Tuoba Hongwei raised his hand, and a white-robed official walked forward and bowed. It was Feng, the chief astronomer of the Imperial Observatory. He said loudly: "The reason why the witchcraft case has not been solved until now is that Her Majesty the Empress took the wrong approach and failed to find the real culprit. The many rituals performed by Master Huiji of Mingjue Temple, which stirred up heaven and earth, also failed to eliminate the evil spirits, simply because his magical powers were not profound enough. Once Shen dies, Ye Xiaozhu's illness will stabilize, and Your Majesties need not worry anymore."
"Is that really so?" Taizong's expression slightly cleared: "However, even if the Shen family is granted death, according to Huiji's words, the ominous sign of Kuimu Wolf has not dissipated, it can be seen that the evil technique of witchcraft is difficult to suppress. What should I do to appease the heavens?"
"This matter is easy, Your Majesty can rest assured. Although the witchcraft of this sorcery is fierce, it's not difficult to break it down. After Your Majesty executes the murderer and burns these two puppets, the sorcery will be completely destroyed and there's nothing to fear. As for the star sign of Kui Mu Lang, I dare to speak frankly, the star sign has no necessary connection with the witchcraft."
Tuoba Hong raised an eyebrow and said with a hint of skepticism: "Oh? So in your opinion, astrology and demonic magic are two completely different things?"
"It is indeed." Lord Feng said resolutely: "I, a humble official, have been serving in the Imperial Observatory for over twenty years. I don't possess the extraordinary abilities of Hui Ci, but I have learned to observe the heavens and scrutinize the earth. In the study of starry skies, I am confident that I can see things accurately and thoroughly. 'Kui Mu Lang's western northwest', Hui Ci's interpretation is that people with wood in their destiny are unfavorable to the imperial family. However, in my opinion, it is not so. The movement of Kui Mu Lang's star sign is indeed turbulent, but it does not signify a bad omen. Instead, it indicates that heaven believes there are unjust events occurring among humans and cannot bear to watch, thus sending down omens to warn the world. If Your Majesty can follow heaven's will and act accordingly, then the star sign can also be broken."
After finishing speaking, without waiting for Tuoba Hong to ask, Feng Daoren began to explain on his own: "Among the masters in the northwest direction of the imperial palace, only one person with a surname containing wood is Hui Jieyu. This young master currently resides in Jingyue Pavilion, but this palace is the most remote place in the imperial palace, and it is also close to the Cold Palace. The people imprisoned in the Cold Palace are all lowly criminals. If Jieyu's fate is noble, she shouldn't have stayed in such a place for long. I calculated according to the star chart, and this Kuimul Wolf Star Chart has anomalies. It's precisely because there is a noble person who is humbled and humble in the palace, and heaven is therefore turbulent and unpeaceful."
Lin Yanshan was stunned when she was called out, and stuttered to Emperor Taizong of Tang: "Your Majesty, what the official from the Imperial Observatory said is indeed profound. As a concubine of humble origin, my father was only an eighth-rank county magistrate..."
Xiao Huanghou was even more shocked, and gradually her face turned into an angry pale color. Qintian Jian's slander of Hui Ci was nothing, but Lin Shi... this Lin Shi, how could he turn against her from the palm of her hand!
"Your Majesty, the wisdom and virtue of the Empress Dowager are not profound enough, it is my fault for not investigating thoroughly. However, the sayings about ghosts, spirits, stars, and celestial bodies are all vague and unreliable, and the words of the Imperial Observatory are not necessarily entirely accurate." The Empress Xiao argued strongly: "I still implore Your Majesty to discern the subtleties."
The Emperor Taizong of Tang laughed and said, "Empress, I don't understand the mysteries of Taoism, nor do I want to. I'm not interested in judging who is right between Huiji and Qintian Jian. I only recognize one thing: whoever can suppress the witchcraft and cure Ye Shi's illness will be greatly rewarded by me. Whoever delays Ye Shi's recovery and causes trouble in the palace will be severely punished. After investigating, I found that the real culprit behind the witchcraft was Shen Shi, who had accepted Qintian Jian's advice to search for evidence in the Yongshou Palace. The two slaves who committed the crime in the Linji Palace also confessed under torture that they were instructed by Shen Shi. All the evidence points to this, and there are witnesses and material evidence to prove that Qintian Jian's words are true."
He turned around, pointing at Lin Yuan and said to the crowd: "Now that we've heard Qing Tian Jian talk about the stars, it's even more convincing. Lin's family background isn't high, but she blocked disaster for me, so heaven must have seen her merits and made her fortune prosperous. Since that's the case, she really can't stay in Jingyue Pavilion anymore. Moreover, since a witchcraft curse was dug up in Jingyue Pavilion, it's really unlucky and people can't live there. In a few days when the palace is settled, Hui Jie Yu will move out."
The emperor's words left everyone stunned, and in the blink of an eye, Xiangfei was rescued, Shenfei was sentenced to death, and Linfei turned the tables. At the banquet, Wenpin and others couldn't help but secretly twist their handkerchiefs, recalling the emperor's own words that Linfei had "merit for the imperial family" and was "destined for wealth and nobility". Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions, unsure of how to compete with this favored concubine in the future.
Lin Wan bowed her head and thanked Taizong: "Your Majesty's words are reasonable, but as a humble concubine, I am well aware of my own insignificance. It is only because of the emperor's blessings that I was able to survive after being shot by an arrow. This is already a great fortune for me." She smiled slightly and continued: "I do not believe in fate or seek wealth and glory. In the past, Your Majesty has shown me great favor, and tonight you have come to Mirror Moon Pavilion to rescue me. I am deeply moved, and even if I reside in this remote pavilion, what more could I ask for than to serve Your Majesty?"
Xu Ronghua secretly curled her lip, Lin's character was cunning and her words were oily and smooth, truly a fox spirit! The woman kneeling under her, Feng Zhuangji, let out a cold snort, then quickly suppressed it. Tuoba Hong lowered his head to look at the woman kneeling in front of him, suddenly noticing that there were faint bloodstains seeping from her chest, and hastily reached out to pull her up, saying: "You don't even know how to take care of yourself, your injuries haven't healed yet, how can you go out and move around?" As he spoke, his icy gaze swept over the Empress: "Yao Fusheng, go get a large cloak for Hui Jieyu, it's cold outside and she can't withstand the chill. Also, please summon the imperial physician to take a look."
Lin Yan just resisted the Empress, and the wound naturally cracked open with her movements. But Lin Yan was not as weak as when she was first injured, and she didn't feel much discomfort in her body, so she asked Tuoba Hong: "Now that all the concubines are here, Your Majesty doesn't need to make a big fuss for just one concubine. Ye Liangyuan is unwell, and the imperial physicians are diagnosing her in the Changxin Palace, so I wouldn't dare disturb them and delay Ye Liangyuan's treatment."
Tuoba Hong still wanted to persuade her, seeing that she insisted again and again, he had no choice but to give up. Yao Fusheng, on the other hand, very dutifully presented a white fox fur coat for Lin Yuanyuan to wear, and several eunuchs brought soft chairs and braziers from inside the room and placed them in front of her. Lin Yuanyuan was wrapped tightly in the chair, with a steaming brazier at her feet, and suddenly felt warm all over, and the cold north wind didn't feel cold anymore. Of course, this treatment was unique to her, while others had to sit on hard wooden chairs in the wind and snow.
Tuoba Hong scanned the crowd and said, "Now that the celestial phenomenon has been explained and Shen's family has been put to death, the harem can finally be at peace." As he spoke, his face seemed to reveal doubts, and he looked deeply at Lord Feng, asking, "Since you had already deciphered the celestial phenomenon and calculated that Huiji and the Empress Dowager were wrongly accused, why didn't you report it earlier?"
Lord Feng was questioned by the Emperor, but he didn't show any fear. He just glanced at Hui Ci who was lying in the corner with the nuns supporting her and sneered: "It's not that I investigated and didn't report it, or that I neglected my duties. The Empress Dowager trusts Master Hui Ci very much, even if I presented a different view, I'm afraid it wouldn't be adopted, but would instead bring about fatal disaster." He spoke very boldly, and even Lin Yuan couldn't help but admire him.
Lord Feng's expression remained calm, and he didn't even glance at Lin Yuan. He continued to speak to Tuoba Hong: "Logically speaking, as a high-ranking monk, Hui Ci couldn't find the real culprit, nor could he correctly interpret the star chart of Kui Mu Lang. Has Your Majesty ever heard a saying? 'In his position, he plans for his affairs.' If the world is at peace and evil magic is eliminated, what role can places like Ming Jue Temple and Qin Tian Jian play? It's precisely because the palace is in turmoil and ghosts and monsters are rampant that the empress and the concubines have to rely on Ming Jue Temple. Otherwise, how could Ming Jue Temple have been prosperous for decades, and how could Qin Tian Jian be reused by the royal family?"
Lord Feng spoke with courtesy and propriety, but his words revealed a deep understanding. Emperor Taizong of Northern Wei listened and smiled faintly: "There are not many in the court who speak as straightforwardly as you."
"I just don't like following the crowd." Lord Feng said calmly.
The Empress Xiao's face was gloomy, her lips moved slightly, but she never spoke out to refute. Although the official standing in front of her did not hold a high position, his words were sharp and directly pointed at her weaknesses, every sentence made it impossible for her to find any loopholes.
Tuoba Hong looked at the Empress with a faint smile: "You indeed use people without investigating." He then waved his hand and said: "That Huiji, in my opinion, is all reputation and no substance. This time she almost delayed Ye Shi and caused a great disaster. Come, strip her of her position as abbess and expel her from Mingjue Temple."
Lin Wan had long hated the Empress's abuse of power and had instructed a nun to pour dirty water on her. At this moment, seeing the Emperor's order and slapping the Empress's face, she felt a sense of pleasure in her heart. Hui Ci, who had been lying in the snow for a long time, slowly came to consciousness, but was severely injured and couldn't even lift her arm. The several warriors beside the Emperor all stepped forward to drag her away, and she was terrified, wanting to beg the Emperor for mercy, but her throat was scalded and she couldn't make a sound. She turned her head with difficulty to look at the Empress, pointing straight at her, her expression full of pleading.
Xiao Huanghou herself is in a precarious position, how dare she plead for Huiji again. Moreover, Huiji is old and has been severely burned all over her body, even if she recovers, she will not be able to move freely, and for her, there is no value left.
"Your Majesty, please listen to me for a moment." Suddenly, a soft and tender female voice rose. Fan Yu Emperor's daughter, Fan Yu Di, emerged from the crowd, knelt down in front of Tuoba Hong, and pleaded: "Your Majesty, I have lived in Mingjue Temple for eight years, and every day I was with Hui Ci. To be fair, although Hui Ci is not qualified to be called a high-ranking monk, nor can she be said to be kind and compassionate, but over the years, she has managed Mingjue Temple, rewarding and punishing clearly, governing effectively, without merit but with hard work. If Your Majesty were to drive her out of Mingjue Temple, she would probably only starve to death on the streets. Please forgive her, Your Majesty, do not punish her severely."
