“Your Majesty, the Eastern Palace has been vacant for too long. A Crown Prince should be established!”

“The Crown Prince is the nation’s heir apparent. Establishing an heir early will stabilize the nation. We implore Your Majesty to decide!”

“If the nation has no Crown Prince, just like during this period when Your Majesty was ill, there was no one to oversee state affairs. Many important matters went unhandled, affecting the nation’s grand plans!”

“We humbly beseech Your Majesty to establish a Crown Prince!”

“This minister seconds the motion!”

“…”

A cold expression appeared on the Emperor’s face, gaunt from his rapid weight loss due to illness: “What, are you people hoping for Us to fall ill, hoping for a Crown Prince to oversee state affairs?”

“Your Majesty, please forgive us. That is not our intention!” The Grand Tutor knelt down. “If the nation has no heir apparent, the civil and military officials will each take sides, plunging the court into unnecessary internal strife. Selecting a Crown Prince early will allow him to learn state policy early, learn to oversee government affairs early, and maintain the long-term stability of our Great Jin, Your Majesty!”

“Indeed, Your Majesty, the nation’s foundation cannot be delayed!”

“We implore Your Majesty to decide quickly!”

The Emperor sat at the highest seat with a stern face, his fingers rubbing his green thumb ring.

The National Preceptor standing at the forefront stepped forward and spoke: “These past few days, this minister has observed the celestial signs and discovered that a new Polaris has appeared. The dim sky has been illuminated by this new Polaris, and even the old imperial star shines brilliantly because of it. Your Majesty, it is time to establish a Crown Prince!”

The National Preceptor knelt and kowtowed.

The civil and military officials followed suit.

“We implore Your Majesty to establish a Crown Prince!”

Everyone cried out in unison.

The Emperor slowly asked: “Then which of you beloved ministers believes is worthy of being Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince requested his own deposition. The Second and Fourth Princes committed treason. The Fifth Prince was deposed. The Sixth and Eighth Princes were sent to their fiefs… Looking across the court and beyond, only the Third Prince, Prince Pingxi, is worthy of this responsibility!”

Though there were many factions at court, the situation was what it was. Currently, the only remaining Seventh Prince was only ten years old, and the Ninth and Tenth Princes were even younger. What could they use to compete with the Third Prince?

Rather than backing a prince who hadn’t yet grown up, it was better to firmly follow the Third Prince, Prince Pingxi, and perhaps earn merit for supporting the dragon.

“We implore Your Majesty to establish Prince Pingxi as Crown Prince!”

Everyone shouted in unison.

The Emperor knew that establishing an heir apparent truly could not be delayed.

Previously, he indeed hadn’t made up his mind to establish Third Son because Third Son was a military man whose hands bore too much killing, and he feared bringing unnecessary trouble to the imperial family.

But now…

The Emperor looked toward Ding Yiyuan: “Can the National Preceptor calculate whom this Polaris refers to?”

“The Polaris belongs to the earth element and governs official rank and wealth.” Ding Yiyuan slowly calculated with his fingers, speaking unhurriedly. “Wenqu serves as its subordinate. Furthermore… Polaris is mostly magnanimous and upright… However, Great Jin will face external threats in the future. This Polaris governs killing, and its authority can control the Fire and Bell stars for good… can subdue the Seven Killings star for power…”

The Emperor’s brow gradually furrowed: “The National Preceptor means that Great Jin will face warfare, and the next sovereign must have killing in his destiny?”

Ding Yiyuan nodded: “This is all this humble minister can calculate. As for who specifically it is, I do not know.”

The officials immediately memorialized.

“Your Majesty, if Great Jin truly will be invaded by enemy nations, only Prince Pingxi can respond.”

“Prince Pingxi is the rising new Polaris!”

“We implore Your Majesty to establish Prince Pingxi as Crown Prince!”

The Emperor was well aware that though Great Jin was powerful, the surrounding small nations were not weak either. Each one greatly coveted Great Jin’s vast territory.

If those small nations united to deal with Great Jin, Great Jin would truly suffer losses.

If Third Son became Crown Prince, his momentum alone could defeat those small nations without battle. Perhaps Third Son truly was the destined next sovereign.

Thinking this far.

The Emperor raised his hand: “Hear this decree: Prince Pingxi’s bearing is extraordinary and outstanding, chosen by Heaven’s will. We solemnly announce to heaven and earth, the state altars, and the ancestral temple—Prince Pingxi, Chu Yi, is hereby established as Crown Prince… So decreed!”

“Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!”

“Long live the Crown Prince, long live, long live!”

All the officials knelt to pay respects to the newly appointed Crown Prince.

After all the formalities concluded, the Emperor waved his hand to dismiss court.

Everyone in court surrounded him, smiling as they offered congratulations.

“Crown Prince, congratulations, congratulations!”

“Prince Pingxi becoming Crown Prince is Great Jin’s blessing!”

“When will the Crown Prince hold a celebration banquet? We will certainly come to offer congratulations!”

Chu Yi cupped his hands and exchanged pleasantries with everyone.

His sharp eyes looked through the crowd and saw Prince Zhuang, Chu Rui, standing at the periphery.

Chu Rui wore a humble, courteous smile on his face: “Congratulations, congratulations.”

Chu Yi returned a slight smile.

He had investigated.

When the Crown Prince went to his fief, he took all his wealth and influence with him. He couldn’t possibly be stirring up trouble in secret.

As for Second Imperial Brother Chu Mo, still imprisoned, he had sent people to test him repeatedly. He was truly mad—more severely than even Mad Aunt.

The remaining several imperial younger brothers—none of them had the capability to poison Father Emperor.

That left only Chu Rui.

When the Grand Empress Dowager previously rebelled, Chu Rui had acted supremely innocent. It turned out he harbored even greater ambitions in his heart.

“The Ministry of Rites needs to take measurements and sew the Crown Prince’s official robes. I must excuse myself first.” Chu Yi cupped his hands toward everyone and followed the Vice Minister of Rites to the Ministry of Rites Hall specially established in the palace.

Chu Rui’s eyelids lowered, his eyelashes blocking all the emotions in his eyes.

After having his measurements taken at the Ministry of Rites Hall, Chu Yi strode directly to the palace where Imperial Concubine Yun resided.

“Aunt.”

He bowed his head slightly in respect.

“Crown Prince is too polite.” Imperial Concubine Yun didn’t dare presume. “Please sit. Someone, serve tea.”

Previously, Chu Yi had always come with Yun Chu to pay respects. Coming alone today, Imperial Concubine Yun knew there must be important matters. She dismissed all the palace servants.

“Now Aunt controls the phoenix seal. Though not Empress, the power in your hands is about the same as an Empress’s.” Chu Yi spoke. “Regardless of whether Father Emperor establishes an Empress, please don’t hesitate to use the power in your hands.”

Imperial Concubine Yun straightened: “What do you mean?”

“The palace servants of the Hall of Mental Cultivation—Aunt should find a way to arrange some of your own people there.” Chu Yi lowered his voice. “Now that Father Emperor is ill, the one attending his illness is an outsider. If exploited by someone with ulterior motives, I fear…”

Speaking of this matter, Imperial Concubine Yun couldn’t help but sigh: “With so many consorts in the rear palace, His Majesty lets an outsider attend his illness. It truly isn’t proper. Several consorts and I have tried going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but His Majesty won’t see us consorts at all… Crown Prince speaks correctly. The Hall of Mental Cultivation cannot be left in an outsider’s hands, even if that person is His Majesty’s relative. Rest assured, I’ll immediately arrange for loyal people to enter the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

Placing spies near His Majesty—if discovered, it meant certain death.

But if not arranged, unforeseen changes might occur.

Imperial Concubine Yun understood the importance of this matter. As soon as Chu Yi left, she began making arrangements.

Chu Yi then went to Changqiu Palace where Noble Consort Yin resided.

“Yi’er, is it true?” Noble Consort Yin was overjoyed beyond expectation. “Today at court, His Majesty established you as Crown Prince, didn’t he?”

Though it was already an established fact, she still couldn’t quite believe it. It felt like a dream.

Chu Yi nodded: “Yes.”

“Wonderful, wonderful!” Noble Consort Yin was beside herself with excitement. “You’re the Crown Prince, then I… I’m about to become Empress, aren’t I? Unfortunately, there’s Miss Li in the palace. With her here, His Majesty definitely won’t easily establish an Empress. Yi’er, think of a way to make your Father Emperor establish me as Empress. That way, you’ll be properly born of the legitimate palace!”

Chu Yi pinched the bridge of his nose: “I came here specifically to tell Mother Consort—don’t cause trouble in the rear palace, especially don’t compete for the Empress position.”

Noble Consort Yin felt as if she’d been doused with cold water: “Why?”

“Intense fire cooking oil, flowers adorning brocade—these are not good things.” Chu Yi said coolly. “If Mother Consort has time, visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation more often to attend to His Majesty’s illness. Don’t worry about other matters.”