TRM Chapter 2

The first time Zhou Jingyuan came to the Astrology Tower was during last year’s autumn.

At that time, Qiao Guanxing had only just arrived, still half-blind to the ways of the Imperial Palace. Early one morning, seeing the entire Immortal Garden bustling with activity, his curiosity got the better of him, and through inquiries, he found out that the Crown Prince was coming.

From behind the rocks and through the crowd in the garden, he gazed from afar, spotting Zhou Jingyuan clad in a jade-white dragon robe. He looked cold, noble, and as if he had descended from the heavens, making a strong impression at first glance.

However, Qiao Guanxing furrowed his brow in confusion—why did all the immortals in the garden seem so anxious to avoid him?

You see, these people might have no true skills to speak of, but they excelled in flattery. Whenever any noble consort or concubine passed through the Immortal Garden, they would shower them with praises.

But now, with the Crown Prince—whose status was as lofty as the heavens themselves—finally arriving, why were they all trembling with fear, unwilling to step forward?

The eunuch guiding the Crown Prince bowed to several senior national masters in the garden and squeaked, “Honorable sirs, where should the Crown Prince go to pray for blessings?”

The immortals stroked their beards, maintaining a detached composure. Yet, as if tossing a hot potato, they nonchalantly pointed towards the Astrology Tower. “It would be best to pray there. The tower is high, and it will reflect the sincerity of the Crown Prince.”

Zhou Jingyuan cast a glance at the Astrology Tower, his face expressionless, and then walked forward without hesitation. To him, the entire Immortal Garden reeked of misfortune, and it didn’t matter where he stayed—it was all the same.

Qiao Guanxing: ???

What was going on? Why was he coming to the Astrology Tower? Why hadn’t anyone told him beforehand? And now, he was about to meet the future ruler of the country?

Confused, Qiao Guanxing glanced around at his colleagues, but only met with countless sympathetic gazes.

A sinking feeling weighed down in his chest. No way—this young Crown Prince looked so composed, he probably wouldn’t be too terrifying, would he?

Opening the gate to the Astrology Tower courtyard, Zhou Jingyuan didn’t allow his attendants to enter, stepping inside alone.

The copper bird in the garden, which Qiao Guanxing had only recently finished crafting, was new. A gentle breeze stirred it, causing the bird’s body to slowly turn, its bell-like charm chiming softly.

An omen.

Zhou Jingyuan snorted inwardly, turning his gaze away, and the coldness in his brow deepened. If not for his good father, he never would have stepped foot into such a place.

The Emperor had long believed in the art of immortality and the way of immortal ascension. From the time Zhou Jingyuan could form memories, the palace had been a haze of dark smoke and strange figures, with all manner of spirits and so-called immortals coming and going.

Not long ago, the Emperor’s old ailments had worsened, but instead of summoning a physician, he had called in immortal masters, who performed rituals and exorcisms. In the end, they concluded that his luck was thin, and his fortune weak.

Alarmed, the Emperor mulled over the situation and summoned Zhou Jingyuan to the palace, issuing a decree, “The Crown Prince, as a hidden dragon, is blessed with the dragon energy of the emperor. If he goes to the Immortal Garden and kneels in prayer for 91 days, he will surely dispel the misfortunes.”

Zhou Jingyuan nearly crushed the jade pendant at his waist, his anger simmering as he accepted the decree.

The Crown Prince found such matters beneath his dignity and didn’t allow anyone to accompany him. The eunuchs and maids who usually attended him knew full well that he despised all matters related to the supernatural. No one dared to provoke him at this time, and they cautiously escorted him to the Astrology Tower before retreating to the East Palace.

Meanwhile, Qiao Guanxing, left behind by several senior national masters, was informed of his new duties after much explanation. For the next 81 days, the Crown Prince would be praying in his Astrology Tower, and he had been saddled with the thankless task of serving him.

Feeling unfairly burdened with extra work, Qiao Guanxing sulked and returned to the Astrology Tower, only to find no one inside.

Though the Astrology Tower was a small courtyard, it had everything—a high tower, a pond, trees, rocks, and all manner of plants. But with Zhou Jingyuan now here, Qiao Guanxing found himself momentarily lost, unable to find him anywhere.

If he were to pray, surely it would be atop the high tower.

Taking a plate of pastries in hand, Qiao Guanxing made up his mind to meet his future superior, believing it was best to form a good relationship from the start.

The Astrology Tower’s high tower, made of wood, stood about ten meters tall. Its top was crowned with a pavilion supported by four pillars, its eaves stretching out in an elegant curve, painted with intricate patterns. From a distance, it looked imposing, the tallest building in the entire Immortal Garden.

The finely designed spiral staircase twisted upwards, and when he reached the top of the tower, the wind swept through the layers of sheer curtains. Through the billowing fabric, Qiao Guanxing could faintly see Zhou Jingyuan standing before the railing, tall and regal, with the swirling clouds and mist in the distance making him appear like a celestial being.

Just as Qiao Guanxing was about to approach, he heard the celestial figure speak.

“Once I ascend to the throne, I will set this garden aflame, burn everything to the ground, and rid it of all these superstitious believers. Not a single one will remain!”

Crash.

The plate in Qiao Guanxing’s hand fell to the ground, and the pastries shattered into crumbs.

Wonderful. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking to himself, How could this be happening? He hadn’t even had the chance to build a rapport yet, and his superior was already planning to kill him off.

The curtain before him was roughly pulled aside by Zhou Jingyuan, who glanced at Qiao Guanxing, his face showing no sign of pity, before looking at the shattered plate on the floor. His expression grew darker.

The Crown Prince coldly asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Qiao Guanxing… I am the Imperial Astrologer of the Astrology Tower,” he muttered, his voice growing smaller with each word. By the end, his speech almost trailed off. He was already a head shorter than Zhou Jingyuan, but now he looked as though he wanted to bow his head down to his chest in shame.

“But… but Your Highness, I’m not some superstitious person!”

He suddenly remembered something, lifting his head to swear an oath, his round eyes wide and filled with hope, gleaming like two little lanterns. “I really only forecast the weather!”

Your Highness, believe me! He thought, I’m a firm materialist just like you!

“Ah.”

Zhou Jingyuan gave him a glance, his lips curling into a sneer. “Everyone here claims to have true skills. I’ve been hearing that since I was a child—save it.”

Crack.

Another sharp sound.

This time, it wasn’t a plate breaking—it was Qiao Guanxing’s humble, unpretentious heart, shattered beyond repair. He had only ever wanted to live a simple life, to eat his fill and survive—but now, here he was, facing life and death.

Qiao Guanxing had grown up an orphan, raised by his grandparents. After they passed away when he was in middle school, he lived by eating a few meals here and there, asking for soup from another house. During holidays, he’d lie about his age to work and earn a living. He was like a weed—tough and full of survival instinct.

He had never harbored lofty ambitions. He feared poverty above all else and just wanted enough money for food, clothing, and shelter.

But now, being inexplicably thrown into this situation, just as he was beginning to save up a little, he was suddenly faced with the specter of death.

Sitting on top of the high tower, feeling the wind, Qiao Guanxing distracted himself by counting how many years the old Emperor had left to live.

But he didn’t wallow in despair for long. Since Zhou Jingyuan had decided to kill them, he figured there was no harm in throwing caution to the wind and trying his luck.

After all, working was working, no matter where you were, he thought. He might as well try to gain favor with the Crown Prince before he ascended the throne. He’d quietly stash away some money, and maybe—just maybe—when the time came, Zhou Jingyuan would let him go, sparing his life and allowing him to leave the palace.

Of course, if he could make Zhou Jingyuan believe that he was different from the other so-called immortals, all the better.

Qiao Guanxing, ever the action-oriented individual, didn’t waste any time. He pulled out his charcoal pencil and wrote in his notebook:

“Work Diary – Entry 1: Must win over the Crown Prince!”