The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 66

Daoist Priest Xuanxin was Donghe's renowned Imperial Astronomer. He worked directly under Hongjia Emperor, helping him observe astrological signs, fengshui, and calculate the status and background of every person. Rather than saying he was helping him, it was more accurate to say he was helping himself.

Xuanxin and Yunhen were under the tutelage of the same master, and he's considered Yunhen's junior. However, he had a fondness for the wealth glory of the mortal world. Later, with his abilities, he became Donghe's Imperial Astronomer.

He once served Nanchen, and was Nanchen's previous Empress, Xianyi Empress's, most capable assistent. But, to no avail, with one word from the Imperial Consort Qilian Qingyi, no only did they crippled both his legs, they even ridiculously accused him of a 'baseless' crime.

Since then, he has disappeared within the borders of Nanchen. As for the past, no one has mentioned then ever again. He changed his name to Xuanxin and came to rely on Donghe's Imperial Consort, Qilian Yuran. And under the Imperial Consort's recommendation, he met Hongjia Emperor.

Hongjia Emperor have always believed in the supernatural and was easily convinced in these matters. Especially since it was also under the Imperial Consort's recommendation. It can be said that everything regarding fengshui and astrology were all left up to Xuanxin.

Xuanxin faced every one of these matters with a ordinary mindset.

And it was at this moment, when he was observing the astrological signs, that he discovered this unusual phenomenon. In his whole life, he's only seen this within the borders of Nanchen, and that was the rare scene of 'thousand beasts worshiping the phoenix'.

Xuanxin saw the nine star disk in his hand, yet couldn't help but to take a step back, nearly falling down from the observation deck.

Thousand beasts worshipping the phoenix, the skies bearing such an unusual phenomenon, this was Qilian Qingyan declaring to others her return.

But Qilian Qingyan had already passed away five years ago.

In other words, it was most likely that Qilian Qingyan has returned from hell.

To come extract revenge on Weisheng Junyan and Qilian Qingyi.

The direction the animals were all worshipping was precisely the direction of Ganyun Temple. And a few days ago, his senior Yunhen just happened to be there. In other words, everything was all within his anticipation?

"Xuanxin Priest, have you discovered what is the cause of this phenomenon?" Qilian Yuran looked to Xuanxin, slowly tasting the cup of tea in hand.

Xuanxin glanced to the Imperial Consort and bowed to her, "I wonder whether or not your Highness can tell what this tune is?"

Qilian Yuran heard what Xuanxin said and closed her eyes, the melody slowly resonating in her ear. In the time before she married over to Donghe, she had once heard this tune before. And the one that played it was her niece--Qilian Qingyan.

She'd never thought that after this many years, she could still hear this tune again. The tears slowly streamed down along her cheeks.

Things have remained the same, but the people are no longer there; all things come to an end.

"Your Highness, this is precisely that [Thousand Beasts and Phoenix] tune. 'This tune only heaven should have this tune, seldomly is it heard in the mortal realm.' I once heard from my senior, Yunhen, that this tune belonged to Xianyi Empress. And only she alone can play this tune, drawing the animals to her."

Qilian Yuran listened to his words and knocked over her tea cup, emotionally moved, "Are you saying that Yan'er is still alive in this world, that's why such a tune could be heard?"

"Yes and no." Since Xuanxin still hasn't met her in person, he simply couldn't give out a definitive answer. Furthermore, he'd always understood Yunhen's personality very well.

For Yunhen to have longed for Xianyi Empress that much, towards this matter, he definitely was also aware of the situation.

"What do you mean by that?"

When he heard this, he saw Xuanyuan Yuzhen with Xuanyuan Yukai and Murong Jingxuan, walk into the pavilion. And the one that spoke was precisely the Fourth Prince--Xuanyuan Yuzhen.

"Xuanxin Priest, there's no harm in saying it." Murong Jingxuan looked to Xuanxin and said.

"Your Highness, I can't make the judgement whether that girl is Xianyi Empress or not, having yet to meet her." Xuanxin looked to them and respectfully replied.

"Mother, Xuanxin Priest has a point. If sister Qingyan is still alive, she'll definitely come to rely on mother." Xuanyuan Yuzhen turned to Qilian Yuran and calmly said, "Mother, don't think too much on it."

"Zhen'er, she was my one and only legitimate* niece, but even when she died, I was powerless to help. Kangyuan Emperor destroyed my entire Qilian clan. How can I just let it go." Qilian Yuran tightly clenched her fist as she said this. "Zhen'er, if one day, you can conqueror the four kingdoms, you must avenger you sister, Qingyan."

(*TN: Qilian Qingyan was the only daughter of the main wife; her sister Qingyi was a daughter of a concubine.)

"Mother, if one day, I can conqueror the four kingdoms for Donghe, then I will definitely avenge sister Qingyan." Xuanyuan Yuzhen looked to Qilian Yuran and made a solemn vow.

Hearing him say this, Qilian Yuran patted his shoulders, "Good good good, that's what I wanted to hear from you."

"Your Highness, don't worry yourself sick over this matter." Murong Jingxuan looked to Qilian Yuran with a worried look, "If Xianyi Empress knew you were like this, she'd definitely be worried for you."

"That's rights. Mother, if sister Qingyan saw you like this, her heart would certainly ache." Xuanyuan Yuzhen picked up a cup of tea and passed it to Qilian Yuran, "Mother, have some tea."

Taking the cup of tea from him, Qilian Yuran took a sip and slowly started to calm down.

Qilian Yuran looked to the three of them and slowly began to talk about Qilian Qingyan's past. And those past were all things no one knew about.

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In Ganyun Temple, everyone found their way to the back of the mountain, following the sound of the flute, but discovered not a soul in sight. Yet, they could hear the faint sound of the flute, as if this tune was really played by a celestial being.

And all the birds and beasts lay on the ground and in the air, listening devoutly. That appearance looked as if they were all loyally worshipping someone.

"Mother, look, there's a fairy over there riding on the back of a white tiger, playing the flute." Su Qingcong's voice sounded through the crowd. When everyone looked in the direction he was pointing, they all just happened to see a young maiden in purple on the back of a white tiger, playing the flute.

It was difficult to clearly see the girl, only hearing the faint flute sound, as if it was absorbing their soul. And in a flash, the white tiger along with the maiden in purple disappeared before the crowd, as if everything just now had never happened.

Deng Yan was too familiar with that gaze, and she finally understood now that in the five days Qingyan disappeared, she didn't go anywhere, but was here in Ganyun Temple the whole time.

As for what she'd been up to, she wouldn't know.

Once the tune ended, the birds dispersed, as if just now nothing unusual had happened and the skies were still boundlessly clear.

Seeing the skies clear again, Ning Siyao looked to Su Jiashi and said, "Mother-in-law, now that the skies are clear again, why don't we leave Ganyun Temple today, I'm worried that something strange will happen again."

"I think second sister-in-law has a point, mother-in-law what do you think?" Chai Yiyun looked to Su Jiashi, also agreeing with serious look.

"If you are worried the skies will become unusual again, you can leave first. I will wait here for Qingyan to return." Su Jiashi said as she heavily stomped her cane.

Ning Siyao and Chai Yiyun, seeing Su Jiashi stubbornly set on her decision, could only leave first. But at that moment, a familiar voice came from behind the buddha statue.

"Sorry to have worried grandmother, Yan'er has already returned."