Chapter 66: A Lucky Audience Member
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The banquet carried on.
The Emperor had just appointed the three newly acclaimed scholars to their posts. The top scorer was given a position as a Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, the second-place scholar was made a magistrate in a small county near the capital, and Du Zi Heng received a role as Assistant Manager in the Personnel Department’s Evaluation Office.
On the surface, the top scorer’s role seemed the most prestigious—a sixth-rank official. The county magistrate was seventh-rank, and Du Zi Heng’s position was eighth-rank. But appearances could be misleading. The Compiler’s job was mostly ceremonial, and whether he would get real responsibilities depended on the whims of the Emperor and his superiors.
The county magistrate did have some actual power, but it couldn’t compare to Du Zi Heng’s influence. Stationed in the capital, with his father’s protection, Du Zi Heng was in the very office that controlled the appointment, evaluation, promotion, and demotion of all officials—the Evaluation Office. It was, without a doubt, a prime position.
The Emperor’s arrangements for the futures of the scholars, both commoners and nobles, were made clear. Outwardly, no one objected—not even the top scorer or the second-place scholar, who had clearly been treated differently. Then again, no one really cared if they had objections.
With the main event over, and after witnessing an earlier shocking incident, everyone was eager to unwind. The upcoming song and dance performances, along with food and drink, were just what they needed.
Yu Jiao Jiao perked up. This was it. For her, what was about to happen was the real highlight.
The assassins would strike while everyone was most relaxed—eating, drinking, and enjoying the entertainment. She glanced subtly behind several ministers and their families, a pleased smile curling her lips. The assassins were standing right there. When the attack began, those people would be the first targets.
She cast a disdainful look at Yu Zhi Yi. Claiming to predict the future—this woman could never imagine that today’s banquet would become Yu Jiao Jiao’s stage for fame, the beginning of her rise to renown!
She wasn’t worried that Yu Zhi Yi would steal her thunder. In the previous life, Yu Zhi Yi hadn’t even been in the capital at this time. Even if she’d heard about the assassination, she wouldn’t understand the situation better than someone who had lived through it.
As the chief eunuch clapped his hands and the dancers were about to enter, Yu Jiao Jiao touched the protective charm hidden against her chest and took a deep breath. She had decided to throw herself in front of a sword. After all, nothing was more dramatic than someone risking their life for you.
As for You Bing Yue… When Prince Xiao Yao was taken away earlier, she had been forcibly removed too. She hadn’t even had a chance to show her abilities before losing the opportunity.
Suddenly…
“Wait a moment,” a voice called out.
Everyone turned toward the sound. Although Chancellor Du and his wife didn’t understand, they chose to respect it, looking somewhat worriedly at their daughter-in-law, Yu Zhi Yi, who was slowly standing up.
Yu Jiao Jiao was furious. She had finally mustered the courage to face the impending danger, but this woman’s interruption drained her resolve.
The Emperor’s expression darkened slightly. He hadn’t yet settled accounts with her over the earlier incident; what did she want now?
“Madam Du, what is it?” he asked.
Yu Zhi Yi walked gracefully to the center of the hall, seemingly oblivious to the Emperor’s irritation. “Before the performance begins, I wish to present a gift to Your Majesty,” she said.
An uneasy silence fell over the room.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow.
Yu Jiao Jiao felt both anger and scorn bubbling inside her. Usually so aloof, and now making a fool of herself in front of everyone! Did she think that by doing this, she would attract the Emperor’s attention or make Du Zi Heng change his mind?
The Empress seemed to think the same; her dignified face showed clear displeasure.
Before the Empress could reprimand her, Yu Zhi Yi continued, “I’ve heard that word of my fortune-telling abilities has spread throughout the capital. I possess nothing of material value, only this humble skill I can offer. So today, I wish to perform a divination for Your Majesty.”
The Emperor looked surprised. “Oh?”
The Empress, suspecting Yu Zhi Yi was trying to curry favor, narrowed her eyes.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Who had ever heard of someone giving a fortune-telling as a gift? This was absurd!
Though puzzled, the Emperor couldn’t help but be curious. After all, both Chancellor Du and the Guardian Duke had praised Yu Zhi Yi to the heavens, calling her a prodigy, a goddess descended to earth. He wanted to see whether this “goddess” truly possessed such abilities or if she had deceived two seasoned statesmen.
Concealing his skepticism, he said calmly, “Very well.”
A subtle smile appeared on Yu Zhi Yi’s face.
She knew the assassins would act during the performances. They were divided into two groups: one hidden among the palace servants attending to the nobles, the other among the dancers. At the right moment, they planned to coordinate a massacre of the high officials and nobility in the hall.
Yu Zhi Yi aimed to save not just the Emperor but everyone present. She couldn’t directly expose the assassins; doing so might drive the remaining accomplices to act recklessly, endangering countless lives. There were too many innocent targets here.
Thinking quickly, she decided to randomly select a “lucky audience member” to reveal the plot.
Her gaze swept over the hall. She was about to speak when Yu Jiao Jiao couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Your Majesty, isn’t this inappropriate?” Yu Jiao Jiao’s voice was sharp with anxiety, drawing everyone’s attention.
Realizing her outburst, she quickly composed herself. Casting a concerned glance at Yu Zhi Yi, she said, “I’ve lived with my sister for many years and have never known her to practice divination.”
“If her fortune-telling is inaccurate, wouldn’t that be deceiving Your Majesty?” she added, her tone laced with worry.
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances. They had doubted Young Madam Du’s abilities before, suspecting that Chancellor Du had exaggerated to boost his daughter-in-law’s reputation. But for her own sister to question her so publicly—it was scandalous.
But Yu Jiao Jiao wasn’t finished. Yu Zi Xuan, another member of their family, stepped forward to join her.
“Jiao Jiao is right,” he said firmly. “Yu Zhi Yi doesn’t know anything about metaphysics!”
He glared at Yu Zhi Yi. “Can you stop showing off? Do you want to get us all in trouble?”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. “How exactly am I putting you all in danger?”
“You’re committing the crime of deceiving the Emperor!” Yu Zi Xuan retorted, his eyes flashing with anger.
He shook his head in exasperation. “In the past, we tolerated your boasting because no real harm was done. You even helped the Guardian Duke find his long-lost sister and inadvertently aided some innocent women. We turned a blind eye.”
“But now, you dare to deceive the Emperor himself! It’s outrageous! Jiao Jiao is afraid that when your lies are exposed, we’ll all suffer the consequences as your family.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed. “Oh? So, you’re saying Young Madam Du doesn’t actually possess these abilities?”
His gaze shifted to Chancellor Du and then to the Guardian Duke.
Both men looked alarmed and hurriedly stood up. “Your Majesty, we assure you—we have not lied. Madam Du truly has these gifts!” they exclaimed in unison.
Yu Zhi Yi remained calm, her eyes meeting the Emperor’s steadily. The tension in the hall was palpable.
She knew she had to act quickly. The safety of everyone in the room depended on it.