Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
As dawn approached, Liu Ying was still studying the bronze mirror under the lamp. The moonlight gradually faded, and the star chart on the mirror became blurred. Yet, she had discerned more details—those seemingly ordinary patterns were actually a complete celestial map, recording the arrangement of stars at a specific moment.
"This is impossible..." she murmured to herself. If what the chart depicted was true, on the night of Qixi, not only would Tai Bai be high in the sky, but the Purple Forbidden Enclosure would also display a rare arrangement that occurred once every twenty years. Perhaps then, all mysteries could be unraveled.
"Miss!" A Fu suddenly rushed in, "It's bad news! Lord Wang has come with the Imperial Inspectors to investigate!"
Liu Ying's heart skipped a beat as she hurriedly hid the bronze mirror and its fragments. Sure enough, it wasn't long before she heard a commotion outside.
"Liu Ying, do you know your crime?" Wang Zhengdao's voice rang out. "You have tampered with celestial phenomena and recklessly discussed state affairs; this crime deserves punishment!"
Liu Ying stepped out through the door and saw soldiers filling the courtyard, with Wang Zhengdao accompanied by two Imperial Inspectors. She steadied herself and asked, "What does Lord Wang refer to?"
"Hmph." Wang Zhengdao sneered. "Your predictions as a Northern Top Scholar have stirred up quite a storm in the martial world. There are even rumors that you colluded with rebels, intending to..."
"Lord Wang, be cautious with your words." A clear voice suddenly interrupted him. Everyone turned to see Su Jinzhi walking in from outside. "Master Liu's predictions are all supported by celestial evidence; how can there be any talk of tampering?"
" Imperial Physician Su, you are mistaken." Wang Zhengdao retorted defiantly. "Her predictions are clearly..."
Before he could finish, a streak of light suddenly crossed the sky. Everyone looked up and saw Venus shining clearly in the morning light, perfectly aligned with the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.
"Everyone, please look." Liu Ying spoke up suddenly, her voice bright and clear. "This is celestial evidence. Tai Bai appears in the morning light alongside Zi Wei; this is clearly heaven's will—how can it be altered by human hands?"
The crowd was stunned into silence by this sudden phenomenon. Just then, a mad laughter echoed from around the corner: "Tian Ji! Tian Ji! All lies in the stars. Those who observe well shall gain it; those who are ignorant shall lose it..."
Liu Ying recognized Xu Yuan's voice and felt a stir in her heart. Why had he appeared at this moment?
"Nonsense!" Wang Zhengdao shouted angrily. "Someone capture that madman!"
Several soldiers rushed out but only managed to catch a piece of paper: "Celestial phenomena have fixed numbers; human affairs leave traces to follow. On the fifteenth night, when the moon is full, the truth will become clear."
This note seemed to have been left by Xu Yuan, but Liu Ying discovered a tiny emblem on its back—the mark of Anyuan Marquis Manor.
"Gentlemen," Su Jinzhi spoke at an opportune moment, "now that celestial phenomena have provided evidence, why not return to report to your lord and make further decisions?"
Though Wang Zhengdao was reluctant, seeing Tai Bai's anomaly above made him hesitate to say more; he could only leave in frustration.
"Thank you for your assistance, Lord Su." Once the crowd dispersed, Liu Ying expressed her gratitude to Su Jinzhi.
"No need for thanks." Su Jinzhi hesitated before continuing, "But... do you know anything about that madman's background?"
Liu Ying felt a jolt in her heart: "Does Lord Su know something?"
"I only know that after the Great Fire twenty years ago, indeed a child was rescued," Su Jinzhi said meaningfully. "And the one who saved him was your grandfather."
The news struck like a thunderclap. Liu Ying finally understood why her grandfather had entrusted her with the bronze mirror before his death, and why he had urged her to wait for Tai Bai's return. Everything was for this moment.
"Qixi is approaching," Su Jinzhi reminded her before leaving. "You need to be careful; someone has already set their sights on you."
Watching his departing figure, Liu Ying stood in the courtyard for a long time. In the morning light, she seemed to see once more the silhouette holding a fan. Those mad words, those clear eyes, were all filled with hidden meanings.
She looked up at the sky; Venus still shone brightly on the horizon. At that moment, she sensed that a storm capable of changing destinies was about to arrive. And she and Xu Yuan were merely two pawns in this tempest.
But at least, they were no longer solitary pieces on the board.
Comment 0 Comment Count