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"The Empress has summoned Master Liu."
The sudden summons caught Liu Ying off guard. She had just finished organizing the celestial records in the observatory when a eunuch led her into Kun Ning Palace. She suspected that news of the incident at Taibai Pavilion had leaked.
A palace maid lifted the curtain embroidered with butterflies, revealing the Empress seated at the head of the room, with her close friend Luo Yunzhi attending her side.
"Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty," Liu Ying said, bowing.
"Rise," the Empress replied gently. "I hear you have been busy with the Qixi calculations these days?"
"Yes, this humble official is currently deducing celestial phenomena."
The Empress nodded lightly. "I have heard that you are not only calculating marriage fates for various young ladies but also predicting that a Top Scholar will emerge from the North?"
Liu Ying's heart tightened, but she maintained her composure. "Replying to Your Majesty, there is indeed evidence for this. With Tai Bai in the sky and Zi Wei losing its brilliance, it signifies a benefactor's arrival."
"Is that so?" A sharp voice suddenly interjected. "Then I wonder if Master Liu knows that during today's court assembly, a minister has already accused you of consorting with an outsider, intending to disrupt court affairs?"
Liu Ying turned to see Madam Chu entering through a side door, accompanied by her daughter Chu Yuyan.
"This servant does not understand what Madam Chu means," Liu Ying said in a low voice.
"What are you pretending not to know?" Madam Chu sneered. "The other day, someone saw you secretly meeting with a suspicious young man at Taibai Pavilion. That person is said to be from the Xu Family..."
"Enough." The Empress suddenly spoke up. "Madam Chu, matters of the court are within my purview."
"Your Majesty, please see reason," Luo Yunzhi softly interjected. "The other day, when Lord Su from the Imperial Medical Institute came to take a pulse, he mentioned that Master Liu was seeking out a reclusive scholar knowledgeable in astronomy for advice on Qixi calculations."
Liu Ying felt warmth in her heart. Luo Yunzhi's words not only explained her meeting with Xu Yuan but also brought forth Lord Su, who was trusted by the Empress as a witness.
"I see," the Empress said thoughtfully as she glanced at Madam Chu. "Since it was for calculations, it is indeed understandable."
Madam Chu wanted to say more but saw that the Empress had already turned her attention back to Liu Ying. "Speaking of Qixi calculations, I have something I wish to inquire about."
"Your Majesty, please go ahead."
"It is said that your grandfather once conducted an important calculation on Qixi night?" The Empress's gaze was profound. "It was just before the Xu Family Case occurred twenty years ago."
Liu Ying's heart skipped a beat. Why was even the Empress bringing this up?
Just then, a commotion erupted outside the hall. A small eunuch rushed in anxiously. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Lord Zhou requests an audience! He says he wants to question Master Liu in person!"
The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Liu Ying knew that Lord Zhou intended to take advantage of this opportunity to strike.
"Your Majesty," Luo Yunzhi suddenly spoke up, "the Imperial Medical Institute just reported that His Majesty wishes to calculate celestial phenomena this afternoon and has specifically ordered Master Liu to prepare at Qintian Observatory immediately."
The Empress understood, "Since it is the Holy Will, then go and prepare."
Liu Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was about to take her leave when she suddenly heard Chu Yuyan say, "Master Liu, wait a moment. I noticed that the jade pendant you are wearing today is quite extraordinary. Who gifted it to you?"
Liu Ying looked down and realized that the jade pendant given by Xu Yuan had slipped out of her sleeve and was now faintly shining on her collar.
"This..." Just as she was about to explain, she caught a glimpse of Luo Yunzhi giving her a knowing look while taking out a similar jade pendant from her sleeve.
"Sister Yuyan has a keen eye," Luo Yunzhi smiled and said, "This jade pendant was given to Liu Ying by me. The other day, when she went to seek out the hermit at Taibai Pavilion, I specially brought her this talisman to ward off evil."
Liu Ying was about to agree when she suddenly noticed the Empress's gaze lingering on the jade pendant, her eyes filled with profound meaning.
At that moment, a White Dove suddenly flew past the window, its wings seemingly tied with something. The Empress's expression shifted slightly as she said, "You may leave now."
As dusk settled, Liu Ying walked out of Kun Ning Palace and saw Luo Yunzhi waiting for her at the palace gate.
"Liu Ying," she whispered, "I just saw that the jade pendant has the character 'Yuan' engraved on it..."
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