jdhmnovel Chapter 224 A solar eclipse by a celestial dog foretells a great calamity.
Chapter 224 A solar eclipse by a celestial dog foretells a great calamity.
The Ye family members all looked up at the sky, the dark sky foreshadowing that the imperial city was about to lose its light.
Although solar eclipses have a scientific explanation, in this era they are often seen as a warning from heaven, and one wonders what those in power might interpret them.
"The sky was indeed unusually dark; the Imperial Observatory had failed to notice it at all, which was a serious dereliction of duty."
Ye Xiumu sighed, while Ye Yaoyao shook her head slightly and muttered to herself.
[In this era, celestial phenomena cannot be accurately predicted, but that Master Changkong certainly possesses some real skill.]
If the Imperial Observatory couldn't predict celestial phenomena before, and still can't see them now, they should go home and grow sweet potatoes.
"Then we won't go out."
"Have someone light all the lamps in the mansion."
Many elderly people in the community, based on their years of experience, had a premonition that this day might be unusual, and most of them chose to stay at home.
However, many young people didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just a normal weather change, and still went out as usual with rain gear.
Inside the palace, the emperor, having changed into his everyday clothes, was preparing to handle state affairs when he was disturbed by the strange weather.
"The sky is so dark today, how come the Imperial Astronomical Bureau officials didn't notice it before? These incompetent fools, not a single one has reported it yet."
The young eunuch serving nearby was so frightened that he quickly bowed and replied:
"Your Majesty, this servant will immediately summon the Imperial Historian."
After saying that, he carefully hunched his back and backed out of the room.
At this moment, the Grand Historian arrived breathlessly at the door of the Imperial Study and hurriedly said:
"I...I want to see the Emperor."
"Lord Li, the Emperor wants to see you. Please come in quickly."
The Grand Historian took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and stepped into the Imperial Study with a feeling of unease.
The imperial historian knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling slightly.
"Your Majesty, I deserve to die! The celestial phenomena were unusual, and none of us officials of the Imperial Observatory were able to detect them in advance. This is an extremely serious dereliction of duty."
The emperor glared angrily, then slammed his hand on the table, causing the ink and brush on it to tremble.
"Now you know you deserve to die? What have you all been doing all this time! What does this unusual celestial phenomenon signify?"
Seeing so many useless officials in the court, the emperor couldn't help but wonder if it was because he wanted to be a wise ruler that the officials were not doing their jobs openly, but were all committing crimes in secret.
The imperial historian dared not raise his head and answered tremblingly:
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this is an omen of a celestial dog devouring the sun."
As for what warning Heaven might give, even this humble subject cannot fathom it at the moment.
"Tengu eats the sun!"
How long will this phenomenon last?
"According to records, the last time a solar eclipse occurred was more than 300 years ago and lasted for a whole day."
"You mean this time it'll be a whole day too?"
That's roughly the case.
The emperor frowned even more deeply, pacing back and forth in his study, wondering if any disaster had occurred in the Qin Dynasty three hundred years ago.
Then, recalling Qin Jingyu's words about the nation's fate being jeopardized, he pondered to himself:
The solar eclipse happened at this exact moment; could it be related to my bestowal of a marriage upon the Ye family? Or is there some other deeper meaning?
After a moment, he stopped and stared at the imperial historian, asking, "In your opinion, how should I respond?"
The imperial historian pondered for a moment, then spoke cautiously, his body trembling:
"Your Majesty, perhaps we should learn from the previous dynasty and issue an edict to repent and appease the people. At the same time, we could suspend some major initiatives, observe the subsequent changes in the celestial phenomena, and then make a decision."
The emperor was displeased. "Issue an edict to blame myself? Humph, what crime have I committed! It's just that the celestial phenomena are unusual."
Am I really going to pin a huge mistake on myself because of this vague and unfounded matter?
"Guards, drag him away and give him eighty strokes of the cane."
Suddenly, the sky darkened, turning day into night, and not a single star appeared in the sky.
Pedestrians who were strolling leisurely on the road suddenly felt as if they were in an endless abyss, and screams of terror echoed throughout the streets and alleys.
"The heavens are eating the sun!" a sharp voice rang out first.
Immediately afterwards, gasps of surprise rose and fell from all directions:
"A celestial dog eating the sun foretells a great calamity!"
The voices of the people were filled with fear, as if the end of the world had come.
Meanwhile, the eunuchs sent by the palace to deliver the imperial decree to the Ye family were suddenly swallowed up by the darkness when they were not far from the Ye family.
It's so dark you can't see your own hand in front of your face.
The little eunuch was so frightened that his voice changed tone, and he said in a trembling voice:
"Eunuch Wu, the sun is gone; it's a solar eclipse."
Wu Dahai was also flustered at this moment, but his years of experience in the palace made him try to remain calm.
"Understood, everyone stand still! No one is allowed to run around, don't panic!"
In this pitch-black darkness, staying still is indeed the best course of action to prevent any accidents.
Grandpa Wu frantically groped for the candles inside the carriage, muttering to himself:
"It seems that the marriage between the Crown Prince and Miss Ye is truly defying the heavens."
After hearing the historian's words, the emperor outwardly dismissed the matter of issuing an edict to repent, but inwardly he felt somewhat uneasy.
Summon the guards and give them the following instructions:
"Go to the countryside immediately and secretly investigate the people's opinions on this solar eclipse. Pay special attention to whether anyone is using this to spread rumors that are detrimental to the court. Report back immediately if you find any information."
After receiving the order, the guards vanished into the darkness like ghosts.
As darkness fell, the Ye family's house was brightly lit, with the light from the two lanterns outside the gate illuminating a great distance.
The courtyard was filled with servants, each holding a torch.
"The eclipse may last a long time. The roads will be difficult to travel in the darkness, and there must be many people outside who are panicking. Now, go and bring them light and warmth."
"Yes, Fourth Miss."
The servants, each carrying a lit torch and an unlit one, rushed out the door.
Ye Li'an and Ye Jingyang went out with them.
"Sister, Yan Yan also wants to go out and help others."
Yueyan held Ye Yaoyao's hand, her soft, childlike voice full of anticipation.
I'd love to see how ordinary people in ancient times warded off the "cold-weather dog" (a mythical creature believed to ward off evil spirits).
Ye Yaoyao said the following to Yueyan:
"Yan Yan, no, it's too dangerous outside. There might be thieves, or people who are afraid of the dark and might do something crazy. Let's stay home!"
Yueyan sighed in disappointment and pouted, asking:
"Sigh! What can we do?"
"This is the best time to sleep."
Ye Yaoyao pulled Yueyan back to the room, intending to go to sleep.
The Ye family, carrying torches, saved many people from the darkness. The Prince Jing's Mansion also sent people. Gradually, government officials, carrying torches, patrolled outside, and the troublemakers were caught and brought back.
Wu Dahai and his entourage of eunuchs were found by Ye family servants, and a group of them started fighting each other, leaving everyone with bruises and swelling on their faces.
They sensed someone was robbing their silver in the darkness, and then, unable to distinguish friend from foe, a fight broke out.
People came out of their homes and gathered together, flooding the streets, beating drums and gongs, and setting off firecrackers as they went, trying to drive away the celestial dog and save the sun.
The entire imperial city, except for the palace, was filled with a cacophony of sounds, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.