Qian Xingzhi, as soon as she returned, wrote an impassioned memorial.
The day had been full of twists and turns, exhausting her thoroughly. But considering the apparent severity of the "white rainbow piercing the sun," she promptly delivered the memorial to the Office of Memorials at the Qianqing Gate. Sure enough, within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Jun Anche summoned her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Qian Xingzhi then exaggerated the gravity of the matter to Jun Anche. She had intended to cite historical examples but gave up since she knew little about Nansheng's history. "In my humble opinion, several rites should be performed to pray for blessings. Your Majesty should also increase patrols, especially during the festival days, to guard against any mishap." As she spoke, she glanced at Jun Anche's expression. The once-leisurely emperor had been so alarmed by her words that he sat up straight. The pastry in his hand no longer seemed sweet, and he tossed it into the snack box.
As expected, Jun Anche agreed without a second thought. With a grave expression, he said, "This is no small matter. I leave it entirely in your hands. I appreciate your efforts, dear minister."
Qian Xingzhi thanked him and withdrew, then took her rickety little carriage back to her modest residence. Perhaps fearing her identity would be exposed, the original owner had only arranged for a gatekeeper, a coachman, and a servant boy for chopping wood and boiling water—no personal attendant at all. By the time Qian Xingzhi returned home, it was dusk. She patted her knees, which had knelt so many times that day, and collapsed onto the threshold of her bedroom. From her bosom she pulled out a steamed bun she had bought on the way and started gnawing on it.
The setting sun slowly sank, and ink-black spread from the horizon. In her old life, at this hour she would probably be sitting on the subway home, leisurely listening to music and watching the scenery. After arriving home, she would habitually let her parents know she was safe, then eat dinner, read, watch shows, and sleep. Sometimes, on a whim, she would ask friends out for a late-night snack. After wolfing down the bun, Qian Xingzhi was dazed for a long while before getting up to wash up.
Qian Xingzhi's sleep was restless. Memories of her past life played on a loop like a lantern show. Just before waking, she dreamed of a withered old woman tightly gripping her hand, as if instructing her about something. But the scene quickly faded from her mind. After all, upon waking, she was more troubled by the problem of how to fake a few rites. Probably like writing a project proposal? Qian Xingzhi gave a wry smile, recalling the few shamanic ritual scenes she had seen on TV, and considered how to fabricate something credible. After agonizing for half an hour, Qian Xingzhi reached a profound yet utterly irrelevant conclusion: It was great that this matter meant she could skip morning court.
Just as she was scratching her head in frustration, the gatekeeper reported that the Lu Mansion had sent a carriage, but without stating its purpose. When the boss sends a personal car, how could she refuse? Qian Xingzhi quickly tidied her appearance, put on the facade of a cowardly, petty schemer, and climbed into Lu Yu's luxurious carriage.
Today, Lu Yu wore a crimson robe with gold-thread patterns and narrow sleeves, his long hair tied up high. It added a different charm to his face. Qian Xingzhi saw that he was resting with his eyes closed. Not sure whether she should disturb him, she shrank into the corner farthest from Lu Yu. Haunted by nightmares the night before, and with the carriage swaying and the interior utterly quiet, Qian Xingzhi finally fell into a deep sleep halfway through the journey. Only then did Lu Yu open his eyes and appraise Qian Xingzhi. She was wearing an indigo straight-front robe with a moon-white silk sash at the waist. Asleep now, she didn't seem quite so "detestable." In just one day, not only had His Majesty agreed to the rites, but he had also approved ten thousand taels of silver. This Qian Xingzhi was far more obedient and useful than he had imagined.
"Lord Qian must have been exhausted yesterday." Qian Xingzhi was startled by Lu Yu's voice. Only then did she realize the carriage had stopped outside the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. "Deputy Director Yang Mingwan has drafted the procedures for three rites. You'll need to review them, Lord Qian. Please."
Qian Xingzhi finally caught on—she was, after all, the actual head of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. Why should she handle every detail of the rites herself? Moreover, this was ultimately Lu Yu's project. There were parts he needed to control. She, Qian Xingzhi, was merely a tool to go through the motions. If Qian Xingzhi wasn't mistaken, this Deputy Director Yang was the person Lu Yu had originally intended to be the Director. Yang Mingwan didn't seem to intend to hide it from Qian Xingzhi. Every detail, large or small, he would first consult Lu Yu and then report to Qian Xingzhi. It was as if he had "I am Lord Lu's man" written all over his face.
This Lord Yang spoke and acted methodically, with an expressionless face, exuding an air of being dull but highly reliable. Qian Xingzhi was quite satisfied. She gave Yang Mingwan's plan a cursory glance and then lavished praise on him: "Lord Yang's arrangements are thorough and thoughtful. I am not your equal."
"Then let's proceed with this arrangement. Starting in three days, perform the rites daily at the Changqing Hall. Seven days later is the New Year celebration. Act according to plan then." Qian Xingzhi was still spacing out. "What plan?" Lu Yu patted Qian Xingzhi's shoulder meaningfully and then hooked an arm around her neck. "Lord Qian, you'd better think of a reason why the rites might not work."
Qian Xingzhi caught the faint scent of sandalwood from his sleeve. A reason why the rites might not work? A thought flashed through her mind, one she dared not examine closely. A white rainbow piercing the sun: the sovereign will be assassinated. She broke out in a cold sweat. "Lord Lu, storms are unpredictable. Naturally, rites are not omnipotent. They are merely a comfort." She did not want to be a scapegoat. At least at this moment, she still held a shred of hope of returning home. If she became someone's stepping stone and died in obscurity, would her soul scatter forever?
Lu Yu smiled faintly. "Lord Qian is exceptionally intelligent, so you naturally understand my meaning. From now on, all affairs of the Bureau will be handled by Lord Yang. You can rest easy, Lord Qian."
Qian Xingzhi twitched the corner of her mouth. Could there be a more miserable transmigration than hers? She resolved not to sit and wait for death. If she remained a puppet, she would only be used by Lu Yu until she died. Qian Xingzhi made a bold, even reckless decision. That evening, she changed into black clothes and sneaked to the Third Prince's residence.
First, since arriving in the capital, she had not yet paid respects to the Third Prince. As the person in charge of the festival and his protégé, it was perfectly reasonable for Qian Xingzhi to report the unfavorable celestial omens to him. Second, perhaps she could gather some information from the Third Prince to improve her situation. Third, on the surface, she was still the Third Prince's man. If the Third Prince and Lu Yu could counterbalance each other, her own position might improve.
Qian Xingzhi steadied herself and was about to knock on the gate when she heard a very familiar voice beside her, dripping with amusement: "What a coincidence, Lord Qian." Qian Xingzhi's heart sank. She turned around and, sure enough, saw Lu Yu in his red robe standing behind her. She had the ridiculous feeling of being "caught in the act."
"Lord Lu, I suddenly remembered I hadn't reported this celestial phenomenon to His Highness, so I rushed over..." It was pure nonsense. She had even changed clothes out of guilt, revealing her ulterior motives all too clearly. "Lord Qian and I are truly of one mind." Lu Yu did not hide the laughter in his voice; he seemed in a very good mood. "I had intended to invite you to ride together, but I didn't expect you to have already arrived."
Qian Xingzhi dared not waste more words with Lu Yu. She immediately knocked on the gate. The gatekeeper, seeing the two of them, promptly ushered them in. "His Highness will receive you in the Spring Welcome Hall."
The Third Prince reeked of alcohol, with lipstick stains on his collar. He lounged in his chair as if his pleasure had been interrupted. "I've arranged the festival as usual. Is there something wrong this year?"
"Your Highness, yesterday I observed unfavorable celestial signs—a white rainbow piercing the sun, an omen of regicide. I came especially to report this to Your Highness." Before the words even landed, the Third Prince let out a sneer. He had long, narrow eyebrows and eyes, not ugly, but his dissolute demeanor made him look oily and disgusting. "Nonsense is not worth worrying about. If this is all you came for, it seems Lord Lu has been increasingly idle lately."
Lu Yu, on the contrary, smiled even more deeply without any anger. "I hold a sinecure, so naturally I only need to fuss over such small matters. If that's the case, I'll take my leave."
"Lord Qian, stay. I have something to discuss with you." Qian Xingzhi's scalp tightened. At this moment, she was glad she had come with Lu Yu. She wished she could escape the Third Prince as quickly as possible. Qian Xingzhi quickly shot a pleading look at Lu Yu. Lu Yu had already spoken slowly: "Then I'll wait outside the residence for Lord Qian."
Only the Third Prince and Qian Xingzhi remained in the room. Qian Xingzhi was already a master of ingratiating smiles. "May I ask what Your Highness's orders are?"
"Qian Xingzhi, you're quite deep in the role, aren't you?" The Third Prince narrowed his already small eyes. "What, do you have the three hundred thousand taels of silver I asked for?"
Qian Xingzhi's eyes widened. How...how much? Why was everyone asking her for money? Had the original owner promised three hundred thousand taels of silver to get this position? "This..." Qian Xingzhi's psychological defenses collapsed under the weight of three hundred thousand taels. The number pinned her to the spot, unable to move.
The Third Prince's hand suddenly covered hers, and his alcohol-laden breath drew close. "Or... have you thought it over and are willing? But why would that fellow Lu be willing to hang around with you?"
Qian Xingzhi was scared out of her wits. She leaped from her chair, flying more than a yard away. Not caring whether she offended the Third Prince, she shouted in a cracked voice: "Lord Lu is still waiting for me. I take my leave." Perhaps because the Third Prince was drunk, no servants stopped her. They just let her flee out of the residence as if escaping.
In the dark night, someone in a red robe leaned quietly against the carriage. Qian Xingzhi found him extraordinarily reassuring. Though he had fed her a black pill, at least working with Lu Yu didn't involve humiliation or make her want to vomit. At least he seemed like the type to give someone a clean death.
Qian Xingzhi collapsed to the ground, trying to suppress the nausea in her heart. This Third Prince is a pervert!! Qian Xingzhi's skin crawled. Now she could be sure: the original owner had fooled the Third Prince into giving her this official post by promising him three hundred thousand taels in return, and the Third Prince, being lustful, had agreed outright. After all, she was just a minor Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. It would be all too easy for a prince to have her in his grip. Somehow, over the past month, the Third Prince had simply forgotten about her. Now, she was likely to be harassed.
As Qian Xingzhi was muttering curses under her breath, she heard someone above her drop the words lazily: "Die... ten... thousand... deaths?" She twisted around and grabbed the hem of Lu Yu's robe. "Lord! I truly..." Before she could finish, Lu Yu grabbed her and lifted her up. His expression was displeased, adopting a cold and distant demeanor. "This is not the place to talk."
Qian Xingzhi was whisked back to the Lu Mansion. Just like yesterday, Lu Yu sat leisurely drinking tea while Qian Xingzhi, pretending to wipe tears, was about to kneel again. "Sit properly and speak." Qian Xingzhi curled back into the chair. "Lord, you don't know—the Third Prince wants me to scrape together three hundred thousand taels of silver for him. How could I possibly have such ability? But then he sent someone this afternoon to press me. I had no choice but to visit him..." Come what may, she'd dump the blame on the Third Prince.
Lu Yu's expression softened slightly, and he said with amusement: "Oh? So he hasn't filled it yet..." Qian Xingzhi hesitated for only a second before dropping a bombshell on Lu Yu: "Lord Lu, you have no idea. This Third Prince not only wants me to embezzle money for him, but he also wants... he also wants me himself!" Lu Yu spat out his red tea in a spray.
"Lord, though I may not be a man of integrity, I have never done anything truly wicked. My only virtue is that I keep my word. Since I have pledged myself to you, I will never go back on it." As for fully committing to Lu Yu, she had only just made that decision.
"Yuan Bai, escort Lord Qian home." Lu Yu gave his dismissal, and Qian Xingzhi said no more. As the servant named Yuan Bai was leading her out, Lu Yu spoke again: "Since you are my man, you need not worry about your safety. The Third Prince is nothing to fear. Rest assured."