Chapter 279: A Good Marriage
"What?"
"Did an earthquake really occur in the south?"
"So Mr. Ding's divinatory symbols were correct."
"I told you all that Mr. Ding's calculations were accurate, but none of you believed me at first!"
"..."
All eyes in the hall fell upon Ding Yiyuan.
From the moment he entered the throne room, he had maintained this same unflappable composure.
Whether he had nearly been dragged out for execution moments earlier, or now that his divinatory predictions had proven true, not a single ripple of emotion showed on his face.
When everyone looked at him, his eyes revealed a sorrowful compassion for the world: "Your Majesty, this is the calamity brought by the Grand Astrologer's false claims and tampering with heavenly mandate. As the Grand Astrologer acts under heaven's decree, any retribution falling upon him will transform into divine punishment. If State Preceptor Qi is not dealt with, the common people will suffer immense hardships!"
"N-no..." State Preceptor Qi's face turned pale, "He's a charlatan, fabricating lies out of thin air..."
He couldn't understand how anyone could truly predict an earthquake.
Having served as Grand Astrologer for so many years and performed numerous rituals at the Star Observation Platform, he had never once received any divine revelation.
Was it because he had become tainted by worldly desires that he lost his qualification?
The Emperor's eyes were like frost.
Ding Yiyuan's divinatory symbols had proven accurate, meaning every word he spoke was true.
His Great Jin Dynasty would suffer calamity because of the Grand Astrologer.
"Qi Sheng, kneel!" the Emperor roared angrily. "Qi Sheng, Grand Astrologer of the Imperial Observatory, having served as State Preceptor for over twenty years, has abused his power for personal gain, neglected his duties, tampered with heavenly mandate, shown disrespect to the nation and ancestral temples, and disregarded the welfare of the common people... In three days, he shall be executed at the Meridian Gate!"
"Your Majesty! I beg for mercy!" State Preceptor Qi completely collapsed. "This humble servant has remained by Your Majesty's side for over twenty years. Even without merit, I have worked diligently! I beg Your Majesty to consider my years of hard work and show leniency, sparing my life..."
He had acquired so much silver, yet hadn't enjoyed a single day of it before facing execution. How could he accept this?
The Emperor kicked him away. "Considering your years of service, I shall spare you the disgrace of having your bones ground to dust. Guards, take him away!"
Imperial Guards entered from outside the hall. Four of them seized State Preceptor Qi by the shoulders and dragged him out.
His pleas for mercy gradually faded into the distance.
Everyone in the hall couldn't help but sigh with mixed emotions.
The Grand Astrologer held the highest rank, different from other top officials, primarily serving the Emperor and remaining constantly at his side as his most trusted confidant.
Yet even someone of such high status and power could be executed with just one word from the Emperor.
The Emperor only seemed distracted for a moment.
Just like when the Fourth Prince died after attempting rebellion, he had only felt sorrow when seeing the body.
Such fleeting emotions could never truly affect him.
He quickly returned to normal and turned his gaze to Ding Yiyuan. "With the position of Grand Astrologer now vacant, would Mr. Ding be willing to serve as the Grand Astrologer of our Great Jin Dynasty?"
The assembled officials: "..."
The former Grand Astrologer wasn't even dead yet, and the Emperor was already seeking a replacement.
Truly, staying close to the emperor was like staying close to a tiger—no one could remain at the pinnacle forever.
Ding Yiyuan's heart leaped violently.
Everything, absolutely everything, had unfolded exactly as Miss Yun predicted.
The Emperor had actually personally invited him to become the Grand Astrologer... it felt like a dream.Though his heart was roiling with shock, his expression remained unchanged as he gently shook his head and said, "This commoner is accustomed to freedom and is unworthy of becoming the Grand Astrologer. I thank Your Majesty for your kindness."
The assembled officials were all astonished.
Did this Taoist priest truly understand what the position of Grand Astrologer meant? It was a first-rank official position, standing above all other officials, and represented the emperor's most trusted confidant.
And he had refused it just like that?
However, it was also possible that a true transcendent being simply didn't care for such worldly honors.
The emperor's gaze gradually filled with appreciation. Had Ding Yiyuan immediately accepted the offer, he might have harbored some doubts.
Twisting his fingers slightly, the emperor said, "Master Ding's ability to predict a major earthquake in advance sufficiently demonstrates his capabilities. If Master Ding were to become the Grand Astrologer, it would be a blessing for the people of the Great Jin Dynasty. I hope Master Ding will carefully consider this."
Ding Yiyuan pondered for a moment before looking up and saying, "Since that is the case, this commoner shall consult the will of Heaven."
He took out three copper coins, sat on the floor in the same posture he had used for divination days earlier, examined them for a while, then stood up and declared, "It appears my remaining years will be spent within the imperial city. This is my destiny."
The emperor was overjoyed.
He had been contemplating whether to issue an imperial decree if Ding Yiyuan continued to refuse the position.
He worried that forcing someone to stay through an imperial decree might breed resentment and disloyalty toward Great Jin.
Fortunately, Heaven itself stood on Great Jin's side. This outcome could be described as satisfactory to all.
"However—" Ding Yiyuan suddenly spoke again.
The emperor's fingers stilled. "However what?"
Ding Yiyuan coughed lightly and said, "This commoner's skills are limited. I only have some expertise in fortune-telling. But the Imperial Observatory's duties extend beyond divination to include calculating celestial phenomena, compiling calendars, and astronomical calculations—areas in which I have only superficial knowledge. I fear I may be inadequate for these responsibilities..."
"The Imperial Observatory has directors, vice-directors, and record-keepers. Such matters don't require the Grand Astrologer's personal attention," the emperor declared loudly. "Gao Gonggong, convey my decree: appoint Ding Yiyuan as Grand Astrologer of the Imperial Observatory and announce it throughout the land immediately."
Gao Gonggong immediately accepted the order and went to carry it out.
Ding Yiyuan formed a hand seal and said, "All that has passed turns to dust. Regarding State Preceptor Qi's tampering with destiny, two matters can still be rectified. First, the southern earthquake—if the court provides proper disaster relief, appeases popular resentment, and reduces civilian displacement, divine retribution will naturally be averted."
The emperor nodded.
Ever since Ding Yiyuan had divined this seven days earlier, he had already ordered the Ministry of Revenue to issue directives at various levels to coordinate large grain reserves in Huzhou at the north-south border. Furthermore, with the recapture of Qicheng in the Southern border region, granaries now contained over three million jin of grain—more than sufficient for disaster relief.
He couldn't help asking, "What is the second matter?"
"This commoner has calculated that State Preceptor Qi destroyed a marriage made in Heaven," Ding Yiyuan slowly explained. "The man's chart shows dominant killing energy with weak wealth stars, destined to remain alone throughout life. The woman's female official star is weak—if married, she would inevitably harm her husband. Judging solely by their individual birth characters, neither should be paired with anyone. But when their charts are combined, the man's wealth stars shine brilliantly under the influence of the woman's female official star. This is what we call a heavenly match in destiny—a union predestined by Heaven itself."
As he spoke, everyone present gradually realized who he was referring to.Sure enough, Ding Yiyuan spoke the next moment: "Prince Pingxi and the eldest daughter of the Yun family have highly compatible birth characters, yet Grand Astrologer Qi calculated them to be incompatible. This is a malicious tampering with destiny. As for why Grand Astrologer Qi did this, this humble commoner cannot determine."
Upon hearing this, Yun Silin stepped forward immediately: "Your Majesty, given the Yun family's current circumstances, we are unsuitable for marriage alliance with the imperial family. Even before the marriage is settled, someone has already interfered. If the marriage were to proceed, who knows how many troubles would arise."
Chu Yi also cupped his hands and said: "Father, your son would rather remain alone and never marry. With the recent earthquake in the south, your son wishes to go and provide disaster relief!"
The Emperor's expression darkened.
The Yun family had fully demonstrated their determination to stay out of imperial power struggles—he should trust them.
If he were to ruin a destined good marriage due to his own suspicions, the Yun family might not say anything now, but what about in the future?
If the eldest daughter of the Yun family were to live a lonely and miserable life forever, would the Yun family harbor no resentment?
All the men of the Yun family had died on the battlefield—the women of the Yun family should not suffer any more.
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