When the National Master went to find the young Emperor, the young Emperor had just finished handling matters concerning the National Master. Stretching lazily, he planned to head to Cining Palace with Ji Youzhi.
"Ah! Finally, I can go see my precious daughter!"
Ji Youzhi coolly added, "That’s not your biological child. Next time, say goddaughter!"
The little Emperor shot him a cool glance and suddenly said, "Ah, the imperial examination results will be announced in a couple of days. Do you think Youze can make the second-tier list?"
Ji Youzhi wisely held his tongue.
From outside, Eunuch Ling announced, "Your Majesty, the National Master requests an audience."
"Let him in!"
As soon as the young Emperor gave his instruction, Ji Youzhi quickly retreated to a place others couldn’t see.
"Your Majesty!"
The young Emperor gestured for the National Master to be seated.
"National Master, have you come to the palace today to investigate the Phoenix’s rampage?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the National Master stated directly. "Investigating the Phoenix’s rampage is one matter, but I came to see Your Majesty about something else!"
"What matter?"
The young Emperor didn’t bother talking around the topic with the National Master. He had dealt with state affairs swiftly precisely because he wanted to go to Cining Palace to see his precious daughter sooner! Now that state affairs were concluded, he certainly didn’t want to waste time on the National Master!
"It concerns Your Majesty’s marriage!"
The National Master stated frankly, getting right to the point.
The young Emperor stared blankly for a moment, then looked up at the National Master.
"Are you joking?"
The National Master shook his head. "Absolutely not!"
The young Emperor took a sip of tea, his eyes darting thoughtfully as he asked, "Why would the National Master suddenly bring this up?"
"I just came from Cining Palace!"
The National Master was choosing his words, considering how to describe the scene of him witnessing Xie Pan’Er communicating with the phoenix.
A woman who can communicate with the phoenix, and one who possesses the features of the Phoenix Destiny. If the young Emperor does not bring her into the harem, and she marries another man, it will inevitably impact the national fortune of Great Han and the imperial lineage!
"I know, the Empress Dowager must have pressured you again!" the young Emperor said, assuming this was the case.
The National Master shook his head. "Not at all!"
"The Empress Dowager didn’t pressure you? That is odd."
"Today in Cining Palace, I met the Princess Royal, and also... the future Empress."
The young Emperor’s eyes widened abruptly, and he looked at the National Master with great confusion.
"Xie Pan’Er, a young woman who can communicate with the phoenix! Your Majesty, she has the features of one with the Phoenix Destiny. If such a woman is not brought into the harem and is allowed to marry an ordinary man, our Great Han’s national fortune will inevitably be affected!"
When the National Master said this, the young Emperor was stunned. The image of his precious daughter and Xie Pan’Er riding a phoenix through the Imperial Palace involuntarily flashed through his mind!
Could this truly be fate? the young Emperor pondered.
Eunuch Ling suddenly chimed in.
"National Master, but according to the eight characters you previously calculated, Xie Yingying of the Xie Family was the one with the Phoenix Destiny!"
Hearing Eunuch Ling, the young Emperor also chimed in.
"That’s right. You also said that Xie Yingying’s eight characters indicated the Phoenix Destiny."
"That is why I have come to see Your Majesty. Could there be an error in Xie Yingying’s and Xie Pan’Er’s eight characters?"
The young Emperor, hearing this, was taken aback and said,
"Youze collected them; there shouldn’t be any mistake! Does the National Master suspect an error in Xie Yingying’s and Xie Pan’Er’s eight characters?"
The National Master nodded. "I do have some suspicions, but..."
"But what?"
Seeing the National Master hesitate, the young Emperor hurriedly pressed.
"The puzzling matter concerning Xie Yingying and Xie Pan’Er isn’t just their eight characters. In my opinion, Xie Yingying’s features suggest a short life and an early demise, yet somehow she is still alive. And then there are her eight characters.
Her eight characters are exceedingly auspicious, a mark of the Phoenix Destiny, yet this is inconsistent with her features!"
The National Master continued, puzzled,
"Xie Pan’Er’s features and eight characters are also highly inconsistent!"
"In what way are they inconsistent?"
Hearing the National Master speak of Xie Pan’Er, the young Emperor couldn’t help but press urgently.