Emperor Tai’an quietly awaited Qi Ming’s answer.

He felt no regret or guilt about forcing his elder brother from the throne, but toward this nephew, he did harbor some remorse.

Not because Qi Ming had originally been the Crown Prince, but because Qi Ming possessed the ability to sit well in that position.

Yet the palace coup ten years ago meant it was impossible for him to return the position of heir apparent to Qi Ming. Human hearts were difficult to fathom—who could guarantee Qi Ming wouldn’t settle scores later? He couldn’t place the dignity and honor of his remaining years in someone else’s hands.

Moreover, his fourth son had died at Qi Ming’s hands.

Toward Qi Ming, he felt both hatred and debt. He was willing to spare his life—merely that, nothing more.

This was Emperor Tai’an. He had always been the one in control.

Qi Ming lowered his eyes slightly. “The mortal world holds many troubles. Your nephew wishes to live the life of one outside worldly affairs.”

Emperor Tai’an froze. “You want to become a monk?”

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

Emperor Tai’an’s lips moved, wanting to offer some words of persuasion, yet he couldn’t find where to begin. Upon further reflection, he actually felt Qi Ming’s choice was most suitable.

“No regrets?”

Qi Ming smiled. “This is the life your nephew desires.”

“Is there any place you’d like to go?”

“Tianyuan Temple, I suppose. It’s right here in the capital. Occasionally when Fourth Uncle feels troubled, he can still listen to your nephew expound on the scriptures.”

Emperor Tai’an sighed inwardly.

It must be said, Qi Ming was too clever a person. He knew that if he went far away, the first person to feel uneasy would be the Emperor himself.

“The capital has many temples. Why not look at others? I’ve heard Tianyuan Temple has had a series of murders.”

The headless female corpse case had caused a huge uproar. Tang Wei had naturally been executed, and Marquis Wuning had also been stripped of his title for failing to properly educate his daughter. The once glorious Wuning Marquis Estate had fallen apart like a tree toppling and monkeys scattering, completely vanishing among the capital’s noble families.

Tianyuan Temple fared no better. Although it was confirmed that the headless corpse had nothing to do with the temple’s monks, for such a peaceful place to have two murders occur, with two heads fished out of the prayer-release pond—devout men and women all found it inauspicious and turned to other temples to burn incense and worship Buddha instead.

By now, Tianyuan Temple had lost more than half its monks. From morning till night, hardly any worshippers came to the door. What was once a temple with flourishing incense offerings now looked ready to close its doors.

“Your nephew has also heard. I imagine that place is comparatively tranquil.”

“You’re decided?”

“I’m decided.”

Looking at his nephew’s calm eyes and brows, Emperor Tai’an very much wanted to ask for a moment whether he’d ever loved a woman, but ultimately didn’t voice the question.

Soon the news that former Crown Prince Qi Ming had become a monk spread, yet the officials and nobles weren’t surprised at all.

There was no help for it—too many jaw-dropping events had already occurred.

Emperor Tai’an still did not hold court.

The imperial palace was素冷 as a snow cave because of the Empress Dowager’s death, while outside, heavy snow fell.

Emperor Tai’an had never returned to Qianqing Palace, instead holing up in Yangxin Hall, simultaneously recovering from illness while repeatedly reviewing the roster that the Imperial Clan Court had submitted some days ago. By the time the roster was worn ragged, he had two or three candidates in mind.

“Liu Chuan.”

“This servant is here.”

“Summon the National Teacher to the palace.”

Soon Master Mingxin appeared before Emperor Tai’an—white beard, wide robes, with an immortal, sage-like bearing.

“This subject greets Your Majesty.”

Emperor Tai’an half-sat leaning against the headboard, his sickly appearance impossible to conceal, his voice lacking much strength. “National Teacher need not stand on ceremony. Previously, thanks to the National Teacher’s assistance, I was spared from falling into a trap.”

“This subject dare not accept such praise.” Master Mingxin bowed. From his expression, it was difficult to discern the impact of Prince Ping’s death.

Whether Emperor Tai’an or Master Mingxin, given their positions, composure, and experience, even the greatest storms would only settle in their hearts.

Emperor Tai’an put away his scrutinizing thoughts, his face showing complete sincerity. “This palace upheaval ultimately stemmed from the position of heir apparent remaining vacant. I am now physically weak and unable to handle court affairs. I urgently need to select an heir apparent to share my burdens and stabilize the realm.”

Master Mingxin nodded slightly, indicating his agreement.

Emperor Tai’an handed the roster before Master Mingxin. “Given my physical condition, adopting young nephews as sons is unsuitable. On this roster, there are twenty-eight people aged fourteen to under thirty. National Teacher excels at astrology and divination—please calculate for me who is the most suitable person.”

“Your Majesty, this may not be appropriate—”

Emperor Tai’an’s expression turned serious. “What’s inappropriate? The National Teacher’s abilities are known to all. Everyone on this roster is my nephew or son. As long as it benefits the realm and state, it makes no difference to me which one is chosen. The National Teacher doesn’t want the situation to continue in chaos either, does he?”

“In that case, this subject will presume to make calculations.”

Emperor Tai’an revealed a faint smile. “Then I must trouble the National Teacher.”

Twenty-eight people. Would the person the National Teacher selected be among the two or three he favored?

Emperor Tai’an’s current psychology was contradictory. The blow from the young prince had made him believe in the will of heaven, yet his naturally forceful character prevented him from abandoning his own judgment.

If the person the National Teacher calculated was indeed among his favored candidates, then it would definitely be heaven’s will.

As for what to do if they differed? Emperor Tai’an didn’t plan to consider that for now.

The roster recorded every imperial clansman’s birth date and time. After Master Mingxin performed his calculations, he gave his answer.

“Prince Jing’s legitimate eldest son, Qi Shuo, has a pure fate pattern with qi gathering from eight directions. He is a person of strong vitality and virtue. Judging by the eight characters alone, among these people he is most suitable… Of course, making judgments based solely on the eight characters is somewhat hasty. Your Majesty should take this merely as reference.” Master Mingxin’s tone was calm, maintaining an impartial attitude.

His heart, however, was not as calm as his exterior suggested.

Would the Emperor make the same choice as him?

Using the eight characters to determine the heir apparent was absurd to begin with. Among the twenty-eight people, his selection standard had only two words: suitable.

Prince Jing’s heir had courage and strategy, was firm toward enemies and lenient toward allies. And that young lady, though young and carefree, had the world in her heart. If Prince Jing’s heir became emperor in the future, she would undoubtedly be his best support.

Master Mingxin didn’t deny that when he had so quickly resolved to stand before Emperor Tai’an in his true identity, that young lady deserved credit.

He had once told her: the best doesn’t mean it will be chosen.

Now, the Emperor had given him the opportunity to choose. He could finally select the best for the realm and its people.

He had no selfish motives, yet he had selfish motives.

“Qi Shuo, eh—” Emperor Tai’an raised an eyebrow and smiled. “I also think he’s quite good.”

Somehow, Master Mingxin felt his eyes growing warm. “Your Majesty—”

“Let it be him then.” Emperor Tai’an didn’t wait for Master Mingxin to continue. He took one last look at the thick roster and repeated, “Let it be him.”

If there were others listening, that such an important matter was decided so casually might seem too hasty. Yet the sickly-looking emperor seemed to have unloaded a thousand-pound burden, murmuring, “Let it be him.”

Among the two or three candidates in his mind, he had most favored Qi Shuo all along. And the person the National Teacher calculated through divination was also Qi Shuo. So what was there left to hesitate about? The sooner he determined the heir apparent, the sooner he could relax.

Emperor Tai’an allowed Master Mingxin to massage his head and felt his spirits improve somewhat. He instructed Liu Chuan, “Summon Prince Jing to the palace.”

When Prince Jing received the oral decree, his heart began to flutter with unease: Why was Fourth Brother summoning him to the palace at a time like this?