Chapter 168 Heavenly Revelations Directorate of Astronomy

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Heavenly Revelations Directorate of Astronomy, Sky Observatory.

The man wore white Daoist robes which fluttered in the wind, and his hair and beard were completely white. However, his eyes were clear like those of a young man. The State Preceptor held a horsetail whisk and stood at the top of the pavilion, staring at the sky in a silent daze.

In the past many days and nights, he had looked at the sky in this way, watched the constellations move across the sky, and visualized the past and the future of everything under Heaven. Divination of the fortunes of national events had always been the jurisdiction of the Director of Astrology, but Qi Tianchen had excluded three divinations from his duties. First, he did not make divinations about war. In a so-called war, everybody would suffer misfortune and divination was unnecessary. Second, he did not seek longevity. The so-called longevity was the way of the devil and cannot be sought. Third, he did not discuss state affairs. The so-called state affairs were merely conspiracy and trickery and considered poor cultivation. His beliefs were very different from those of an ordinary emperor, but Mingde Emperor had gladly accepted it. According to those who had the honor of meeting the State Preceptor before, nobody could refuse a request from the State Preceptor.

After all, how could mortals disobey an immortal?

"Director," a voice called him softly.

Qi Tianchen returned his awareness, turned his head and saw the little Daoist boy who had just joined the Directorate of Astronomy. He asked, "What is it?"

"The Grand Eunuch, Jin Xuan Gonggong, requests an audience," the Daoist boy replied respectfully.

"A rare visitor, indeed. Please invite him in." Qi Tianchen smiled.

"Will you receive him at the Hall of Azure Clouds?" The Daoist boy asked.

Qi Tianchen shook his head. "Please invite the Grand Eunuch to the Sky Observatory."

"Here?" The Daoist boy blinked in surprise. The Sky Observatory was a sacred place for the Directorate of Astronomy. Ordinary people were not allowed to enter, but since the State Preceptor said so, he responded and withdrew himself immediately.

Soon after, a man with loose white hair and dressed in a purple python robe, Jin Xuan Gonggong, followed the Daoist boy into the pavilion. Jin Xuan Gonggong and Qi Tianchen were known as the two martial experts to stand on either side of the Emperor, but because of Qi Tianchen's exclusion of the three divinations, the two did not have much contact.

"Grand Eunuch." Qi Tianchen turned around and bowed in salute.

"State Preceptor." Jin Xuan Gonggong hurriedly returned the bow.

"It’s really rare for the Grand Eunuch to have the time today to visit." Qi Tianchen sat down at the stone bench and poured a cup of tea for Jin Xuan Gonggong. "Please."

Jin Xuan Gonggong stepped forward and sat down as well. He said with a smile, "So many officials and nobles from the court have visited the Directorate of Astronomy to ask favours from the State Preceptor but they were all turned away. Jin Xuan was afraid of receiving a closed door and losing face, so I delayed coming here."

"The Grand Eunuch speaks in jest." Qi Tianchen took a sip of tea.

"This is the Directorate of Astronomy’s Sky Observatory, is it not? It is said that all the past Directors have always come here to observe the stars and conjecture all events under Heaven. But I didn't expect that the Director would also sit here during the day," Jin Xuan Gonggong said.

"The constellations in the sky do not disappear when night becomes day. In the daytime, ordinary people cannot see the stars because the sun has blocked out their faint light. But in fact, they are still here, day after day, turning and fluctuating," Qi Tianchen said as he raised his head.

"What has the State Preceptor seen?" Jin Xuan Gonggong asked.

"It will rain tomorrow," Qi Tianchen said slowly.

Jin Xuan Gonggong was taken aback for a moment. "Is that all?"

"It will continue to rain the day after tomorrow, and there will be a westerly wind," Qi Tianchen continued.

"Huh?" Jin Xuan waited for a long time, and Qi Tianchen didn't speak any more. "That’s all?"

"It should be a sunny day in three days, but I'm not sure yet," Qi Tianchen murmured.

"State Preceptor." Jin Xuan Gonggong let out a laugh despite himself. "I’ve always thought that the State Preceptor was not a person of humour, but I didn’t expect you to be so mellow and amiable."

"This old Daoist was not joking," Qi Tianchen said solemnly. "Don't you believe my words?"

"Jin Xuan naturally believes you. Except the State Preceptor should be very clear that Jin Xuan is not asking about tomorrow’s weather." Jin Xuan shook his head and said, "What I want to know is the tomorrow of this dynasty."

"The tomorrow of this dynasty is Heavenly Law. I dare not speculate on Heavenly Law." Qi Tianchen shook his head.

"Why?" Jin Xuan took a sip of tea.

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"Because when you know Heavenly Law, it has already begun to change. Therefore, Heavenly Law is always a mere possibility, and not a definite answer. But what people want to hear is always an answer. So, the Heavenly Law that the Grand Eunuch wants to know does not exist." Qi Tianchen turned to face Jin Xuan. "Grand Eunuch, you can speak clearly of your intentions here."

Jin Xuan sighed. "I heard that His Majesty came to visit the Directorate of Astronomy as soon as he returned to the capital five days ago?"

"He first went to the White Prince Residence, then the Red Prince Residence, then third in line was here, the Directorate of Astronomy," Qi Tianchen said.

"But he stayed in the Directorate of Astronomy for four hours. And, I also heard that at the same time His Majesty entered the Directorate of Astronomy, the Golden Lanyue Marquis left the city," Jin Xuan said quietly.

"Indeed, but Grand Eunuch, you seem to be foreshadowing a bit much." Qi Tianchen smiled.

"Then, Jin Xuan will stop beating about the bush. There was a major event in court today. His Majesty suddenly announced that he would name the heir to the throne." Jin Xuan Gonggong glanced at Qi Tianchen. "I wonder if the State Preceptor has heard this news."

"I just heard the news, in fact. But today, before the Grand Eunuch came, thirteen other guests came to request an audience, presumably all for this matter." Qi Tianchen slowly poured another cup of tea.

"According to the laws of Beili, the heir to the throne will be named on two scrolls. One is given to the five Grand Eunuchs, and the name within represents the word of the Emperor. The other is given to the Directorate of Astronomy, and the name within is passed on to Heavenly Law. When the names on the two scrolls are the same, the heir will be recognized. Although the Emperor said that he wanted to name the heir, Jin Xuan did not receive the scroll, and was a little uneasy, so I took the liberty to come and ask the State Preceptor. Did the State Preceptor receive the scroll?" Jin Xuan Gonggong asked cautiously.

"I did not," Qi Tianchen answered simply.

"Then, did he ask the State Preceptor about this matter?" Jin Xuan Gonggong asked again.

"He did." Qi Tianchen didn't continue.

"Did the State Preceptor give him your own answer?" Jin Xuan Gonggong said in a low voice.

"Earlier, this old Daoist already said, Heavenly Law is always a mere possibility. This old Daoist can only speak of my opinions, and the real decision is still made by the Emperor." Qi Tianchen took another sip of tea. "The Grand Eunuch is different from this old Daoist. The Grand Eunuch has governed in the court for a long time and many matters are not up to you. Since the Emperor suddenly announced that he would name the heir, the Grand Eunuch must be feeling uneasy. This old Daoist is not ungenerous, and I would like to tell you the same thing I told the Emperor."

Jin Xuan Gonggong looked pleased. "Thank you, State Preceptor!"

"The White can settle the country, the Red can open up new territory, but if there is a dragon in the wild, all under Heaven will be precarious," Qi Tianchen said slowly.

Jin Xuan Gonggong pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Jin Xuan has noted it."

Suddenly, the two of them were silent as they sat in the Sky Observatory, each drinking one cup of tea after another. Occasionally, they exchanged a few words, but were mostly irrelevant topics. Unwittingly, almost an hour had passed by. Jin Xuan Gonggong put down his tea cup and stood up to take his leave from Qi Tianchen. Just as he turned and started to leave, Qi Tianchen quietly called him again, "Grand Eunuch."

"What else does the State Preceptor have for Jin Xuan?" Jin Xuan Gonggong asked.

"The Grand Eunuch has a lot to consider, and this old Daoist knows. Who can do everything on his own when he stands between the imperial court and the people? However, there is one thing the Grand Eunuch needs to know," Qi Tianchen said sternly.

Jin Xuan Gonggong felt a tightness in his chest, and hurriedly said, "State Preceptor, please advise."

"There will be heavy rain tomorrow, so remember to bring an umbrella when you go out. This old Daoist is not lying to you," Qi Tianchen said slowly.

Jin Xuan Gonggong did not smile, however. He appeared as respectful as always. “Jin Xuan has noted it.”