Chapter 547

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Under the moon like frost and snow, the seven individuals successively viewed the moon through the telescope.

Facing this result, all but Huang Yanqing wore extremely displeased expressions. After some hesitation, five of them chose to leave, leaving only Huang Yanqing and Yan Zhengyi.

Xiao Ming could still accept this outcome. In fact, even before he came, he had a good impression of Huang Yanqing, because Huang Yanqing’s elder brother was also in Bowen Academy and had always been influenced by him. Moreover, in the past two days, his elder brother Huang Mingxiang was even selected by Lin Wentao for the laboratory.

This person, who had excelled in the Physics Academy, must have had a significant influence on his family. However, unlike Huang Mingxiang, Huang Yanqing was not interested in physics but had always been very curious about the stars in the sky.

Therefore, after seeing the news in the newspaper, he came to Bowen Academy, and what pleased Xiao Ming was that Huang Yanqing also seemed to have the courage to accept new things.

What he couldn’t understand was why Yan Zhengyi, this old charlatan, had stayed.

“Your Highness, I have been greatly harmed by astrology and divination. If it weren’t for my dislike for poetry and books when I was young, and my exclusive preference for these celestial phenomena and physiognomy, I would not be so old and still be setting up a stall on the streets to tell fortunes. If Your Highness had not enlightened me today, I would still have believed that the moon was inhabited by Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit. It turns out there’s nothing there, just a bunch of craters.” Yan Zhengyi’s old tears flowed.

Yan Zhengyi’s age was quite advanced for Great Yu Empire. Although he looked robust, time spares no one, and his slow movements still showed his age.

He had lived a miserable life, childless, taking each day as it came. Now, seeing that his livelihood was based on falsehoods, causing him to miss his prime, he couldn’t help but feel love turn to hatred.

“Your Highness, please accept me. I will diligently study and let the common people understand that the earth is round and revolves around the sun.” Yan Zhengyi said.

It is said that the one who hates a certain profession the most is precisely the one who works in that profession. Yan Zhengyi was now embodying this saying.

Xiao Ming nodded, “Since that is the case, this telescope is entrusted to the two of you. The astronomy books are in the classroom. You can verify everything I say against the books. I also await for you to prove it to the common people with facts.”

Huang Yanqing and Yan Zhengyi both nodded upon hearing this.

Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Ming turned and walked out. He hoped that this elder and youth could bring an ideological impact to Qingzhou. This chaos was both a crisis and an opportunity. He hoped to use this opportunity to popularize some simple scientific knowledge, at least to pull some people out of deep ignorance.

It was already eight o’clock when he returned to the royal residence. The pendulum clock in the bedchamber swung gently back and forth, making a “tick-tock” sound. Fei Yue’er was sitting at the table embroidering. Seeing Xiao Ming return, she asked, “Has Your Highness eaten?”

“I ate at Bowen Academy.” Xiao Ming stretched.

Fei Yue’er put down her embroidery and came forward, gently massaging Xiao Ming’s shoulders, saying softly, “Your Highness has been busy moving about these days, please pay attention to your health. What if you get overtired?”

“I am not that delicate. These matters can still be handled.” Xiao Ming squinted, enjoying Fei Yue’er’s massage, but as soon as he relaxed, he suddenly remembered what Pang Yukun and Fiji had said during the day.

After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Grand Councillor Fei didn’t say anything to you, did he?”

Fei Yue’er’s hand suddenly froze. Xiao Ming thought, ‘Oh no, that old fox indeed pushed from the side.’

Indeed, Fei Yue’er said, “Father mentioned older sister today. The Emperor was deposed, and older sister also suffered. He also said that Empress Zhao was also confined by the Prince of Zhao, but later, for older sister and her child, Empress Zhao was forced to acknowledge the Thirteenth Prince’s enthronement.”

Speaking of this, Fei Yue’er couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. She said, “Father also said that older sister is still in great danger, and if anything unexpected happens, his only grandson will be gone.”

“Alas, I originally thought Empress Zhao and the Prince of Zhao were in cahoots, but I didn’t expect Empress Zhao to be a loyal person. It’s just one step wrong, and then every step is wrong. If it weren’t for Empress Zhao having rallied so many imperial guards for His Highness, how could the Prince of Zhao have so easily entered Chang’an City by himself?” Xiao Ming sighed.

“It’s likely that Empress Zhao was also deceived by the Crown Prince. Now the Crown Prince’s fate is what he deserves, but older sister has suffered along with him.” Fei Yue’er said this while resuming massaging Xiao Ming’s shoulders. Then she continued, “I recall that when older sister first married the Crown Prince, she became pregnant within the first month. Why have I not become pregnant even now? Mother Concubine also asked about this today, and I am anxious. Your Highness, continuing the lineage is a great responsibility for a woman. Is it that I cannot…”

“Don’t overthink it. This is my problem.” Xiao Ming sighed. After all that, it still came down to this question. It seemed Fiji had not only pressured Fei Yue’er but also Concubine Zhen.

“Your Highness’s problem! What should be done!” Fei Yue’er covered her mouth. “Your Highness, many imperial physicians followed us from Chang’an this time. Should we have them take Your Highness’s pulse?”

“No need.” Xiao Ming looked depressed. I wasn’t infertile. As a modern person, couldn’t I keep track of dates? Thinking of this, he explained to Fei Yue’er.

Fei Yue’er was stunned, then she finally understood that Xiao Ming had done it on purpose.

“In short, I am also doing this for your good. After all, you were still young then. However, I have also considered it. Chief Grand Councillor Pang and Grand Councillor Fei’s words also make sense. In times of chaos, if something happens to me, whom should they continue to follow? If there are descendants, they will be reassured. At least the fief will not be in chaos, and this also stabilizes people’s hearts.” Xiao Ming said.

In this world, there was no such thing as an imperial aura that would make the whole world submit in a fit of rage. In fact, every general and every soldier under him had their own ideas.

Hadn’t all these people faithfully followed him precisely so that in the future there could be a peaceful world where they could live comfortable lives?

So, on the way back, he had figured this out. And in fact, he was not young anymore, and it was time for him to have descendants and continue his bloodline.

“Your Highness has finally understood.” Fei Yue’er moved from behind Xiao Ming to stand in front of him, a smile on her face.

“If I hadn’t figured it out, I estimate those two would follow me around every day, nagging.” Xiao Ming stood up. At this moment, he suddenly lifted Fei Yue’er into his arms, causing her to gasp.

“Your Highness, what are you doing?” A blush spread across Fei Yue’er’s face.

“Of course, continuing the lineage.” Xiao Ming laughed loudly.