Chapter 504: Chapter 504: Destiny Is Imperial Decree

Grandmaster Bao’s eyes slightly deepened. In this situation, regardless of whether Prince Cheng and his wife are guilty, the position of Crown Prince for the Third Prince is undoubtedly untenable.

He thought of a young man, handsome and flawless in calculation, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Indeed, flawless in calculation, as the situation has developed into this, he would not believe that there isn’t a trace of that person’s influence. Yet he owed that person a favor, and now doesn’t know whether to laugh or to worry.

The other three also had different thoughts. The Crown Prince’s current situation was, of course, deservedly so. However, the royal family disputes going to such lengths of unscrupulous means truly make one’s teeth cold.

Yesterday, he was infinitely glorious; today, he might be fallen and embarrassed. This Crown Prince can only be regarded as such for this afternoon.

No, if things change, what kind of change could it be?

It seems the Emperor is set to investigate Prince Cheng’s affairs. But, is one night enough for this matter?

After the four saluted and withdrew, the Emperor stood by the desk, his gaze somewhat desolate.

He was already over sixty, considered long-lived. Yet the position of Crown Prince had been fraught with twists and turns, establishing an eldest legitimate son who was Crown Prince for forty years, only to be deposed, and then establishing another who was Crown Prince for over a year, now also to be deposed.

He was elderly, inevitably feeling somewhat exhausted of mind and spirit.

He called for someone, instructing them to investigate whether Old Fifth and his wife had arrived in the capital, still standing by the desk.

Grandmaster Bao and others believed the Emperor was set to verify the Crown Prince’s words to confirm if Prince Cheng and his wife really arrived in the capital without summons, hence the line about potential changes.

In fact, they all misunderstood—the Emperor was waiting for someone.

He had already dispatched a courier to summon Master Kong Chan from Bodhi Temple. By the timing, he should have arrived.

If Kong Chan did indeed say those words...

Standing from the Third Prince’s perspective, what he did wasn’t wrong! However, is Kong Chan harboring ulterior motives? Furthermore, Huangfu Jingchen was certainly not meant to have the Mandate of Heaven, not even a trace possible. Imagine, if someone truly favored by destiny, how could they die so easily?

The Emperor’s gaze deepened further, making it even more inscrutable.

Why did Kong Chan say such a thing? What was his aim?

Or was he beguiling Old Third, Old Seven, or Old Four, or Old Six? Or truly Old Fifth, who has such intentions? Otherwise, why would he dare return to the capital unsummoned?

As he pondered, Eunuch Feng entered, saying, "Emperor, Master Kong Chan has arrived!"

"Summon!"

Shortly, a monk dressed in blue robes and wearing a cassock followed by Eunuch Feng entered the hall. His expression was calm, eyes without joy or sorrow, without worry or fear. He looked at the Emperor, clasped his hands together, and slowly said, "This monk, Kong Chan, greets Your Majesty!"

The Emperor met his gaze, in his calm, depthless stare like an ancient well, his inner agitation seemed to ease slightly.

He said, "Master, no need for formalities. I invited you here to seek your guidance. Master, please have a seat!" He motioned to dismiss Eunuch Feng and others, leaving only him and Kong Chan in the hall.

The Emperor was initially filled with anger and resentment toward Master Kong Chan. What business does a monk, who’s beyond the secular world, have meddling in royal succession?

This matter touched the royal taboo, and even national temples, even high monks, could not bear it.

But when Master Kong Chan stood before him, clearly in the grand hall, he felt an expansive emptiness; clearly agitated, he instantly calmed; clearly thinking he might have been bribed to beguile the Third Prince, yet now felt how could a high monk be bribed?

Thus, his attitude turned a bit more polite.

Kong Chan elegantly sat aside, raising his eyes toward the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty has a heavy heart, presumably concerning me? What is the matter?"

The Emperor originally contemplated how to broach the topic. With Kong Chan addressing it directly, he said, "In this hall, there’s only you and me. I seek to ask Master, amongst my sons and grandsons, who is favored by destiny?"

Kong Chan glanced at him in surprise, then smiled slightly, saying, "Your Majesty, regardless of whether this monk can discern the celestial secrets, they cannot be revealed. Furthermore, as Your Majesty knows, Bodhi Temple has strict disciplines; monks cannot partake in royal disputes. As an ordained monk, how can I break the vow? As a member of Bodhi Temple, how dare I not respect the temple rules?"

Hearing this, the Emperor’s expression grew complicated.

Kong Chan flatly denied—did he truly not say, or was he lying?

He frowned, "Master, I’m not asking you to partake in royal disputes. Bodhi Temple is a national temple, the fate of Nanxia also concerns its future. Moreover, it is I asking you, not my princes asking. This doesn’t count as partaking in royal disputes!"

Kong Chan gently smiled, clasped his hands together, saying, "Your Majesty is the Emperor. Divine decrees are royal decrees. Those favored by Your Majesty are those favored by destiny! Your Majesty asked the wrong person!"

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened, following his words closely, asking, "Then the Crown Prince I established is favored by destiny."

Kong Chan smiled, "Without destiny’s favor, why would Your Majesty favor?"

The Emperor’s gaze deepened, continuously assessing Kong Chan, yet Kong Chan’s expression remained calm and unmoved. Although his words resembled flattering remarks, his demeanor showed no trace of flattery.

The Emperor pondered his words, then suddenly asked, "But I am dissatisfied with the current Crown Prince. I do not wish for Nanxia’s realm to be entrusted wrongly, then I’ll be a perpetual sinner. But now this Crown Prince has been Crown Prince for just over a year, and I abolished him. Is this right?"

Kong Chan said, "In the Emperor’s Chen Palace, prosperity flourishes everywhere. The Nanxia Dynasty is surely prosperous. Your Majesty is destined, Your Majesty’s will is the celestial will!"

The Emperor felt a bit helpless; Kong Chan’s words seemed to say much, yet also seemed to say nothing.

He asked these questions merely probing, deciding to establish or depose the Crown Prince, inevitably according to his own will.

With others, he might have assumed them an old sly fox. Yet facing Kong Chan’s eyes, he only sensed profound zen, seemingly with intent. But upon closer inspection, maybe it was his own overthinking.

The Emperor chuckled bitterly, "Master, I know your Buddhist law is profound. Today, inviting you abruptly was presumptuous of me. Please, don’t dwell on it!"

He couldn’t shake the feeling that Kong Chan knew something but Kong Chan wouldn’t speak. He suspected Kong Chan was upset for summoning him to the palace, for normally he would personally visit Bodhi Temple.

Now that he had been invited, if nothing was learned, it would be a futile invite. The Emperor did not believe, having lowered his stance so significantly, Kong Chan would still mind!