Chapter 88: Chapter 88: What a Pity

The attendant followed the disciple of the Astronomical Observatory through the courtyard, walked past half of the corridor, passed through the hallway, and arrived in front of the main hall.

The disciple of the Astronomical Observatory bowed to the guest, and said in a low voice: “Master is currently performing a divination, please wait a moment, you can rest in the nearby room!” With that, he retreated!

The person pulled down the brim of his hat. Who else could it be but the Crown Prince, who had just been officially appointed today?

He slowly approached, his footsteps extremely light, as if afraid of disturbing Gongyang Puyu’s divination. His gaze landed on the round disk, which was intricately designed, with layers and circles gradually converging towards the center. Some circles were rotating, while others remained still.

The graduations were also meticulously organized, and the ones on the wall were the same, though difficult to understand, they seemed remarkably profound.

The Crown Prince stood there without moving.

And Gongyang Puyu, sitting in front of the disk with focused eyes closed, remained motionless as well.

This standstill lasted for nearly half an hour.

Eventually, the Crown Prince ran out of patience. He had been waiting too long, his legs beginning to numb from standing. But at this time, he didn’t wish to rest in the room beside him. Seeing a stool nearby, he went over and sat down.

At this moment, Gongyang Puyu opened his eyes and murmured: “What a pity, what a pity! Although the star of succession is in place, it is still fraught with danger! What could cause such an unusual phenomenon?”

The Crown Prince asked: “What do you mean by ’what a pity’?”

Gongyang Puyu turned his head, as if only now noticing someone was there, and quickly stood up, bowing respectfully, “Your Highness the Crown Prince! When did Your Highness arrive? I regret not greeting you from afar, please forgive me!”

The Crown Prince extended both hands, a gentle smile on his face, and said calmly: “Just now, master mentioned that although the star of succession is in place, danger remains. What does that mean?”

Gongyang Puyu’s expression changed dramatically, and he hesitated before replying: “Your Highness may have misheard; I did not say such a thing! The Crown Prince is fortunate, chosen by the Holy Emperor himself, a person of deep blessings. How could there be danger?”

The more he denied it, the more the Crown Prince felt the matter was significant. His expression slightly darkened and he said displeased: “Master, I heard this with my own ears. Do you intend to deny it to my face, or do you think I’m easy to deceive?”

Gongyang Puyu’s expression changed again, then suddenly became solemn, and he bowed deeply towards the Crown Prince, earnestly: “Your Highness, I must confess that my skills are not precise enough to guarantee complete accuracy. Additionally, divining destiny is essentially gazing into the secrets of heaven, an act contrary to the natural order. If heard by a second person, it reveals the secrets of heaven, and such an act will invite disaster. I ask for Your Highness’s understanding!”

This means, he indeed discovered something, matters concerning heavenly secrets?

The Crown Prince’s expression softened, replaced with sincerity. Bowing deeply, he promised solemnly: “Master, I know this is asking a lot of you. But I, occupying the position of Crown Prince, am constantly cautious, especially after hearing your words about impending danger. Please instruct me on how to avert catastrophe. Someday, I assure you, I will greatly repay this favor!”

When is this ’someday’? Naturally, it is when the Crown Prince ascends as the new Emperor.

Gongyang Puyu received Huangfu Yuxuan’s promise and didn’t particularly care about the Crown Prince’s promise. Yet, he still displayed a moved expression and said: “Your Highness, you shouldn’t. You really humble me. With your noble status, how can you give such a grand gesture?”

“Please, Master, reveal it!” The Crown Prince maintained a sincere attitude.

Gongyang Puyu sighed deeply and said to the Crown Prince: “Please!”

As the Crown Prince straightened up, he was unclear about what Gongyang Puyu meant.

Gongyang Puyu did not explain directly but began to gently manipulate the round disk before him with his fingertips, making sign gestures.

As the circular object before him rotated, the disk on the wall also moved. For a moment, the graduations danced wildly, the pointer leaped far and wide, and eventually, the central sphere was suddenly divided in two by the pointer, stuck motionless pointing to the southwest.

Gongyang Puyu coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, his entire being wilting.

The Crown Prince was startled and quickly supported him, “Master…”

Gongyang Puyu pointed to the round disk, speaking weakly: “Your Highness, I have tested four times tonight, all results were unfavorable. This time, I used vital essence for the divination, hoping for a different outcome, but unexpectedly, the result remains the same.”

“What does this mean?”

Gongyang Puyu pointed to the disk, “This disk represents the trajectory of fortune stars. Previously, the sphere was always in this position!” He gestured beside the circle and explained slowly, “Today, the sphere returned to the center, representing the star of succession settling into place, corresponding to Your Highness’s appointment today!”

The Crown Prince felt great joy. Previously, it was the Eldest Brother and later Prince Liang in the position of Crown Prince. According to Mr. Gongyang’s words, Prince Liang was in the Crown Prince position for forty years, yet the star of succession never settled. It seems he truly is the one destined.

However, now the sphere is split in two. Even without understanding star divination techniques or knowing the profundity in the disk’s center, it’s clear this is not good news.

Gongyang Puyu sighed, “Unfortunately, the star of succession faces a calamity, and the calamity corresponds to this position!”

The Crown Prince probed, “Southwest?”

Gongyang Puyu nodded slightly.

The Crown Prince’s expression immediately darkened, southwest? Prince Xin of Qinzhou, or Prince Cheng of Yunzhou?

He turned to look at Gongyang Puyu, “Master, since a divination is a divination, another is also a divination, could you be more detailed? I cannot discern the secrets of heaven!”

Gongyang Puyu pointed at the disk, explaining one by one, perhaps because of the blood he spit earlier, his voice was quite weak, “No need for another divination, Your Highness. Look, this is south, this is west, this place is Yan State, this place is Jinzhou…”

The Crown Prince understood, the location the pointer indicated, it was beyond Yunzhou, not yet reaching Qinzhou. That means Yunzhou!

Prince Cheng?

The Crown Prince suddenly looked up and laughed, “Master is unaware, my brother Prince Cheng prefers beauty over power. Back then, he married a woman from Jianghu, angering Father Emperor, which is why Father Emperor granted him the most barren and harsh land as his fiefdom. He hasn’t returned to the capital for years, and Father Emperor is also not fond of him. Others could be a threat to me, I can believe that, but Prince Cheng, he’s not qualified!” As he spoke, a sharp, disdainful chill flashed in his eyes.

He originally thought it would be Prince Li, after all, Prince Li was Father Emperor’s most beloved youngest son, residing in the capital for these past two years.

With Father Emperor’s favoritism towards Prince Li, he really is a major threat. Had it not been for his own capabilities, the Crown Prince position might have been snatched by Prince Li.

Gongyang Puyu was puzzled, “Your Highness, when did I say it was Prince Cheng?”

The Crown Prince was speechless, “Southwest… isn’t it him?”

Gongyang Puyu chuckled, “No! Your Highness is absolutely right; your brother Prince Cheng is not qualified.”

“Then who?” The Crown Prince’s gaze instantly sharpened, “Who is qualified?”

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