Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Kangxi sat upright before his desk, his brows furrowed, pondering how to pave the way for Liu Yunshu.

Why not fake your death to escape and then adopt a new identity?

A thoughtful look flashed across Kangxi's eyes, but upon further reflection, he felt it was inappropriate.

She was so aloof and noble; to erase her original identity would be so unfair to her.

Difficult, difficult, difficult!

Li Dequan carried in ginseng tea and walked in quietly, only to see Kangxi's brows furrowed in worry.

He gently placed the teacup on the corner of the imperial desk and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Please drink this ginseng tea while it's hot; it will warm you up and make you feel more relaxed."

Kangxi's gaze was deep, and his tone carried a hint of melancholy: "It can't be relaxed. I still haven't come up with a solution that satisfies both sides."

"Why not bring him directly into the palace?" Li Dequan suggested softly, his voice extremely low.

Emperor Kangxi paused, his hand holding the ginseng tea cup trembling, the warm tea rippling slightly. Had he not considered this possibility himself?

But then I think of my father, the Emperor, and of Consort Dong'e...

"No, no!" Kangxi looked at Li Dequan, his fingertips slightly white as he gripped the rim of the teacup. "Do you still remember Consort Dong'e?"

"Back then, Father Emperor insisted on bringing her into the palace, first promoting her to the rank of Virtuous Consort, and then, within a month, to Imperial Noble Consort—what great favor she received! But what was the result?"

Emperor Kangxi gazed intently out the window. "There is constant criticism in the court. The officials are impeaching me for 'bewitching the emperor,' and even my maternal grandmother has stepped in to exert pressure."

"Consort Dong'e, confined to the inner palace, was constantly embroiled in rumors and gossip, which even led to Father Emperor being branded as 'valuing women over politics.' In the end, she succumbed to illness at a young age due to accumulated resentment. How can I repeat the same mistake?"

As the tea cooled down, Kangxi placed the teacup back on the table and gazed at the deep night outside the window.

"Yun Shu is naturally aloof and values ​​her reputation and integrity the most. If I were to bring her directly into the palace, even if I gave her a high rank, I fear she would wither away in this deep palace."

Li Dequan naturally understood these implications, but seeing the emperor's perpetually worried expression, he couldn't help but want to offer a suggestion.

Kangxi's fingertips began to unconsciously rub the edge of the imperial desk again. He suddenly remembered the look in Yun Shu's eyes when she looked at the red plum blossoms at Huguo Temple a few days ago and said, "I don't want to be a burden."

"I cannot let her follow the same path as Consort Dong'e, nor can I let her suffer the slightest grievance because of me."

His tone suddenly became firm, "Fake death to erase her identity won't work, and entering the palace directly won't work either. So we can only take a long-term approach and pave a 'legitimate' path for her first."

"Huguo Temple!" Kangxi slammed his hand on the imperial desk, his eyes brightening instantly, as if the gloom he had just felt had been largely dispelled by those words.

Startled by the commotion, Li Dequan quickly bowed and asked, "What plan has Your Majesty come up with?"

"Eight characters!" A profound meaning flashed in Kangxi's eyes.

"The Eight Characters?" Li Dequan was taken aback for a moment, then understood, his eyes lighting up immediately. "Does His Majesty intend to use Master Xuan Kong's words to bestow upon the Lady a noble and auspicious destiny?"

"Wouldn't suddenly giving the lady a fortune reading raise suspicion?"

Kangxi picked up the slightly cool ginseng tea, his fingertips gently tracing the rim of the cup, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "What if there are any unusual developments recently?"

Kangxi downed the slightly cool ginseng tea in one gulp. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the calculation in his eyes became clearer. "Leave this matter to the secret guards."

"Yes."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Unlike Kangxi's hectic situation, Liu Yunshu lived a peaceful and comfortable life, and she moved to Yuquan Villa.

Under the same wisteria blossoms, Liu Yunshu was playing the zither.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Kangxi is sitting in the Qianqing Palace, deep in thought! Tsk tsk tsk, look how furrowed his brow."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yunshu raised an eyebrow slightly, her hands continuing their work. "What? Are you feeling sorry for him?"

"Pah! What am I worried about? He's not even my man!" Xiao Ba rolled her eyes, then realized, "I'm a pure XY type, body and soul, why would I need a man!"

Liu Yunshu was amused by its words, "What? Your system also has chromosomes?"

"Of course!" Xiao Ba's voice was full of pride. "In the world of systems, we value 'pure and upright lineage,' and XY is a truly manly configuration!"

"What method did he come up with?" Liu Yunshu lightly plucked the strings of the zither.

"What else could I be thinking about!" Xiao Ba's voice carried a hint of glee as he watched the spectacle unfold.

"He first considered having you fake your death and change your identity, but then he was afraid of wronging you. Li Dequan suggested bringing you directly into the palace, but Kangxi was afraid you would become the second Consort Dong'e, so he rejected that as well. Tsk tsk tsk, you already have so little hair, don't think about it until you go bald."

The pitch on the strings was slightly off by half a point. Liu Yunshu paused, gazing at the wisteria blossoms swaying gently in the wind under the corridor, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"Eh?! Are all emperors this smart?" Xiao Ba's voice suddenly rose, full of surprise.

"He actually thought of using Master Xuankong of Huguo Temple as a mouthpiece! And he even sent his secret guards to stir up some 'unusual activity,' is he trying to create a pretext for you to be 'destined by heaven'?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes; this was leaning towards fate.

The emperor's mind works fast; a satisfied smile curved her lips.

"He does have some quick wit." Liu Yunshu's fingertips returned to the strings, and as the clear notes flowed, a faint smile appeared in her eyes: "Those words I said at Huguo Temple were not in vain."

"Does Xiaoba Mall have any items related to 'astronomical phenomena'?"

"Big Brother, what do you mean...?"

Liu Yunshu looked at Xiao Ba, her eyes slightly upturned, with a hint of cunning: "Since he wants to borrow the will of Heaven, then let's go with the flow and make this 'will of Heaven' even more real."

With a flick of her fingertips, Liu Yunshu produced a series of clear, melodious notes on the strings.

Xiao Ba suddenly realized, "Yes! There are light and shadow effects like 'Auspicious Clouds Surrounding the Top' and 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,' as well as humidity control props like 'Sweet Dew Descending to the Court.'"

"Prepare everything in advance, and act when the opportunity arises."

Alright~

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Huguo Temple.

Emperor Kangxi and Master Xuan Kong sat facing each other in the meditation room, with a censer of sandalwood burning on the table, its smoke curling around the sunlight streaming through the window.

Master Xuan Kong clasped his hands together and looked calmly at Emperor Kangxi: "What important matter brings Your Majesty here today?"

Emperor Kangxi gently stroked the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, his gaze falling on the flickering candlelight on the table, his tone somewhat solemn: "I have come today to ask a master to calculate the birth chart of a woman."

Master Xuan Kong's gaze was calm as he stroked his prayer beads and said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Emperor Kangxi announced Liu Yunshu's birth date and time.

Master Xuan Kong calculated for a moment, then suddenly opened his eyes wide, stood up and bowed deeply to Emperor Kangxi.

"This woman's destiny is truly rare; she is a phoenix descended to earth. If she could accompany the emperor, she would surely bring lasting fortune to the Qing Dynasty!"

Emperor Kangxi's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't even spoken yet, how could this be...? But he remained outwardly calm: "Is what the master said true? But she... still has her identity to rely on."

"This..." Master Xuan Kong looked at Kangxi in surprise, but seeing the deep meaning in Kangxi's eyes, he immediately understood.

"Fate is predetermined by Heaven; how can it be changed by worldly customs and rituals?" Master Xuan Kong sighed. "If one forcibly defies it, it may only bring disaster. Your Majesty only needs to follow the will of Heaven, and the predicament will naturally be resolved."

"Master, do you dare to say what you have said in front of all the civil and military officials?" Kangxi pressed, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.

Master Xuan Kong clasped his hands together, bowed, and said, "What I have said is all based on the principles of destiny, and I dare not speak recklessly. If His Majesty requires it, I am willing to explain this principle to the court and the public at the appropriate time."

Emperor Kangxi put down his teacup, and the weight on his heart was finally lifted.

That's exactly what he wanted to hear.

Huguo Temple is a royal temple, and the abbot's words carry weight both among the common people and in the imperial court. With his endorsement, there is absolutely no chance of anything going wrong.

"Thank you for your trouble, Master." Kangxi stood up. "This matter must be kept secret. I will discuss the follow-up with you when the time is right."

"I understand."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

This was the morning court session.

Inside the Golden Palace, the sandalwood incense from the gilded bronze incense burner rose gently into the air, reflecting the rising sun outside and bathing the court robes of the civil and military officials in a warm glow.

The Minister of Revenue is currently reporting on the matters concerning the grain transport in Jiangnan.

Suddenly, a guard entered through the door, knelt down hastily, and spoke with barely concealed fear in his voice.

"Your Majesty, the red plum blossoms covering the mountains in the northwest suburbs have all withered overnight!"

"What?" Kangxi slammed his hand on the table, his grip on the armrests of the dragon throne turning white, but a calculating glint flashed in his eyes.

"Withered overnight? Just a few days ago, when I passed through the western suburbs, the red plum blossoms were in full bloom. How could they have suddenly turned into this?"

The entire court was in an uproar, with discussions rising and falling.

The Minister of War stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, it is now the Spring Equinox, the time when red plum blossoms should be in full bloom. That they would all wither overnight is truly strange. It is feared... it is feared that there is an ominous sign from heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent instantly, and all the civil and military officials wore solemn expressions.

The ancients believed in the interaction between heaven and man, and abnormal behavior of flowers and trees was often regarded as a harbinger of good or bad fortune.

Emperor Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his tone solemn: "When the heavens display unusual omens, there must be a sign. Li Dequan, convey my decree: immediately summon Master Xuankong of Huguo Temple to the palace to divine good or bad fortune for me and the Qing Dynasty."

"Yes, sir!" Li Dequan bowed and withdrew. The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense. The officials whispered among themselves, all speculating whether this "odd omen" was auspicious or inauspicious.