CHAPTER 181: CHAPTER 181: ASK THE NATIONAL MASTER TO CALCULATE THE EIGHT CHARACTERS OF BIRTH TIME

Nanny Xiao sighed upon hearing this. Everyone inevitably experiences birth, aging, sickness, and death, she reflected. "Where have you aged, Your Majesty?" she then said. "In this old servant’s heart, you are still young. I heard that the adoptive daughter the Emperor acknowledged while he was away is actually Ji Xi’Er’s daughter. Ji Xi’Er passed away when this child was born, and her father also died in battle. The Emperor, finding her quite agreeable, adopted her as his daughter and conferred upon her the title of Princess."

"Ji Xi’Er’s daughter?" The Empress Dowager was slightly taken aback. "Could it be that the boy’s young heart has indeed been stirred? He adored Ji Xi’Er for many years; perhaps this is a case of his affection extending to her daughter?"

It had to be said, the Empress Dowager was indeed overthinking things. The young Emperor had bestowed the title of Princess on Xiaosuisui simply because he liked the child. Moreover, he knew this young girl was the one who could truly bring great fortune to the Great Han. Thus, he had dutifully conferred the title of Princess upon her, in accordance with the will of Heaven.

「In the Imperial Study」

The young Emperor was sitting upright at his desk. To his left and right stood two young men. One specialized in literature, the other in martial arts, and they bore a striking resemblance to each other. Those familiar with them knew at a glance who they were: the scholar was Ji Youze, the youngest of the Ji Family, and the martial artist was Ji Youzhi, the renowned Lord God Hunter of recent years. These two were brothers and had served as reading companions and guards for the young Emperor since childhood.

"Your Majesty, all significant and minor matters from the capital during your absence have been compiled here for your review," the speaker, Ji Youze, said. For several years, he had been secretly assisting the young Emperor with state affairs, always ensuring his involvement remained clandestine.

"Understood. Leave it there for now; I’ll review it later," the Emperor replied. "By the way, Youze, have you found the astrological data for the Xie Family girl I asked you to look into?"

"It’s all here, Your Majesty," Ji Youze replied, hurriedly retrieving a note from his sleeve and handing it to the young Emperor. "The Xie Family has quite a number of young ladies; there are even two or three under the age of three."

The Emperor shot him a look. "Youze, must you always be so pedantically thorough? I asked you to find the birth data for a Xie Family girl. Even if I didn’t specify which one, did you really need to include every newborn?"

Ji Youze’s face was impassive, his expression entirely serious. "Your Majesty is correct."

"You... such a bookworm. Utterly dull."

The young Emperor took the note, and his brow furrowed as he read it. "Hmm? The eldest, second, and third daughters of the Xie Family have birth times only three days apart? The Xie Family is certainly prolific!"

"Isn’t that quite normal?" Ji Youzhi interjected, lips twitching. "My Xiaosuisui and Yanyan from the second branch of the Li Family were born on the same day!" Making a mountain out of a molehill, he thought dismissively.

The young Emperor glanced at him and handed over the note with the birth data. "Take this data to the National Master. Have him determine which of these individuals is the Phoenix Destiny Person."

Ji Youzhi nodded, took the note, and departed.

Only the young Emperor and Ji Youze remained in the Imperial Study. Ji Youze stood to the side, composed and respectful, his head bowed and his demeanor deferential, prompting a sigh from the young Emperor.

"Youze, can’t you vary your expression even a little? You’re always so staid and serious, like a stuffy old man. It gives me a headache just looking at you!"

"Your Majesty, it was you who taught this humble servant that one should not outwardly display preferences or emotions, lest others discern one’s thoughts."

The young Emperor was momentarily speechless. Just as he was about to respond, he heard a Eunuch announce loudly from outside, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the National Master requests an audience!"

The young Emperor was stunned. The National Master? I only just sent Ji Youzhi to fetch him. How could he be here so quickly?

"Let him in!"

The National Master entered, clearly agitated and foregoing all etiquette as he immediately questioned the young Emperor, "Your Majesty, these sets of birth data you provided... to which young ladies do they belong? Has Your Majesty perhaps encountered one of them?"