tallest building

Chapter 217 Celestial Phenomena

Gong Chang'an and his group arrived in the capital two days earlier than expected.

Upon arrival, they naturally headed straight to the Gong family home to pay respects to the old lady.

The Gong family members were all very happy to see Gong Chang'an, especially Gong Xu.

This was the first time that Lady Wan had met Gong Chang'an, and Gong Chang'an respectfully bowed and greeted her.

Lady Wan was about to give birth when she saw Gong Chang'an, who was as handsome as an orchid and a jade tree. She couldn't help but pray that her child would be just like him.

However, before Gong Chang'an had even spent a full day at the Gong family residence, the Princess's invitation arrived, inviting him to the Yuqing Temple.

The Gong family naturally dared not keep him, but only urged Gong Chang'an to return as soon as possible.

Master Zhuge did not go with them to the Gong family, and therefore would not go up the mountain with them.

Gong Chang'an and Zhang Ma went to Bowang Mountain together. When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, they found someone already waiting there. It was none other than Sang Er.

"My God, I've finally been waiting for you!" Sang Er ran over from afar when she saw Gong Chang'an and Zhang Ma. "I've been waiting here for you every day, my eyes are practically popping out of their sockets."

“The young lady has gone to the palace, so it’s good that you’re staying with the Princess.” Zhang Ma said with a smile, “We went to the Gong family first when we entered the capital yesterday. In any case, we have to go through this formality.”

“I know, I know,” Sang Er said repeatedly. “Let’s go up now, the sedan chair is ready.”

He then patted Gong Chang'an's head and said, "You've grown so much taller in less than a year. Do you miss me while you're at the academy?"

"I think about it every day." Gong Chang'an replied without hesitation.

The three of them chatted as they climbed the mountain. When the princess saw Gong Chang'an, she pulled him close and hugged him, saying, "Good child, I'm so glad to see you! Stay here for a couple of days. Your mother has gone to the palace, and I'll take you there to see her in two days."

He then looked at Zhang Ma and said, "You must be tired from the journey. It's all thanks to you being by his side."

Zhang Ma knelt on the ground and bowed to the Princess, saying, "It is truly an honor for this old servant to see Your Highness."

“I wrote a letter and sent it down the mountain to Princess Zhao. She has been wanting to see Chang'an for a long time. A few days ago she was talking to me about the palace choosing a study companion. She is much more anxious than I am.”

As expected, Princess Zhao was overjoyed to hear the news of Gong Chang'an's return and immediately sent someone to inform the Empress.

When he went to see Gong Chang'an, he found that Master Zhuge was also there.

However, she didn't dare to hope that she could invite Master Zhuge, after all, he was someone that even the emperor couldn't invite.

But out of politeness, she still asked, "If the immortal master is interested, he might as well come with us to the palace."

To her surprise, Master Zhuge nodded: "I entered the palace with my mentor when I was young. Sixty years have passed in the blink of an eye. I really want to see the Emperor's face again."

When Master Zhuge said he was going, it made Princess Zhao a little flustered.

It's nothing special. Previously, only Gong Chang'an went, and he was just a child, so a regular palace banquet would suffice. But what kind of person is Master Zhuge? If he were to enter the palace, not only the Empress but even the Emperor would have to see him in person, which would involve a lot of preparations in advance.

However, this was ultimately a good thing, and a pleasant surprise. Princess Zhao then quickly sent someone to the palace to report that Master Zhuge would also be attending.

When the Empress heard the news, she was taking care of her beauty regimen.

Wen Mingqian massaged the acupoints on her head and neck.

Upon hearing this, the Empress couldn't help but laugh and said, "Master Zhuge is also coming to the palace, that's a good thing. Mingqian, it's clear that the Master really loves this child, he just won't let him out of his sight."

“This servant thinks that the teacher’s entry into the palace may not necessarily be because of him, but must also be to pay homage to the dignity of the Emperor and Empress. If it is partly because of this child, it is also because we are afraid that he will be unruly and disgraceful to the academy,” Wen Mingqian replied from the side.

“That’s nonsense. This child must be loved by everyone.” The Empress laughed. “If he didn’t have any outstanding qualities, how could he have won the teacher’s favor?”

Despite his busy schedule, the Emperor agreed to attend the banquet meticulously prepared by the Empress.

Since ancient times, it has been a well-known story of rulers respecting virtuous scholars, let alone a great Confucian scholar as famous throughout the country as Zhuge Liang!
"Your Majesty, have you heard what the Imperial Observatory has to say?" The Empress said happily as soon as she saw the Emperor. "Last night, we observed the celestial phenomena, and the star Tianyuan shone brightly. This star governs the crown prince, so it seems that the selection of the crown prince will be decided soon."

The Heavenly Star has been dim for many years, as both the Emperor and Empress know. Its brightening now is naturally a good thing.

"Yes, the crown prince is the foundation of the country, and I have been worried about this for many years," the emperor said. "The most important thing about this star is that it has a good advisor. Today, Master Zhuge has entered the palace. If he can stay in the palace, it will be a great blessing."

"Your Majesty, I was just about to discuss this with you," the Empress said, suddenly remembering what Princess Zhao had told her before. "Now that Wen's son has entered the palace, why don't we keep him as a companion to the two princes?"

If we could keep him here, wouldn't it be a natural progression to persuade Master Zhuge then?

"That might be a bit difficult! That child should be studying diligently in the academy, how can he come to the palace as a companion to a student?" The emperor shook his head upon hearing this.

“Your Majesty,” the Empress said, “what’s wrong with that? He’s young and naturally attached to his mother. Now that his mother is with me, she can talk to him, have him cry a little, and he’ll surely want to stay. I’ve heard that Master Zhuge dotes on his last disciple to the point of spoiling him. Even if he can’t stay in the palace often, a few visits a year would be enough!”

"Is this...is this feasible?" The Emperor frowned slightly, feeling that the Empress's words sounded too frivolous.

"Whether it works or not, it's up to us. Let's give it a try!" The Empress also wanted to select the Crown Prince's successor as soon as possible. As the saying goes, the longer you wait, the more things might go wrong. Who knows what might happen in the future?
The Empress then summoned Wen Mingqian and went straight to the point: "There's something I need to discuss with you. Would you be willing to let your son stay in the palace as a study companion?"

Wen Mingqian was taken aback upon hearing this, and it took him a long time to say, "Well... whether I'm willing or not is not up to me."

"This matter is indeed not up to you alone, but you are of paramount importance," the Empress said. "You know, my sister has mentioned it to me more than once. I haven't given my mind yet, but today I spoke to the Emperor, and I could tell that His Majesty is thinking about it, but he's unsure."

No matter what you say, Chang'an is your son. As long as you can convince him that he wants to stay, then this matter is just the beginning.

As the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning. Now that we've made this start, the rest will naturally be handled by Your Majesty and me.

You should also instruct your son to find a way to keep Master Zhuge here as well; then the merit of you and your son will be greater than heaven itself.

Wen Mingqian remained silent for a long time, thinking it over and over before finally saying, "Since Your Majesty has spoken, this servant will do my best. You are also thinking of my son and me, but whether it will succeed or not depends on fate."

The Empress laughed and said, "You're right. It does depend on fate, but Your Majesty is fate."