Chapter 66: A Lucky Audience Member is Randomly Chosen
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The banquet continued.
The Emperor conferred positions on the newly minted scholars.
The Top Scholar was appointed as a Compiler of the Hanlin Academy, the Second Rank Scholar became the magistrate of a county in the capital’s outskirts, and Du Zi Heng was assigned as a Master of the Ministry of Personnel’s Office of Appointments.
The positions varied in prestige:
Compiler of the Hanlin Academy: a sixth-rank official.
County magistrate: a seventh-rank official.
Master of the Ministry of Personnel: an eighth-rank official.
On paper, the Top Scholar’s position seemed the most illustrious. However, it was largely symbolic and reliant on imperial favor for actual impact. Meanwhile, the magistrate wielded tangible power, but as an official from a minor county, his influence paled compared to Du Zi Heng, who worked directly within the capital’s central bureaucracy, under his father’s protection.
The Office of Appointments oversaw the selection, evaluation, and promotion of all officials—a highly coveted post, rich in opportunity.
The Emperor had crafted their futures with precision, ensuring the divide between the humble-born and the noble scions was unambiguous. None dared to voice complaints, not even the Top Scholar or Second Rank Scholar, who were clearly at a disadvantage. Whether they minded, no one cared to know.
With the pivotal moment concluded, the atmosphere lightened. Following the earlier drama, everyone welcomed the diversion of song, dance, and delicacies.
Yu Jiao Jiao perked up, anticipation glimmering in her eyes.
For her, the true climax was yet to come.
The assassins would strike during the lull of feasting and performances—the point of least vigilance.
Her gaze flitted discreetly to the figures lurking behind some ministers and their families. A smile of satisfaction curled her lips.
Those same lurking figures would start their massacre here, taking out the most prominent attendees first.
She cast a scornful glance at Yu Zhi Yi, brimming with disdain.
So much for her alleged divination skills. That woman would never foresee how tonight’s banquet would catapult Yu Jiao Jiao into fame and fortune, marking her as a heroine of the empire!
Confident in her advantage, Yu Jiao Jiao dismissed any possibility of her cousin overshadowing her. After all, in her previous life, Yu Zhi Yi wasn’t even in Sheng Capital during this fateful event. Whatever knowledge she later gleaned could never surpass the firsthand experience Yu Jiao Jiao now had.
As the Chief Eunuch clapped his hands to signal the performers’ entry, Yu Jiao Jiao touched the Heart-Protecting Mirror hidden in her bodice, steeling herself.
She had decided to shield someone with her own body.
Nothing could leave a more profound impression than a noble soul risking their life for another.
As for You Bing Yue, her story ended the moment the Carefree Prince was dragged off, leaving her forcibly removed as well. She wouldn’t get the chance to display her abilities or ambitions.
Suddenly…
“Wait!”
Heads turned toward the speaker. Though confused, Chancellor Du and Madam Du deferred to her decision, albeit with concern.
Fury surged within Yu Jiao Jiao. After summoning every ounce of courage to face imminent pain, this interruption left her resolve teetering.
The Emperor frowned. Already irritated with her prior behavior, his tone turned colder. “Young Madam Du, what now?”
Yu Zhi Yi moved unhurriedly to the center of the hall, seemingly oblivious to his displeasure. “Before the performance begins, I wish to present Your Majesty with a gift.”
Everyone: “…”
The Emperor: “…”
Yu Jiao Jiao, equal parts livid and scornful, sneered. What a disgraceful spectacle! Did Yu Zhi Yi truly believe this shameless display would win the Emperor’s favor—or even reclaim Du Zi Heng’s heart?
The Empress, sharing these sentiments, wore an icy expression, ready to reprimand her.
Before she could speak, Yu Zhi Yi continued, “Word of my divination skills seems to have spread across the capital. I have nothing else of value to offer, save for this humble talent. Thus, I propose to perform a live divination for Your Majesty.”
The Emperor: “?”
The Empress, suspecting sycophantic flattery: “??”
The crowd: “???”
A gift of divination? How absurd! Who even thought of such nonsense?
Though baffled, the Emperor’s curiosity was piqued. Both Chancellor Du and Duke Courage had sung Yu Zhi Yi’s praises, portraying her as a divine prodigy. He was eager to see if she was truly extraordinary—or merely a fraud exploiting two aging men.
Concealing his skepticism, he responded lightly, “Very well.”
Yu Zhi Yi smiled serenely.
The assassins were positioned in two groups: one hidden among the servants attending the nobles, and the other mingling with the performers. Their plan was to coordinate an attack, turning the hall into a bloodbath.
Saving not just the Emperor, but everyone in the hall, required subtlety. A blunt approach risked forcing the assassins into desperate retaliation, endangering the unarmed dignitaries around her.
The hall was brimming with potential victims.
Her solution? Choose a “lucky audience member” at random.
Just as she prepared to speak, Yu Jiao Jiao broke in, her voice shrill with panic. “Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!”
The crowd, startled by her sharp tone, glanced her way.
Realizing her lapse, Yu Jiao Jiao quickly composed herself, masking her agitation with a veneer of concern. She cast Yu Zhi Yi a cautious look and said, “I’ve lived with my elder sister for years and never heard of her knowing divination.”
“If her prediction proves false, would that not constitute deceiving the Emperor?”
The crowd: “…”
While they merely doubted Yu Zhi Yi’s abilities, Yu Jiao Jiao seemed determined to see her condemned.
But Yu Jiao Jiao wasn’t alone. Yu Zi Xuan added, “Jiao Jiao is right! Yu Zhi Yi knows nothing of metaphysics.”
Turning to glare at her, he snarled, “Stop drawing attention to yourself, will you? Are you trying to get us all killed?”
Raising an eyebrow, Yu Zhi Yi asked coolly, “How exactly am I endangering everyone?”
“You’d be committing treason by deceiving the Emperor!” he barked. His tone bristled with exasperation as he added, “Your past antics were tolerable because they caused no real harm and even helped the Duke find his long-lost sister. But now, you’re brazenly lying to the Emperor’s face! Do you want to drag us all down with you?”
The Emperor, intrigued, mused aloud, “So, does this mean Young Madam Du truly lacks any mystical skills?”
His gaze shifted to Chancellor Du and Duke Courage, who both sprang to their feet, flustered.
“Your Majesty, we swear we have spoken the truth! She possesses genuine talent!”