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

When Consort Yue learned from Xiao Jingxuan about Jia Jue's prediction that Mars would be in conjunction with Antares seven days later, she roughly analyzed the situation and concluded that there were only two possibilities.

Firstly, Jia Jue is a swindler who wants to make a large sum of money from Xiao Jingxuan and then run away.

Therefore, Consort Yue gave Xiao Jingxuan some instructions.

During these seven days, no matter how eloquent or flattering Jia Jue may be, Xiao Jingxuan must remain inactive.

In this way, no matter what schemes Jia Jue may have, Xiao Jingxuan will not suffer any losses by remaining unchanged in the face of all changes.

As for the second possibility, it is that Jia Jue was indeed a highly skilled person who could deduce celestial phenomena.

In that case, the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of Antares would be extremely valuable.

Knowing this seven days in advance gave Consort Yue ample time to accomplish many things.

Although Xiao Jingxuan was not very bright, he was a mama's boy and would listen to Consort Yue's every word.

Now, seeing Jia Jue still looking so confident, Xiao Jingxuan couldn't help but feel excited.

It seems that this immense wealth is about to fall into my lap.

At this moment, Jia Jue was still calmly drinking his wine, occasionally chatting with Xiao Jingxuan.

But Xiao Jingxuan's mind was no longer on that; he was completely focused on the celestial phenomena.

He desperately wanted the conjunction of Mars and Antares to happen immediately, to open a path for him to vie for the throne.

A quarter of an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and the conjunction of Mars and Antares officially began.

Inside the Imperial Observatory of Daliang, Director Li Qingfeng was observing celestial phenomena as usual when his expression suddenly changed drastically as he looked up at the starry sky.

In the sky, the star Mars, which represents war and calamity, was seen approaching Antares.

The previous article briefly introduced the Heart Constellation, which is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions.

According to modern science, these are the three stars of Scorpio.

The phrase "荧惑守心" refers to Mars being close to Antares.

Antares consists of three stars, the brightest of which is Antares II. In ancient times, like the Purple Star, it was a symbol of the emperor.

When Mars approaches Antares, the two stars will be in conjunction, causing the light to dim, much like how a total solar eclipse causes the moon to block the sun's light.

This is a very simple scientific question for modern people; a simple search will find the answer.

However, in ancient times, this was considered an extremely ominous celestial phenomenon.

There are three stars in the constellation Antares. When Antares II, representing the emperor star, is dimmed by the influence of Mars, Antares I, representing the crown prince, will shine brightly and overshadow the emperor star.

What's even more coincidentally is that at the same time as the conjunction of Mars and Scorpio occurred, the North Star, Ziwei, also dimmed, as if it had lost its vitality.

The North Star, also known as the Purple Star, is the Emperor Star. The simultaneous dimming of the Emperor Star and the conjunction of Mars and Antares was a shock to Li Qingfeng.

Without time to think, Li Qingfeng hurriedly went to the palace to request an audience with Emperor Liang, Xiao Xuan.

Meanwhile, inside the villa at Jiuli Mountain, Xiao Jingxuan looked up at the starry sky in shock. Mars was guarding the heart and the Purple Star was dim. It had actually happened, and at exactly the time Jia Jue had predicted.

After being shocked for a long time, Xiao Jingxuan managed to calm himself down and then looked at Jia Jue with the same reverence one would show to an immortal.

"Sir, you are a man of great talent. I admire you greatly. You are truly a divine being."

Jia Jue took a leisurely sip of wine and said calmly.

"Your Highness is overly complimentary."

"The celestial signs have appeared; Your Highness, please move to the study."

"Sir, please."

Xiao Jingxuan stood up, his attitude very humble.

It must be said that Jia Jue's prophecy was extremely successful, making Xiao Jingxuan admire him immensely.

If Jia Jue were to say something like "drinking children's urine prolongs life," Xiao Jingxuan would probably down three large bowls of it.

Getting back to the main point, after returning to his room, Xiao Jingxuan looked at Jia Jue respectfully and said...

"Sir, I have many questions in my mind. I wonder if you could help me resolve them?"

Jia Jue said it casually.

"Your Highness seems to have three questions."

"Firstly, what does the conjunction of Mars and Antares signify?"

"Secondly, what opportunities does Your Highness have in this chaos?"

Thirdly, what exactly is my identity?

"Is that so?"

Xiao Jingxuan bowed and said.

"Sir, your wisdom is truly remarkable. I had no intention of trying to understand you. If I have been presumptuous, please forgive me."

Jia Jue said with a chuckle.

"Your Highness need not be so cautious."

"Now I will answer Your Highness's questions."

"I am the current head of the secluded sect, Tianji Temple. I have been living in seclusion in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for many years, devoting myself to cultivation and pursuing immortality."

“Originally, people like us who are outside the secular world should not be involved in worldly affairs, but immortality is elusive. After years of arduous cultivation, I have only obtained some tricks.”

Xiao Jingxuan said with some surprise.

"Immortality? Does immortality truly exist in this world?"

Jia Jue said with some emotion.

“If there were any clues to follow, it wouldn’t be described as vague.”

"I have been cultivating in seclusion for many years, but I still cannot comprehend the Taoist art of ascending to heaven in broad daylight. I can only settle for second best and use the method of supporting the dragon court to cultivate myself by borrowing the national fortune."

"That's why I approached Your Highness."

"The phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of Antares has occurred many times, but without exception, each time it signifies a major change is about to happen."

"The imperial star is in peril, teetering on the brink of collapse."

"For Your Highness, this is a crisis, but also a rare opportunity."

"Your Highness is surely well aware of the situation in Liang."

"I have some knowledge of the art of observing qi, and Your Highness has the aura of a ruler."

"If Your Highness does not reject me, I am willing to assist you, move into the Eastern Palace, and inherit the throne."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxuan felt an indescribable excitement.

Indeed, I am the one destined by fate.

Otherwise, how could such a reclusive and accomplished person have the discerning eye to value themselves?

Xiao Jingxuan then spoke.

"If you are willing to assist me, it would be my greatest fortune."

"Rest assured, sir. If I am able to inherit the throne, I am willing to use the power of the entire nation to help you cultivate and comprehend the Great Dao."

"But Prince Qi is currently very powerful, and I really don't know how to break this deadlock. Could you please give me some guidance?"

Jia Jue said with a calm smile.

The Book of Changes (I Ching) says, “When the moon is full, it begins to wane; when water is full, it overflows.”

"Prince Qi may seem impressive, but in reality, he's like someone who's been cooked in a fire; he's nothing to be afraid of."

"Leaving aside the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart, the current situation of Prince Qi is already fraught with danger."

"Your Highness, as far as I know, the Mu family and the Lin family, the commander-in-chief of the Chiyan Army, have formed a marriage alliance."

"How do you think His Majesty is feeling?"

Xiao Jingxuan hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Father must have felt a little awkward, but he still issued an imperial decree to grant the marriage and also bestowed gifts upon the couple."

After taking a sip of tea, Jia Jue said leisurely, "If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers; if a minister is not discreet, he will lose his life; if matters are not kept secret, they will lead to disaster."

“Prince Qi is already powerful. If Prince Mu’s mansion joins forces with the Chiyan Army, it means that His Majesty’s throne is not very secure.”

"Now that things have come to this point, there are only two ways to resolve this peacefully."

"Either His Majesty abdicates, or Prince Qi falls from power."

Xiao Jingxuan said with some surprise.

"Sir, you may not know much about Prince Qi. He is an honest and kind man and should not have any intention of usurping the throne."

Jia Jue gave Xiao Jingxuan a meaningful look before speaking.

"Whether or not one has the intention to usurp the throne is not important; simply having the ability to usurp the throne is already a capital offense."

"In history books, there are countless stories of fathers killing sons and brothers killing each other for the throne."

"Putting everything else aside, how did the current emperor seize the throne? It was by launching a palace coup."

"It hasn't been that long, has Your Highness not heard the Imperial Concubine mention it?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxuan couldn't help but shudder.

"What you mean is that the Emperor and Prince Qi are destined to be irreconcilable enemies."

Jia Jue said with a calm smile.

"If you were in his shoes, would Your Highness tolerate the existence of someone who constantly threatens your imperial power?"

Xiao Jingxuan thought for a moment and then remained silent.

But he knew in his heart that he definitely couldn't tolerate it.

Jia Jue naturally saw through Xiao Jingxuan's thoughts, but did not expose him. Instead, he continued speaking.

"Your Majesty has no shortage of the will to kill, but what he lacks is the justification to do so."

"If Your Highness wishes to take the throne, all you need to do is give His Majesty a legitimate reason."

"Now that Mars is in conjunction with Antares, His Majesty's suspicions will surely intensify."

"The rest is about sowing discord."

"Once the knife is handed over, Your Highness need not do anything else; simply wait for good news."

Xiao Jingxuan nodded, and then said very respectfully.

"Please teach me, sir."

Jia Jue said calmly.

"Let me give Your Highness a little hint: Xia Jiang is the head of the Suspended Mirror Bureau, and Xie Yu is the son-in-law."

"If these two people are used properly, great things can be accomplished."

Xiao Jingxuan said with some difficulty.

"It will be difficult to get these two to work for me. I wonder if you could devise a plan for me, sir."

After hearing this, Jia Jue looked at Xiao Jingxuan and said.

"Your Highness possesses the bearing of a ruler, and it is only natural that you would have divine assistance in your endeavors."

"That's all I can do to give Your Highness these hints."

"I am originally a member of the Xuanmen sect. If I get too involved in worldly affairs, it will harm my cultivation."

"The current situation is very favorable to Your Highness."

"If Your Highness is able to successfully ascend to the position of Crown Prince, then I am willing to continue to assist Your Highness in ascending to the throne."

"Otherwise, it would only prove that my cultivation is inadequate and that my aura-gazing technique has gone wrong."

"Your Highness, I hope we will meet again someday. Farewell."

After speaking, Jia Jue left the room in mid-air, walking on the moonlight, and disappeared into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Such extraordinary methods left Xiao Jingxuan utterly dumbfounded.

He understood Jia Jue's meaning; this was essentially a test from Jia Jue, who had already provided numerous convenient conditions.

In this situation, if he himself cannot succeed in becoming the Crown Prince, Jia Jue will probably have to give up his position.

Although it sounds like the order of importance is reversed, and the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches are reversed.

But Jia Jue's actions are a typical example of a customer bullying the shopkeeper.

After all, in Xiao Jingxuan's eyes now, Jia Jue is a god-like figure.

If Jia Jue could assist him, not only would he have a chance at the throne, but he might even get to see Changsheng in person.

Therefore, Xiao Jingxuan was not angry at Jia Jue's behavior. On the contrary, he became more determined to win the position of crown prince, prove his ability, and maintain his immortal destiny.

Xiao Jingxuan then rushed back to the city. His purpose was obvious: he wanted to quickly discuss with his mother, Consort Yue, how to replace Prince Qi.

Inside Emperor Liang's palace, the emperor's face was extremely gloomy, and the atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense.

Not long ago, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau reported the phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of Antares.

As Emperor Liang watched the crimson Mars, a harbinger of disaster, approach the Emperor Star, while the Crown Prince Star shone brightly beside it, he grew increasingly vigilant.

It seems this rebellious son can no longer be kept, otherwise I will inevitably follow in the footsteps of my father.

After Emperor Liang seized the throne through a palace coup, he not only killed all his brothers who threatened his position, but also imprisoned his father in the palace.

Less than six months later, the old emperor died in depression.

Emperor Liang recalled the scene of his last meeting with his father, and couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

An emperor, once he loses his power, is nothing more than a coffin stuffing on his deathbed.

Emperor Liang could not accept that he would suffer the same fate as his father.

After some deliberation, he finally made up his mind that he must find a way to eliminate this cancerous group that threatened his imperial power.

Leaving aside Emperor Liang's thoughts for the moment, tonight's conjunction of Mars and Antares is destined to plunge the capital of Liang into chaos.

At the Lin family mansion, Lin Xie, the commander of the Chiyan Army, looked at the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of the sky and couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Although Lin Xie and Emperor Liang were like brothers, and they each married the other's sister.

However, since Emperor Liang ascended the throne, Lin Xie felt that the monarch he served had changed a lot over the years.

In the first few years after Emperor Liang ascended the throne, he worked diligently to govern the country, and Liang became a prosperous and powerful nation.

However, as the political situation stabilized, Emperor Liang also became fond of pleasure and trusted sycophants.

The Liang Emperor and Prince Qi clashed several times over the issue of appointing these people.

In recent years, in particular, Emperor Liang has frequently tried to place people in the Chiyan Army.

Lin Xie originally intended to make do, but these incompetent incompetents who had been planted in the army were good at nothing but meddling and giving orders. They not only embezzled from the Chiyan Army, but also tried to interfere with the Chiyan Army's command system, resulting in the Chiyan Army suffering heavy losses.

Lin Xie was furious and immediately dealt with the people that Emperor Liang had planted.

Although Emperor Liang did not blame him at the time, he said that he had not considered things carefully.

But Lin Xie had a vague feeling that Emperor Liang was not being honest with himself.

From then on, Lin Xie also had some concerns.

Lin Xie initially did not approve of the marriage alliance between the Lin family and the Mu family, fearing that Emperor Liang would feel that the Lin family's power was too great and would become increasingly difficult to control.

However, Lin Xie's wife accused him of being petty and narrow-minded, believing that her elder brother would never be the kind of person who would be suspicious of his own family.

Moreover, Lin Shu and Mu Nihuang were childhood sweethearts, and Madam Lin was extremely pleased with this marriage.

And so, the marriage was finally arranged.

From that moment on, Lin Xie began to feel uneasy.

Unexpectedly, the celestial phenomenon of Mars guarding the heart of Antares has occurred again, which makes Lin Xie even more worried.

He didn't know if Emperor Liang could still tolerate it.

What should I do if things really escalate beyond control? (End of Chapter)