Chapter 398: Searching (Fifth Update)

As Emperor Jiawen rushed toward the Imperial Mausoleum in a frantic state, Rong Jin, within the Crown Prince's Manor, finally waited for Situ Xingchen's return.

The moment he saw her, Rong Jin immediately asked nervously

"How did things progress? Was it smooth?"

Situ Xingchen pursed her lips and smiled

"In the end, I have not failed Your Highness's expectations."

A surge of joy rose in Rong Jin's heart; his restless mind finally settled.

"That's good! That's good!"

He had previously worried that the Empress Dowager might not trust Situ Xingchen, but now it seemed everything was progressing according to plan.

He almost impatiently pulled Situ Xingchen into the room, cautiously checked the surroundings, and ordered men to stand guard outside the courtyard.

Only after ensuring that no one could overhear their conversation did he look at Situ Xingchen

"What did Mother say?"

Situ Xingchen lowered her eyes to glance at her wrist where Rong Jin had touched her, feeling a sense of disgust. However, thinking that her recent efforts had not been in vain, she did not dwell on it.

"Please sit down first, and I will tell you slowly."

As she spoke, Situ Xingchen found a seat for herself.

Rong Jin sat beside her, looking at her with a face full of anticipation and excitement.

The corners of Situ Xingchen's lips curled

"Your Highness, do you know that you are the rumored 'Child of Heaven'?"

Rong Jin froze, a flash of emotion passing through his eyes.

To think that Mother had actually told Situ Xingchen about this matter; it was evident she truly trusted her and had agreed to let her help.

He nodded slightly and leaned back into his chair, a hint of pride faintly appearing between his brows.

"Of course, this Palace knows of that."

Situ Xingchen asked again

"Then do you know what this 'Child of Heaven' actually means?"

Rong Jin paused for a moment, then said without hesitation

"It naturally means the world! On the day of my birth, auspicious omens descended from the heavens. Mother once sought a grandmaster to cast a divination, and he declared that I am the Child of Heaven, destined to inherit the great cause."

Therefore, for all these years, he had always regarded the Dragon Throne as something already within his grasp.

Situ Xingchen had not expected Rong Jin to give such an answer, and for a moment, she was stunned.

Rong Jin reached out and waved his hand in front of her eyes.

"Xingchen, what is wrong?"

"...Ah, nothing, it's nothing..."

Situ Xingchen gave a perfunctory response, but contempt rose in her heart.

It seemed the Empress truly cared for her son Rong Jin in an extraordinary way—she had even protected him to an excessive degree!

To the point where, even now, Rong Jin remained completely ignorant of the truth.

Suppressing the mockery in her heart, she explained

"Your Highness, according to Her Majesty the Empress, the meaning of 'Child of Heaven' is not quite like that."

Rong Jin frowned in surprise: "It doesn't mean that? Then what exactly is it talking about?"

Situ Xingchen did not answer his question directly; instead, she suddenly asked

"Did Your Highness notice the fireworks blooming in the sky above the Imperial Capital today?"

"Of course I saw them." At this thought, Rong Jin let out a long sigh. "There must be some trouble at the Imperial Mausoleum."

As the Crown Prince, he should have rushed there immediately when such an event occurred.

But now, he was under house arrest in the Crown Prince's Manor, unable to even step out of the main gates, let alone anywhere else.

Situ Xingchen spoke slowly

"Your 'Child of Heaven' status is precisely related to the Imperial Mausoleum!"

***

"East of the Weak Water, gold is gold..."

In the silent space, Chu Liuyue stood before the throne, one arm folded across her chest while the other hand lightly stroked her chin, desperately pondering the meaning of this line.

According to what that man had said earlier, the river of flowing light crossing the sky above her head was the Weak Water.

But what did this inscription actually mean?

After pondering for a long while, Chu Liuyue suddenly thought of something.

—The tube used for the dripping water on the stone wall she saw before entering, wasn't that also "gold"?

Could it be related to that?

At this thought, Chu Liuyue quickly turned around and looked toward that spot!

The Weak Water flowed quietly. Chu Liuyue could not see its source, nor could she see its destination, but she could faintly see that brilliant starlight seemed to fall into the Weak Water from time to time.

These things gathered together, floating back and forth upon the stone wall.

She soon discovered a pattern.

—Those points of light actually followed a rhythm, gradually arranging themselves neatly to enter into that metal tube as time passed! Finally, they would drip into the water trough outside!

So, that wasn't ordinary water!

Chu Liuyue hesitated in her heart for quite a while before finally sitting upon that throne!

*Rumble!*

I stayed up until nearly three in the morning again yesterday; I can't hold out at this hour, my head hurts a bit.

The missing extra meal for tomorrow, muah muah da.

(End of Chapter)