Throw It Down
Although the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau was led solely by their master, all major calculations had always been done by their little junior sister, who never left her quarters, completely immersed in her work.
The world only knew that Jiang Jianzheng was a once-in-a-century prodigy, a rare genius.
But no one knew.
That genius was none other than their petite and adorable little junior sister, Jiang Zhaoying!
They hadn’t known either.
It was Xu Zhiyan.
He had found an extremely rare, one-of-a-kind book and was eager to give it to Jiang Zhaoying.
So he excitedly went to Jiang Zhaoying’s courtyard.
Pushed open the door.
Looked up.
Xu Zhiyan was stunned.
It was clearly a young girl’s boudoir, yet it was filled everywhere with rare books, bizarre drawings, and various results calculated using the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, as well as the art of divination and strategy.
At that time.
Jiang Zhaoying’s small figure was crouched on the ground, a large sheet of paper covered in writing spread out before her. She was calculating while occasionally filling in something with great seriousness.
Xu Zhiyan considered himself quite skilled in this field, but after looking around, he was so disheartened he didn’t want to speak!
Jiang Zhaoying took the opportunity to confess this secret to them and asked them to keep it.
Therefore.
Jiang Zhaoying’s letter was written to Xu Zhiyan because she knew he would definitely help her.
And Jiang Jianzheng—he wouldn’t dare not help her!
“It’s almost dark.”
Xu Zhiyan glanced at the distant horizon.
“Ying’er, how about we leave the palace now to find the Crown Prince?”
“Alright.”
With less than twenty days left, the faster they acted, the better.
“You two go ahead, take my carriage. I’ll return to the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau to discuss countermeasures with Master.”
“Alright.”
They split into two groups, heading in opposite directions, growing farther and farther apart!
In the carriage.
Jiang Zhaoying, disguised as a man, leaned against a pillow with her eyes closed, deep in thought.
Xu Zhiyan’s gaze fell on her with a touch of melancholy. As soon as Jiang Zhaoying moved, he quickly averted his eyes, lowering his gaze to pour her tea.
At the entrance of the Crown Prince’s residence.
A servant went to knock on the door first, returning after a while to report.
“Lord Xu, Second Young… Second Young Master, the Crown Prince’s residence has replied. Please, both of you may enter.”
“Alright.”
Xu Zhiyan stepped out of the carriage first, then extended his hand. Jiang Zhaoying gave him a faint smile and placed her hand in his palm.
Xu Zhiyan’s palm almost instantly grew warm.
The two entered the Crown Prince’s residence together. Rows of glass lanterns hung, illuminating the residence in a blaze of light. Palace servants occasionally hurried by quietly, and guards patrolled in the distance, yet it was exceptionally still.
A handsome guard in dark red palace attire stepped forward and bowed.
“Shen Liuguang of the Crown Prince’s residence greets Lord Xu.”
Jiang Zhaoying remained silent.
Shen Liuguang glanced at her, and Jiang Zhaoying returned the bow.
Shen Liuguang gave a slight nod and gestured for them to enter.
Jiang Zhaoying secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Liuguang and Cheng Ting’an were the Crown Prince’s personal shadow guards, rarely appearing in public.
It seemed her second senior brother had managed the connection with the Crown Prince quite well!
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, they arrived before a courtyard named “Pushe.”
The calligraphy was bold and powerful, and the courtyard gate was covered in lush green vines.
Jiang Zhaoying pursed her lips slightly. This was no ordinary “Pushe”—it was clearly a paradise.
The Crown Prince sat in a pavilion by the lake, with Cheng Ting’an pouring tea beside him. Seated in a spacious chair, the Crown Prince’s chilling gaze seemed almost enough to freeze the darkening night.
“Xu Zhiyan pays his respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Xu Zhiyan stepped forward and bowed.
The Crown Prince took the tea, sipped it lightly, and spoke coldly.
“What brings you to me at this hour?”
Xu Zhiyan lowered his gaze and replied respectfully.
“The Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau has cast a divination.”
The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.
Jiang Zhaoying quietly stepped out from behind Xu Zhiyan, observing the Crown Prince’s back.
The young man sat against the scenery, dressed in splendid robes, a picturesque sight.
Yet with just his back, he effortlessly overshadowed all the brilliance around him.
An aura of noble, chilling coldness made one dare not approach!
Suddenly.
Jiang Zhaoying raised her eyelids and took two quick steps forward, staring intently at the Crown Prince’s back as she murmured softly.
“It’s him!”
In her previous life.
To bring wealth and status to the Song household, she occasionally traveled north and south for business.
Once, she accidentally encountered bandits. Fortunately, she had deliberately disguised herself to look old and ugly, so after robbing her of her money, the bandits let her go.
Later.
Using the only hairpin on her head, she escaped onto a large, official-style merchant ship.
At night.
She wanted to step out for some fresh air when two men, seeing her from behind, harbored ill intentions and cornered her on the deck.
With leering smiles, they undid their belts and demanded Jiang Zhaoying kneel to serve them.
Unable to escape, Jiang Zhaoying fought desperately but was no match for them. Just as they grabbed her wrist and dragged her…
Someone spoke in a deep, impatient tone.
“Throw them overboard.”
Then.
Hidden guards suddenly appeared.
Throwing both her and the two men into the water.
To this day, Jiang Zhaoying remembered how cold the water was, how deep his voice sounded, and how detestable his back appeared.
After narrowly escaping death in the water.
She swore then.
If she ever found that person, she would push him into a great river to feed the fish.
Never expecting.
In her previous life, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, but in this life, it came without any effort.
No wonder there is still no Crown Princess to this day.
Who would dare marry him!
Perhaps the words “divination” piqued the Crown Prince’s interest.
He set down his teacup and turned slightly.
“Does it concern me?”
Xu Zhiyan stepped forward and detailed to the Crown Prince the disturbances predicted to occur in Qishan Town within twenty days, meticulously explaining the troubles that the character “Qi” might provoke.
Shen Liuguang and Cheng Ting’an listened nearby, frowning slightly.
Such events that had yet to happen—could they truly… could they really predict them?
“Who else has been told of this?”
The Crown Prince asked calmly. Even with just a cold profile, his imposing aura made one somewhat uncomfortable.
“No one.”
Xu Zhiyan shook his head gently.
“Your Highness, even if the earthquake does not occur, as a precaution, changing the name would also be acceptable.”
The Crown Prince’s cool, long eyelashes slowly lowered as he gazed at the koi in the lake.
“If you are wrong, what then?”
“I await Your Highness’s judgment!”
As these words were spoken, Jiang Zhaoying suddenly stepped forward and grasped his arm. Xu Zhiyan, with a calm expression, patted the back of her hand, signaling her not to worry.
“But what if I still do not believe you?”
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Xu Zhiyan’s forehead.
Jiang Zhaoying’s eyes turned cold as she stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Highness, I wonder if Your Highness still remembers General Zhang’s three letters.”
…
The wind suddenly ceased, and the atmosphere shifted abruptly.
A murderous intent almost instantly coalesced around the Crown Prince.
Jiang Zhaoying remained motionless, while Xu Zhiyan beside her looked puzzled yet knew his junior sister was actually tense to the extreme.
“Very well.”
After a long while.
The Crown Prince agreed.
As if responding to Xu Zhiyan, yet also to Jiang Zhaoying.
“Your Highness, I take my leave.”
Xu Zhiyan, his entire body tense, hurriedly led Jiang Zhaoying away.
Shen Liuguang escorted them to their carriage, then bowed before turning back.
Returning to Pu Cottage.
Shen Liuguang stepped forward.
“Your Highness, Minister Xu has always been loyal to you. He likely did not anticipate that young boy would threaten you. Shall I arrange to have him eliminated?”
“Additionally, Chief Astronomer Jiang possesses considerable skill. I believe it would not hurt to listen to his advice. Moreover, the character ‘Qi’ in that small town’s name does indeed match Your Highness’s given name. Using this as a reason to change it is not unreasonable.”
The Crown Prince stood up.
He turned around.
As the wind swept across the lake, shimmering ripples reflected light, making the Crown Prince appear even more stunningly beautiful and aloof.
“Using those three letters to threaten me, yet also using the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau to assist me…”
How did she know about those three letters?
Moreover.
While claiming to help, her eyes were sharp as knives, as if she wished to pierce through him.
He was indeed searching for those three letters, but even if they were exposed, he had no intention of fearing the consequences—it would merely mean dealing with another troublesome matter and eliminating a few more people.
“Take no action for now. Investigate the identity of that little one.”
Shen Liuguang glanced toward a towering tree. A branch swayed lightly, and a figure vanished instantly.
Shen Liuguang continued speaking.
“Your Highness, why not have someone create a stone tablet that appears to have been buried for decades, inscribed with characters, to make the world believe that place has long been called Qingshan Town. After the name change, we can then publicize the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau’s calculations, request the local officials’ assistance in relocating all the townspeople, and properly resettle them—saving as many as possible.”
If danger were suddenly announced, the people would not only refuse to believe it but might even react with defiance.
“Then I will seek out Xu Zhiyan to discuss in detail how to proceed next.”
If an earthquake truly occurred, Xu Zhiyan, as a member of the Imperial Astronomer’s Bureau, would naturally know how to explain it. Otherwise, he would not dare to bring people openly into the Crown Prince’s residence.
The Crown Prince nodded with a cold expression, his gaze fixed on the spot where Jiang Zhaoying had departed.
How interesting.
The dignified Crown Prince, threatened by a delicate, fair-skinned, effeminate man?