CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182: THREE PEOPLE, EIGHT CHARACTERS

The National Master’s question was so direct, it stopped just short of outright declaring that among those birth times, one belonged to someone with the Phoenix Destiny.

"I have indeed met two of the young ladies. National Master, would you care to elaborate on the birth times of these ladies?"

The National Master was pleased to hear this and hastily spoke.

"Your Majesty, among these birth times, the first girl’s signifies a natural Phoenix Destiny. The second is destined for some wealth and honor. As for the third girl..."

"Well?"

When the National Master spoke of the third girl’s birth time, his brow furrowed, and he paused involuntarily. The young Emperor couldn’t help but ask urgently,

This surprised Ji Youze; the Emperor seemed very concerned about this third girl’s birth time!

"Your Majesty, this birth time indicates a life of misfortune and is destined to be short. If the birth time truly dictates the future, she does not have much time left."

Not much time left?

The young Emperor fell silent; this was not what his little adopted daughter had said!

It seems I need to arrange for this girl from the Xie Family to meet the National Master.

He suddenly recalled the Palace Banquet for the Double Ninth Festival that the Empress Dowager had mentioned, and an idea struck him.

"On the Double Ninth Festival, three days from now, the Empress Dowager will host a Palace Banquet in the inner palace. At that time, summon these girls from the Xie Family into the Palace. National Master, you can then examine the physiognomy of these Xie Family girls in person!"

The National Master readily agreed; recalling his astrological observations from a few nights prior, which indicated the appearance of the future Empress, he now had a clearer understanding.

"Alright, I have just returned to the Palace and am quite fatigued. I need to rest. You may all withdraw."

The National Master naturally took his leave.

However, Ji Youze was staring at a pile of memoranda in front of the young Emperor. "Your Majesty, these are urgent matters of state. You should review them as soon as possible!"

The young Emperor: "..."

"I... Youze, my brother, you know me. I’ve just returned from an outing outside the Palace, and I dearly miss the late Emperor. I should first go to Fengxian Palace to pay my respects to the late Emperor. I will look at these urgent memoranda tomorrow."

As soon as the young Emperor finished speaking, he wanted to slip away.

However, Ji Youzhi casually shifted his feet a couple of times, blocking the young Emperor’s path.

"Your Majesty, putting on a show of mourning the late Emperor for the Empress Dowager and the court officials is one thing, but there’s no need to act in front of me. After all, I was the one who gave you that idea back then!"

The young Emperor: "..."

What was it like to have a study companion who was sharp-witted and unnervingly composed? The young Emperor mused. Apart from when Ji Youzhi was helping him brainstorm, he really wasn’t very endearing at other times.

"Alright, fine! I won’t go! It’s truly dull. By the way, you’ve heard that I’ve taken your niece as my adopted daughter, right? That Girl—I’ve observed her. I suspect your sisters-in-law may not be adept at raising children. Therefore, I’ll have Ling Gonggong select a few Palace Maids and Nannies to accompany you when you leave the Palace. Have them thoroughly teach her Palace etiquette. In three days, bring her to the Palace for the Double Ninth Festival Palace Banquet. It will also be a perfect opportunity for the Empress Dowager to meet her!"

Ji Youze immediately knelt to express his gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Rise. Go with Ling Gonggong to select the Nannies and maids, then you may return home."

"Yes!"

Ling Gonggong was efficient. Ji Youze had lived in the Palace for many years and had been covertly assisting the young Emperor with state affairs. He naturally knew who in the Palace was capable and how to choose them. Before long, he departed the Palace with one Nanny and six maids.

What gifts should I give my little niece for our first meeting? Ji Youze wondered along the way.

Meanwhile, Xiaosuisui had no idea that her Nanny and her Eighth Uncle were about to return.

She had quietly slipped out of bed. Seeing her grandmother was still sound asleep, she went out to find some bugs for Xiaobai.

Xiaobai was miserable; it really didn’t want to eat ’meat’! But why is my Master so insistent on feeding me earthworms?

The little Girl was in the backyard of the Ji Mansion, pulling weeds to find earthworms, while Xiaobai squeezed through a dog hole in the corner of the wall and ran off.

Xiaosuisui, holding two earthworms, turned her head and called out, "Xiaobai, I found earthworms!"

Only to see a flash of white fur darting out through the dog hole.

The little Girl tilted her head, blinking at the dog hole. She then looked at her own small frame. This hole... it could probably fit my little body, right?