Chapter 505: Chapter 505: Who Is This Person

Master Kong Chan smiled gently and shook his head: "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Those who have renounced the world do not pay heed to formalities. Even if someone insults, scolds, deceives, or mocks us, in the heart of one who has renounced, it is considered commonplace!"

The Emperor asked, "Could the Master please tell clearly, among my descendants, is there one who could bring prosperity and glory to the Nanxia Dynasty, surpassing me and the ancestors?"

Since Kong Chan enjoyed speaking in riddles, saying ’the mysteries of heaven cannot be revealed’ and making it impossible for him to ask further, he decided to change his way of questioning.

Kong Chan closed his eyes and pondered, not answering.

The Emperor did not urge him.

After a moment, Kong Chan opened his eyes, smiled slightly, and said: "Jinxiu Chen Palace, commanded by heaven! Your Majesty, by asking this question, it shows your concern for the realm of Nanxia. Congratulations, Your Majesty! Among your descendants, there is indeed such a talented person. If this person were to become the Emperor, they could make the Nanxia Dynasty prosper and flourish, extending it for at least three hundred years without decline!"

Hearing similar compliments again, it seemed even a high monk like Kong Chan would marvel at the grandeur of the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor was both delighted and a bit suspicious: "I have heard that whether it’s face reading, fortune telling, or divination, all require a medium and knowing the birth details of the person being read. The Master hasn’t looked at anything, how can you be so certain?"

Kong Chan said: "This humble monk has looked. The question was asked by Your Majesty, and what I looked at was Your Majesty’s face. Ten years ago, you also told the Bodhi Temple your birth details. At that time, this humble monk was present!"

The Emperor was suddenly enlightened, a sense of joy welling up, how wonderful that among his descendants there is such talent. As long as he chooses this person as the Crown Prince, or Grand Crown Prince, Nanxia could prosper and flourish for another three hundred years.

Suppressing his excitement, he said: "Who is this person?"

Kong Chan shook his head: "Forgive me, Your Majesty, this humble monk does not know!"

The Emperor was a bit disappointed: "Master, didn’t you say there is such a person?"

Kong Chan said: "Based on Your Majesty’s face, indeed there is such a person. But the specific identity is unknown!"

With hopeful eyes, the Emperor asked: "If I gather all my descendants together with their birth details, can the Master identify who it is?"

Kong Chan shook his head: "In the heavens, the celestial palace, on the ground, the Chen Palace, both are places of supreme power. The mysteries of heaven cannot be fathomed, nor can the Chen Palace!"

This meant no answer was forthcoming.

However, knowing that there is such a person among his descendants, the Emperor was still very happy.

Yet he did not forget the purpose of summoning Kong Chan into the palace. After the joy passed, he asked again: "Master, among my sons, is there anyone who has gone to the Bodhi Temple for a face reading?"

He thought Kong Chan would once more play with words, saying something to make him guess and comprehend on his own. But this time, Kong Chan was straightforward, directly saying: "If this humble monk remembers correctly, in the past two years, I have not seen any prince individually! Going back another twenty years, I have not read the face of any prince."

The Emperor: "..."

Master Kong Chan specifically mentioned the past two years; does it imply that he knows that the third prince’s claim about Huangfu Jingchen being destined is a lie from him?

He even said he hadn’t read the face of any prince in the past twenty years? Clearly, the third prince is lying!

Oh, good old Third!

He dares to overlook even the Emperor, and dares to deceive him! Such courage!

And Old Fifth, entering the capital city without any edict—one after another, do his sons intend to anger him to death?

First deal with Old Third, then when the results from the investigation come back, deal with Old Fifth.

Without rules, nothing can be established. As an Emperor, he cannot allow his sons to act so recklessly!

Sending someone to escort Kong Chan back to the temple, the Emperor’s expressions were solemn. Being a prince, desiring his position, the Emperor could understand, having been a prince himself.

But for the sake of this position, if they disrupt the court, losing all sense of boundaries, that couldn’t be tolerated.

The night was tranquil and silent.

Since the assassination attempt on Prince Cheng’s Heir on the street, the curfew in the capital had become especially strict. The common folk had long closed their doors and went to sleep, the shops had shuttered, and the streets were quiet.

The Astronomical Observatory welcomed another visitor, bundled up tightly.

When Prince Zhuang appeared, Gongyang Puyu was not surprised. He still had the look of one who foresaw everything and had long awaited him.

Prince Zhuang, anxious and worried, rushed forward as if finding a lifeline when seeing Gongyang Puyu: "Sir, save me!"

Gongyang Puyu waved his hand to dismiss the Daoist attendants, then steadied Prince Zhuang, saying: "Your Highness, stay calm, tell me what is troubling you!"

In fact, he knew very well that it was likely the plan of the Second Young Master had been implemented and succeeded. Yet, on the surface, he maintained the demeanor of a reclusive sage undisturbed by worldly affairs.

Prince Zhuang hurriedly said: "Sir, I fear that I won’t be able to hold onto my position as Crown Prince. Do you have any solutions?"

Gongyang Puyu looked surprised, saying: "Your Highness, you must be joking? You are a person favored by destiny; the celestial signs have not changed, how could you lose your position as Crown Prince?"

Prince Zhuang sighed deeply: "It’s a long story. This time I was terribly harmed by Old Fifth." He recounted the events following the assassination of Prince Cheng’s Heir on the street, along with his own speculations. Naturally, he did not mention the hidden industries. He only mentioned Huangfu Chi being beaten, Huangfu Wei disappearing, and the manor being set on fire.

Gongyang Puyu was truly taken aback by this.

Unexpectedly, so much had happened in the Crown Prince Mansion.

Is it really because Prince Cheng has returned?

This Prince Cheng, Gongyang Puyu had never met.

He knew this prince was one acclaimed for his military achievements. It was said he fell out with the Emperor over marrying a woman from the Jianghu, and was sent to Yunzhou by the Emperor. Equivalent to being exiled, he had returned less than a handful of times in over twenty years.

But the Second Young Master made him redirect Prince Zhuang’s attention towards Huangfu Jingchen. If Prince Cheng really returned and knew all this was because of him, wouldn’t he destroy his Astronomical Observatory?

Smashing his Astronomical Observatory is minor. A prince with the guts to fall out with the Emperor might just as well break his neck in a fit of anger, leading to a futile death.

It seemed necessary to sever ties with Prince Zhuang as soon as possible.

In the future, he is destined to become a State Preceptor, inherit the legacy of Ancestor Xu Yun, break through to immortality, and achieve eternal life. He cannot be dragged down by this fool, Prince Zhuang.

He frowned slightly, extended his hand, and with his thumb kept pinching the joints of his other four fingers.

Prince Zhuang knew he was doing calculations, so he quickly became quiet.

Prince Zhuang’s eyes ignited with hope. He had tried all the means he could, and now he was relying on Mr. Gongyang to help him out of the predicament, bringing him back to life, and securing the position of Crown Prince.

After a moment, Gongyang Puyu opened his eyes, looked at Prince Zhuang, and said: "Your Highness need not worry. Throughout history, few who achieve great works have had a smooth path. It is said that when heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it first tests their will, tires their bones, starves their body, and takes away their possessions, causing chaos in their deeds. Your Highness is blessed by destiny, skilled in both literature and martial arts, not lacking in anything. Though facing minor calamities, they do not harm your core."

Prince Zhuang asked urgently: "What do you mean?"