Chapter 331 Choice

Emperor Tai'an waited quietly for Qi Ming's answer.

He did not regret or feel guilty about driving his elder brother off the throne, but he did feel a little apologetic towards his nephew.

It’s not because Qi Ming is the crown prince, but because Qi Ming has the talent to do well in this position.

But the palace coup ten years ago meant he couldn't return the crown prince position to Qi Ming. People's hearts were unpredictable, and who could guarantee Qi Ming wouldn't seek revenge later? He couldn't leave the rest of his life's honor and dignity in the hands of someone else.

What's more, his fourth son died at the hands of Qi Ming.

He both hated and owed Qi Ming, and was willing to spare his life, but that was all, no more.

This is Emperor Tai'an, who has always been the one who takes the initiative.

Qi Ming lowered his eyes slightly: "The world is full of troubles. My nephew wants to live the life of an outsider."

Emperor Tai'an was stunned: "You want to become a monk?"

Qi Ming looked at Emperor Tai'an's shocked face and nodded slightly.

Emperor Tai'an moved his lips, wanting to say something to persuade him, but he didn't know where to start. After thinking about it again, he felt that Qi Ming's choice was the most appropriate.

"No regrets?"

Qi Ming smiled and said, "This is the life my nephew wants."

"Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"Tianyuan Temple, right in the capital. Occasionally, when Fourth Uncle gets bored, he can listen to my nephew preaching."

Emperor Tai'an sighed secretly.

I have to say that Qi Ming is a very smart person. Knowing that they are far away, the first person he is worried about is him.

"There are many temples in the capital, why not take a look at others? I heard that there have been a series of murders in Tianyuan Temple."

The case of the headless female corpse caused a sensation. Tang Wei was brought to justice, and Marquis Wuning was stripped of his title for not educating his daughter properly. The once glorious Marquis Wuning Mansion fell into disarray and completely disappeared among the nobles in the capital.

Tianyuan Temple was not much better. Although it was found that the headless female corpse had nothing to do with the monks in the temple, two murders had occurred in such a quiet place as the temple. Two heads were fished out of the release lake. The devout believers thought it was unlucky and turned to other temples to burn incense and worship Buddha.

Today, most of the monks in Tianyuan Temple have left, and there are few pilgrims visiting all day long. The temple, which was once very popular, looks like it is about to close.

"My nephew has heard about it too. He thinks it's quieter there."

"Have you decided?"

"It's decided."

Looking at his nephew with a calm expression, Emperor Tai'an wanted to ask him if he had ever had a woman he liked, but he didn't ask in the end.

Soon the news that the former crown prince Qi Ming had become a monk spread, and all the officials and nobles were not surprised.

There's no way, there are too many jaw-dropping things happening.

Emperor Tai'an still did not attend court.

The palace was as cold as the Empress Dowager's death cave, while outside it was snowing heavily.

Emperor Tai'an never returned to the Qianqing Palace. He stayed in the Yangxin Palace to recuperate while looking through the list presented by the clan leader a few days ago. After reading the list until it was torn apart, he had two or three candidates in mind.

"Liu Chuan."

"The servant is here."

"Tell the Imperial Master to come to the palace."

Soon, Master Mingxin appeared before Emperor Tai'an, with a white beard and a wide robe, looking like an immortal.

"Your Majesty."

Emperor Tai'an half-sat against the head of the bed, his sickly face hard to conceal, his voice weak: "Grandmaster, there's no need to be so polite. It was thanks to your help that I was able to avoid being plotted against."

"I am unworthy of this." Master Mingxin bowed, and it was difficult to tell from his face the impact of King Ping's death.

No matter whether it is Emperor Tai'an or Master Mingxin, with their status, sophistication and experience, no matter how big the storm is, it will only remain in their hearts.

Emperor Tai'an put away his scrutiny and expressed sincerity: "This palace turmoil is ultimately due to the vacancy of the crown prince position. I am now frail and unable to govern. I urgently need to select a crown prince to share my worries and stabilize the country."

Master Mingxin nodded slightly to show his agreement.

Emperor Tai'an handed the list to Master Mingxin and said, "Given my physical condition, it's not appropriate for me to adopt young nephews. This list contains twenty-eight people aged fourteen to thirty. The Imperial Master is skilled in astrology and divination. Please help me determine who is the most suitable candidate."

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid this is inappropriate—"

Emperor Tai'an's expression straightened. "What's wrong with that? The Imperial Preceptor's abilities are well known to all. Those on the roster are all my sons and nephews. As long as it's beneficial to the country, it doesn't matter to me who they choose. Imperial Preceptor, you don't want the situation to continue to be chaotic, do you?"

"In that case, I will venture to make some calculations."

Emperor Tai'an smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Imperial Master."

Twenty-eight people. I wonder if the ones chosen by the National Master are among the two or three people he likes?

Emperor Tai'an is now in a very conflicted state of mind. The blow he suffered from the little prince has made him believe in fate, but his naturally strong character prevents him from giving up his own judgment.

If the person calculated by the national teacher is among the candidates he favors, then it must be God's will.

As for what to do if it's different? Emperor Tai'an doesn't plan to consider it for the time being.

Every member of the royal family recorded in the list has a birth date and eight characters. After some deduction, Master Mingxin gave the answer.

"Prince Jing's eldest son Qi Shuo has a pure destiny and is able to absorb energy from all directions. He is a strong and virtuous person. Judging by his eight characters, he is the most suitable among these people... Of course, it is a bit hasty to judge based solely on the eight characters. Your Majesty can just use it as a reference." Master Mingxin said in a light tone, with an impartial attitude.

But he was not as calm as he appeared on the surface.

Will the emperor make the same choice as him?

It is absurd to choose the crown prince based on his horoscope. His selection criteria among the 28 candidates were just two words: suitable.

Prince Jing is brave and resourceful. He is tough on his enemies but tolerant to himself. The little girl is young and carefree, but she has the world in her heart. If Prince Jing becomes emperor in the future, she will undoubtedly be his best helper.

Zhenren Mingxin did not deny that it was thanks to that little girl that he was able to make up his mind so quickly to stand before Emperor Tai'an in his true identity.

He once told her that being the best doesn't mean being chosen.

Now, the emperor has given him the opportunity to choose, and he can finally choose the best for the country and the people.

He is selfless, yet he also has selfish motives.

"Qi Shuo..." Emperor Tai'an raised his eyebrows and smiled, "I think he's pretty good too."

Somehow, Master Mingxin felt his eyes getting hot: "Your Majesty——"

"Let's pick him." Emperor Tai'an didn't wait for Master Mingxin to continue. He took one last look at the thick list and repeated, "Let's pick him."

If anyone else were listening, it would seem too hasty to decide such an important matter like this. However, the sickly-looking emperor seemed to have lifted a heavy burden and murmured, "Let's choose him."

Among the two or three candidates in his mind, Qi Shuo was the one he preferred the most, and the person predicted by the national master through divination was also Qi Shuo. So what was there for him to hesitate about? The sooner he could decide on the crown prince, the easier it would be.

Emperor Tai'an felt better after receiving a head massage from Master Mingxin. He ordered Liu Chuan, "Send Prince Jing to the palace."

When Prince Jing received the oral order, he began to wonder: Why did Fourth Brother ask him to come to the palace at this time?