Chapter 217: Celestial Omens Respond
Gong Changan and his party arrived in the Capital City two days earlier than expected.
Upon their arrival, they naturally headed straight to the Gong Family residence to pay respects to the Old Madam.
The Gong Family members were very happy to see Gong Changan, especially Gong Xu.
Madam Wan was meeting Gong Changan for the first time, and Gong Changan respectfully greeted her.
Madam Wan was nearing her due date, and seeing Gong Changan, who was like a jade tree, she couldn’t help but secretly pray that her own child would be like him.
However, Gong Changan had not even been at the Gong Family residence for a full day before a summons arrived from the Grand Princess, inviting him to Yuqing Temple.
The Gong Family naturally dared not keep him, merely urging Gong Changan to return soon.
Tutor Zhuge had not accompanied them to the Gong Family residence, and therefore would not be accompanying them up the mountain.
Gong Changan went to Bowang Mountain with Zhang Ma. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, they saw someone already waiting there. It was none other than Sang Er.
“My heavens, you’ve finally arrived!” Sang Er exclaimed upon seeing Gong Changan and Zhang Ma, running towards them from afar. “I’ve been waiting here with bated breath every day, my eyes practically popping out.”
“Miss went into the Palace, so it’s good that you’re staying with the Grand Princess,” Zhang Ma said with a smile. “We arrived in the Capital yesterday and went to the Gong Family first. Regardless, this formality had to be observed.”
“I know, I know,” Sang Er said repeatedly. “Let’s head up now; the sedan chair is already prepared.”
As she spoke, she patted Gong Changan’s head. “You’ve grown so much in less than a year. Do you miss me at the academy?”
“Every day,” Gong Changan replied without hesitation.
The three of them chatted as they ascended the mountain. The Grand Princess, upon seeing Gong Changan, pulled him over and embraced him, saying, “Good child, I’ve finally seen you! You will stay here for two days for now. Your mother has gone into the Palace, and I will take you to see her in a couple of days.”
She then looked at Zhang Ma and said, “You’ve had a hard journey. It’s a good thing you were by his side.”
Zhang Ma knelt on the ground and bowed to the Grand Princess, saying, “It is truly fortunate for this old servant to see Your Highness.”
“I will write a note and send someone down the mountain to deliver it to Princess Consort Zhao. She has also been wanting to see Changan for a long time. She was telling me the other day about the Palace selecting companion readers, and she seemed more anxious than I am.”
Indeed, Princess Consort Zhao was overjoyed to hear of Gong Changan’s return and quickly sent someone to inform the Empress.
When he went to see Gong Changan, he found Tutor Zhuge there as well.
However, she did not dare to hope to invite Tutor Zhuge, as he was someone even the Emperor could not invite.
But out of politeness, she still asked, “If Master has the inclination, you might as well accompany us into the Palace.”
To her surprise, Tutor Zhuge actually nodded. “This old man entered the Palace with my teacher when I was young. A full sixty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and I do wish to see the Imperial Countenance again.”
Tutor Zhuge’s willingness to go made Princess Consort Zhao a little flustered.
It wasn’t for any other reason; previously, it was just Gong Changan going, and he was just a child, so a regular Palace banquet would suffice.
But what kind of person was Tutor Zhuge? If he were to enter the Palace, not only the Empress but even the Emperor would have to meet him personally, which would involve many matters requiring prior preparation.
However, this was ultimately a good thing, an unexpected joy. Princess Consort Zhao then quickly sent someone into the Palace to report that Tutor Zhuge would also be entering the Palace.
The Empress was attending to her beauty when she heard the news.
Wen Mingqian was massaging the acupoints on her head and neck.
Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn’t help but laugh. “Tutor Zhuge is also entering the Palace; that’s a good thing. Mingqian, it’s clear the Tutor truly dotes on this child, unwilling to let him out of his sight.”
“This servant thinks the Tutor entering the Palace may not necessarily be because of him. He must also wish to pay his respects to the Emperor and Empress. If it’s partly for this child, it’s likely to prevent him from being unruly and disrespectful, bringing shame to the academy,” Wen Mingqian replied.
“Nonsense, this child is bound to be loved by all,” the Empress laughed. “If he didn’t have extraordinary qualities, how could he have earned the Tutor’s favor?”
The Emperor, amidst his busy schedule, agreed to attend the banquet meticulously arranged by the Empress.
Since ancient times, a ruler’s respect for worthy scholars has been passed down as a fine story, let alone a renowned great scholar like Tutor Zhuge!
“Has Your Majesty heard from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?” the Empress said happily as soon as she saw the Emperor. “Last night, observing the celestial phenomena, the Tian Yuan Star shone brightly. This star governs the Crown Prince, so it seems the selection of the Crown Prince is about to be finalized.”
The Tian Yuan Star had been dim for many years, a fact known to both the Emperor and Empress. Its brightening now was naturally a good sign.
“Indeed, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation. I have also worried about this for many years,” the Emperor said. “What is important for this star is to have capable assistants. Today, Tutor Zhuge is entering the Palace. If he can remain in the Palace, it would be a great fortune.”
“Your Subject was just about to discuss this with Your Majesty,” the Empress said, recalling what Princess Consort Zhao had told her earlier. “This time, when Consort Wen’s son enters the Palace, why don’t we keep him here as a companion reader for the two Heirs Apparent?”
“If we can keep him here, and then persuade Tutor Zhuge, wouldn’t it be a natural progression?”
“That might be a bit difficult! That child should be diligently pursuing his studies at the academy; how can he enter the Palace to be a companion reader?” The Emperor couldn’t help but shake his head.
“Your Majesty,” the Empress said, “what is impossible? He is young and naturally attached to his mother. Now that his mother is by my side, if she speaks to him and cries a little, he will surely want to stay. I heard that Tutor Zhuge dotes on his closed-door disciple extremely, even to the point of spoiling him. Even if he cannot be in the Palace all the time, coming a few times a year would be enough!”
“This… is this feasible?” The Emperor frowned slightly, feeling that what the Empress said sounded too much like child’s play.
“Whether it’s feasible or not depends on human effort. Let’s give it a try!” The Empress also wanted to finalize the Crown Prince’s selection early. As the saying goes, prolonged delay breeds trouble; who knows what might happen later?
Afterward, the Empress summoned Wen Mingqian and got straight to the point. “I need to discuss something with you. Are you willing to let your son stay in the Palace as a companion reader?”
Wen Mingqian was stunned by the question and took a while to reply. “This… whether I’m willing or not isn’t up to this servant to decide.”
“This matter is indeed not solely up to you, but your role is crucial,” the Empress said. “You know, my younger sister has mentioned it to me more than once. I hadn’t agreed, but today I spoke with the Emperor, and I can see that His Majesty is inclined, but he is hesitant.
In the end, Changan is your son. As long as you persuade him, and he himself says he wants to stay, this matter will have a beginning.
As the saying goes, every beginning is difficult. Once this is started, the rest will naturally be facilitated by His Majesty and me.
You also need to instruct your son to find a way to keep Tutor Zhuge here as well. If you do that, your and your son’s merit will be as vast as the heavens.”
Wen Mingqian remained silent for a long time. After thinking it over, she finally said, “Since Your Ladyship has spoken, this servant will do her best. You are also considering the best for us mother and son. However, whether it ultimately succeeds or fails will depend on fate.”
The Empress laughed upon hearing this. “You are quite right, it does depend on fate. But the Emperor is fate.”
