After the morning court session.
Yan Pingxiao summoned Pei Ji and the Chief Astrologer Chen to the Imperial Study.
“This humble servant/Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“Have you found Wu Quanshi?”
Pei Ji shook his head: “This humble servant is incompetent. I sent people to Jiu Ling Mountain, but there were only young Taoist priests in the mountain temple. No one knows where the Taoist master has gone.”
“I dispatched more personnel, but there has been no news so far.”
Yan Pingxiao frowned. Wu Quanshi had disappeared since leaving the palace three years ago. If he wasn’t at Jiu Ling Mountain, where else could he be?
“Send more people to search. Bring him back to the capital as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
After Pei Ji left, the man’s gaze fell upon Chief Astrologer Chen.
Chen trembled slightly, lowering his head even further.
“Can you read fortunes?”
“Your humble servant… knows a little.”
Yan Pingxiao handed him a slip of paper with Nan Shu’s birth details: “Take a look.”
Chief Astrologer Chen wiped sweat that wasn’t actually there from his forehead and focused on reading.
Those in their profession needed to understand matters both celestial and earthly. They had studied some of these elusive concepts like fate and destiny, but these things were too mysterious – he could only grasp the surface.
Mostly, he had to rely on guesswork.
He hadn’t become Chief Astrologer because of exceptional talent, but because he had good judgment – wherever His Majesty pointed, he would strike; whatever His Majesty thought, he would convey accordingly.
After all, celestial phenomena and fate were too mysterious – whatever the ruler intended, heaven should reflect accordingly.
Chief Astrologer Chen’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, but he actually managed to discern something.
This slip clearly showed the fate pattern of a dead person!
What did His Majesty mean by this?
Chief Astrologer Chen began guessing Yan Pingxiao’s intentions.
The man tapped the table impatiently: “What have you seen?”
Chief Astrologer Chen swallowed and said: “Your Majesty, may I ask if this person is still alive?”
“Very much alive.” Yan Pingxiao was losing patience. If not for Chief Astrologer Chen’s understanding nature, he really wanted to remove his official hat.
Hearing the impatience in the man’s tone, Chief Astrologer Chen understood.
This time, he needed to say something positive.
“This person has a favorable destiny pattern. Although there will be setbacks in life, the future will be smooth and successful.”
After speaking, he didn’t know if Yan Pingxiao believed him or not, but Chief Astrologer Chen himself breathed a sigh of relief.
“Get out.”
Yan Pingxiao rubbed his temples irritably – he shouldn’t have summoned him in the first place.
Afternoon.
When Xie Zhaozhi arrived at Xuanzheng Hall, the eunuch guarding the door informed her that Yan Pingxiao was meeting with court officials. Not wanting her trip to be in vain, she said: “This consort has matters to discuss with His Majesty. Please inform him after he finishes meeting with his ministers.”
Xie Zhaozhi managed the six palaces and occasionally came to seek audience with the emperor, so the eunuch brought her to the Eastern Warm Pavilion to wait.
Tang Shunfu wasn’t outside the hall. The one serving her tea was Deputy Chief Eunuch Yang De.
Unlike Tang Shunfu, who had served by His Majesty’s side since childhood and enjoyed his trust, Yang De wanted to curry favor with Xie Zhaozhi, as she was the most likely consort to reach the highest position.
Yang De entered carrying tea and snacks, flattering: “This servant pays respects to Consort Xie.”
Xie Zhaozhi always knew how to handle people and treated the palace staff around the emperor kindly: “Eunuch Yang, there’s no need for formalities.”
Shuangyue perceptively stepped forward and handed Yang De a sachet that felt heavy inside.
“Oh my, Your Majesty, you need only command whatever you wish! This servant doesn’t deserve this!” Yang De quickly returned the sachet.
No matter how much he wanted to curry favor with Xie Zhaozhi, he wouldn’t accept this. The Xuanzheng Hall was heavily guarded, and who knew if his every move would reach Your Majesty’s ears? A casual chat was harmless, but if he dared accept bribes from someone in the inner court, Yang De would likely have the life to take it but not the life to spend it.
Xie Zhaozhi didn’t press further and signaled for Shuangyue to return.
“I heard that yesterday, Lady Leyang offended His Majesty and was punished by the Grand Princess to copy the palace rules,” Xie Zhaozhi sighed. “You know the Grand Princess is His Majesty’s aunt and has always been close to him. Although this happened in the inner court, I’m truly in a difficult position, unsure whether I should discipline the Lady.”
Yang De was quick on the uptake: “This matter isn’t too serious, but it’s not trivial either.”
“The Lady offended Consort Rong’s cousin. Perhaps Your Ladyship could seek Consort Rong’s opinion.” Yang De chuckled, hinting that she could simply pass the problem to Consort Rong. “From what I’ve observed, His Majesty still holds some favor for that Miss Nan Shu.”
“What did you say? Lan Shu?”
Xie Zhaozhi’s face abruptly changed, her voice even cracking.
Yang De was taken aback: “Yes… yes, Consort Rong’s cousin is named Nan Shu.”
Xie Zhaozhi’s eyes shifted unpredictably. She hadn’t paid much attention to that woman before, nor had she inquired about her name or background.
But hearing that name, she nearly lost her composure.
“Your Ladyship, what’s wrong?” Shuangyue looked at her in confusion.
Xie Zhaozhi forced a slight smile, knowing she shouldn’t lose her composure, especially not in the Xuanzheng Hall.
“Which characters are used for her name?”
“Nan as in south, Shu as in beautiful.”
Xie Zhaozhi tried hard to steady her breathing. It was just a similar name—what was she thinking?
But why would Yan Pingxiao stand up for her?
She could no longer sit still. She stood up abruptly and said to a puzzled Yang De, “Since His Majesty is busy, I shall return another day.”
Xie Zhaozhi leaned on Shuangyue’s arm as she walked out. Spring weather was fickle; after just a short while in the warm chamber, it had started drizzling outside.
Yang De said, “This servant will fetch an umbrella for Your Ladyship. Please wait a moment.”
Xie Zhaozhi nodded absentmindedly.
She gazed ahead and happened to see a woman holding a blue oil-paper umbrella passing through the moon gate and stepping onto the covered walkway in front of the western warm chamber.
The woman had a slender figure, and even in a simple goose-yellow ruqun, her graceful posture was unmistakable.
She closed her umbrella and followed Tang Shunfu toward the main hall of the Xuanzheng Hall, her lotus-like face clearly entering Xie Zhaozhi’s view.
The silk handkerchief in her hand suddenly fell to the ground and was then blown into the rain.
Xie Zhaozhi’s ears fell silent; she couldn’t hear Shuangyue calling her, her eyes filled only with that woman’s face.
Shen Lan Shu.
She could never forget that face, even in death.
“Your Ladyship? Your Ladyship, what’s wrong?” Shuangyue had never seen Shen Lan Shu before, and with palace staff coming and going in the courtyard, she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. Instead, she found Xie Zhaozhi’s behavior strange.
Just as Yang De returned with the umbrella, Xie Zhaozhi grabbed his arm: “Was that person just now Shen… I mean, Nan Shu?”
Yang De looked up but only saw Nan Shu’s back as she entered the main hall. He frowned, “This servant didn’t get a clear look…”
Xie Zhaozhi released him and instinctively moved toward the main hall. Shuangyue hurriedly stopped her: “Your Ladyship, whatever it is, let’s discuss it after we return.”
She clung tightly to Xie Zhaozhi’s arm. Even without knowing why her mistress had lost control, it was clear this wasn’t the right place to talk.
Shuangyue firmly grasped her wrist, half-forcing Xie Zhaozhi away.