"Remember, the Jade Cicada placed upon the plum tree can be reselected before the hour of Zi tomorrow night, but once it reaches the hour of Zi, it can no longer be changed."
Duke Heng spoke in a low voice, "Once it reaches the hour of Zi, the three plum trees transformed from Spiritual Power will absorb the Spiritual Power of the cicadas attached to the trees, blooming plum blossoms one after another... At that time, a White Jade Cicada will make the plum tree bloom one flower, a Red Blood Cicada will make it bloom four flowers, and a Purple Gold Jade Cicada will result in eighteen blossoms."
Lin Yue reflected thoughtfully.
Thirty-six White Jade Cicadas, nine Red Blood Cicadas, two Purple Gold Cicadas.
With such calculation, any type of Jade Cicada added together could make the plum tree bloom with thirty-six plum blossoms, like the decision-making layer, the higher-ups, and the grassroots level.
The Qi Family and the Minister Elders each held considerable voting power.
That was also considered fair.
It was said that the Minister Elders would also intermarry with the Qi Family, sharing a bloodline connection. Alongside the blood covenants established by the ministers, it was nearly impossible to do anything harmful to Duke Heng’s residence; no wonder the Qi Family trusted the Minister Elders.
Unlike the Xiahong Clan, which relies solely on the Qi bloodline, even if Duke Heng was powerful, he was still understaffed; hence, the role of the Minister Elders was crucial.
"By the hour of Zi tomorrow night, the result will be known. Everyone may disperse now."
Duke Heng glanced over the crowd and promptly gestured with his sleeve for everyone to leave.
"Lord Qi, I shall reside in Mei Garden tonight." Elder Gu, the man with black hair and a green robe, nodded slightly to Duke Heng and glanced at Lin Yue before turning to leave.
After everyone left, the main hall was left with only Lin Yue and Duke Heng, as well as Baili Fengzhi and Wu Nu standing behind them.
"Your Highness."
Duke Heng looked at Lin Yue, a slight smile appearing on his face, and said, "Don’t worry, I have spoken with Elder Gu several times these days, and at the last moment, he will choose Yinmo."
"Oh?" Lin Yue nodded slightly, "Then there is good assurance."
Some things need not be spoken too clearly; the wise naturally understand each other.
Duke Heng knew the person he had selected was Qi Yinmo, the Qi Family’s fifth daughter; he also knew that Lin Yue intended to indirectly control Duke Heng’s residence through Qi Yinmo, which was why he turned a blind eye to what Lin Yue and Qi Yinmo had been up to this past year.
After all, Duke Heng had prepared Duke Heng’s residence to participate in the factional strife; the prince he had chosen was Lin Yue.
If both Duke Heng and Elder Gu chose Qi Yinmo, it was predestined that at least thirty-six plum blossoms would bloom on her tree.
White Jade Cicadas, Red Blood Cicadas, Purple Gold Cicadas, adding up all of them resulted in one hundred and eight blooming plum blossoms.
Among the three candidates, Qi Yinmo had already secured one-third of support, naturally putting her in a significant lead.
"However..."
Lin Yue suddenly remembered the secret of the Fourth Ring Level from a few days ago, pondered for a moment, and said, "Does Lord Qi know why Elder Gu would wait until the last moment to choose Yinmo?"
Duke Heng frowned slightly and said, "Elder Gu is even older than me; when my father, the previous Duke Heng, was still alive, Elder Gu was already a Minister Elder. His temperament seems to have always been so steady."
Lin Yue became somewhat puzzled.
Elder Gu was a Great Cultivator, while Duke Heng was a Saint.
Even if Elder Gu was a formidable Great Cultivator, nearing Harmonization, his lifespan was still limited; so why did Duke Heng live less than him?
Elder Gu’s lifespan was quite normal; it was Duke Heng’s that was abnormal.
But then, it wasn’t appropriate to ask Duke Heng directly, "Why do you not live as long as a Great Cultivator?" - such a question would be too presumptuous.
"Lord Qi, I think Elder Gu’s choice at the last moment may not be because he is steady."
Lin Yue shook his head slightly.
"Oh?" Duke Heng asked in confusion, "Has Your Highness ever suspected Elder Gu? You’ve mentioned before that within Duke Heng’s residence, both the ministers and the Qi Family members have people from the Twelfth Prince."
"That’s not it." Lin Yue shook his head, "Elder Gu is the leader of the ministers, akin to half a Duke Heng himself, so it’s unlikely that he would betray Duke Heng’s residence."
Duke Heng nodded slightly.
Looking at the entirety of Duke Heng’s residence, the people he trusted the most were Wu Nu behind him and Elder Gu; even if his children were to betray him, these two definitely would not.
"It’s just that I have heard a certain piece of information."
Lin Yue recalled the secret about Elder Gu of the Fourth Ring Level, "When Elder Gu was young and practiced Martial Arts Killing Skill, he had three extremely superior killing skills to choose from, yet he chose one that was very ordinary—but one he found very smooth to Cultivate—because he felt that it was more assured."
Duke Heng was a bit puzzled.
"Your Highness, isn’t this precisely indicating that Elder Gu has a steady nature?" Duke Heng inquired.
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"Does Lord Qi still remember how Elder Gu chose when you were selected as the successor to Duke Heng?" Lin Yue queried.
"This... Elder Gu indeed made his choice at the last moment, too," said Duke Heng.
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Lin Yue nodded and broached the subject indirectly, "Would Lord Qi reconsider, during major events at Duke Heng’s residence, what Elder Gu’s actions were? Did he not simply choose the most stable path, regardless of interests and risks?"
Duke Heng contemplated carefully and nodded lightly, "Indeed, he did."
He himself was the one lost in the game; despite being close to Elder Gu for many years, but as the residence’s opinion of Elder Gu had always been steady and insightful, he was always reassured. Moreover, with Elder Gu’s years of secluded cultivation, he never gave it much thought.
Now, upon a little reflection, he immediately understood Lin Yue’s implication, "Your Highness is suggesting that Elder Gu values stability above all else?"
"Exactly."
Lin Yue nodded, "As far as I know, during Elder Gu’s years in Duke Heng’s residence, he has been like an observer, seemingly steady indeed, but in reality, only seeking stability without faults, yet rarely altering the outcome."