Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Time flies, and three years have passed in a flash. Emperor Qian's condition has not only not improved, but has become increasingly worse. Visiting famous doctors in the world has also been of no avail.

The atmosphere in the court was heavy and oppressive, with all the ministers frowning and worried. They whispered among themselves, discussing the various difficulties and crises facing the country. Meanwhile, the princes, with their own differing thoughts, each pondered their own future.

The eldest prince, leveraging his mother's family's extensive influence within the court, could no longer contain his ambitions and began openly coaxing those officials whose stances remained uncertain. He used sweet words and generous promises to win over more people to his side. Meanwhile, the third prince's maternal family, while appearing calm on the surface, were in reality exceptionally resourceful and scheming. They quietly observed the unfolding situation, secretly plotting a more far-reaching strategy.

As the fierce battle for the crown prince was about to erupt, the entire palace seemed to be caught in a massive power struggle. Everyone was obsessed with vying for the supreme throne, but few truly cared about the Emperor Qian's condition. To most, the Emperor Qian's illness seemed merely an opportunity to exploit in their quest for power.

In this seemingly prosperous but turbulent palace, each individual pursues self-interest at all costs. Family ties, friendships, and even moral principles become fragile in the face of the lust for power. Who will ultimately emerge victorious in this brutal struggle, ascending the coveted throne? Who will become a victim in this bloody struggle, facing a tragic end? Everything remains uncertain; only time will reveal the answer.

Emperor Qian lay on his sickbed, tormented repeatedly by the relentless pain of his illness. His consciousness was like a flickering candle in the wind, sometimes clear, sometimes hazy. Each time he emerged from his coma, Emperor Qian felt a deep fear, terrified that one day, when he could no longer open his eyes, he would be unable to convey important matters to his descendants, plunging the entire world into chaos.

Finally, on a bright, sunny day, Emperor Qian summoned the eldest and third princes to his chambers. As the two princes stood respectfully before the bed, Emperor Qian spoke in a weak but resolute voice, "I have summoned you today to observe your character through a small matter." With a trembling hand, he handed two identical seeds to the eldest and third princes, respectively, and solemnly instructed, "These two seeds are now in your care. Be sure to cultivate them well, and present the fruits to me one day."

The Third Prince's eyes flashed with eagerness and excitement as he accepted the seed. Eager to demonstrate his abilities before his father, he left the palace impatiently and immediately sought out the palace's most skilled gardener and various precious fertilizers. He firmly believed that with these favorable conditions, the seed would grow rapidly and blossom into the most magnificent flower.

In contrast, the eldest prince seemed much calmer. He silently accepted the seed, then went to a corner of the garden and carefully buried it with his own hands. Every day thereafter, regardless of wind, rain, or scorching sun, the third prince would punctually return to this corner, personally watering and fertilizing the seed, and waiting with eager anticipation for the moment it broke through the soil.

Time passed quickly, and a few days later, when the First and Third Princes returned to Emperor Qian's bedside, the situation had clearly changed. The Third Prince's seed had successfully sprouted, but the tender green seedling looked fragile, as if it could perish at any moment. However, the First Prince's seed had already flourished, not only producing emerald green leaves but also a gorgeous flower at the top, emitting a captivating fragrance.

Emperor Qian quietly observed everything before him, his gaze shifting back and forth between the First Prince and the Third Prince. Finally, he slowly closed his eyes, his lips curled up slightly, as if he had already come to a clear answer in his mind...

Golden sunlight, like a warm blanket, gently enveloped the Qian Emperor's noble form. The warm sunlight seemed to possess a magical power, seeping into his skin drop by drop, adding a touch of majestic strength to his already majestic figure. At this moment, the Qian Emperor was resting his mind with his eyes closed, seated on a large carved chair in the Jade Garden, savoring this rare tranquility and comfort.

Not long after, he slightly opened his eyes, his eyes revealing an unquestionable majesty, and then he gave an order to the chief eunuch standing beside him: "Quickly invite those loyal ministers in the court and the respected elders in Prime Minister Wang's cabinet. I have important matters to discuss with you." After receiving the order, the chief eunuch hurriedly bowed and saluted, then turned and left in a hurry.

Soon, the court officials filed in. With awe in their hearts, they cautiously approached the Emperor Qian and took their seats according to their rank. Each of them wore a solemn expression, secretly wondering what the Emperor had summoned them for. However, no one dared to ask, simply listening attentively to the Emperor's instructions. For a moment, the Jade Garden was completely silent, with only the gentle rustling of the flowers in the breeze.

Emperor Qian's face was as pale as paper, and he spoke slowly, his breath barely fading. "My health is fluctuating, like a candle in the wind, swaying unsteadily. Even I myself don't know when I will finally pass away. While I still have some clarity of mind, I have summoned you all here to discuss the selection of the Crown Prince, a matter that concerns the very foundation of our nation. I wonder what you all think on this matter. Please feel free to speak freely."

Upon hearing this, the ministers all showed expressions of horror. They quickly knelt and kowtowed, shouting in unison, "Your Majesty, may you be in good health and may you be blessed with great fortune! This is merely a temporary illness, and you will surely recover soon. As for the choice of crown prince, I dare not presume to speculate on your Majesty's intentions, let alone how to choose!"

Emperor Qian looked at the ministers kneeling on the ground and sneered in his heart. Each of them had his own candidate in mind, but he didn't dare to say it out loud. He was afraid that others would not know about the little tricks hidden in his heart. The emperor didn't beat around the bush and said, "I have chosen three princes. What do you think of the following princes?"

Those who supported the Third Prince were delighted, but they kept a straight face. However, those who supported the First Prince were extremely worried. What should they do? If they chose the Third Prince, what would happen to their current situation and their interests?

Emperor Qian sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression calm as he awaited the ministers' responses. However, time ticked by, and even a full cup of tea passed, and the court remained completely silent, with no one stepping forward to voice their approval or disapproval.

Emperor Qian was beginning to feel a little anxious. He was about to speak when a highly respected senior cabinet minister slowly emerged from the procession. He bowed respectfully before speaking slowly, "Your Majesty, I, your servants, naturally, do not dare to raise the slightest objection to your selection of the Three Emperors. However..." He paused briefly, as if weighing his words.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Your Majesty, have you ever considered that smallpox is a terminal illness? Only one in a hundred survives. I'm worried..." He didn't finish his words, but the meaning was clear, and everyone present understood it. The entire court once again fell into a deathly silence.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qian was also shocked. Indeed, if he had chosen the Third Prince, he might at some point contract smallpox, or even after his death, which would have thrown the country into turmoil. Choosing the First Prince would eliminate such concerns.

Each person only gets smallpox once, and surviving it grants lifelong immunity. Regardless of the eldest prince's abilities, as long as he abides by the rules and regulations, adhering to the will and the rules, the empire will be securely passed down to the next generation. However, if the third prince contracts smallpox and leaves no heirs, wouldn't that mean the lineage is broken?

Emperor Qian knew that it would be difficult to reach a conclusion if the discussion continued, so he waved his hand to signal the adults to withdraw, and then was supported by the chief eunuch to return to the bedroom to rest.

After the ministers left, they were furious. Over the years, they had been urging Emperor Qian to appoint a crown prince, but Emperor Qian had never agreed. He used the excuse that the princes were too young to take on the responsibility and had not made a decision. Emperor Qian brought it up on this day, and it seemed that Emperor Qian's health was not good. Everyone wanted to know who Emperor Qian would appoint as crown prince in the end?

The ministers debated the matter, some believing the eldest prince to be mature and steady, while others supported the third prince's intelligence and wit. The two factions held their own views and argued endlessly.

At this point, a young official, Li Yunfei, a rising star in the court, stepped forward. He pointedly pointed out that the selection of a crown prince should not only be based on age and intelligence, but also on character and personality. Furthermore, one should consider whether the candidate is physically fit enough to handle the heavy responsibilities of state affairs.

Li Yunfei's point of view resonated with some people, and the discussion became more heated. Everyone began to weigh the pros and cons of each prince, trying to find the most suitable candidate.

Many ministers gathered together and engaged in a lively discussion on the Crown Prince's health. They expressed their views on the tangible benefits the Crown Prince's health would bring to the nation and its people. Some ministers believed that as the future heir to the throne, a healthy Crown Prince would be better equipped to shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the country. A healthy Crown Prince would be able to handle government affairs with full energy, formulate wise and effective policies, and thus promote national prosperity.

Other ministers emphasized the numerous benefits of having a long line of heirs. They pointed out that a healthy crown prince would be more likely to have children. Having numerous offspring would not only ensure the continuation of the royal bloodline but also cultivate a larger pool of talented individuals for the nation. These princes might one day become pillars of the court, assisting the monarch in governing the country and ensuring long-term peace and stability for the nation.

In short, during this heated discussion, the ministers fully realized the importance of the prince's health and the continuation of his offspring to the country and the society, and put forward many valuable suggestions and opinions.