allonlinenovel Chapter 737: Emperor Star Falls, Storm Rise
Chapter 737: Emperor Star Falls, Storm Rise
The late spring night wind carried fine sand across the observatory, covering the star map on the bronze armillary sphere with a layer of dim dust.
Li Chunfeng's Taoist robe rustled in the wind. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the stargazing tube so tightly. His Adam's apple rolled up and down, and his eyes were fixed on the sky like nails.
The Ziwei star, which was originally hanging high in the sky, seemed to be pulled down by an invisible giant hand, dragging a dark red tail across the sky. Wherever it passed, the twenty-eight constellations were like scattered beads, and the handle of the Big Dipper twisted and turned strangely, foreshadowing the collapse of a certain order.
"The Emperor's Star has fallen, Lao Zhang."
His voice seemed to be squeezed out from the deepest part of his chest, echoing in the silent observatory, startling the night owl sleeping on the eaves, which let out a shrill cry.
Zhang Xuan staggered as he held onto the bronze armillary sphere, his palms numb from the cold copper.
In his eyes, the starlight of the Seven Stars of the Eastern Azure Dragon flickered, like the fangs of a dormant ferocious beast.
The star tracks of the seven White Tiger constellations in the west are in disorder, as if foreshadowing an impending bloody disaster.
If it was a normal transfer of power, new stars should have lit up in the Purple Palace Constellation, like the morning star at dawn, pointing the way for the dynasty.
But at this moment, the entire star map was like a chessboard overturned by a naughty child, and the star tracks were disordered.
"The signs of troubled times..."
Zhang Xuanwei's nails dug deep into the lines of the armillary sphere.
Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting the shattered starry sky, "Your Majesty..."
But now, with the fall of this imperial star, is the world about to fall into chaos?
Zhang Xuanwei's heart was filled with worry and anxiety.
Logically speaking, the son inherits the father's name, and the younger brother inherits the elder brother's name. The inheritance of the dynasty has its own established order and shouldn't be chaotic!
But what does this chaotic astrological phenomenon indicate? Could it be that beneath the seemingly peaceful court, undercurrents are already surging?
In the Liangyi Hall, the candlelight on the gilded candlestick flickered, casting Li Zhi's shadow on the wall, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.
He was concentrating on reading the letter Li Chengqian had left for him. At this moment, Li Chunfeng and Zhang Xuanwei hurried in. Their expressions were solemn and their steps were quick, breaking the original silence in the hall.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to report."
Li Chunfeng's voice was serious.
Li Zhi slowly raised his head and looked away from the letter. Seeing the expressions of the two people, his heart tightened: "Why are you so flustered?"
"A few days ago, we observed the celestial phenomena. Your Majesty passed away, the Ziwei star fell, and the celestial phenomena were in chaos. This is a sign of a chaotic world!"
Zhang Xuanwei's tone was full of worry.
"The world is in chaos?" Li Zhi's pupils shrank slightly, and he unconsciously clenched the letter in his hand. "Don't worry, don't let this matter out."
"I will not allow chaos to occur in the Tang Dynasty."
At the same time, a depressing atmosphere permeated the Daming Palace.
The white mourning curtain fluttered gently in the wind. Li Ke stood quietly beside Li Chengqian's body with a blank look in his eyes.
He stared at his brother's pale face, trying to find a trace of his former spirit there, but all he got in response was cold silence.
Li Tai and Li Jiming stood aside, their faces filled with grief and confusion, wiping the tears that welled up in their eyes with their sleeves from time to time.
"Royal brother, why are you doing this?"
Li Ke finally broke the silence, his voice filled with sadness and resentment, as well as a hint of barely perceptible anger. "Why do you torture yourself like this? Why do you care about the opinions of those untouchables?"
He slowly turned his head to look at Li Tai, his eyes flashing with complex light, "Li Tai, the emperor is gone, there is no one to protect us from the wind and rain, Zhinu is our younger brother."
"Since Zhinu has chosen the same path as my royal brother, I will inevitably be bullied in the future. Do you want to see Zhinu become like my royal brother?"
Li Tai was shocked by Li Ke's words. He looked at him nervously, his voice trembling slightly: "What do you want to do?"
His intuition told him that what Li Ke was going to say next might cause a huge uproar.
Li Jiming also turned her gaze to Li Ke. She subconsciously clenched her fists, waiting for Li Ke's answer.
"doing what?"
Li Ke's mouth curled up into an icy arc, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes. That light was like a cold blade drawn from its sheath, making people shudder. "I'm not the eldest brother, I don't have such a kind heart. When the eldest brother was here, I could still show some courtesy to those lowly people."
"Big brother is a good man with a kind heart. He gave them food to eat and books to read. He made sure everyone had enough to eat and was no longer afraid of the cold in winter."
"Without Big Brother, would they be where they are today?"
"In the past, how could any untouchable dare to curse the emperor?"
"I won't say anything else. Even if they feel that Big Brother has blocked their path to wealth and are ashamed of him, they should still show some courtesy to him."
"If it weren't for my brother's poor health and my fear that he would worry, I would have done it a long time ago."
"I'm not as easy to talk to as my brother."
"Do you dare to follow me and avenge Big Brother?"
Li Tai and Li Jiming were stunned by Li Ke's fierce words. They looked at each other with shock in their eyes.
"Revenge? How?"
Li Tai swallowed hard.
Li Ke snorted coldly and took out a thick notebook from his arms. The corners of the notebook were a little worn, and it was obvious that he had read it countless times.
"In here, it records which officials in Chang'an have privately cursed Big Brother, and which common people have privately cursed Big Brother. I have had them all written down."
"As for revenge, I will have their tongues cut off one by one."
"If you don't go, I'll go by myself."
His words were like ice, and every word was filled with chilling murderous intent.
Upon hearing this, Li Tai hurried forward to stop him, sweat beads appearing on his forehead. "No, Big Brother's body is still warm, and Zhinu has just taken over. If you do this, it will make too much noise. Even if you want to do it, you should tell Zhinu first."
"Li Ke, don't be impulsive. We are all very sad and angry that Big Brother is gone, but violence can't solve problems. Didn't Big Brother always tell you that?"
As he spoke, he looked at Li Jiming for help, hoping that they could help persuade Li Ke.
Li Ke raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Tai, with a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Li Tai, you are the fearless King of Wei. When my father was alive, you were his favorite."
"Since when did even you, who is so high and mighty, develop a compassionate heart?"
"Please help me tell Zhinu...and His Majesty. I have people on my side, so I'll go myself."
After saying that, he clutched the notebook tightly in his hand, turned around and strode away, leaving Li Tai and Li Jiming looking at each other in bewilderment.
Shortly after Li Ke left, the atmosphere in Daming Palace grew increasingly tense. Li Tai paced back and forth in his room, his brow furrowed, as he pondered over a strategy.
He knew Li Ke's temper, and once he made a decision, it would be difficult to change it easily.
But if they really did what Li Ke said, it would inevitably cause an uproar, which would not only plunge the court into chaos, but might also put Zhinu in an embarrassing situation.