Chapter 174 Take Me as Your Wife
Chapter 174 Take Me as Your Wife
Chapter 174: Take Me as Your Wife
Emperor Zhou Mingqi sat upright on the dragon throne, never putting much stock in talk of ghosts and omens; he listened but didn't really believe.
Yet it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, with all the officials and imperial clan present, and the director of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory spoke so confidently.
If he flatly refused, it would spoil the mood and undermine the emperor's ritual duty to revere Heaven.
Moreover, the director usually acted with considerable caution, yet today he seemed oddly impatient and out of line.
Still, urged by the director and many ministers, Zhou Mingqi pondered briefly before nodding in assent.
"Since Heaven sends a good omen, I shall naturally go and see it in person." He rose, his gaze sweeping the banquet. "All of you will accompany me, to share in the celestial grace."
"We are deeply honored!" In unison, the officials and imperial kin responded, the banquet atmosphere suddenly grew lively.
Curious about what auspicious sign could be at the Western Warm Chamber, everyone rose and, surrounding the emperor, proceeded in a grand procession in that direction.
The magnificent retinue came to a halt in the somewhat dilapidated courtyard of the Western Warm Chamber.
Torches and lamps blazed, turning this desolate corner as bright as day, yet adding a strange eeriness.
A vague unease rose in Zhou Mingqi's heart; his gaze swept to the side—the Crown Prince was not there.
By chance, his eyes met Consort Chen's, who was looking his way. Her face still bore a dignified, proper smile.
Seeing his glance, she gave a slight bow, her voice gentle, with just the right hint of urging.
"Your Majesty, the director of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory says the auspicious sign is fleeting. Let's go in quickly. It would be a pity to miss Heaven's bestowed blessing."
Hearing her words, Zhou Mingqi's eyes darkened a shade more. Without a word, he quickened his pace.
The director of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory deliberately observed the stars for a moment longer in the courtyard, then pointed to the western side hall.
"Your Majesty! The auspicious purple vapor, blazing like a torch, falls precisely within this hall!
Please enter swiftly to receive it, and don't let the celestial grace fade!" He spoke while stepping forward with a bow.
Zhou Mingqi's steps halted before the hall's door; he did not push it open immediately.
By the light of the lantern held high by Fu Quan behind him, he swept his gaze over the door, windows, and ground…
Seeing him hesitate, Consort Chen subtly signaled the director.
Sweat beaded on the director's forehead; he couldn't help urging again silently: "Your Majesty…"
Zhou Mingqi abruptly raised his hand, halting the eunuch who was about to open the door.
He slowly turned, his gaze heavy, sweeping over the officials and imperial kin who followed behind.
"The site of an auspicious omen—I fear disturbing Heaven's will. You shall all wait here in the courtyard; let me first enter and observe alone."
The crowd exchanged puzzled glances, but they could not defy the emperor, so they bowed in unison.
"We obey your decree." They stepped back and knelt in the courtyard, heads bowed, holding their breath, not daring to lift their eyes.
The hall was dead silent.
Zhou Mingqi took a deep breath and, alone, pushed open the half-closed door.
"Creak—" The sound of the hinges turning was jarringly loud in the stillness.
A sickeningly sweet fragrance, mixed with a faint scent of blood, assailed him.
Zhou Mingqi's temple twitched; his gaze instantly turned cold and sharp.
Fu Quan, holding the lantern, stood cautiously outside the threshold, not daring to enter.
He angled the dim light inward as best he could, illuminating a portion of the hall.
Zhou Mingqi's eyes slowly swept the room—it was empty.
Only the tables and chairs were slightly askew, and scraps of torn fabric lay scattered in the corner… a scene of disarray.
The strange, cloying sweetness in the air was so thick it made his head spin, certainly no ordinary incense.
He clasped his hands behind his back, his face without expression, his thumb slowly stroking his jade thumb ring.
Meanwhile, in a cramped space…
Zhou Yinyun was roughly shoved into the lowest shelf on the left, becoming a human cushion.
Above him, Zhou Zhan was squeezed almost breathless, his dazed eyes filled only with pain.
Princess Wuya was wedged into the narrowest crevice in the corner, her gorgeous face nearly crushed out of shape, a wad of cloth stuffed in her mouth.
On the right, Yun Xunyu was pressing his back against the cold cabinet wall.
Cheng Ge's feet dangled in the air, swaying gently without him even realizing it.