It had been a month since Qian Xingzhi transmigrated into the new Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
Heaven knows how much she was suffocating inside!
To stay on as an astronomy lecturer, she had completed her doctorate and then studied abroad for three years, finally landing a position as an assistant professor. But after celebrating her birthday with a few close friends, she opened her eyes again and found herself in this godforsaken place. She hadn't even had a chance to enjoy the fruits of her hard work; now she was back to square one.
Fortunately, Qian Xingzhi had arrived during the Nansheng Kingdom's Spring Festival holiday, which lasted from the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month for a full month, giving her some time to adjust.
Unfortunately, over this month, the memories she had received from the original owner were pitifully few.
Now it was the forty-third year of Yong'an. The current emperor of Nansheng was aging, and undercurrents ran beneath the court. The new Director, who shared her name and surname, seemed to have gained the position by currying favor with a powerful figure through fortune-telling and deception.
Cross-dressing, forming cliques, fortune-telling, communicating with spirits... This Lord Qian seemed determined to risk her head, but for what purpose, she had no idea.
Qian Xingzhi looked into the bronze mirror. The person in the mirror wore an official robe embroidered with the xi chi bird and a sable hat. The features were very similar to her original face, just with a bit more sharpness and heroism. She used to boast to her friends that this face was "perfect as either a man or a woman." Now, dressed like this, though she was only five feet one inch tall, she could still be considered a handsome young gentleman.
You can run but you can't hide. At the hour of yin, three ke (around 4:45 AM), Qian Xingzhi steeled herself and boarded the carriage in the biting cold wind.
The sky was still dark. Thinking that she would have to get up at three or four in the morning every day to go to work, half of her heart died in the jolting carriage. But then she thought again—what was waking up early? In the future, as she continued this job, she might end up losing her head.
Qian Xingzhi felt her fate was cruel. However, since today was not only the first day back after the new year but also her first day in office, the chances of being singled out by the higher-ups were greatly increased. As a qualified wage slave, Qian Xingzhi had written and memorized a full two-thousand-character work report, and even made cheat notes on her hand.
Half-asleep and half-awake, by the time she got off the carriage, shivered as she presented her palace pass, and stood at the outermost edge of the Qianqing Gate square, her little heart was pounding like a drum.
After waiting another half hour, Qian Xingzhi finally caught a glimpse of a bright yellow figure. Before she could take a second look, she immediately followed the others in performing the three-kowtow and nine-prostration ritual.
The Son of Heaven, high above, went through the motions of summoning several ministers to report, and heard the usual flattery.
The king was aging, and the court was lifeless. Qian Xingzhi felt as if she were being choked by a decaying aura, silently praying not to be called on to answer.
What was this situation like?
Wake up to find yourself having used connections to get a government job, only to step on a huge landmine—the leadership was about to change, the department's future was uncertain, your professional competence was unknown, and even your boss's emotional state could determine whether you'd keep your head.
As Qian Xingzhi stood with aching back and legs, her mind wandering, the court was finally dismissed. She managed to suppress the upward twitch of her lips and planned to slip out with the crowd.
"Lord Qian, please stay!"
Qian Xingzhi staggered, turning to see a young eunuch rushing over.
"His Majesty summons you. Please proceed to the Imperial Study."
Just what she feared. Qian Xingzhi inwardly raged for two seconds, then forced calm: "Please lead the way, eunuch."
The palace pathways were narrower than she had imagined. As she wound her way to the outside of the Imperial Study, she heard laughter and cheerful voices.
"This ancestral rite was handled very fittingly by the Crown Prince. I am deeply gratified. Nanchuan has recently tributed a batch of fine horses; you love riding and archery, so I bestow them upon you as a token of appreciation."
"Thank you, Imperial Father! The New Year celebration is imminent. Your son begs to be entrusted with organizing the ceremony..."
The conversation was interrupted by Qian Xingzhi's arrival. She quickly scanned the room: the Emperor and the Crown Prince were easy to identify, but there was also a man in a moon-white brocade robe standing with his back to her. Even from his bearing, she could tell he was a refined noble.
The next second, distracted, Qian Xingzhi's left foot tripped over her right foot, and she knelt solidly beside the white-robed man.
In a flash, she shouted, "Your minister pays homage to Your Majesty!" and awkwardly twisted the motion into a formal bow.
The elegant Crown Prince immediately laughed: "Lord Qian really comes from some backwater; his conduct is not quite proper."
The Emperor's voice was unreadable: "This Lord Qian was highly recommended by Third Brother. He is said to be well-versed in astronomy and excellent at divination, so I made an exception to promote him."
Qian Xingzhi's mind raced. Since it was said that Third Prince had recommended her, then the powerful figure she had ingratiated was the Third Prince. Judging by the Emperor's tone, he seemed to favor the Third Prince greatly, while the Crown Prince's words were barbed, likely indicating a longstanding feud with the Third Prince, and he was using her as a target.
All she had to do was observe the stars and tell fortunes? At least her original profession and the Astronomical Bureau were somewhat related; she could learn on the spot and make it up as she went! During the morning court, those ministers had just flattered the Emperor, and he had been satisfied.
Qian Xingzhi steeled herself, adopting an attitude of "a dead pig fears not scalding water." She opened her mouth and began: "Your Majesty, your minister has been adept at observing celestial phenomena since childhood, and because my birth chart is extremely yin, I have always been sensitive. Your Majesty is the true dragon and Son of Heaven. Your minister was momentarily shaken by the dragon aura, leading to this lapse in decorum. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Ugh. Qian Xingzhi! Where is your backbone? Your dignity? How could you say something so nauseating?
Prostrate on the ground, she naturally couldn't see the man beside her twitching at the corners of his mouth and his brows jumping wildly.
Lu Yu hadn't expected that the previous sycophantic fool he had just sent off would be replaced by an even more disgusting one. His own people had already been arranged, but this bastard had wormed his way in, making the Third Prince so happy that he went to the palace overnight to brainwash the Emperor, squeezing Lu Yu's original candidate down to Vice Director.
But the aging Jun Anche on the dragon throne loved this kind of flattery. His eyes and brows overflowed with smiles: "Rise. Third Brother's judgment has always been good; I am reassured. The New Year celebration is imminent; I summoned you and Lu Yu here precisely for this matter."
Oh! So the white-robed gentleman beside her was that illustrious and pure Lord Lu Yu.
Over the past month, Qian Xingzhi had either been trying to extract memories from the original owner's mind or attempting to gather information. Afraid of alarming the enemy, she only dared to eavesdrop and chat when she disguised herself as a maid and went out to buy vegetables.
It was hard to get the most accurate information from commoners, but oddly enough, almost everyone mentioned the First-Rank Guanglu Grand Master Lu Yu in eight out of ten sentences.
Lord Lu's father had single-handedly founded the Lu Family Textiles. Through some convoluted kinship ties, he was highly valued by His Majesty, who appointed him as an imperial merchant, monopolizing most of Nansheng's arms business. Unfortunately, five years ago, the Lu family suffered a disaster, leaving only Lu Yu alive. Jun Anche not only ordered Lu Yu to take over the family business entirely but also bestowed upon him the title of Guanglu Grand Master as consolation.
Leaving aside whether the title of Guanglu Grand Master was merely an honorary post, the Lu Family Textiles alone was tempting enough. At eighteen, Lu Yu not only prevented the Lu Family Textiles from collapsing but also successfully established a foothold in the court. Five years had passed, and he had become one of the few incorruptible officials in the people's hearts.
Lu Yu's public image was like a pure white lotus in the midst of a corrupt court.
Naturally, Qian Xingzhi wasn't entirely convinced. The court was unpredictable; staying untainted at a high position was difficult. It was hard to tell if he wasn't just a fame-seeking hypocrite.
"This celebration coincides with the Tenth Princess's full-month ceremony. I have prepared the additional supplies needed compared to previous years. As for observing celestial phenomena and divining auspiciousness, that will depend on Lord Qian."
This guy's voice sounded like a kind-hearted person. Qian Xingzhi clasped her hands and bowed to Lu Yu, "humbly" saying: "I am new here; I hope Lord Lu can offer guidance."
Lu Yu returned the gesture, and Qian Xingzhi met his gaze.
Although his features were sharp, his detached, affectionate eyes softened his expression. At first glance, he looked utterly non-threatening. With his figure, he could definitely be described as 'peerless elegance.'
Lu Yu also scrutinized Qian Xingzhi. Though not yet twenty and new to the court, the person before him was unusually calm, possessing an air of youthful maturity. His brows were sharp, his features regular; he didn't seem like someone blinded by greed.
Jun Anche toyed with his thumb ring, avoiding the Crown Prince's gaze: "In previous years, the celebrations were handled by Third Brother. This year, let's follow the same arrangement, to avoid the trouble of changes. Crown Prince, you have no objections, do you?"