Chapter 128: Chapter 128
"This person is only two and a half years old this year, currently cross-dressing and residing within the harem, scheming for divine favor while causing chaos in the harem, resulting in discord between the Emperor and Empress, such that the dignified Empress is actually trapped in Jiaofang Palace, unable to move an inch."
"The Queen being trapped in Jiaofang Palace is a great omen of misfortune."
"If this continues, it may not only affect the harvest of the Jiangnan Grain Storehouse but could also affect the lifeblood of our Eastern Chu Kingdom, bringing devastating damage to it."
"Your Majesty, you must not let this disaster star cross-dress and continue to wreak havoc in the harem, damaging the fortunes of our Eastern Chu Kingdom."
The words of the Astronomical Bureau were already clear.
The consequences of this matter are very serious.
As for who this disaster star is? Who brings misfortune? There’s no need to say more; everyone can guess.
After all, there is only one person in the harem who dresses as the opposite gender, completely indifferent to others’ gossip, the Eighteenth Princess.
No, after all, she’s a disaster star now. Everyone can no longer turn a blind eye and still call her the Eighteenth Princess. The reality must be faced, calling her the Eighteenth Prince.
One wonders how this Eighteenth Prince managed to win over His Majesty’s favor? Since his appearance, His Majesty not only fulfills his every request but has kept him close, caring for him personally in every matter, paying great attention to him.
Even the rightful princess, who took great effort to find over the past half-year, couldn’t match the place this cross-dressing Eighteenth Prince holds in Emperor Yongning’s heart.
It’s heard that His Majesty had the rightful little princess by his side, but to accompany this Eighteenth Prince in catching butterflies, he left her behind as if she meant nothing. The little princess reportedly sought Father several times, didn’t find him, and cried in distress.
Yet, His Majesty didn’t comfort the little princess at all; his heart is entirely on that cross-dressing Eighteenth Prince, as if possessed by a spell.
In the past, various ministers have also heard of His Majesty’s favoritism towards the Eighteenth Prince, disregarding all sorts of absurdities caused by others.
Born human, who doesn’t have a bit of selfishness?
Emperor Yongning’s current selfishness is merely showing favoritism to a cross-dressing child, as long as it isn’t a serious offense that threatens the fundamental interests of Eastern Chu Kingdom, everyone generally turns a blind eye and doesn’t fuss.
But now, the Eighteenth Prince is indeed a disaster star descending on the world!
His existence has already threatened the security of Eastern Chu Kingdom; everyone must fuss over this.
Yet, Emperor Yongning’s facial expression at this moment is very unpleasant, his murderous gaze continually hovering upon the Astronomical Bureau. If he had a knife with him, no doubt, he might lift it and strike down the Astronomical Bureau.
Is the Astronomical Bureau here to bring him bad luck?
The ministers dare not directly target Jun Ning, instead subtly discuss the matter.
"Dare I ask the Astronomical Bureau, is there a compromise method to resolve this matter?"
"Compromise method" refers to not harming the Eighteenth Prince temporarily while stabbing at His Majesty’s heart.
"Compromise method? Allow me to calculate."
The Astronomical Bureau closed his eyes, mysterious fingers pinching as he meticulously calculated.
During this calculation, his brows sometimes stretched smooth, sometimes knitted tight enough to clamp a fly. As his facial expressions changed, the ministers felt tightly drawn as if their hearts were strings about to snap, fearing he might calculate more bad things.
After all, the Astronomical Bureau’s ability is reliable; over the years, his predictions involving disastrous celestial phenomena have largely come true. Even Master Dao Ji of Huguo Temple said he had extraordinary encounters, able to converse with gods.
Everyone has great trust in the Astronomical Bureau.
The Astronomical Bureau calculated for half a day, finally finishing, lowering his hands, and opening his eyes. Slowly he spoke: "There is a compromise method."
"Come on, tell us quickly, we are all dying of anxiety, don’t keep us guessing."
The two ministers standing closest to the Astronomical Bureau urged.
The Astronomical Bureau nodded, looking towards Emperor Yongning: "Your Majesty, this compromise method is related to you."
"Hmm? Related to me?" Emperor Yongning questioned.
"Indeed." The Astronomical Bureau said: "Your Majesty is the true dragon, heaven-ordained sovereign; the children of Your Majesty are all exceptional and extraordinary, different from ordinary people. Especially Your Majesty’s one and only daughter, whose fate I have just calculated, is extremely prosperous, inherently blessed with auspicious nobility and wherever she is, there are favorable weather and national peace."
The Astronomical Bureau was very solemn, "This daughter is the key to resolving the disaster star."
This Astronomical Bureau, pulling here and there, eventually pointed to the Princess Yao Yao whom Emperor Yongning recognized not long ago.
Because by eliminating that cross-dressing monstrosity, surely Yao Yao is now Emperor Yongning’s only daughter, isn’t she?
Emperor Yongning had heard of his only daughter’s excellent fate, blessed with auspicious nobility, where she is, there’s favorable weather and national peace, these words before.
But hearing such words twice, the feelings are completely different.
The first time he heard, full of joy and anticipation, eagerly hoping his daughter would appear sooner.
But hearing again, his heart was torn, painfully hurting.
His favored beloved daughter suddenly became a disaster star, while another daughter whom he hadn’t interacted with much and felt little for turned out to be a good fortune?
In the contrast of this fortunate star, the daughter viewed by everyone as a disaster star seemed less important, capable of being regarded as a discard, casually abandoned or confined.
The Astronomical Bureau did not directly say the following words, but wasn’t he suggesting finding a place to imprison her, like at Huguo Temple, to dissolve her disaster star bad luck, ensuring the peace of Eastern Chu Kingdom.
Then, to elevate that Princess Yao Yao who was brought back from among the people.
Sacrifice to the heavens, parade through the streets, pray for blessings for Eastern Chu Kingdom?
As Emperor Yongning thought of this, his head buzzed, and his heart was very chaotic.
Yet these ministers, as if completely unaware of reading people’s faces, helped the Astronomical Bureau say words he hadn’t spoken, even exceeding the results he imagined.
"The situation is difficult, disaster star ravages the world!"
"We implore Your Majesty to immediately execute this disaster star to ensure peace for Eastern Chu Kingdom."
To exchange one person’s safety for the safety of all under heaven, these ministers unanimously believe it is worthwhile.
From their point of view, they would unhesitatingly choose to sacrifice this one person. Even if that person is a prince. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
But knowing Emperor Yongning would be reluctant, under the lead of the Astronomical Bureau, the ministers spoke again.
Astronomical Bureau: "Your Majesty, the real Eighteenth Prince was killed by the disaster star occupying his body the moment he fooled Your Majesty by cross-dressing. What lives now is only the disaster star; he will destroy our great mountains and rivers, bringing devastating disasters to our protected people."
Minister: "Your Majesty need only kill this disaster star, then elevate the true princess, let the princess sacrifice to the heavens, parade, pray for blessings, and surely dissolve the disaster star bad luck, ensuring the eternal prosperity of Eastern Chu Kingdom."