CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: LOOK HOW HAPPY HE IS

"It’s impossible to have such a big flaw..." Tang Xiaobai mumbled as she flipped through the recently found calendar book.

The current calendar, named the Linde Calendar, was compiled by the first Chief Historian of this dynasty and has been in use for over sixty years.

"I heard from my elder brother that the Observatory always predicts solar eclipses according to the Linde Calendar. Over the past decades, they’ve never failed, so why did they fail this time?" Tang Xiaobai muttered to herself.

She was just asking casually and didn’t expect an answer: "It’s not that they’ve never failed—"

Tang Xiaobai looked up: "When else did they fail?"

"Last year, the Observatory predicted a solar eclipse in Jiangnan Road."

"And nothing happened?"

It’s impossible, a false report once didn’t have an impact? Then Lin Xujiji’s effort was in vain this time too?

"It happened, but the time predicted by the Observatory differed by two hours."

Tang Xiaobai shook her head indifferently: "It’s just a discrepancy—" suddenly, she fell silent and looked at Ah Xiao in shock.

Ah Xiao said calmly: "Since there has been a discrepancy, it’s possible for the discrepancy to be larger."

Tang Xiaobai was taken aback.

Of course, it wasn’t just a discrepancy.

Whether Ah Xiao knows the truth or not, Lin Xujiji and the Crown Prince definitely know it. Otherwise, how dare they use the solar eclipse as a ploy?

This is truly a risky move!

If it could lead to a major overhaul of the Observatory, she would be happy to keep quiet...

...

However, the Observatory is not so easily toppled.

On the second day of July, the Observatory presented a congratulatory memorial, stating that the Son of Heaven is virtuous and has moved heaven and earth, hence the solar eclipse did not occur.

Once spoken, the emperor was greatly pleased, and rewarded food to all officials, granting amnesty throughout the realm.

However, while the edict for amnesty was still in process, news came from the west.

Before this news reached the Palace, it was first delivered to Tang Ziqian.

At that time, Tang Xiaobai was watching her brother at the martial arts field, admiring his skill of hitting the bullseye a hundred steps away, clapping and cheering when a personal soldier ran over and handed a letter.

Tang Ziqian opened it and smiled.

"What’s the matter?" Tang Xiaobai asked curiously, leaning in to see.

Tang Ziqian handed her the letter, then looked up at Li Mu still standing outside the field and smiled: "Many places west of Qinzhou experienced a solar eclipse."

Tang Xiaobai asked while reading: "So it wasn’t that the solar eclipse should have happened but didn’t, it was calculated for the wrong place?"

Tang Ziqian cast a sidelong glance at her: "You don’t know?"

Tang Xiaobai felt a slight panic: "Why would I know?"

Tang Ziqian chuckled, his gaze again landing on the Crown Prince outside the field, and said: "I heard you studied the Linde Calendar all day yesterday. I thought you’d discovered something." The Crown Prince indeed didn’t reveal anything to Xiaobai?

Tang Xiaobai grinned foolishly: "How could I... I’m only ten years old..."

Tang Ziqian looked at her amusedly and pointed at the letter: "Look at the times for the solar eclipses in various places. They all occurred after seven quarters of the hour of the rooster on July first, when the sun had already set in the Capital City during the sixth quarter of the hour of the rooster, naturally making the eclipse invisible. In Qinzhou and the west, the sunset happened later, so it could be seen—" He paused and laughed, "No wonder Lin Xujiji has been silent these days. As long as the solar eclipse west of Qinzhou is reported to the Capital City, there won’t be any situation of the eclipse should have happened but didn’t!"

Tang Xiaobai showed a look of sudden realization.

Just like she thought.

Since the Linde Calendar has accurately predicted solar eclipse times for over sixty years, it couldn’t make such a huge mistake this time. It’s likely that the time discrepancy has appeared again.

Lin Xujiji must have discovered this issue, and used his own method to predict that the solar eclipse would occur after sunset, then boldly set this contest.

Once the contest began, Lin Xujiji was already in an undefeated position.

Unexpectedly, the Observatory still tried to ingratiate itself and argue, only to have facts slap them, slapping the emperor’s face as well.

What emperor can tolerate being slapped in the face?

The Observatory’s bad luck this time is certain!

When leaving the martial arts field, Tang Xiaobai smiled at the young man beside her and whispered: "I think Lin Xujiji’s move was brilliant!"

The young man slightly curled the corners of his lips, his eyes shining bright as the moon...

...

The erroneous prediction of the solar eclipse led to the demotion of over a dozen officials from the Observatory in a single day.

At this time, the weak and sickly Young Crown Prince, who had never spoken publicly, suddenly formally submitted a memorial.

The memorial stated that since the Observatory’s astronomical observations are "wildly inaccurate," the previously observed "omen of the downfall of the Eastern Palace" must have also been out of malicious cursing of the Crown Prince, such a person with "subversive intents" should be severely punished by His Majesty the Emperor.

The Emperor, who always "favors" the Crown Prince, read the memorial and immediately drafted an edict, adding three levels of guilt.

The misery of the Observatory’s officials corresponded with the rise in fame of Lin Xujiji and Huntian Academy—

...

"Brother!" Tang Xiaobai hurriedly caught up with Tang Ziqian: "Why haven’t we seen Ah Yuan for so long?"

Tang Ziqian smiled: "He’s sick."

"Then I’m going to visit him."

Tang Ziqian paused and asked: "Do you have something to discuss with me?"

The little girl nodded vigorously.

...

"What is it?" Tang Ziqian didn’t take her to the study, but instead found a nearby pavilion to talk.

Tang Xiaobai didn’t mind, and spoke directly: "Brother, I want to study at Huntian Academy!"

Li Mu, standing outside the pavilion, turned his head abruptly to look at her, extremely surprised.

How did she know he plans to enter Huntian Academy?

Tang Ziqian was also surprised: "Why do you want to go there?"

"To study!" Tang Xiaobai said earnestly, "I want to continue learning with Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Yin has already confirmed his entry into Huntian Academy.

But her desire to study at Huntian Academy wasn’t just for Zhang Yin, but for the format of the academy itself.

Huntian Academy is a private academy, admitting students regardless of status, as long as they have potential, they will receive the favor of famous teachers. It is more open and inclusive compared to the clan schools predominantly for family members and the Imperial College, which only accepts aristocratic children.

This was something she wanted from the beginning, but at that time when Tang Jiaojiao said no such format existed, she chose the clan school.

Now, not only does the format exist, but also has the participation of a renowned teacher like Zhang Yin, coupled with Lin Xujiji’s seemingly hidden support from the Crown Prince, she really, really wants to send Ah Xiao there!

Tang Ziqian, however, disagreed: "Huntian Academy has no restrictions on admissions, which can lead to a chaotic mix of people. How can a little girl like you go to such a place?"

"Ah Xiao can go with me!" Tang Xiaobai seized the opportunity to say, "And Tao Zi and Cheng Zi! They were originally studying with me at the clan school, so they can accompany me to the academy too!"

Tang Ziqian glanced outside.

Outside the steps of the pavilion, separated by a dozen steps, stood the maid Tao Zi and the Crown Prince still posing as a servant in his residence.

While they were talking in the pavilion, the maid didn’t hear, so she stood normally, hands down.

But Crown Prince Li Mu did hear, and was looking over here, his eyes gleaming, despite his calm demeanor exuded a joyful feeling that washed over from afar.

Watching how pleased he was...

Tang Ziqian chuckled and said: "No way!"