Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Xiao Jingxuan glanced at Zhang Han indifferently and then spoke.

"You'd better not be playing a trick on me, or you won't be able to bear the consequences."

Zhang Han said calmly.

"Your Highness will soon have the answer to this question. Your Highness, please come in. My master is waiting in the study behind."

Xiao Jingxuan sneered and then said.

"What a big rack."

"A mere merchant dares to be so arrogant."

Zhang Han smiled calmly and said.

"Your Highness is a man who aspires to great things, so I suppose you wouldn't care about such trivial matters."

After a moment's thought, Xiao Jingxuan said.

"Very well, I'd like to see what kind of amazing skills this mysterious host of your Huacaitang has."

Then, led by Zhang Han, Xiao Jingxuan arrived at the entrance of the study in the backyard of Huacai Hall.

Zhang Han knocked lightly on the door and spoke respectfully.

"Master Dong, His Highness Prince Xian has arrived."

As soon as Zhang Han finished speaking, the door to the study opened.

Xiao Jingxuan looked into the study and found that no one opened the door; the door opened by itself.

Xiao Jingxuan was slightly surprised, but didn't think much of it, assuming it might be some kind of mechanism.

Zhang Han then gestured and said.

"Your Highness, please. My master is in the study."

Xiao Jingxuan nodded and then went into the study.

In the bright study, Jia Jue sat leisurely, a pot of fragrant tea brewing in front of him.

Upon seeing Jia Jue, Xiao Jingxuan immediately straightened his attitude.

Because Jia Jue in front of him was clearly no ordinary person. Just by sitting there, he gave Xiao Jingxuan the feeling of being with his unfathomable father, who was as deep and unfathomable as a mountain and an abyss.

Upon seeing Xiao Jingxuan, Jia Jue casually waved his hand and said...

"Your Highness, please have a seat."

Immediately afterwards, Jia Jue casually gestured, and the tea soup gushed out from the spout of the teapot, flowing into the cup in front of Xiao Jingxuan.

Xiao Jingxuan was taken aback by what he saw and asked in surprise.

"May I ask, sir, what kind of mechanism is this, that is so amazing?"

Jia Jue said calmly.

"Why does Your Highness believe this is a mechanical device? Couldn't it be the result of manipulating internal energy?"

After a moment's thought, Xiao Jingxuan said.

"Our Great Liang has many experts, including those with profound internal strength."

"But even Meng Zhi, the number one expert in this dynasty and the commander of the Imperial Guards, cannot control objects with his inner energy."

"Although I am not a martial artist, I still have this much insight."

Jia Jue couldn't help but shook his head and said.

"How can an ant know the dark and blue sky?"

After Jia Jue finished speaking, he casually waved his hand, and the jade pendant on Xiao Jingxuan's waist actually fell off by itself and flew into Jia Jue's hand.

"Well, Your Highness, did I also add a mechanism to Your Highness's jade pendant?"

This scene instantly stunned Xiao Jingxuan, and his gaze toward Jia Jue became increasingly horrified.

"Sir, who exactly are you?"

Jia Jue said calmly.

"The power of martial arts is beyond the comprehension of those shallow people."

"As for me, my surname is Jia, Your Highness may call me Mr. Jia."

Xiao Jingxuan hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Sir, your internal energy is truly miraculous; I, Wang, am deeply impressed."

"Sir, you are such a reclusive and virtuous person, but I wonder why you would want to see me, Xiao Wang?"

Jia Jue said with a calm smile.

"It's very simple. Chaos is emerging in the Liang Kingdom. I checked the celestial phenomena and had a premonition. Seven days later, Mars will enter the Heart constellation, and the Heart constellation will shine brightly, while the Purple Star will dim."

"That's why I was born."

Jia Jue's words made Xiao Jingxuan fall into deep thought.

Ancient people were very superstitious about celestial phenomena. The so-called "Mars entering the constellation Antares" means that Mars guards Antares.

"Yinghuo Shouxin" means that Mars "conjoins" with Antares. Mars is called "Yinghuo" and Antares is called "Dahuoxing". It is a celestial phenomenon in which the two "fires" meet.

Modern people know that this is a law governing the movement of celestial bodies.

However, in ancient times, the conjunction of Mars and Antares was one of the most ominous celestial phenomena, foreshadowing major changes to come.

In astrology, Antares represents the crown prince, and Ziwei Star represents the emperor.

If what Jia Jue said is true, wouldn't the Crown Prince be too dazzling and already endanger the Emperor?

Although Xiao Jingxuan was not considered outstanding among the princes, he still had some knowledge of this kind of common sense.

Xiao Jingxuan asked tentatively.

"Can you observe the celestial phenomena seven days from now, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Jue calmly replied.

"The truth of the celestial phenomenon will be determined in seven days. No matter how much I say now, Your Highness will find it hard to believe."

"The outcome will be clear in seven days."

“I know that Your Highness is currently filled with many confusions.”

"It's alright. Seven days from now, I will prepare a small feast at Jiuli Mountain outside the city. At that time, the celestial phenomena will be fully visible, and I will answer Your Highness's questions slowly."

"Alright, Your Highness, please."

After Jia Jue finished speaking, he flicked his sleeves, and then Xiao Jingxuan felt a flash before his eyes. When Xiao Jingxuan came to his senses, he had already arrived in the courtyard, and the door to the study was closed.

Xiao Jingxuan recalled the scene just now, and the expression on his face was indescribable. He really did not expect that there was such a miraculous thing.

But Zhang Han didn't give Xiao Jingxuan much time to reflect. He walked up to Xiao Jingxuan and said calmly.

"Your Highness, please."

Xiao Jingxuan was no longer arrogant as before, and he was very respectful to Zhang Han as he followed Zhang Han out of the backyard.

Inside the study, listening to the two leaving, Jia Jue also revealed a slight smile.

Even before Jia Jue arrived in the capital of Liang, he had been thinking about how to make a plan.

It must be said that the appearance of the Longevity and Immortality Technique played a tremendous role for Jia Jue.

The Everlasting Youth and Longevity Skill is the ultimate technique of Xiaoyaozi, the founder of the Xiaoyao Sect.

But this technique is not just a technique; it is more like an all-encompassing encyclopedia.

Xiaoyaozi was a scholar of both heaven and man, and was proficient in medicine, divination, astrology, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Although the novel *Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils* does not directly depict Xiaoyaozi, this is evident from his disciples and grand-disciples. The famous physician Xue, known as the "King of Hell," was merely an ordinary grand-disciple of Wuyazi, inheriting only a meager amount of medical skills from the Xiaoyao Sect, yet he still achieved immense fame in the martial arts world.

After Jia Jue received the inheritance of the Eternal Youth and Longevity Skill, he not only gained the superior martial arts of the Free and Unfettered Sect, but also the inheritance of the Free and Unfettered Master's medical, divination and astrological knowledge.

It was precisely because of this that Jia Jue was able to deduce the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky and devise a plan to use it to set a trap for Prince Xian, Xiao Jingxuan.

From the very beginning, sending Zhang Han to approach Lou Zhijing, to the meeting between Jia Jue and Xiao Jingxuan just now, it was all planned by Jia Jue.

Jia Jue did this to completely convince Xiao Jingxuan of his abilities, to make him believe that he was a wise and insightful person, a true hermit master.

Only in this way can Jia Jue use Xiao Jingxuan to manipulate the political situation in Liang and ultimately divide the country.

Judging from what just happened, Jia Jue's feigned profundity had already greatly shocked Xiao Jingxuan.

It is foreseeable that when Mars reappears in conjunction with Antares seven days later, Xiao Jingxuan will be absolutely awestruck by Jia Jue and completely submit to him.

Now that Jia Jue has planted a seed in Xiao Jingxuan's heart, all that is left is to quietly wait for that seed to take root and sprout.

As for Xiao Jingxuan, after leaving Huacaitang, he was unable to calm down for a long time.

Jia Jue's words successfully stirred up Xiao Jingxuan's originally calm heart.

The phrases "Mars guards the heart" and "Antares invades the Purple Star" contain a wealth of hidden information.

It must be said that over the years, thanks to Prince Qi's outstanding achievements and the Lin family's unwavering support, Prince Qi's position has been as stable as Mount Tai.

Even the Empress could not compare to the status of Lin Leyao, the birth mother of Prince Qi.

If the situation continues like this, Xiao Jingxuan will not dare to have any other thoughts.

But now the situation has changed.

If, as Jia Jue said, Mars is in conjunction with Antares seven days later, does that mean my opportunity has arrived?

After much deliberation, Xiao Jingxuan realized he couldn't just wait quietly any longer.

Afterwards, Xiao Jingxuan went to the palace to see his birth mother, Consort Yue.

Meanwhile, at the Prince Qi's residence, Prince Qi, Xiao Jingyu, was discussing matters with his wife.

Princess Qi looked at Prince Qi and hesitated for a long time before speaking.

"Your Highness, shouldn't we reconsider the marriage between Xiao Shu and Ni Huang?"

After a moment's thought, Prince Qi spoke.

Are you worried that this will arouse the Emperor's suspicion?

Princess Qi sighed and then said.

"His Highness is now firmly established as the Crown Prince, with numerous guests in his household and is deeply loved by the court officials."

"Moreover, Your Highness has already grasped both military and political power, as your uncle holds significant military power."

"To put it bluntly, no history book has ever recorded a crown prince with such immense power as Your Highness."

"I am now unable to eat or sleep properly, and I cannot sleep well night after night."

"If Xiao Shu and Ni Huang are to become engaged, the Mu family will definitely become His Highness's supporters. To put it bluntly, His Highness will be able to rival His Majesty and risk undermining His Majesty's authority at any time."

"Can Father really endure all of this in silence?"

After hearing this, Prince Qi frowned and said...

"Don't talk nonsense. Father is a wise and virtuous ruler. How could he be so suspicious of me?"

"Moreover, my father and uncle are like brothers, and my uncle is also extremely loyal to the Great Liang."

"You shouldn't think about it so much."

“Nihuang and Xiaoshu are childhood sweethearts. Are we going to ruin this wonderful marriage because of some suspicions? That would not be a good thing.”

"Alright, I have other matters to attend to. You may return to the inner quarters."

Princess Qi sighed helplessly, bowed, and left the room.

Only Prince Qi remained in the room. He had lost his previous composure and confidence, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

In order to establish such prestige, Prince Qi must not only have been born into a noble family, but also possessed a sharp mind.

What Princess Qi, a mere woman, could think of, how could Prince Qi not have thought of it?

However, Prince Qi was a gentleman and a good person.

He was unwilling to think of his father with such malicious thoughts, nor did he believe that his father would suspect him of having rebellious intentions.

He was even less willing to ruin his loved one's marriage because of unfounded suspicion.

When Prince Qi considered the issue from this perspective, it set the tone for his future failure.

The famous villain Shendu in Jackie Chan Adventures has a classic quote.

I am the Holy Lord, and also the noble dragon. As everyone knows, I am not trustworthy.

In fact, this statement still holds true when applied to the emperor.

The fact that Prince Qi acted in this way already demonstrates that he lacked the qualities to be an emperor.

An emperor may be tyrannical or incompetent, but he cannot be someone who entrusts his fate to the character of others.

When he decided to do this, his life, and the lives of his faction, were already teetering on the brink of collapse.

Imagine if, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin had hoped that his father and elder brother would consider family ties and not kill him, would his family have survived?

Even a three-year-old understands this: it's absolutely impossible. The only fate awaiting Li Shimin, his family, and his subordinates was a merciless bloodbath.

Because Li Shimin chose to decide his own destiny, the prosperous Tang Dynasty came into being, and the Heavenly Khan was subjugated by all nations.

Prince Qi chose to entrust his fate to his father, weighing whether kinship or imperial power was more important. His fate was predictable.

Getting back to the main point, the seven days passed in the blink of an eye.

Seven days later, in a secluded courtyard on a mountain nine miles outside the capital of Liang, it was nighttime, and under the lamplight, Jia Jue was leisurely drinking with Prince Xian, Xiao Jingxuan.

Xiao Jingxuan asked impatiently.

"Sir, when will the conjunction of Mars and Antares begin?"

After calculating with his fingers, Jia Jue smiled and said.

"In a quarter of an hour, Mars will invade the constellation Antares, and this celestial phenomenon will last for a full ten days."

Xiao Jingxuan hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Sir, does this mean that the crown prince will pose a threat to the monarch, or even replace him?"

Jia Jue said after a moment of thought.

"In fact, Your Highness already has the answer in your heart."

"If we compare Daliang to a towering tree, then His Majesty is the trunk, and the court officials are the branches."

"But now there are signs that the trunk is weak while the branches are strong. If this continues, it will surely lead to disaster."

After hearing these words, Xiao Jingxuan had already made up his mind.

After his previous meeting with Jia Jue, Xiao Jingxuan met with Consort Yue.

Consort Yue did not actually believe in the so-called celestial phenomena.

However, Jia Jue actually predicted the conjunction of Mars and Antares seven days in advance, and he did so with great confidence, which made Consort Yue suspicious.

She realized that if the conjunction of Mars and Antares really occurred, it would be a very good opportunity for her and her son.

Consort Yue's sensitivity to the political situation far surpassed that of her son, Xiao Jingxuan.

She was very clever. From some unintentional actions during her interactions with Emperor Liang, Xiao Xuan, she had already discerned that the Emperor harbored many suspicions towards Prince Qi, but was unable to act on them due to Prince Qi's current power and influence. (End of Chapter)