My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 217

Chapter 217: The Office of Astronomy

Xiao Linghan, the Princess Zhemei, had never believed in so-called “fate” since she could remember.

According to the old geezers in the Office of Astronomy, her aura as a woman was too strong, and as the emperor’s eldest child, if she wasn’t “suppressed,” she might threaten the crown prince’s position.

So, although her given name was “Linghan” (Enduring Cold), her title was decided from the moment her fate was divined: Zhemei (Broken Plum Blossom).

She was young then and only knew that her mother, the Empress, loathed this title.

She didn’t know whether it was to deny the words of those in the Office of Astronomy, or because of her own expectations for her daughter, but as soon as Xiao Linghan could read, her mother had her study introductory military strategy books, and as soon as she could run, she was given a set of wooden weapons as a birthday gift.

Her mother, who came from a military family, watched as she tried each weapon, and whichever one she favored, her mother would teach her how to use it, helping her choose the most suitable weapon, a lifelong companion.

This naturally attracted the attention of her maternal family’s elders, but her mother, having grown up pampered and now the Empress, would retort confidently, “What, are you grown men afraid of being overshadowed by a little girl?”

The young Xiao Linghan, oblivious to this, obediently followed her mother’s instructions, studying and practicing martial arts every day.

By the time her younger sister, Xiao Luohan, was born, her monotonous and arduous, but not uninteresting, training had progressed from the courtyard to the military camp.

Even though her days were busy and difficult, and she had to face those men who scoffed at the sight of a woman, whenever she went to see Xiao Luo, Xiao Linghan would put on her brightest smile, her voice and actions gentle, showing her love for this frail little princess like any ordinary older sister.

However, because of her younger sister’s frail health, a slight chill or a gust of cold wind would cause a fever, even making her faint, unresponsive to any attempts to wake her, only responding to the medicine the imperial physician forced down her throat, waiting for her to wake up on her own.

Xiao Linghan, although she didn’t show it, was terrified.

She loved her younger sister and was afraid that she would silently pass away on a cold night.

This was also the first time she wanted to believe in the so-called “fate,” but she didn’t believe in “predetermined destiny,” but rather in “changing one’s fate.”

So, before the arrival of winter that year, she entered the Office of Astronomy, hoping to find a truly wise, not pedantic, priestess who could give her a feasible solution.

As the emperor’s eldest daughter, Xiao Linghan had been a focus of the Office of Astronomy since birth.

And the young princess’s fate had also been recorded. The principle of the Office of Astronomy was “mortals cannot defy Heaven,” so the young priest in charge of receiving her broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing the princess’s request.

Telling the truth might earn him a whipping from Princess Zhemei, but the teachings he had received since childhood told him that he would rather die than lie to a member of the royal family.

“Senior Brother, Priestess Tianshu has summoned you,” a clear, childish voice suddenly came from beside him. “I’ll take care of this honored guest.”

The young priest, instead of relaxing, gasped.

“This is…?” Xiao Linghan looked at the young girl who had approached her in surprise.

The girl looked to be around the same age as her younger sister, her long, black hair, which should have been tied up, flowing freely down her back, dressed in the silver robe of the Office of Astronomy, embroidered with celestial patterns.

She recognized this robe. Only high-ranking priestesses were allowed to wear it, but this girl was clearly very young. Could this be the so-called “eternal youth”?

“This is Priestess Cang Ling,” the young priest said, forcing himself. “But as you can see, she’s… still young, and she often has whimsical ideas…”

Seeing his hesitation, although reluctant, he hadn’t refused the young girl’s request. Xiao Linghan, accustomed to the “survival of the fittest” in the military camp, could see the difference in their power.

So she spoke up, “It’s alright, I came here for my younger sister’s fate, and she looks to be around the same age as my younger sister, so I’ll treat her like a younger sister. I won’t blame her no matter what she says or does.”

The young priest was relieved, bowed, and quickly left.

Cang Ling also bowed to her, then, like a little adult, extended her hand and said with a deadpan expression, “This way, honored guest.”

Xiao Linghan was led to a platform.

Military training took the entire day, so it was already night when she arrived. Looking up, she could see the brilliant stars against the dark night sky.

“There’s no need to call me ‘honored guest,’ just call me ‘older sister’,” Xiao Linghan said, sitting down.

“Your Highness Zhemei,” the young girl remained respectful, clearly wanting to address her formally as a priestess of the Office of Astronomy.

Xiao Linghan smiled, didn’t correct her, and asked casually, “Do you know why I’m here?”

“For Princess Zhuìyù’s fate,” Cang Ling replied without hesitation.

Knowing that information traveled quickly within the Office of Astronomy, Xiao Linghan wasn’t surprised and continued, “Can you be more specific?”

Since the young girl was addressing her formally, she should also respect her profession.

“You don’t believe in fate and want to find a way to change it, to extend her lifespan,” Cang Ling said. “If it were my master here, she would advise you not to dwell on this, but I hope that many years later, you will still remember your persistence tonight.”

These words made Xiao Linghan’s expression change.

“…What do you mean?” Although she didn’t want to be angry with a little girl, she still frowned.

“There is indeed an opportunity, but not now, and with my current abilities, I can only divine its ‘existence,’ and it will happen many years later,” Cang Ling replied. “People have desires and conflicts of interest. Until that moment arrives, no one can guarantee that their vows will be fulfilled.”

Xiao Linghan was silent for a long time before nodding. “Alright, I’ll borrow your auspicious words. When that time comes, I hope Priestess Cang Ling will also remind me.”

They made a verbal agreement. Having been questioned by the young girl and her concerns exposed, Xiao Linghan wasn’t in the mood to continue stargazing. After politely excusing herself, she left the Office of Astronomy.

The people in the Office of Astronomy didn’t lie, not even the young girl.

But she wouldn’t place all her hopes on a little girl. After that, she expanded her own influence, secretly searching for renowned physicians for her younger sister.

She didn’t want her younger sister to know that she was wasting time on these things, so whenever she found a physician, she would recommend them to her younger sister’s mother, Consort Ning, who was confined in the cold palace, without revealing her own involvement, only visiting the mother and daughter occasionally during her free time.

When she met Cang Ling again, Xiao Linghan had already made many contributions, and Cang Ling was twelve years old.

According to custom, girls of this age should be discussing marriage, but both Xiao Linghan and her mother despised this practice. Fortunately, the Office of Astronomy was special, and those with greater talent, regardless of gender, wouldn’t be easily released into the secular world.

After returning from a victorious campaign, Xiao Linghan, tired of attending one celebratory banquet after another, found an excuse to escape.

And this excuse was the readily accepted “going to the Office of Astronomy for a divination.”

After all, most people believed in fate, even soldiers who faced death constantly.

Perhaps it was the custom of the Office of Astronomy to divine a hexagram first thing in the morning, but as soon as Xiao Linghan entered, she saw the familiar young girl waiting in the reception hall.

The twelve-year-old girl had grown taller compared to a few years ago, but Xiao Linghan, who exercised regularly and was still growing, was now taller than her. When they stood together, Cang Ling had to look up to meet her gaze.

Xiao Linghan had only come to avoid the banquet and didn’t want to trouble the young girl, so she asked her to take her to the platform again.

—Sitting on the ground, the difference in their height wouldn’t be so obvious.

“Congratulations, at twelve, you’re a true ‘little adult’ now,” Xiao Linghan said, looking up at the sky. “I’ve heard about your abilities, reciting the introductory classics of the Office of Astronomy from memory at three, starting to observe the stars and divine fortunes at eight, predicting natural disasters for years to come. You’ll definitely have a place on the altar for divining the nation’s fate in the future.”

Her praise, from the heart and out of gratitude, however, made Cang Ling fall silent.

“…I can’t see it,” Cang Ling murmured after a while. “I can’t see my own path.”

Xiao Linghan was stunned, then sat up straight and asked seriously, “Why would you think that? Are you… willing to tell me?”

She had only heard of “doctors can’t cure themselves,” she hadn’t expected even a priestess from the Office of Astronomy, skilled in divination, to have such worries.

“Besides predicting other people’s fates, I don’t know what else I can do,” Cang Ling replied. “Looking down from the high platform, I’ve also wondered if there’s a place for me within the city of Beiliao.”

“Even though no one in the Office of Astronomy discusses it, we’re not completely ignorant of the secular world,” she continued. “Classics, records, objects… to divine fortunes, we have to understand human desires and emotions.”

“Then, have you found something you yearn for while learning about the world?” Xiao Linghan asked uncertainly. “Actually, that’s perfectly normal…”

“No,” Cang Ling shook her head, looking at the sky with a confused expression. “Nothing at all.”

“…Nothing at all?” Xiao Linghan didn’t understand what she meant.

“It’s empty here,” Cang Ling said, placing her hand on her chest. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve followed my teachers’ instructions. Besides my ‘mission,’ nothing else matters.”

“I don’t need to consider my own preferences, I don’t need to consider my future—my future is the future of the Office of Astronomy, my honor and disgrace are tied to it.”

“Since it’s not something I need to consider, no matter how detailed the descriptions in the classics, or how exquisite the objects my teachers bring, what do they have to do with me?”

Before Xiao Linghan could speak, she continued, “But… I don’t like this feeling, but I can’t explain it, and I don’t know who to talk to…”

“Aren’t you talking to me now?” Xiao Linghan said quickly, seizing the opportunity. “Although I don’t know why you’re willing to open up to me, the people in the Office of Astronomy are all very intuitive, right? Doesn’t this mean I can continue listening?”