this Lady Chang possessed such an illustrious fate?
To be noble and extraordinary… surely, that signified an unparalleled destiny!
Cui Lang, however, found his attention drawn elsewhere, muttering under his breath, “From the brow bone to the occiput, full and defined…”
He instinctively touched his own head and realized aloud, “So it means my master’s head is perfectly round, right?”
While stroking his head, he couldn’t help but sneak a glance at his elder brother seated in front of him.
If the Tianjing Master were to examine his elder brother’s bone structure, would he find the “natural rebellious streak” everyone mentioned? Perhaps it would take up quite a large section?
Cui Lang’s gaze moved up and down.
Or rather... could his brother be rebellious from head to toe?
As the saying goes, one’s weight could be measured in geometry, and if rebelliousness were added, how much would it tip the scale?
But having too much of it was no good—more beatings than others would be unavoidable.
Similarly, a perfectly round head wasn’t ideal either—it might draw unwanted attention from Daoists.
Could his master’s overly round head lead to her being picked as the Crown Princess?
Cui Lang glanced at his master with a hint of concern.
Meanwhile, amidst the murmurs of varied opinions, Chang Suining raised her head slightly and looked at the Tianjing Master.
She was well aware of her exceptional destiny. She didn’t need him to tell her that.
Still, since he had spoken, she replied courteously, “Then I shall borrow the Master’s auspicious words—”
She would solidify this image of a noble and extraordinary fate herself.
But her nobility must be her own, not that of a puppet.
In the eyes of the crowd, the young lady accepted the Master’s assessment of her illustrious fortune without humility, fear, or surprise. Instead, she responded with a simple phrase—borrowing the Master’s auspicious words.
Such composure, coupled with a hint of arrogance.
And so, she accepted it?
The young lady accepted the pair of luminous pearls as well.
After receiving the box, Chang Suining expressed her gratitude.
Gratitude was necessary—after all, this was merely a reward and a fortune-telling, not an imperial decree of marriage. Even if she wanted to resist, there was no decree to resist; and if she wished to cause a scene, the opportunity had yet to present itself.
Besides, the pearls were worth a fortune. If she ever needed funds in the future, selling them would be quite practical.
Her act of accepting the reward was, however, perceived by those watching as the beginning of a larger game.
For many, this banquet would leave them with little appetite.
By the banquet’s midpoint, several officials with ulterior motives began to take their leave.
Yet Changsun Yuan remained seated, his expression unwavering.
Chang Suining also stayed until the very end.
When she finally left the banquet, there were only a few people remaining.
The box containing the luminous pearls was handed to Xi'er to carry. Master and servant stepped out of the main hall, greeted by a slightly chilly night breeze.
“Ning Ning…” Waiting outside the hall, Chang Kuo and his son approached them quickly.
Chang Suining spoke calmly, “It’s late. Father and Brother should return to rest first. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until tomorrow.”
Each faction would need at least a night to digest and react to this event, and she and her father might as well take the time to think it over.
Since the situation had only just begun to unfold, the Chang family need not rush to overreact before others.
Understanding her intention, Chang Kuo nodded, glanced back at the banquet hall, and said in a low, serious voice, “Don’t worry. With me here, nothing will harm you.”
Not fully grasping the situation but taking his father’s words to heart, Chang Suian reassured his sister as well, “Brother’s here too!”
Chang Suining smiled faintly and nodded.
After parting from her father and brother, she returned to her residence with Xi'er by her side.
As the young lady’s silhouette faded into the distance, Ming Luo, standing in the corridor, raised her eyebrows slightly.
After painstaking efforts to gain attention and a reputation, today Chang Suining had finally reaped the fruit of her labor. To think she had effortlessly gained the position of Crown Princess—certainly a fair exchange.
When the imperial decree was formally announced, Ming Luo fully intended to offer her sincere congratulations.
At least, judging by her actions tonight, the girl appeared sensible enough.
What reason could she possibly have for being unsatisfied or acting imprudently? For an orphan to receive such extraordinary fortune, she ought to feel utterly content.
Ming Luo smiled faintly and murmured, “It’s best if she remains sensible like this…”
After all, her aunt—the current reigning Emperor—would not tolerate a puppet who lacked tact.
If fortune and misfortune are uncertain, then discretion is fortune.
Indiscretion, breeding conflict, would be misfortune.
A calamity star would never meet a good end, so it would be in the girl’s best interest to obediently play the role of a compliant chess piece.
With her expression composed, Ming Luo turned and returned to the hall.
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