Chapter 271: Chapter 202: Entering the Eastern Palace, the Turtle Shell Reveals Fortune and Misfortune, Only the Python and Sparrow Swallowing the Dragon

At these words,

a solemn look appeared in Qi Xingyan’s eyes.

In his view, if Lu Mingyuan’s crimes were pardoned and he ascended to the position of Crown Prince,

the Great Nether Empress’s southern campaign would lose its justification. This would be a good thing for the Great Yan.

The Great Nether Empress’s attempt to use this tactic to divide the Great Yan Royal Family and drive a wedge between the Holy Emperor and the Prince, father and son, was nothing short of a fool’s dream.

The Holy Emperor’s move was a brilliant one.

It could stabilize the situation within the country.

"At the same time, the Holy Emperor has another decree. Your Highness should listen carefully."

Lu Mingyuan immediately adopted a solemn expression.

Eunuch Yan recited in an extremely dignified tone, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Sixth Prince, Lu Mingyuan, a successor of the Imperial Family, is favored by Heaven’s will. In accordance with previous edicts, after observing the ancient rites and heeding the will of the people, We solemnly inform Heaven and Earth and proclaim to the ancestral temples and the altars of state: He is hereby granted the regalia of office and established as the Crown Prince, to take his rightful place in the Eastern Palace. This is to uphold the eternal line of succession and foster prosperity throughout the Four Seas.

"We have been afflicted by a persistent illness, and the myriad affairs of state cannot be long neglected. Therefore, We command the Crown Prince to establish his own court, recruit worthy talents, share in the administration of state affairs, and assist the Cabinet. The matter of the Supreme Authority of Regency will be reconsidered at a later time. However, the Crown Prince may deliberate on all matters memorialized by the hundred ministries."

Hearing the contents of the imperial decree, Lu Mingyuan showed no sign of joy. Instead, he smelled a conspiracy.

He was now the Crown Prince and had the right to establish his own court and discuss politics, yet the most crucial power—the Supreme Authority of Regency—had been given to the Cabinet and not returned to him.

’Something’s strange.’

At this very moment, three clusters of light appeared on the Turtle Shell in Lu Mingyuan’s mind.

[The struggle for the Celestial Mandate uses the Three Religions as its chess pieces. The path to the Crown Prince’s throne is paved with bones. Gather the power of the Three Religions to escape your fate.]

[Upper Trigram of Evil: Readily accept the imperial decree and enter the Eastern Palace. Fortune: Support will flock from all directions, praises will be endless, and you will enjoy temporary favor. Misfortune: Your life will be short, your Dragon Fortune will be utterly lost, leading to the ’Death in Seclusion’ outcome. Greatly Inauspicious!]

[Middle Trigram of Evil: Forcefully refuse the imperial decree, stating your virtue is unworthy of the position. Fortune: A moment of peaceful rest; you will be safe in the Cold Palace. Misfortune: You will infuriate Emperor Yong’an, lose all your Dragon Fortune, and your body and soul will be extinguished, leading to the ’Puppet Possession’ outcome. Moderately Inauspicious!]

[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: After refusing the imperial decree three times, only then enter the Eastern Palace. By stating that your talents are inferior to worthier men and politely refusing, you will sever the link to the Buddha’s Relics, begin to lay your plans, gather the power of the Three Religions, and contend for the Celestial Mandate. Fortune: Support will flock from all directions, granting you ample time to accumulate power. Misfortune: Internal strife will arise, and suspicion will grow between father and son. You will obtain the Emperor Orange Fate Grid, ’Python and Sparrow Swallowing Dragon.’ Moderately Auspicious!]

Seeing the results, Lu Mingyuan thought to himself.

’As expected.’

’This is all my father’s conspiracy!’

Lu Mingyuan couldn’t believe that his father, the Emperor, who had always been unwilling to name a successor, would suddenly have a change of heart and appoint a Crown Prince. He had to be plotting something.

Judging from the information in the trigrams,

the so-called Nine Dragons Struggle for the Throne was a complete joke! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

It was all a conspiracy orchestrated by his "dear" father!

If he directly accepted the decree and obediently played along for now, he would be used as a vessel and ultimately lose all his Dragon Fortune. ’No wonder I wasn’t granted the Supreme Authority of Regency—he doesn’t want me to discover any of this.’

Refusing would be even worse; his father, the Emperor, would perform a Possession on him, turning him into a mindless Puppet.

Inside the Imperial Palace, his father’s eyes and ears were everywhere. How could he possibly escape?

’So, to summarize the trigrams, Father wants to continue living and needs me to inherit the throne so he can achieve his goal?’

’So all my father wants is just my Destiny?’

For now, his only choice was the last trigram. He could neither infuriate his father nor accept a comfortable death.

"Prince Huai’an?"

Eunuch Yan’s smile was incredibly warm as he awaited Lu Mingyuan’s response.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think he had the kindest of intentions.

Having thought it through, Lu Mingyuan snapped back to reality, a joyful expression on his face as he said:

"I never imagined I would be granted the position of Crown Prince! I am truly indebted to my father, the Emperor, for his favor!"

"In that case, Your Highness, please accept it,"

Eunuch Yan said with a smile.

"However, in terms of both scholarship and ability, I am inferior to Prince Chongwen. Surely there is someone else better suited for the position of Crown Prince."

As soon as he said this, everyone present was shocked.

Hearing Lu Mingyuan’s words, the smile on Eunuch Yan’s face froze.

Zi Yun and Hong Wan looked as if their eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.

The Fisherman wore an astonished expression, and the Piano Demon, slowly opening his eyes, was also surprised.

They never expected that Lu Mingyuan would actually refuse the position of Crown Prince.

Only Qi Xingyan revealed a meaningful smile. He gazed at Lu Mingyuan, his thoughts unreadable.

...