Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn - Chapter 135
"Oh, I see. You can go back now. If His Highness Luoyang returns, please let him know." I looked at Eunuch Xu again; he was already waiting for me by the roadside.
The palace maid acknowledged and withdrew, and I followed Eunuch Xu to see the Golden Sparrow King. I wondered why he had chosen this time to see me; it would be good to tell Zinuo.
The Golden Sparrow Kingdom reveres white, and the entire palace is predominantly white. The palaces of the king, queen, and crown prince are all white, making it resemble another version of the Taj Mahal from afar. Upon arriving at the Taiji Hall, it becomes clear that it is not the Golden Sparrow King's sleeping quarters, but rather a place where the king and the Grand Preceptor hold discussions. The Grand Preceptor, as a special figure in the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, has his altar located within the Taiji Hall. The observatory within the hall is the tallest building in the entire Hanyue City, specifically used for the Grand Preceptor to observe the stars at night.
Upon entering the hall, the main hall was not as resplendent as other palaces. The light inside was dim, and the interior was furnished mostly with ebony. The Golden Sparrow King wore a white brocade robe embroidered with three golden sparrows, while Zi Nuo only had one. Standing beside the Golden Sparrow King was a middle-aged man in purple robes and a tall crown, with three wisps of fine beard, possessing a somewhat otherworldly air, not the kind of charlatan I had imagined.
Eunuch Xu led me to the bottom of the steps, and then walked up to the platform from the side and stood behind King Jinque. I stood below, not knowing what kind of greeting to give King Jinque, so I could only slightly bend my knees and curtsy.
Suddenly, King Jinque laughed loudly, stood up, and slowly walked down the steps to stand in front of me. I raised my eyes slightly to look him over. King Jinque looked to be in his forties, with handsome features and an air of authority, the kind of man who looked like a successful man.
"Young lady, you are truly a distinguished guest of my Golden Sparrow Kingdom," the Golden Sparrow King said with a smile, his voice very magnetic.
I quickly bowed again and said, "Not at all, I'm just a fugitive."
The Golden Sparrow King smiled enigmatically: "I am a straightforward person and will not beat around the bush with you, young lady. I also hope that you can be frank with me."
Looking at the Golden Sparrow King's smile, a chill inexplicably rose from the bottom of his heart, yet he wondered what he possessed that others could take advantage of. The Golden Sparrow King then turned to the Grand Preceptor, who had also descended, and said, "Renxu, the Astrology Pavilion."
Imperial Preceptor Renxu led us toward the Astrology Pavilion, while Eunuch Xu remained inside, filled with unease, wondering what they were up to.
Ascending the stairs to the Astrology Pavilion, King Jinque followed the Imperial Preceptor Renxu into the pavilion. His eyes were immediately drawn to the bright light emanating from the numerous mirrors embedded in the walls, reflecting the light from all directions. Several long tables were set inside, adorned with objects resembling ceremonial vessels. King Jinque, however, did not linger in the outer room but continued deeper inside.
The Imperial Advisor pushed open the door to the inner chamber. The light inside was much dimmer than outside. It took him a while to adjust to the light inside. Finally, he saw that there were no furnishings in the room, except for a bronze frame about half a person's height in the center. On top of the bronze frame was a large crystal ball about twenty centimeters in diameter. The ball shimmered with light, and there were some vague images inside.
I was filled with fear, and my intuition told me that the Grand Preceptor of the Golden Sparrow Kingdom was truly skilled and not just deceiving the world. The strange crystal ball made me break out in a cold sweat.
King Jinque glanced at me with a smile. The Imperial Advisor, Renxu, walked to the corner and pulled back a curtain. Behind the curtain was another crystal ball, much smaller, suspended high in the air; even if the Imperial Advisor raised his hand, he might not be able to reach it. The Imperial Advisor then took out a walnut-sized, dark, luminous bead from his robes and placed it between the two crystal balls. Soon, light radiated between the two crystal balls, and on the opposite wall, as if projected, several lines of text slowly condensed: "Ninth year of Tianxuan, March 20th, Soul of Another World."
My heart turned ice-cold instantly. Weren't those the days when I possessed Mu Huaien's body?
"How can you be sure that it is me?" They came to me because they thought I was that otherworldly soul.
The Imperial Advisor pointed to the large crystal ball with his finger. I looked at the crystal ball and saw several words inside: "The fifth year of Tianxuan, the fifteenth day of the eighth month, at the first quarter of the hour of Xu."
That was Mu Huaien's birth time. I was speechless.
The Grand Preceptor withdrew the dark light bead from his palm, and the light between the two crystal balls slowly disappeared. The Golden Sparrow King turned and walked to the outer room, sat down on a chair there, and politely gestured for me and the Grand Preceptor to sit down as well, as if he were preparing for a long talk.
The Golden Sparrow King smiled and said, "We have been searching for you for many years, and we have no ill intentions. We also ask you to be honest with us."
My biggest secret has been revealed, so what else can I say? "Your Majesty, please speak frankly."
King Golden Sparrow glanced at the Grand Preceptor, who spoke calmly: "The divine decree indicates that the souls of other worlds can help my Golden Sparrow achieve even greater prosperity and dominate the Kunpeng Continent."
I chuckled lightly. I knew my own limitations better than anyone. What ability did I have to help the Golden Sparrow Kingdom dominate the Kunpeng Continent?
Seeing my expression, King Jinque said knowingly, "Miss, don't worry too much. Just tell us about your original place so we can have a reference."
"But why should I do this?" If the Golden Sparrow Kingdom becomes stronger, won't Shen Tingxuan and the others be in danger?
King Jinque shook his head and said, "If a few words from you can greatly benefit the people of Kunpeng Continent, why not do it?"
"Won't you send troops to attack other countries then?"
"The Golden Sparrow Ancestral Teachings forbid the unauthorized use of force. An army is for protecting the homeland, not for trampling on other nations." Considering that the Golden Sparrow Kingdom has indeed not initiated any wars for many years, let's tentatively believe him. Besides, they possess this mysterious power; if they wanted to do something, they probably would have done it already.
King Jinque added, “Zinuo has only recently returned to the country. Even if he is destined to be King Jinque, his power in the court is not as great as that of the other two princes. If he has your help, his position will be much more secure.”
I couldn't help but ask in surprise, "I was just telling you about what's going on on our side. What does that have to do with Zinuo's personal growth in power?"
King Jinque laughed and said, "I bestow upon you the title of Holy Maiden, the only female disciple of the Imperial Preceptor, to assist the Regent Prince in creating a prosperous era."
If we create a prosperous era together, wouldn't I also have a chance to go down in history? And without even having to put in any effort myself. A surge of vanity briefly rose, but quickly subsided: "How can a woman get involved in politics?"
"The disciples of the Grand Preceptor are not bound by any etiquette or court rules; they dedicate themselves solely to the fate of the Golden Sparrow Kingdom," said the Golden Sparrow King.
Under the Golden Sparrow King's persuasive arguments, emotional appeals, and even a bit of enticement and deception, I accepted his arrangements with a mix of anticipation, longing, and trepidation. I thought that if I could truly act as a catalyst to accelerate the continent's progress, it would be a meritorious deed, and since I was already here, perhaps it was fate. However, I later realized I had been tricked by the Golden Sparrow King. Making me a Holy Maiden wasn't, as he claimed, to help Zi Nuo—Zi Nuo had his own protection—but rather a way to bind me to the Golden Sparrow Kingdom under the guise of a Holy Maiden. Knowing the truth, it was too late for regrets.
After listening to King Jinque and the Grand Preceptor explain in detail how to arrange my identity, and after discussing other issues, I finally couldn't help but ask, "Since Zi Nuo is the destined King Jinque, why did you allow him to return to Youjing that day?"
King Jinque shook his head and said, "I didn't know at the time. It was only after he left that the Grand Preceptor came to tell me that the stars showed that the next king of Jinque Kingdom had appeared and then disappeared. Only then did I think that it might be him, and then I ordered people to protect him in secret."
So that's how it is. "Then, when did I find out that I was that otherworldly soul?"
"After Zinuo brought you back after you were poisoned, if it weren't for your special status, we wouldn't have used the Golden Sparrow Gall on you, nor would we have made the Crown Prince take such a great risk to treat you." The Golden Sparrow King's words left me unsure whether to feel fortunate or sorrowful.
According to the Golden Sparrow King, destined rulers like Zinuo are born with minds different from ordinary people, far more intelligent and precocious. I knew it! When I was little, seeing how smart Zinuo was made me think he was possessed by someone's spirit like me. I never imagined he was a true child prodigy. But it sounds a bit like a reincarnated spirit child, which is a little unsettling.
After finishing the business, I couldn't help but gossip again: "Is Zinuo's father you, and his mother my Aunt Jing?"
King Jinque nodded slightly, and I suddenly understood. No wonder my aunt reacted that way when I asked her why she was the only one among Marquis Qiyun's wives who didn't resemble the First Wife at all. However, I still dared not ask about the true nature of the relationship between King Jinque and my aunt, as it was, after all, the private life of a king.
On the tenth day of the fourth month of the 379th year of the Holy Calendar of Jinque Kingdom, King Guangming issued an edict, bestowing upon Yin Qingqiu, the only female disciple of the National Preceptor since the founding of Jinque Kingdom, the title of Holy Maiden of Jinque Kingdom, to assist the Regent Prince together with Shao Yuan, another successor of the National Preceptor.
Inside Zinuo's Xiyang Palace, Gan Lin asked with dissatisfaction, "Why did you change your name to Yin Qingqiu?"
Everyone knows I'm not Mu Huaien anymore, so using her name feels awkward. It's more comfortable to use my own name again. Of course, I can't tell them any of this; it's a secret between Guangming Golden Sparrow King, Imperial Preceptor Renxu, and myself. Besides, if I were to reveal Mu Huaien's name to the world, wouldn't those Shen people from Youjing come and kill me?
After much thought, I still think Yin Qingqiu is the best.
“Well, now that we’re in the Golden Sparrow Kingdom, we’re not the same people we used to be,” Gan Lin said, shaking his head.
Zi Nuo entered with a group of palace maids, whose trays were piled high with clothes and ornaments.
"What is this?" I looked at Zinuo in confusion.
“The first day of the fifth lunar month is the annual day of worship for the saint. From the king to the common people, everyone dresses up in their finest to celebrate. Since you have become a saintess, you should also dress up in your finest and go to Queping Mountain with the Grand Preceptor to offer sacrifices to the heavens.” Zi Nuo looked at me with a forced smile.