Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C360. Hua Zhi's Speculation.

Chapter 360: Hua Zhi's Speculation

Chen Qing gave a small nod, his expression one of calculated gratitude. "This official is grateful, miss, for your understanding. However, there is one more thing I’d like to trouble you with," he said, his tone smooth, almost too polite.

Hao Yue’s smile didn’t falter, though a flicker of something unreadable passed over her face. "Of course, sir. Please, do speak," she responded, her voice sweet like honey, with just a touch of a warning underneath.

With a subtle flourish, Chen Qing slid a piece of paper onto the table, his eyes never leaving her face. On it were three sets of birthdates—each more cryptic than the last.

Hao Yue's gaze swept over the paper briefly, and her smile faded just enough to be noticeable. She leaned back slightly, her eyebrows arching in the kind of casual curiosity that only someone of her position could afford. "And what, pray tell, is the significance of this?" she asked, her tone calm but with an edge of something... pointed. She may know a great many things, but diving too deep into the lives of the nobility was a bit beyond her usual scope—unless, of course, they were of some particular importance.

"These," Chen Qing said with an air of finality, "are the birthdates of the fourth, fifth, and sixth princes. I would appreciate it if you could provide the most detailed divination you can, miss. I’m sure whatever aspect you feel is most pertinent will do."

Hao Yue’s initial reaction was a breath of relief, as if the pressure had momentarily lifted. But she didn’t dive into the divination. Instead, she gave him a measured smile and leaned in ever so slightly. "I’ve just completed my third divination of the day," she explained with a patient tone, as if talking to a child who should know better. "You’ll have to come back tomorrow for the results. I do hope that won't be too inconvenient."

Chen Qing didn’t seem phased by the delay. He rose smoothly, his bow not too deep but just enough to show respect—perhaps more for his own comfort than hers. "Very well, miss. I shall trouble you no more for today," he said with feigned deference. "I’ll verify the details you’ve mentioned as soon as I can." His voice was polite, but it held the kind of sharp edge that suggested he wasn’t one to leave things unfinished.

With a final glance, he turned and walked out, his footsteps echoing as he made his way toward the corner. There, he paused and watched—his eyes narrowing as Hao Yue gracefully stepped out, her movements light and confident, clearly satisfied with how the day had unfolded.

A servant signaled from the other side, and Chen Qing, almost as if in slow motion, emerged from the shadows and slipped into a nearby room. With a deliberate click, he closed the door behind him, then, with a practiced air of casualness, peeled off his mask and muttered, "Your Highness."

Gu Yanxi, barely acknowledging the formality, shot him a sharp glance. "So, what did she have to say, in the end?"

Chen Qing inhaled deeply, his posture suddenly folding into something resembling contemplation—perhaps even hesitation, though that would be far too much to expect from someone so well-practiced in the art of nonchalance. His voice lowered as if reluctant to reveal something unsavory. "She said... the Purple Star is dim and seems to be shifting."

Hua Zhi, who had been quietly simmering, shot up from her seat like someone who'd just been pricked with a needle. "She said shifting, not falling, right?" Her voice was sharp, almost too eager, as if she couldn’t resist diving into the implication.

Chen Qing was a little puzzled. The two terms seemed similar, but their meanings were vastly different. Shifting merely meant moving position, with the root remaining unchanged, while falling represented the imperial power passing into someone else's hands.