A serpent demon is not a true dragon, but is on the verge of leaping into the dragon gate, implying an attempt to usurp power. Hui Jue’s brow twitched – was this an accusation of someone harboring treacherous intentions? But what did it have to do with the inner palace?
“The eastern side of the palace is the Simeng Palace,” Jiang Ruan said. “As for the serpent demon, it naturally refers to a beauty demon.”
As Jiang Ruan’s words fell, Hui Jue was dumbstruck. It was a great taboo for the inner palace to interfere in state affairs. Jiang Ruan’s implied meaning was to pin the reputation of disrupting court protocols on someone in the inner palace. That person was none other than Chen Guifei, the most favored consort currently residing in the Simeng Palace, to whom even the empress had to defer.
Though Hui Jue maintained an air of detachment and abstinence in the palace, he was not completely ignorant of political affairs. He had heard some rumors that the emperor disliked the current crown prince and intended to establish a new heir. The two hottest candidates were the Eighth Prince Ye Li, son of Chen Guifei, and the Fifth Prince Ye Hua, son of De Fei. It seemed the Eighth Prince Ye Li currently had a better chance.
If he offended Chen Guifei, wouldn’t that mean potentially offending the mother of a future heir apparent? That would undoubtedly bring him much trouble. The great master Hui Jue frowned deeply but remained silent.
“Has the great master felt somewhat enfeebled in recent years?” Jiang Ruan said indifferently. “Glimpsing too much of the heavenly mechanisms, yet unable to foresee the future events. If strained, the great master could relinquish his position to someone more capable from the younger generation. Under the heavens, Buddha has countless descendants – it is not necessarily the great master alone who can heed Buddha’s will.” Jiang Ruan looked at him leisurely. “It would be a pity for the young lord, however…without the palace resources, it is unknown if he would remain as healthy.”
Jiang Ruan’s words struck at the heart of Hui Jue’s concerns. Indeed, over the past three years, the emperor had placed utmost trust in him, often seeking his opinion on many matters. The letter Jiang Ruan had provided accurately foretold future consequences and optimal solutions, as if she had personally experienced them. Her advice was meticulous and appropriate, further earning the emperor’s satisfaction. His position as national preceptor had remained very secure.
However, three years had passed, and the major events outlined in the letter only extended to the present time – there was nothing written about what would happen afterwards. Hui Jue himself was merely a charlatan, where did he gain the ability to glimpse the heavenly mechanisms? During this period, when the emperor came to consult him again, he could not offer any insights. Hui Jue, having wandered the jianghu for many years, was supremely skilled in trickery. Combined with the fact that everything he had predicted in the first three years came true, he managed to placate the emperor with excuses. However, this could not go on forever – it would inevitably arouse suspicion. Even if it didn’t, once he became useless, the emperor would no longer value him as before.
If he left the imperial palace, his young son would lose access to the palace’s precious medicinal resources, and who knew what situation would arise. Moreover, as the esteemed national preceptor, he had inevitably offended some people in the palace to varying degrees, inadvertently obstructing certain individuals’ interests. The emperor’s trust was currently his lifeline – once he lost it, perhaps something disastrous could occur.
Jiang Ruan’s veiled threats all struck at Hui Jue’s weaknesses. If she could elevate him to the position of national preceptor, she could certainly have someone else take this seat through her machinations and foresight – a simple matter.
Hui Jue slowly lowered his head, his voice strained as he said, “I beg the princess…to show mercy.”
“I know what the great master is worried about,” Jiang Ruan suddenly leaned closer, her voice dropping very low. “The position of heir will definitely not go to the Eighth Prince.”
Hui Jue abruptly raised his head, staring at Jiang Ruan in disbelief, frozen in place. He asked, “This…is also a prophecy?”
“Yes,” Jiang Ruan said indifferently.
In truth, in the previous life, Ye Li did ultimately seize the entire Dajinzhou dynasty. But in this lifetime, she would never allow that to happen again. Didn’t Chen Guifei want to maintain an innocuous presence in the palace, appearing disinterested in the matter of usurping the heir before the emperor? Well now, she need not keep up that facade of a beauty any longer. What would the situation be when that acting mother-son duo was branded as bringing disaster to the nation?
No matter how much the emperor doted on a woman, he would never jeopardize his dynasty for her sake. Otherwise, in the previous life, the emperor would not have begun to doubt Ye Li towards the end, prompting Ye Li’s premature move.
When the great master Hui Jue looked at Jiang Ruan again, his gaze was no longer as unfocused as before, as if he had made an important decision. He asked softly, “What does the princess wish me to do?”
“With the great master’s formidable skills, you naturally act according to Buddha’s will. Three days from now, there will be a ritual at the Qintian Observatory. At that time, Buddha will descend his edict – that lurking within this imperial palace is a serpent beauty. And you, great master, must ensure there is only one true dragon in this world.”
Her voice was soft yet carried an uncanny allure. Hui Jue’s body trembled as he respectfully answered, “Yes.”
After leaving the small Buddha hall, Jiang Ruan intended to return to the Cining Palace first. But halfway there, she encountered an unexpected guest. This person, donning azure robes and a jade belt, spotted her from afar and stopped in his tracks before striding towards her.
Tian Zhu cautiously moved to block Jiang Ruan, but the man was well-mannered, stopping a few steps away from Jiang Ruan without approaching further.
Jiang Ruan smiled at him. “Counsellor Liu.”
Liu Min stared intently at Jiang Ruan, unsure of what he intended to do. He had seen her briefly a few days prior but did not get a chance to speak properly due to Xiao Shao’s presence. Afterwards, he constantly thought about this matter. He had assumed his confidant was a man, only to find out it was a woman. He had gazed at the painting hanging in his study for several days. There were many things he wanted to ask her. Upon seeing Jiang Ruan earlier, he unconsciously walked over, yet could not utter a word when face-to-face with her.
Lu Zhu blinked. This Counsellor Liu truly embodied the absentminded air typical of a scholarly man.
Liu Min paused before saying, “Princess.” Seemingly feeling this was too curt, he added, “You…are well, I hope?”
The matter of Jiang Li had become a joke across the entire Dajinzhou dynasty. Although it was Jiang Li’s own actions, it would still impact the reputation of Jiang Ruan and her sisters to some extent. Liu Min understood the complex relationships within the Jiang manor, but he did not dwell on it too much, only concerned that Jiang Ruan’s reputation might suffer as a result. After all, she was still a daughter of the Jiang family and would be subject to disgrace.
Jiang Ruan reciprocated politely, “Thank you for your concern, Counsellor. I am doing very well.”
Liu Min was taken aback as he carefully observed Jiang Ruan. Indeed, her beauty and gentle, smiling demeanor remained as dazzling as before without a hint of haggardness. Feeling rather perplexed, he wondered how such a situation could arise while she remained as serene as ever. Since she appeared untroubled, he felt reassured.
Liu Min did not understand his own strange thoughts. After that initial letter, he had come to view Jiang Ruan as a close friend in his heart. Friends should support each other, so his concern was natural. However, there was one more thing he wanted to ask. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke up, “Princess, what is your relationship with Prince Xiao?”
Tian Zhu’s brows furrowed slightly, thinking this counsellor was rather disagreeable and resolved to inform her mistress later. Jiang Ruan smiled, “Counsellor Liu, you seem to be prying a bit too much.”
(End of chapter)
