Chapter 700 - 699: Scrutiny
Prince Li glanced at Huangfu Yuxuan once more. Seeing Huangfu Yuxuan remain composed, even more so than himself, he frowned. This young man was hard to figure out!
It seems that I will have to send more people to keep an eye on him in the future.
At this moment, in the study of Prince Zhuang Mansion, Prince Zhuang’s expression was extremely serious.
Opposite him, in the guest’s seat, sat a Taoist in a blue robe.
The man had a gaunt face, his Taoist robe was neat, and a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes.
Prince Zhuang personally served tea, and said happily, "Mr. Gongyang, you previously wanted to close yourself off for rituals, and I missed you greatly, but dared not disturb you. I did not expect that on this simple birthday of mine, you would personally visit my mansion. What a delightful surprise!"
The Taoist was none other than Gongyang Puyu.
Though he was just the Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Fourth Rank in court, he held himself with full dignity, sitting at ease. Even with Prince Zhuang personally serving tea, he did not feel unworthy of accepting it, and said in a gentle tone, "Your Highness is too kind. I am just a humble man outside the world. Being favored by Your Highness is a fate between us. Since I have already offered strategies to Your Highness, we are bound by karma. Your matters are my matters!"
Hearing Gongyang Puyu’s words and sensing his humble tone, Prince Zhuang felt very pleased and said, "The last time, you sent a message saying ’The star and moon are bright as before. If anomalies cannot be removed, then expel them!’ I have remembered your words, have made plans, and have not acted personally. It’s just the timing is not right, as Father’s birthday approaches, we need to wait. After Father’s birthday, all anomalies will be driven out of the Capital City!"
Gongyang Puyu smiled slightly and said, "Expelling is a last resort! I sent the message back then because Your Highness was in a difficult situation. To prevent disaster befalling Your Highness, I suggested a cautious approach. If removal is possible, it should be done!"
Prince Zhuang nodded, thinking the same!
He cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Gongyang, today you have come not just for my birthday, but is there another matter?"
Gongyang Puyu said slowly, "Indeed, there is something." He sighed, his expression turning serious.
Prince Zhuang unconsciously focused, holding his breath. Seeing Mr. Gongyang’s expression, he expected some bad news.
Sure enough, Gongyang Puyu said, "Last night, I observed the stars, and suddenly saw the Star of Heaven dimming, with five stars in a line beside it. This celestial phenomenon is greatly disadvantageous to Your Highness, so I came to inform you specially!"
"What does the alignment of five stars mean?" Prince Zhuang felt a chill in his heart.
Gongyang Puyu stroked the few strands of his beard and said, "Beside the Star of Heaven is the Heir Star. Previously, only the star corresponding to Your Highness was bright. Now..."
"There are five stars as bright as mine?" Prince Zhuang felt a sinking in his heart!
This was his worst fear, hoping things wouldn’t come to this.
However, Gongyang Puyu slowly nodded and said, "Exactly, with five stars in a line, shining equally, contending with each other and sharing the sacred light, this situation is not favorable!"
Prince Zhuang was stunned, five stars shining equally?
Five stars shining equally means there are five corresponding stars as bright as his own?
He cautiously asked, "Mr. Gongyang, why are there five stars aligned? Five shining equally?"
Gongyang Puyu shook his head and sighed, "I have searched through ancient texts, combined with fragments of the Stargazing Method, yet found no conclusion. Such an occurrence is too bizarre, never happening before. I speculate that with the Holy Emperor’s birthday and the return of vassal kings to the Capital, this anomaly arose. Thus, it’s hard to determine if Your Highness’s star has the advantage!"
Prince Zhuang’s heart sank.
Even when he became a Commandery Prince, he was confident in his heart.
It was because Gongyang Puyu said the star and moon are bright as before!
But now suddenly there’s the appearance of five stars shining together, isn’t this alarming?
However, he quickly sensed something amiss and said, "Right now, there are six princes made kings by my father, including my star, yet only five stars align?"
Gongyang Puyu slowly nodded, "Exactly!"
"Who isn’t among them?"
Gongyang Puyu shook his head, "The stars are distinct, hard to discern!"
Prince Zhuang frowned.
Gongyang Puyu continued, "Though hard to discern, I do know who isn’t among them!"
Prince Zhuang looked up at him and said, "Is it Prince Liang?" That dimwit is not to be feared. However, if Prince Liang has Huangfu Yuxuan strategizing behind the scenes, it’s possible.
Thinking this, he couldn’t help but glance at Gongyang Puyu again.
He trusted Gongyang Puyu, but not blindly; he still had reservations. In that glance, there was a subtle scrutiny, wanting to see Gongyang Puyu’s response.
Gongyang Puyu spoke steadily, "It should not be Prince Liang. Prince Liang, after all, was once Crown Prince, and your scheming was greatly exaggerated by him. Currently, the Emperor’s displeasure towards Prince Liang has considerably lessened!"
Prince Zhuang’s heart eased slightly. Earlier, he was merely testing. He could notice Huangfu Yuxuan’s capability, an ability that certainly influences star correspondences. Gongyang Puyu wouldn’t miss that. He asked, "Then, who is it?"
Gongyang Puyu pointed towards the southwest.
Prince Zhuang immediately said, "Prince Cheng?"
Gongyang Puyu replied relaxedly, "Marrying a Jianghu woman damaged the Emperor’s father-son affection towards him and severed his connections in the Capital and with court powers. If this star were to shine, that would be strange!"
Prince Zhuang chuckled, indeed, Old Fifth, that impulsive fool, was out of contention twenty years ago and poses no threat.
Gongyang Puyu chuckled, and continued, "We who study mysticism reveal too many secrets, inviting misfortune. However, since I have chosen Your Highness as my master, I will speak openly and without reservation. Now, my insight into the court is based on understanding, not star speculation, which should be harmless!"
Prince Zhuang smiled slightly and said, "I heard that a few days ago, the Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion visited you and discussed Taoist teachings for an hour before leaving?"
Gongyang Puyu’s expression remained unchanged, and he said slowly, "As the Director of the Astronomical Bureau, I am somewhat known outside. Yet, among those who believe, my word is fivefold valued; among non-believers, I’m deemed a charlatan! Those who visit my place include not just the Second Young Master of Prince Liang Mansion, but also Prince Li, as well as Prince Lu’s son and Prince Xin’s son!"
He looked at Prince Zhuang and said with a calm expression, "These noblemen, supposedly having no desires, seem to hide from each other, visiting either at night or in disguise. I cannot turn any of them away at my door."
Prince Zhuang’s gaze was sharp, observing him.
His people saw Huangfu Yuxuan entering Gongyang Puyu’s residence and reported it. Thus, Prince Zhuang harbored suspicion and needed to ask.
Gongyang Puyu appeared even more honest, saying, "If Your Highness minds, I will close my doors to visitors in the future!"