Chapter 55

Translated by boilpoil Edited by boilpoil

“If you don’t want the national fortune to diminish, the best solution is to have another person serve as emperor… The one sitting on the throne right now is already intertwined with the deterioration of the fortune, inseparably.”

“And he also does not have the born disposition to be emperor, unable to accumulate an imperial aura or be able to hold on to the dragon's pulse . He has only the ambition and the fortune of being the one on the ex-emperor’s last will to be able to ascend to this position which he does not deserve… If this continues, even his longevity would be affected.”

Yang Chongyin’s tone is indifferent, apparently oblivious to the fact that he is discussing the life and death of the sitting emperor, “in less than 10 years… Perhaps even before the national fortune falls to its lowest point, he would already pass away, adding to the chaos of the world.”

“Therefore, he must abdicate… This is beneficial both for your desire and his longevity.”

“As he has no offspring right now, candidacy for the new emperor lies in the ex-imperial princes of the ex-emperor… As part of the same bloodline, you are also qualified.”

Seeing Bai Lianhua opening his mouth as if to counter, he lays it down first, “the person sitting on the throne must change within 10 years, it’s only a matter of time, therefore shidi doesn’t have to feel guilty about it.”

“If shidi is worried you can’t prove your identity, then I can help you.”

——What Yang Chongyin is saying, if it is directed at anyone with the corresponding ambition, they’ll probably already be thrilled to no end. Yet, he is saying this to Bai Lianhua.

Despite seemingly hesitant, he still shakes his head, “This is not what I am worried about.”

Yang Chongyin asks slowly, “then what is it that you worry about?”

Bai Lianhua has a bitter smile, “shixiong, you yourself know… Even without considering that I don’t dare to have such delusions, just considering on what moral or educational basis I can claim myself to be suitable for the throne – I believe I am even less qualified than the one sitting on the throne right now.”

Without considering his experience in other worlds, just looking at his life experience in this world so far, he is far inferior to the ex-nineteenth prince. At least that prince has received princely education. Also, because he was favoured by the then emperor in the last days of his life, he was formally treated and educated as a crown prince then.

If he really only had his experiences in this world, which of the skills in power struggles or exacting authority did he have?

The system decides to chime in at an inappropriate time, “you don’t have to worry about the power struggles, since there’s the black-bellied antagonist! As for something like using your authority… If you really do ascend to the throne, then your most important subordinate would be Yang Chongyin himself. As long as you do as he wished, his loyalty to you would always be maxed out. You really don’t need to do anything else.”

Bai Lianhua is speechless, “… yes, I see that makes sense, but please shut up… You’re ruining the mood.”

Bai Lianhua pulls his attention back onto Yang Chongyin, who decides to calmly counter his point, “would he be as caring and loyal to the populace as you are?”

“No. The only person that matters to him is himself… The common people don’t have enough access to information to realise the tough times befalling the dynasty and that they would have to live precariously in the years to come, but what about he himself? Does he really know nothing? I might have stayed quiet about the national fortune declining, but would a ruler of an entire nation like him really completely fail to see or think?”

“… He’s just running away from it. There isn’t one day he isn’t spending on enjoying himself.”

Bai Lianhua bites his lips as he recalls all the gossip about the imperial family when he just arrived in this world again.

“Even if you might not make for a wise ruler, but as long as you remain loyal to the people, you will never end up as unfit to rule as he is. At least, it couldn’t get any worse than it already is.”

Yang Chongyin closes in on Bai Lianhua, “also, I’m here, so what’s there to fear?”

“If you agree to what I ask for, I am willing to properly execute the functions of the State Oracle.”

“With you the emperor, and me the State Oracle, the two of us together. You would lead me in experiencing the emotions of this world. I will help you to complete your wishes and bring you a new golden age. What’s there to hesitate about?”

——It seems there wouldn’t be any?

Yet a thought flashes through Bai Lianhua’s mind, “isn’t there still the fifth prince who has the disposition to be a sagacious emperor?”

If he were destined to be emperor, why not just return the throne to him?

Yang Chongyin pauses and explains, “no. Because he was well-known for his wisdom, the nineteenth prince has always feared and targeted him. He has become depressed over time… His fate and disposition have been changed already, and now he has long lost his Mandate of Heaven. His imperial aura has also been completely expended.”

“For most people, their fortunes are expended throughout their lives, approaching null towards the end, even for emperors. Though for shidi, you, the exuberance of your fortune and disposition, the specialness of your fate is practically unseen, unheard of. Perhaps unique in this world.”

“It is likely you have had some great achievements both in this life and the last, and even in your reincarnations to come——If not for this, I wouldn’t have held onto the lingering hope that you were still alive… Lucky for me, I really did manage to pull through and meet you.”

“Only those who have such a grand disposition can withstand the aftershock of me rewriting the national fortune. If not, it would have cost you your physical form and life to block this misfortune for the entire world… Looking across the entire royal family, besides you, there is nobody that can achieve this.”

“——If I haven’t made myself clear, whoever shidi chooses to be the new emperor right now, is equivalent to tempting someone with the imperial throne to give up their life.”

“And it’s a given this person must also not be incompetent, ones that wouldn’t matter even if their life had to be sacrificed… Shidi, you’ve always been soft at heart. Who do you think is most appropriate for this that you are also able to give up on?”

Bai Lianhua “…” No matter what response he picks it would break his white lotus character. He stays silent.

The system laments, “amazing, Yang Chongyin. Did he purposefully pick this to take advantage of your weakness, host?”

——The clever antagonist knows that it’s hard to persuade the host to stay with other methods, and he can’t just simply lock him up his entire life and stay together with him forever, because he would hate him… Instead, why not put a sugar dressing on this possessiveness and have him voluntarily remain in the imperial palace. With his post’s convenience they can probably develop deeper bonds——An emperor is not so easy a career to give up on.

“Rather, so that he can ensure you’ll be entrapped, he’d even already given you the casus belli of the people for a usurpation… The antagonist sure knows well about your white lotus properties.”

“Tch tch tch, why not just let him have his way, host?”

Bai Lianhua’s head hurts. Now that Yang Chongyin has made it this clear, he can’t really say anything no matter how much he wracks his brains over it. It’s impossible to refuse.

Look, he can both save the people and save others from dying from the backlash… At most he just has to carry the name of a usurper, but since he’s a white lotus, of course he can sacrifice that much, and this price is negligible.

He looks at Yang Chongyin fixedly, “shixiong, is this the truth?”

“I haven’t lied. It’s true I want you to stay by my side by ascending, but what I spoke of was also the truth.” Yang Chongyin’s expression looks even more serious than Bai Lianhua, “would you like me to swear on my name?”

Bai Lianhua says, “no need.”

For someone like Yang Chongyin who deals with the supernatural and fate, swearing is seriously consequential, and it is impossible to fake because it will form a strong bond… He also believes Yang Chongyin wouldn’t lie about something like this.

After a long silence, Bai Lianhua nods and agrees.

He can’t help it either. Perhaps there’s no one rebelling ever that is convinced in a situation like his.

Bai Lianhua looks over this residence he’s become used to during this time for the last time, because they will probably move away soon.

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