However, the Emperor did not seem to focus on sacrificing a living person to heaven. Instead, he asked, "If that's the case, then King Jing An's body can't be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum?"
The Imperial Astronomer answered, "That's right. If that's the case, then King Jing An's body can't be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum."
Wouldn't that go against the Emperor's wishes? The reason why King Jing An's body was transported to Yan Jing was to bury him in the Imperial Mausoleum. If he couldn't be buried in the Imperial Mausoleum, then wouldn't that be a waste of effort? It would have been better to just leave it in Lingtang County and not transport it back.
There wouldn't have been so much trouble!
The Emperor was silent for a while and continued to ask, "Then … can any woman be buried?"
"Of course not!" The Imperial Astronomer said solemnly, "I have calculated that the time is auspicious. The woman to be sacrificed to heaven is not an ordinary woman. She is one of the ten thousand flowers and this year's top courtesan candidate."
The Imperial Astronomer's words silenced the pavilion.
This year's top courtesan candidate!
Winning the title of top courtesan was a great honor. If the news of her body being sacrificed to heaven and buried with King Jing An got out, the people would be in chaos.
The Emperor's face darkened and he frowned. He clenched his fists on the table and didn't say a word. Grand Tutor Yi and Old General Wen glanced at each other. They both had the same expression and the same feelings. Old General Wen was a military general and had never believed in such things. He directly said, "Your Majesty, the astronomical phenomena cannot be completely trusted. Grand Tutor is right.
King Jing An's body didn't rot because Lingtang County is dry all year round. It has nothing to do with the fate of the nation. If a human life is sacrificed to heaven, what would the people think? Your Majesty, you must think twice. You can't completely believe it and you can't … sacrifice a human life to heaven. "
The Emperor sighed, "Of course I understand what you're saying. But since ancient times, we have to believe in the celestial phenomena."
"Therefore, Your Majesty, you can't do this. If you really sacrifice a human life to heaven, how will you explain it to the people?"
"Then what does General Wen think I should do?"
"It would be most appropriate to bury King Jing An's body immediately."
Grand Tutor Yi, Marquis, and several cabinet ministers also asked the Emperor to bury King Jing An's body without delay.
However, the Imperial Astronomer said, "Your Majesty, the celestial phenomenon is the mandate of heaven, and the mandate of heaven is the fate of Qujiang. If we ignore it, I'm afraid the consequences will be unimaginable!" As soon as he finished, Old General Wen reprimanded, "Imperial Astronomer, don't try to frighten us with your words. My Qujiang Rivers and mountains were fought for by countless soldiers. How can we tolerate such absurd words from you? If that's the case, then what's the use of the soldiers at the border? What was the use of civil and military officials in the court?
Wouldn't it be better to directly pray to the heavens? "
He flicked his sleeves!
Impassioned!
The Imperial Astronomer was suppressed by his aura and couldn't speak for a while. He could only explain to the emperor: "Imperial Majesty, this subject is not trying to scare you."
The emperor was really distressed!
On one hand, he firmly believed in the theory of astronomical phenomena.
On the other hand, sacrificing one's life to the heavens was not what an emperor should do.
In this dilemma, he really couldn't make a decision.
Outside the pavilion, two figures stood in front of the side window and heard everything that happened inside.
Qiu Quer was very shocked!
It turned out that the emperor had been dealing with King Jing An's matter for many days. He didn't think that King Jing An's body would not rot and there would be a phenomenon in the sky. Now, according to the Imperial Astronomer's words, he was going to sacrifice the Courtesan Belle to the heavens. This was even more shocking.
In reality, she also firmly believed in astronomical phenomena.
It seemed that this time, he really had to sacrifice his life to the heavens.
Beside her, Wei Lan's expression was ugly. She didn't dare to speak, but her eyes were filled with shock.
Inside, the emperor couldn't make up his mind. After sighing a few times, he waved his hand for everyone to leave. He still needed to think carefully about what to do in the end before making a decision.
When those officials retreated outside, Qiu Quer immediately moved to the side with the palace maids. She only came out after they left. She thought to herself, now is not the time to go in and see the emperor, so she handed the ginseng soup to the eunuch outside and left.
On the way back to the palace, Qiu Quer's expression was solemn.
She didn't say a word!
Until Wei Lan asked, "Your Highness, is the emperor really going to sacrifice the Courtesan Belle to the heavens?"
Qiu Quer scolded, "Is this something you can discuss?"
"This servant deserves to die!"
"Remember, ben gong didn't hear anything just now. You can't go around talking about it. Otherwise, you'll get yourself killed. Even ben gong won't be able to protect you then."
"Yes, this servant won't say anything no matter how brave I am."
If she told others about this, she would lose her head. Who would dare to say anything?
As a small palace maid, she didn't have that kind of courage.
After returning to the hall, Qiu Quer thought about it and finally instructed Wei Lan, "Send Xiaoshunzi out of the palace to inform Ah Shu that … she's not allowed to participate in this year's Courtesan Belle selection."
Wei Lan was worried, "I'm afraid that Miss Qiu won't be willing."
"Just tell her that if she has any thoughts, she can come to the palace to see ben gong."
"Yes."
Actually, Qiu Quer was worried that if the emperor really wanted to sacrifice the Courtesan Belle to the heavens, her scheming younger sister might use some kind of channel or be lucky enough to be chosen. Wouldn't she have to watch as her younger sister went to her death?
It was better to be safe than sorry!
She could only stop Qiu Shu from participating!
… …
At the palace gates.
Old General Wen and the others were silent all the way to the palace gates. They were about to get into their respective carriages, but Grand Tutor Yi called out to them and invited Marquis Kangding and Old General Wen to ride together.
They all agreed! After all, after such a thing happened, the court officials would have to discuss it behind closed doors. They would discuss it on the way back, hoping to persuade them to give up on the idea of sacrificing themselves to the heavens. They must not risk their lives in exchange for the criticism of the people.
Exchanging something small for something big was not worth it.
After the three of them got into the carriage, it left the palace gates …
In the carriage, Grand Tutor Yi sat upright and still. He lightly patted his knee and looked around. Then he said, "Marquis, General Wen, what do you think of this matter?"
Marquis Kangding sighed and said, "The words of the Imperial Astronomer cannot be completely trusted. Sacrificing one's life to the heavens is something that has never happened before. In short, I do not agree, and I will definitely not let the emperor do this."
His attitude was firm!
What celestial phenomenon?
What sacrificing one's life to the heavens?
What being buried together?
It's all nonsense.
Nonsense!
Old General Wen was a steady person. He continued, "It's not that we can't believe it! It's that we can't believe it at all! His Majesty believes in celestial phenomena, but we cannot be muddled.
We cannot follow His Majesty's wishes this time. We must properly regulate it. "
"But be it the previous emperor or the previous emperors, they all believe in celestial phenomena. I'm afraid we can't persuade them. Besides, you all saw His Majesty's attitude just now. It's impossible to persuade him. We have to think of another way."
"Naturally, we cannot let His Majesty decide." Old General Wen's tone was heavy.
It was an oppressive aura!
Marquis Kangding said, "Outside of the founding of Qujiang, there have been cases where celestial phenomena have come true, but not as ridiculous as this time! It's simply absurd! That Imperial Astronomer only has one mouth, who knows what's in it! "
Righteous indignation!
His anger was obvious!
After listening to them, Grand Tutor Yi interjected, "His Majesty has always had his own ideas. I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to persuade him. But no matter what, we must do our best to remonstrate. If there's really no other way, we can only ask the Imperial Astronomer to change his mind."
Imperial Astronomer change his mind?
Old General Wen and Marquis Kang looked at each other.
They did not understand what he meant!
"Grand Tutor, what … do you mean by that?" Grand Tutor Yi immediately lifted the curtain and looked outside, as if he was worried that the walls might have ears. Seeing that the carriage had not reached the bustling city, he said with relief, "If we can't change His Majesty's mind, then we can only ask the Imperial Astronomer to change his mind.
We can't delay the matter of worshipping the heavens and bury King Jing An as soon as possible. "
"This … I'm afraid it'll be difficult!" Marquis Kangding said, "The Imperial Astronomer answers directly to His Majesty, why would he listen to us?"
"That depends on what we do when the time comes. The Imperial Astronomer is not a god, so of course he has his weaknesses."
Old General Wen said, "It looks like Grand Tutor Yi already has an idea?"
"Not really an idea. Let's see if we can persuade His Majesty first. If we can't, then we'll talk about it again," Grand Tutor Yi said.
And so the small talk ended.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
