Chapter Sixty-Four: The Winds Rise, Clouds Surge

October 18th, dawn.

Outside the Forbidden City, it was no more than a sparse and ordinary winter day. As the season of heavy snow drew near, the air grew colder, demanding thicker garments. The long street was still orderly, people going about their lives as usual. No one could have guessed that within the distant, towering walls of red and purple, winds of change were stirring in the Forbidden City.

The Grand Astrologer stood atop the lofty Tower of Heaven, overlooking the entire capital. When his gaze fell upon the Forbidden City, he finally extended a hand, seeming to perform some calculation, and his previously calm expression gradually revealed a peculiar gravity.

This Grand Astrologer of the Imperial Bureau of Astronomy lifted his head once more to gaze at the leaden clouds overhead.

“Snow is coming.”

A voice, tinged with age, sounded behind him. The Grand Astrologer did not turn, keeping his eyes fixed on the distant Forbidden City, murmuring, “You’re here.”

Li the Blind, clad in simple attire, came to stand beside him. Together, these two elders surveyed the world in silence until Li finally spoke, “I have sent Yunhe to Yangzhou.”

For these two masters, both capable of divining the heavens, the most pivotal conversations required only the briefest of sentences.

If Pei Xiunian were present, he would surely curse them inwardly for speaking in riddles. Yet, the Grand Astrologer and Li the Blind already understood the information hidden in their exchange. Even if not, such ambiguity was itself a tool for confounding others; after all, they were not close friends, merely kindred spirits who found mutual respect.

Their ability to coexist peacefully was only because the paths they pursued happened to intersect at this critical moment.

Pei Xiunian could see from Jiang Yunhe and Luo Xiaoning that the Grand Astrologer and Li the Blind walked similar roads. One disciple was reserved and self-disciplined, following only her own way, while the other obeyed her heart alone…

Thinking thus, these two gifted women did indeed share common traits, though their vastly different temperaments led to such divergence.

But the conversation between the Grand Astrologer and Li the Blind today was certainly not just about their disciples.

The Grand Astrologer clasped his hands behind his back and said indifferently, “Yangzhou is a fine place. In the martial world, rumors abound; the forces of good and evil are on the verge of resurfacing. Perfect for Yunhe to temper her heart.”

Li the Blind leaned casually against the railing, his voice calm:

“If Xiaoning is to leave the mountain as well, let them travel together.”

The Grand Astrologer shook his head, declining Li’s suggestion. “Xiaoning’s heart is unsettled. If she were thrown into the bustle of the world, who knows what might become of her? Let me observe her for a few more days.”

Li the Blind showed no emotion, merely turning to look at his white-haired counterpart, murmuring, “Time is but a fleeting thing. When I was the same age as the current emperor, you were already gray at the temples. So many years have passed, yet you remain unchanged. Grand Preceptor, have you truly fused your fate with that of the dynasty, sharing the lifespan of Great Zhou?”

“Grand Preceptor? Since the late emperor passed, I’ve not heard that title in many years.” The Grand Astrologer smiled faintly. “Sharing the dynasty’s lifespan is just a rumor. If it were true, why would Emperor Zhaoning not demand the method? And why would I need to train Xiaoning as my successor? This is not the choice of the stars, but my own decision.”

His tone grew placid. “You’re right, Blind One. Both of us—our time draws near.”

It was indeed true that a successor was needed, though whether it was truly due to the end of their days was uncertain. Li the Blind did not dwell on it.

He simply smiled, gesturing to the vast territory below the Tower of Heaven, agreeing, “So all the games we’ve played in this life are but illusions. We might as well put them away and enjoy our twilight years in peace…”

The Grand Astrologer’s gaze swept across the capital, his face devoid of joy or sorrow—neither agreeing nor refusing.

————

Since descending from Mount Renhuang that night, Pei Xiunian had been closely watched and forbidden from leaving his residence. With nothing to do, he stayed in Chengqian Palace to practice his cultivation.

Whether this practice was heartfelt, he did not know, but he had already begun to grasp the basics of the Imperial Bureau’s art. Though Luo Xiaoning had been scorned by the Empress Dowager, she hadn’t yet had a chance to instruct Pei Xiunian. Instead, it was the guidance of the Junior Astrologer on the carriage that he had followed, and thanks to his “effort and talent,” he’d mastered it over the past days.

Now, Pei Xiunian could truly be considered a cultivator of the second realm… Perhaps even stronger, for the quality of the method could hardly be poor, and he had avoided missteps.

As Luo Xiaoning had described, he could now visualize his inner palace as a chessboard, his meridians as the interconnected pathways of a game, and each acupoint as a chess piece scattered across the board.

Every time he circulated his energy, it naturally flowed through his entire body, and whenever he struck, the true energy he summoned was far more robust than the soft, unsteady force he’d used before.

As for the chessboard sent by the Grand Astrologer… Pei Xiunian had learned from Lu Qin Yue that it was called “Watching the Tide.” In his attempts, he could use his energy to move the black and white pieces within the box.

But if he tried to use them as weapons, it would be quicker to simply wield a sword or bow himself.

Therefore, the true purpose of this chessboard required further study. He would need to ask the Empress Dowager when he had the chance.

Over these days, playing cards with little Qin Ming, Lu Qin Yue had still not revealed any sign of her demonic background, remaining as docile as a concubine.

This left Pei Xiunian with a sense of unreality, and he found the Yaoguang Sect ever more inscrutable. If this continued, he might truly come to regard it as a sect of saintly women.

Just before dawn today, Lu Qin Yue roused Pei Xiunian.

With her assistance, he donned the elaborate prince’s court attire for the morning assembly. After a simple wash, Pei Xiunian was enjoying his early meal.

Little Qin stood by his side, and Pei Xiunian suddenly asked, “Has there been any progress in finding a maid?”

Lu Qin Yue lowered her eyes, answering softly, “There is still no suitable candidate. The elders of my sect are either high-ranking and busy, their age unsuitable for the role, or the disciples are too young and inexperienced, lacking the cultivation and ability required.”

“As for outsiders… Those scrambling to become maids mostly lack the necessary cultivation. Even the few who do may not be loyal. So, the selection of a qualified maid requires careful deliberation, as the Empress Dowager has said. At the very least, the Heart Mirror must be refined first.”

Though her tone was humble, Pei Xiunian perceived a subtle air of “if not me, then who…”

At that moment, little Qin murmured, “Has Your Highness grown tired of me?”

“How could I…” Pei Xiunian waved his hand, swallowing a pastry as he explained, “I just feel you’re wasted in the palace. As the saintess of Yaoguang Sect, you should be stirring up a storm in the martial world.”

“If both the sect leader and saintess devote themselves entirely to this revenge, neglecting their sect, what would that say? It would surely chill the hearts of their disciples.”

Lu Qin Yue, you are the saintess of Yaoguang, almost certain to become its next leader. To be content with such a role—wouldn’t that be embarrassing if word got out…

In time, this would surely become a bit of black history.

Little Qin nodded again, a faint light appearing in her starry eyes, and she said, “When I return to the sect, I will ensure Yaoguang’s name shines anew throughout the world, living up to Your Highness’s and the Empress Dowager’s expectations.”

Pei Xiunian was about to clarify his relationship with “your Yaoguang Sect”—we each have our own aims, defeating Li Yan is my most direct goal… As for your path, I do not wish to interfere…

He had not yet sorted out his words when the bell in the imperial city rang out with a resonant clang, announcing the start of the imperial assembly.

Pei Xiunian said no more to Lu Qin Yue, turning to leave Chengqian Palace. Under her watchful gaze as she stood obediently by the door, he entered the sedan.

The large carriage was lifted and moved toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony. At last, he was to face the long-awaited court assembly.