They all want to change my future.

Chapter 19 Star Gazing Tower

The Star-Gazing Tower is said to have originally been just a three-story building.

As the empress cleared away obstacles, she seized absolute power.

Unbeknownst to many, this small building has grown taller and wider day by day, with its flying eaves and brackets layered upon layer, reaching straight into the clouds, as if it were about to touch the real stars.

Larger buildings require maintenance.

When there are many people, their inherent attributes change.

What was originally just a building for observing the starry sky gradually transformed into an institution for the empress to observe world affairs.

The observatory was bustling tonight, but not in a noisy, bustling way. People came and went, gathering together quietly and solemnly.

Numerous cultivators at the fourth realm or above entered the hall on the third floor and stood on both sides according to their rank and seniority.

We await the arrival of that important person, and we also await the good news he will bring.

As the appointed time approached, the jade pendants tinkled softly.

A figure stepped out and came to the front of the group. This person had a long beard and looked like a sage.

He was the owner of the observatory, responsible for matters below the third floor.

He was the one who stood out from the fierce competition when the Empress first expanded the scale of the Dragon Gate Trial.

That trial back then was less about selecting talent and more about choosing sides.

Rowan stood the most steady and the most resolute.

After Luo Wen stood still, he scanned the area with his divine sense to confirm that everyone who was supposed to be there had arrived before slowly speaking.

"I have gathered you all here because I have some good news to announce."

The expressions of those in the hall shifted slightly, but no one whispered among themselves; they awaited Luo Wen's decision.

"This year's Dragon Gate Examination," Luo Wen paused briefly before slowly announcing the results, "has doubled the number of successful candidates."

hum-

Despite the strict discipline, an extremely faint sound of breathing and the rustling of robes could still be heard in the hall.

Doubling? The fixed amount of 100 in previous years was a convention formed through years of negotiation, involving the balance of all parties. This year, it has been directly doubled to 200.

"Two hundred people?" The person at the very front couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Is this His Majesty's side?"

Rowan laughed, a mocking smile on his face: "Indeed, His Majesty is wise."

The words were perfectly polite and grand.

But the person speaking sounded off.

Those present understood that the Empress had won again, once again outmaneuvering the Emperor.

This emperor, surnamed Ji, took another step back.

The Empress is probably one step closer to deposing the Zhou dynasty and establishing herself as emperor.

This thought flashed through the minds of many, carrying an indescribable fervor.

Everyone present was a member of the Empress's faction, so it was perfectly normal for them to have such thoughts.

Ten years of rigorous selection process have yielded nearly a thousand talented individuals.

Most of them went to the six major departments and key locations.

Most of the rest are in this observatory.

Everyone was able to overcome the first hurdle in their cultivation only by relying on the Empress.

Everyone is grateful for this.

Even if they don't, if they enter the imperial court and are ostracized by powerful families, they will naturally band together in gratitude.

As for whether the Empress is a demon?

That's a joke; those are immortals who have reached the ninth level of cultivation.

How dare you call it a demon?

They are clearly gods who protect humankind.

"Gentlemen," Rowan glanced around, silencing the commotion, and then changed the subject, "Besides this good news, there is another matter that I would like to discuss with you."

Some people were puzzled, as the third floor of the Star Gazing Tower was in charge of matters concerning ordinary people and those whose cultivation had not yet passed the fourth realm.

The Dragon Gate Examination is the biggest event they are responsible for every year.

Besides that, what else needs their help?

"A sudden heavy snow fell last night, and one person in the capital froze to death." Luo Wen's eyes were stern. "This is not unusual. Every winter, some refugees, beggars, or destitute people cannot survive. But the place where this person died is strange."

Luo Wen's gaze swept over everyone: "That night, the Princess went out of the manor and happened to save someone in that freezing place."

"Those of you present should know what this means," Rowan's voice turned cold. "At the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Revenue submitted a memorial stating that no one in the capital region had frozen to death, which can be called a golden age of governance. They earnestly requested Her Majesty the Empress to continue to manage state affairs for another ten years."

Those present were speechless; everyone knew what lay behind the fact that no one had frozen to death.

They simply cooperated with the city patrol and the local officials to take in or persuade many potential threats who might not survive the winter.

Creating a prosperous era would provide irrefutable evidence for the Empress to maintain her power for a long time.

"Who did this?" someone asked in a low voice, their tone filled with anger.

Luo Wen waved his hand, signaling to calm down: "Preliminary investigation shows that the deceased was a gambler who lost all his possessions that day, even pawning his warm clothes. He was found lying in a snowdrift and died without anyone noticing."

"That's perfectly reasonable," someone sneered. "It seems the eldest princess is going to step in and fight for it."

No sooner had they said that in this peaceful and prosperous era, no one was freezing to death on the road than the princess found another person who was about to freeze to death near a person who had already frozen to death.

One saved, the other died—a stark contrast.

Once the news spreads, what will the common people say?

"They are indeed here to compete." Luo Wen nodded in confirmation: "The person the Princess saved happened to be a scholar who came to participate in the Dragon Gate Examination, and what's more, he came from the south."

Those present fell silent. So many coincidences were not coincidences; it was clearly a setup.

It seems that the sects and the Ji family are somewhat unwilling to accept this and are about to start a rebellion.

"So, in that case," someone asked in a low voice, "the eldest princess has already broken through to a higher realm?"

"There's no need to worry about that." Luo Wen shook his head. "I asked the owner of the building, and there was no unusual phenomenon of hundreds of birds singing."

The "Lord" naturally refers to the Lord of the Stargazing Tower, who is different from Luo Wen, who is nominally in charge of the three floors.

This master of the Star Gazing Pavilion was a confidant of the Empress and a powerful figure who commanded the entire pavilion.

Upon hearing this answer, the people present calmed down, and some even whispered sarcastically, "Ten years have passed, and you still haven't broken through to the seventh realm. What makes this prince dare to come out and compete?"

"Regardless of her qualifications, the sect has already taken action in this Dragon Gate Trial." Luo Wen's gaze swept across the room. "Therefore, everyone, go back and tell your juniors that they mustn't let the people from the south take the first place in this Dragon Gate Trial."

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

Everyone here is intelligent, and they immediately understood.

That's the real reason Rowan shared this news.

The south made a move and pushed someone forward.

Aiming for the top spot at Longmen is not just about competing for an empty title, but a blatant slap in the face.

This is not only a slap in the face to the Empress's direct descendants, but also a demonstration of power against the Empress herself.

What's the point of your so-called breaking of monopolies and attracting talent?

If our sect were to take this even slightly seriously and send out a truly promising talent, your subordinates would be utterly helpless.

If they succeed and seize the title, it will undoubtedly deal a heavy blow to the rising arrogance of the Queen's faction in recent years.

This sends a signal to those who are watching that "the Empress's power is not unstoppable," thus buying more breathing room and time to maneuver.

"By the way, what's the name of that guy from the south?" someone asked. "Should we target him?"

Luo Wen glanced at him and said calmly, "Li Zhi is currently residing in Zhaoyang Prefecture."

They mentioned the name and location, but said nothing about whether or not they would target anyone.

However, everyone present understood that it was simply a matter of trying to figure out what the superior wanted.

I understand everything I understand.

Everyone knows what to do.

Moreover, they are gathered here now to analyze the situation and grasp the spirit of the meeting.

Isn't it also about trying to figure out what the superiors want?

Her Majesty the Empress said nothing.

But as a subordinate, how dare you do nothing?

Rowan naturally understood this principle, and he waved his hand.

The group left one by one.