PDLP Chapter 176 Auspicious
Chapter 176 Auspicious
On the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, the auspicious phenomenon of "five stars in a row" appeared in the sky.
The Five Planets in a Conjunction is a phenomenon in which the five planets—mercury, gold, fire, wood, and earth—appear to be aligned simultaneously. The Bamboo Annals states: "A phoenix appears in the courtyard, vermilion grass grows, crops flourish, sweet dew moistens the air, sweet springs flow, the sun and moon are in perfect harmony, and the five planets appear in a line."
"Records of the Grand Historian: Book of Celestial Officials" records: "At the rise of the Han Dynasty, five stars gathered in Dongjing." When Zhang Er, defeated and hesitating between Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, was undecided about whether to join them, Gan Gong advised him: "When the King of Han entered the Pass, five stars gathered in Dongjing. Dongjing represents the Qin division. Whoever arrives first will dominate. Although Chu is strong, it will eventually submit to Han." Dongjing corresponds to the Three Qins. This astronomical phenomenon at the time of Liu Bang's entry into the Pass indicated that he had the potential to become a king. Although Liu Bang was not as powerful as Xiang Yu at the time, he would ultimately accept the blessing of heaven.
(Don't believe it. Some historians have researched that the five planets in conjunction appeared in the second year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, and that the historians forcibly recorded it in that year.)
Ban Gu's "Book of Han" accepted the explanation in "Records of the Grand Historian" that the rise of the Han Dynasty was due to the "gathering of five stars", and said that the rise of Emperor Gaozu was a gift from heaven, not human power.
The ancients believed that the five stars were inseparable from virtue. Only when one is virtuous can there be blessings and such auspicious signs appear, and one can reach the highest position in the world, have many descendants, and unify the world.
Yongzheng was overjoyed and hinted to officials at all levels to submit congratulations.
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang have already changed into formal dresses and are ready to go and congratulate Yongzheng.
The dress was heavy, and beads of sweat had already appeared on An Lingrong's head.
She tried to move closer to the ice basin, fanning herself while complaining, "Sister, is it really necessary to make such a fuss? We have to go to the Qinzheng Palace in such hot weather."
Shen Meizhuang smiled helplessly: "This is a sign of good fortune, representing that the emperor governs with virtue, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the heavens are also very pleased."
An Lingrong rolled her eyes with some disdain, but said nothing. Superstition, it's all superstition.
Seeing what she meant, Shen Meizhuang asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
Since she was bored, An Lingrong started to learn some basic knowledge:
"Sister, Mercury takes approximately 88 days to orbit the Sun, Venus 225 days, Mars 687 days, Jupiter 4333 days, and Saturn 45 days. All you need to do is find the lowest common multiple of these numbers, and that's the number of days it takes for a five-planet conjunction. This number is truly astronomical, but the Imperial Astronomical Observatory's requirements for a five-planet conjunction are not high. As long as the longitude difference between the five planets does not exceed degrees, it is considered a five-planet conjunction. The probability of this happening is greatly increased, and it will occur every few decades."
She paused and continued, "Besides, even if there really is a 'five-planet alignment', it's still unclear whether it's an auspicious sign. It happened during Empress Lü's reign and Empress Wu Zetian's reign. Were they also following the will of heaven?"
When she heard the first half, Shen Meizhuang nodded. After hearing the latter part, she gradually realized that something was wrong. Shen: "You, how did you know?"
"Sister, I'm not as good as you in poetry and songs, but I know a lot more about miscellaneous books and anecdotes. Let me tell you..."
"Shut up, you!"
"okay!"
An Lingrong zipped up her mouth.
Watching her actions, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but laugh out loud, "The Empress is putting on airs, so of course we have to go and show her support. Even if you don't agree, don't show it, okay? The Imperial Household Department has prepared the rewards, and I've picked out things you'll like. Just keep quiet and wait for the rewards, okay?"
An Lingrong blinked her big watery eyes and nodded.
At this time, Caiyue entered the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, it's almost time, we can set off!"
The two of them went out together and headed to Louyue Kaiyun Pavilion. After meeting up with the main force, they went to Qinzheng Hall together.
Yongzheng was already waiting in the hall.
The concubines all knelt and bowed in reverence: "Your Highness, I congratulate you. Long live the Emperor."
Yongzheng was very happy, but pretended to be polite: "Thank you for your hard work. You came here in such hot weather. It's just a small matter, not worth mobilizing so many troops. Get up!"
The Empress's face was filled with smiles. "Your Majesty has diligently governed the country and its people. Heaven has been moved and has bestowed auspicious signs upon us. All of us in the harem share in this blessing. Naturally, we must congratulate the Emperor. I wish the Emperor a long life and a long and prosperous Qing dynasty."
The concubines stood up again and said in unison: "May the Emperor live forever and the Qing Dynasty prosper forever."
"Good! I have ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prepare the rewards, so you can also share in the joy."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Yongzheng looked around and found that someone was missing. He asked, "Why don't I see Concubine Hua?"
The Empress replied, "Your Majesty, someone from Qingliang Palace said Concubine Hua was ill and not in good spirits, so she didn't come. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Sick?" Yongzheng was puzzled. The Huanyi incense used by Concubine Hua was said to soothe emotions, improve sleep, and strengthen the body. That was why she was healthy and rarely sick. How could she be sick for no reason? Moreover, she didn't even send anyone to tell him that she was sick!
"Yes! I sent the imperial physician to treat her. He said that Concubine Hua was depressed, frightened and worried, and needed to be taken good care of."
Yongzheng finally understood the reason for her illness. It turned out that she was feeling guilty about Xia Dongchun's miscarriage. Fortunately, she had not completely lost her conscience and still had a kind heart. She was thinking about whether she should take the time to visit her.
Meanwhile, Cao Qinmo had a vague feeling that something was amiss. She had been with Concubine Hua for years and had never seen her sick. But now, not only was she ill, but she had also requested an audience with her several times, only to be turned away by Concubine Hua, who claimed she needed to rest and recuperate.
An Lingrong, Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan listened to the conversation between the Emperor and the Empress, with a barely perceptible smile on their faces.
This is probably not a disease that can be cured by simply "taking good care of yourself". It is a terminal illness.
Yongzheng no longer cared about these trivial matters. He simply waved his hand casually and ordered, "Send a few imperial doctors over to take good care of him."
Then he turned his gaze to Shen Meizhuang: "Concubine Hui, I haven't seen Sixth Prince for a few days. Is he okay?"
Shen Meizhuang stood up and replied, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince is doing well. When I left, he was smiling at me. This shows that he is happy for the Emperor, as he is also happy for his father."
Yongzheng's eyes narrowed into slits with joy: "Very good, I'll ask the nurse to bring the Sixth Prince to the Qinzheng Palace later."
"Yes!"
"Alright, I understand your intentions. Now that the weather is hot, you can all go back. Wanpin will stay."
"Chen and concubine retire."
After everyone left, Zhen Huan sat on a chair, stretched out her slender fingers, gently picked up a crystal clear grape, slowly peeled off the thin skin and began to eat it.
Rong'er said that eating grapes can make children's eyes bigger and darker.
Zhen Huan looked into Yongzheng's eyes and decided it was better to believe it. She kept moving her hands and had eaten several pills in the blink of an eye.
Yongzheng looked up from the pile of memorials and saw that she was eating happily. He couldn't help but ask, "Is it so delicious?"
Zhen Huan smiled slightly upon hearing this, her beautiful eyes full of tenderness as she gently opened her red lips and replied, "The basket is full of round, firm, and smooth pearls, and they taste sweet and fragrant like ice and jade. Would Your Majesty like to try some?"
After saying that, he peeled one and handed it to Yongzheng's mouth.
Yongzheng opened his mouth and ate it, praising it, "It's delicious."
The two looked at each other, and where their eyes met, it seemed as if thousands of emotions were flowing, full of affection and warmth.