The next day, Hu Shi entered the palace early in the morning and headed straight for the Longevity and Health Palace as soon as she passed through the palace gates.
The Empress Dowager had just risen when she received the announcement and immediately ordered Hu Shi to be admitted. As Hu Shi entered the hall, her face was filled with deep concern. After Hu Shi paid her respects, the Empress Dowager asked, "What has happened? Why have you come so early today?"
Hu Shi replied, "Your Majesty, after receiving your decree the night before last, my husband and I were overjoyed. Yesterday, upon hearing your words, we became even more certain about this marriage alliance. When you mentioned wishing to finalize the marriage between Guan'er and the Crown Prince before the New Year, I grew anxious. After leaving the palace yesterday, I went to Huayan Temple outside the city to seek a fortune stick."
"To be frank with you, I place great faith in this Path. I had also sought divination for Yu'er's marriage back then. Since Guan'er and the Crown Prince's marriage preparations have not yet begun, it is not yet time to compare their birth charts. Therefore, I dared not do anything else and only went to seek a fortune stick. But who would have thought that I would draw the worst possible omen?"
As she spoke, Hu Shi pulled a slip of paper from her sleeve with the interpretation of the fortune stick. "Please take a look, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager was not surprised to hear that Hu Shi had sought a fortune stick. It was common for elders to seek divination and match birth charts for their children's marriages. However, Hu Shi did not know Yan Chi's birth details, and since Prince Rui's royal residence had not yet sent an official matchmaker, it was natural that she could not compare their charts. Thus, seeking a fortune stick was perfectly reasonable. But why had she drawn the worst possible omen?
Although the Empress Dowager was not a firm believer in such things, she still preferred auspicious outcomes in all matters. Upon hearing it was the worst omen, she quickly took the paper and unfolded it. At the top were written a few lines of verse: "For fame, virtue is lost in misfortune; Fear auspiciousness turning to calamity. The autumn wind knows not where it goes; Amid pine shadows, regret lingers vague." Reading these lines, the Empress Dowager's heart skipped a beat.
Below the verse was an explanation. The Empress Dowager scanned it quickly, and her heart sank even deeper.
Just from reading the verse, it was clear that this omen indicated Yan Chi and Qin Guan's marriage would turn from auspicious to calamitous. She had only just issued her decree—how could this be?
Qin Guan and Yan Chi had long held feelings for each other. If they were not allowed to marry, would they have to be separated?
The Empress Dowager's expression darkened. Hu Shi said, "I told my husband about this, and he too became quite worried. I considered telling Guan'er but feared it would frighten her. After some thought, I decided to come and see you, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Yesterday afternoon, the Grand Princess also came to the palace. When I discussed this marriage with her, she was very pleased. Now, with you suddenly drawing such an omen, it truly is..."
The Empress Dowager crumpled the fortune slip in her hand and asked, "Only you and your husband know of this omen?"
Hu Shi nodded. The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, "My decree has been issued, and there is no reason to change it lightly. Keep this matter to yourself for now, and do not let Guan'er know. I need to think about this further."
Hu Shi hastily agreed and, not daring to disturb the Empress Dowager further, soon took her leave.
After leaving the Longevity and Health Palace, Hu Shi thought for a moment and decided to go to the Eastern Palace. When she arrived, Qin Chaoyu was slightly surprised to learn that Hu Shi had entered the palace again. Although Hu Shi had been granted permission to visit Qin Chaoyu in the palace, it was not appropriate for her to come every day.Qin Chaoyu intended to question Hu Shi, but Hu Shi wished to conceal the matter. However, Qin Chaoyu was far too perceptive and immediately discerned that Hu Shi was hiding something in her heart. She couldn't help but cling to Hu Shi's arm and ask, "Mother, what exactly did you enter the palace for? Is there something you cannot tell your own daughter? If you have worries, tell me so I can help ease them."
Hu Shi would normally never keep anything from Qin Chaoyu, but this matter...
"Mother, if you act like this, I won't be able to rest easy in the palace either. If you won't tell me, I'll have to go ask my elder brother."
Not wanting Qin Chaoyu to make a scene, Hu Shi had no choice but to dismiss the attendants before whispering, "You don't know this, but His Highness the Crown Prince told your father that Prince Rui's residence might face trouble, and Qin Guan's marriage must not proceed."
Qin Chaoyu's expression shifted slightly. "Prince Rui's residence is in trouble?"
Hu Shi sighed. "You must never let His Highness know I told you. Since he hasn't informed you, pretend you know nothing. His Highness didn't explain everything clearly to your father either—he only said Qin Guan cannot marry Yan Chi and spoke vaguely about unpredictable matters. Your father suspects it's likely related to the Northwest Military Provisions case implicating Prince Rui's residence."
Hu Shi's voice was hushed and urgent. Qin Chaoyu naturally could only nod in response. After exchanging a few more words, Hu Shi, unable to stay longer, left the palace. Once Hu Shi departed, Qin Chaoyu summoned Moyun and instructed, "Go inquire and see whom His Highness has met these past few days and what movements have occurred at court."
...
...
After Hu Shi left, the Empress Dowager called Mammy Chen to her side and showed her the divination slip. Mammy Chen's face also paled slightly. "Your Majesty, do you intend to believe this slip?"
The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes. "I certainly won't prevent Guan'er and Yan Chi from being together because of this, but... at this critical juncture, such a slip suddenly appearing is truly disheartening and ill-omened."
Mammy Chen felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this. "What do you plan to do, then?"
The Empress Dowager promptly said, "Go to the Imperial Observatory at once. I don't trust outsiders—find the Director of the Imperial Observatory and have him calculate whether this marriage is auspicious or inauspicious."
Not daring to take this lightly, Mammy Chen, aware of Qin Guan's importance to the Empress Dowager, immediately went to the Imperial Observatory.
After Mammy Chen left, the Empress Dowager grew quite restless. She waited anxiously for over an hour before Mammy Chen returned from the Imperial Observatory. Entering the room, Mammy Chen, her face pale, clutched a divination slip. "Your Majesty, the slip has been drawn."
The Empress Dowager sat up abruptly. "What is the result?"
Mammy Chen said nothing but walked to the Empress Dowager and presented the slip. The Empress Dowager hastily took it and, upon reading it, her expression changed drastically. The brand-new slip bore exactly the same words as the one Hu Shi had delivered. If the earlier slip had merely unsettled her, this one truly ignited her anxiety. "This... how can they be identical!"
Mammy Chen replied, "I was also shocked when I saw it. The Director even specially burned incense while drawing the slip and murmured incantations, which took quite some time. I initially thought his slip would surely differ from the one delivered by the Marquess's wife, but never imagined... Your Majesty, what shall we do now?"The Empress Dowager had initially hoped the Imperial Observatory might provide a different divination result. If favorable, she might have granted Hu Shi's request. But now both sources aligned—how could she seek yet another interpretation elsewhere?
It's said that repeated divinations for the same matter lose their efficacy. Even if a more auspicious reading emerged, with two identical ones preceding it, the Empress Dowager felt an inexplicable blockage in her heart.
"Wait—the birth characters!" Her eyes suddenly brightened. "Quickly, summon Yan Chi and Guan'er to the palace. Have their birth characters brought to the Imperial Observatory for compatibility assessment. Now we shall see if their destinies align."
Within moments, a cold sweat beaded on the Empress Dowager's forehead.
Mammy Chen dared not delay, immediately dispatching messengers.
When the palace envoy arrived at the Marquis' residence, Yue Ning was conversing with Qin Guan there.
Yue Ning had learned of the imperial marriage decree yesterday. Though the edict arrived unexpectedly, the Grand Princess showed great enthusiasm. After visiting the palace yesterday afternoon, Yue Ning had exchanged only brief words with Qin Guan in the elders' presence, hence her return today for proper conversation.
Upon receiving the Empress Dowager's summons, Qin Guan accompanied Yue Ning to the palace.
In the carriage, Yue Ning probed, "Truthfully, you've known him for some time. What were your thoughts when the Empress Dowager consulted you?"
A subtle smile touched Qin Guan's lips. "What could one think? None dare refuse an imperial decree. Moreover, I hold genuine admiration for the Crown Prince."
Yue Ning studied Qin Guan intently before declaring, "Don't tell me you two were already involved?"
Qin Guan's eyes danced. "Certainly not!"
Yue Ning snorted. "I believe you're deceiving me. Knowing your character—had you been unwilling, even the Empress Dowager's proposal wouldn't have swayed you. You must have favored Yan Chi long ago! Am I wrong?!"
Qin Guan blinked. "Why assume it wasn't he who favored me first?"
Yue Ning's eyes widened. "Ah! So it was he who..." Clenching her fists, she fumed, "I always suspected his ulterior motives! Back in Jinzhou, I noticed—"
Qin Guan looked surprised. "What do you mean?"
Yue Ning then recounted numerous instances where Yan Chi had shown particular attention to Qin Guan in Jinzhou. Qin Guan's earlobes flushed pink as she listened, yet a sweet warmth blossomed in her chest. Observing this, Yue Ning grew more convinced of their mutual affection. She seized Qin Guan's hand. "Well! You've hidden this masterfully! How many other secrets are you keeping from me?!"
While unable to confess everything, Qin Guan disclosed how Yan Chi had rescued her at Cloud Mist Mountain, his subsequent escort duty that she deeply appreciated, and their continued interactions in the capital—making the imperial marriage seem a natural progression.
Yue Ning, now believing their mutual affection had simply remained unspoken without improper conduct, relented her questioning. Soon they arrived at the palace and entered the Longevity and Health Palace, where Qin Guan was startled to find Yan Chi already waiting in the main hall.
At the sight of him, Qin Guan's heart clenched. Yan Chi appeared composed and detached, his phoenix eyes slightly stern being the only departure from his usual demeanor. He remained every bit the taciturn, dignified heir apparent of Prince Rui. Watching him, who could have guessed he already knew about Prince Rui's tragic news?!The Empress Dowager was naturally delighted to see Qin Guan and Yue Ning arriving together, yet her heart was weighed down by the matter of Qin Guan and Yan Chi's marriage, making her less cheerful than usual. Yan Chi had arrived earlier and spoken for a while before taking his leave. Once he was gone, the Empress Dowager asked Qin Guan for her birth characters. Qin Guan knew that matching birth characters was customary before marriage, but since her wedding with Yan Chi had not yet begun preparations, she was taken aback by the Empress Dowager's request.
Nevertheless, Qin Guan provided them and stayed to chat with the Empress Dowager a while longer. As the sky darkened, she and Yue Ning took their leave.
Qin Guan was left with questions in her heart, and Yan Chi harbored doubts of his own.
As the imperial heir apparent, his grand wedding with Qin Guan had been decreed by the Empress Dowager. The preparations for the ceremony required the joint efforts of the Ministry of Rites and the Household Affairs Department. Now that the Empress Dowager had taken his birth characters, it did not seem as though the wedding preparations were to begin immediately.
Nor was it likely that the Empress Dowager had issued the decree first and only then sought to verify the compatibility of their birth characters.
After leaving the main hall, Yan Chi found Bai Feng waiting outside. Once they had walked some distance, Yan Chi instructed, "Find out whom the Empress Dowager has met these past two days, especially today."
Bai Feng nodded. As Yan Chi exited the gates of the Longevity and Health Palace, Bai Feng caught up and reported, "Yesterday, the Loyal Marquis and his wife visited with the County Princess. In the afternoon, the Grand Princess came with the Madam of Anyang Marquis and Yongning County Princess. This morning, the wife of the Loyal Marquis came alone. Other than that, no one else has visited."
Hearing this, Yan Chi frowned.
The Grand Princess would not obstruct his and Qin Guan's union. Both the Grand Princess and the Empress Dowager were astute women; nothing about him and Qin Guan could escape their notice. That left only the Loyal Marquis's family.
"What did the wife of the Loyal Marquis do this morning?"
Bai Feng replied, "The palace maids outside didn't know, but there is one strange detail."
Yan Chi remained silent, and Bai Feng continued, "Shortly after the wife of the Loyal Marquis left, Mammy Chen went to the Imperial Observatory with a grave expression and returned an hour later. Not long after that, the Empress Dowager summoned you and the County Princess."
Yan Chi halted, his brow furrowing deeply. He slowly turned to gaze in the direction of the Eastern Palace. "I need to know exactly what the wife of the Loyal Marquis gave to the Empress Dowager. Also, find out every detail about Mammy Chen's visit to the Imperial Observatory."
Bai Feng's expression turned solemn as he nodded in acknowledgment.
Yan Chi withdrew his gaze, the composed and relaxed demeanor he had maintained before the Empress Dowager suddenly turning cold and severe. He strode toward the palace gates and soon encountered Prince Cheng, Yan Qi, and his retinue.
Prince Cheng was accompanied by a servant who carried two memorials.
"Greetings, Prince Cheng—"
Yan Chi bowed in salute. Yan Qi looked him over briefly. "I haven't yet congratulated you on winning such a beauty as Yongci County Princess."
A faint smile touched Yan Chi's lips. "Thank you, Prince Cheng. Our grandmother suddenly decreed the marriage and, pitying my years of hardship in Shuoxi, has even relieved me of duties in the northwest. I regret I can no longer share your burdens."
Yan Qi's brow twitched. "Seventh Brother, what do you mean by that…"
Yan Chi's lips curved. "Minister Yang submitted a memorial yesterday afternoon hoping I would go to Shuoxi to oversee the military provisions case. I had intended to go, but our grandmother wishes me to marry soon and declined the assignment before the Emperor. Thus, I cannot go after all."Yan Qi's expression instantly turned grim. Although he oversaw the Ministry of Works in the court, the Ministry of Revenue was not within his sphere of influence. Yet the person before him clearly knew that Yang Han was his man!
Even the Crown Prince might not be aware of this!
Yan Qi stared at Yan Chi for a moment before smiling, "Seventh Brother appears to keep to himself in the Ministry of Justice, but it turns out you've been quite active behind the scenes. The Northwest Frontier Army military provisions case has remained unresolved. Minister Yang complained to me, so I recommended you for the task. You're familiar with the northwest region and hold considerable prestige in the Northwest Frontier Army. With you handling it, success would be achieved with half the effort."
A faint smile played on Yan Chi's lips. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to go. However, I believe Minister Yang's troubles will soon be resolved."
Yan Qi raised his eyebrows in question. Yan Chi continued, "I heard the Crown Prince intends to recall Zhang Qide, the Military Commissioner of Dingxi, to the capital. This man also has comprehensive understanding of the northwestern situation. His return would undoubtedly make him the ideal candidate to stabilize the northwest frontier."
Yan Qi's eyes widened in surprise. Yan Chi cupped his hands in a slight bow and calmly walked past Yan Qi.
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