Chapter 172 Resonance: Prophecy (1/2)
In the thirty-third year since the Emperor ascended to the throne in the Xuan Kingdom, omens appeared in the skies.
On the first night of Spring, thunder echoed in the sky while shooting stars flew towards the east, blazing a trail behind them. The commoners in Chang'an all bore witness to the scene.
The next day, a heavy snowfall suddenly fell upon the capital, causing the commoners to be terrified and uneasy.
Three days later, floods overwhelmed the provinces in the south, destroying the homes and livelihood of the commoners.
In another three days, an epidemic broke out in the south. Complaints sprung up from the gra.s.sroots and all officials wore themselves out trying to respond.
The Imperial Astronomer who was in charge of the astrological signs informed the Emperor that there was a malefic star closing in on the Star of the Emperor. The Star of the Emperor was in imminent crisis. At that moment, many of the officials in court were incapable of solving the issues of the kingdom. The Emperor flew into a rage and removed the Eighth Prince's power in supervising the kingdom. Some officials were demoted again, resulting in the remaining officials to be in a constant state of anxiety.
While all the officials were on tenterhooks, Situ was still leading his life as usual.
As the Feng Residence's celebration for the child's first birthday was set in motion without restraint, the First Lady's health gradually recovered while the Second Lady was still as gentle as ever and did not contend for anything. Thus, the two of them handled the matters in the Feng Residence and were in charge of the arrangements of the first birthday celebration.
This implied that Feng Luodi was not involved in anything much. Hence, Situ took her to tour the main streets and small alleys of Chang'an. He seemed to be planning to experience all the sceneries together and keep it well preserved in his memory.
Gan Qingjia and Qi Jianqiu were newlyweds and were in an extremely loving relations.h.i.+p. Xue Yiqi who was originally busy with official affairs was followed everywhere by Shangguan Yan until he had to flee in distress. Jiang Moyin who was a lonely recluse was enjoying his few remaining days and struck up an unexpected friends.h.i.+p with the Eldritch Physician Xia Jingfeng as chess buddies.
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At the Painting of Ten Miles, Situ supported Feng Luodi as she dismounted the horse. As soon as Feng Luodi came down, Black Whirlwind snorted and left for a walk. It probably took off too delightedly as the birds in the woods instantly flew away in surprise.
Situ shook his head helplessly. He walked side by side with Feng Luodi on the long bridge at the Painting of Ten Miles. The scenery was still as before and the people were still as before but the only thing that had changed was them.
The pink peach blossoms swayed in the breeze, waving their thin white arms. Bright red Yulan magnolias* were budding and resembled shy young damsel. The Glossy Shower** flowers persistently crept onto the branches and smiled at all who pa.s.sed by. When they walked down from the bridge and reached the small pavilion, what entered their eyes was so gorgeously red that people could not look straight at them. The numerous scarlet colours were like gems embedded on branches.
Feng Luodi's hands held onto the railings as she appreciated this a.s.sortment of beautiful flowers. This was her third Spring in this world. The first time was when she first arrived here. After she got acquainted with the Beauty of Chang'an, she got to know Chang'an's Four Gentlemen one after another. She ultimately became lovers with the First Gentleman, acknowledged the Second Gentleman as her elder brother while the Third Gentleman and Fourth Gentlemen were her good friends. She also had a mother who she loved dearly, Jet and Scarlet who always brightens up her day as well as Fei who had boundless potential.
The second Spring she spent in Chang'an was when she returned to Chang'an from the deserts of the North. It was the first time she doubted her own goals and her own existence. Yet, no one answered her doubts for her. Phantom never appeared again. Now that it is the third Spring, she is closer to her goal, but she could feel her heart wavering, making her constantly uneasy. To add fuel to the fire, what she faced was a perilous situation. Danger was ahead of her but there was no way out behind her.
Situ stood beside Feng Luodi, the gentleness at his lips clearly revealed his good mood as if he was not affected by the situation in court at all. As she silently stared at the lake, Feng Luodi finally could not refrain herself from speaking, “I heard from Jianqiu that…”
Feng Luodi stopped. Situ turned his head over to look at her and reached out a hand to brush away the flowers that had landed on her shoulders. The corner of his mouth was slightly upturned and his trace of a smile spread through the small pavilion.
“You're still so not forthcoming in front of me?” Feng Luodi looked at him in panic. This was not the Situ she'd known at the start.
“The Eighth Prince and Miss Linglong are connected? Could it be that Moonglade is an intelligence organisation just like Dream Mirrors?”
When Qi Jianqiu told her that Linglong and the Eighth Prince's subordinate had met, this notion popped up in her mind. It was extra sensitive seeing as how the First Prince, the Eighth Prince and the Eleventh Prince were currently divided into three factions and had already clearly drawn the line.
We will only be safe if we are sensitive enough to detect the dangers hidden beneath the surface.
Situ reached out his hand once again and gently caressed the s.p.a.ce between Feng Luodi's eyebrows. “Why are you frowning? There is no problem I cannot solve.”
A smile slipped across Feng Luodi's lips. This person who is always extremely steady and solemn always become so arrogant that he considers himself unrivalled in the world at this moment. However, he does indeed have this ability. She suddenly wanted to see the Situ on the battlefield. How would he be like then?
It totally did not come across Feng Luodi that this idea of hers would be realised under that kind of circ.u.mstances on a certain day in the future.
“You still haven't answered my question.” Feng Luodi did not want to worry about imaginary fears anymore. She still had the Shadow Agents under her. She should not sit and wait for death but take the initiative to attack instead. This was considered the last thing she could do for Situ.
Situ could not change her mind so he finally gave in, “Qingjia and I both suspect that Linglong is not from our kingdom, but we have no evidence.”
Feng Luodi widened her eyes. This also applied to Emerald last time. She was of Ailao descent and collaborated with the Seventh Prince. Now, not even her corpse remains.
If Linglong is also someone from another race, then what is the Eighth Prince secretly planning?
When she saw the cold glint in Situ's eyes, Feng Luodi sighed. The struggle for the throne had always been like the battlefield where thousands of soldiers' lives are exchanged for the success of one general, the final victor ascends to the throne on steps made from his fallen foes. However, she cannot understand if the desire to seize the throne was to the extent of colluding with other countries to seize control of his own nation.