The Long Journey to Immortality

After spending some time figuring out whether the scandals of the original six candidates were true or false, and after listening to Wen Er Ya's information, only five people could still meet her standards.

Wen Erya's list has seven people, and all five people nominated by Han Lu are on her list.

Surprisingly, because the two had reached a consensus the day before and formulated a set of key observation points, their lists did not differ significantly.

It is worth mentioning that Han Lu's list was sorted according to the candidates' ages.

Wen Erya's list seemed to be ordered haphazardly, neither by age, seniority, nor by any other obvious criteria.

Han Lu noticed this and quickly made a conjecture, "From top to bottom, it should represent the senior sister's inclination."

She quickly went through the list again and noticed that the two people Wu Yueyi had just recommended were ranked first and third on the list, respectively.

The first place is Wen Xing'an, and the third place is Wen Qing.

Upon asking, Wen Erya nodded, confirming that Han Lu's guess was correct.

Everything went smoothly, and both of them were aware of the situation. Naturally, everything continued to proceed according to the plan that Wen Erya had originally devised.

"Next, we'll interview each of the seven women on the senior sister list. If we don't find anyone we're particularly satisfied with, we'll make a backup list to see if any big fish slip through the net." Han Lu planned the next few days according to the outline that Wen Erya had proposed the day before.

Wen Erya replied, "Sure, but we'll have to brainstorm together how to conduct the interview."

"Otherwise, it's just going through the motions, and in the end, we still have to make a decision based on the information we have."

Han Lu agreed, "Senior sister is right, so let's discuss what questions to ask during the interview."

Wen Erya rested her chin on her hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "That is naturally a matter related to governing the country."

"Oh?" Han Lu said bluntly, "What Senior Sister said is right, but do you know how to govern a country, and do you know the correct answer to asking questions?"

“This,” Wen Erya said, speechless, then shook her head. “I don’t know.”

"Then what do you think, Junior Sister? What should we do?" Wen Erya's eyes were full of anticipation.

Han Lu said, "I also think we should raise questions about governance, but we don't need to be fixated on the so-called correct answer."

"Simply compare the answers of several candidates, or simply shuffle and anonymize them and let the cabinet ministers help judge them and rank them."

Upon hearing this, Wen Erya exclaimed, "Great idea, great idea!"

Han Lu continued, "Governance strategies are important, but the most important thing is to see if these candidates will put on an act in front of us and say some empty words."

Wen Erya pressed further, "How do you determine it?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Wen Erya realized she had made a foolish mistake.

Having used mortal methods for an entire day, she actually forgot her identity as a Golden Core cultivator for a moment.

Han Lu chuckled and said, "Even if I don't take action, my senior sister alone can use ruthless methods to manipulate the minds of these candidates and make them speak their minds under hypnosis."

"By comparing them, you can tell whether it's the truth or a lie."

Wen Erya readily agreed, "Thanks to my junior sister, this troublesome matter has become much simpler all of a sudden."

"Concern leads to confusion. Even without me, once you sort things out, Senior Sister will definitely be able to figure these things out." Han Lu still remembered Wen Erya's performance the night before and did not think that it was only Wen Erya who was unable to handle the matter of choosing an heir.

Having a clear idea in mind, the two of them took turns asking questions.

There were many topics, but they all revolved around governance and administration.

There are even many case study questions derived from real-world examples, in order to increase the authority of the assessment.

The next day, just before noon, the two set off together to begin examining the seven candidates on the list in turn, interviewing each candidate as examiners for the position of emperor.

[Author's Note] Actually, it shouldn't be called "Emperor," but it doesn't really matter.

Chapter 775 Visiting Various Places

Although they had given advance notice and distributed paper swords to all the royal children who might be chosen as the new heirs to the throne, the interviews conducted by Han Lu and Wen Erya could only be considered "surprise attacks" because the specific time for their visits had not been announced in advance. These interviews were a test of the heirs' ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

To avoid preconceived notions, and to maintain some anticipation.

The two chose the order in which to schedule the interviews, from back to front.

The royal family member ranked seventh on Wen Erya's list comes first, followed by Wen Xing'an, who is most valued by Wen Erya.

The candidate ranked seventh on the list does have some connection with Han Lu.

He is the eldest son of the Eighth Prince.

When the Eighth Prince was cultivating at the Zhengyi Sect, he once took the initiative to visit Wen Erya and give her a birthday gift.

The gift was a pair of bracelets, which, after passing through Wen Erya's hands, were finally worn on Han Lu's wrist.

Because the Eighth Prince was a cultivator, he did not have a particularly strong desire to have children. He married when he was nearly fifty and it took him five years to have a son.

Therefore, his eldest son is only forty years old now, and his cultivation level of the third level of Qi Refining is genuine. Even without considering the longevity pills he may take in the future, he still has at least sixty years of lifespan left.

In addition, he was known for his wisdom and ability. When he was appointed as a local official, he transformed a barren area into fertile land. He also had no dark history that Han Lu and Wen Erya knew about. This is why he was able to pass the preliminary selection and be included in Han Lu and Wen Erya's list.

If it weren't for the fact that this grandson's father was disliked by Wen Erya and had the potential to interfere in court affairs, this grandson named Wen Cheng would have risen one or two places on the list.

That year, Wen Cheng was not serving in the capital, but was instead dispatched to serve as the river chief of a local area, responsible for managing a section of the river that had been flooding for years and affecting agriculture.

When Wen Erya and Han Lu arrived at Wen Cheng's residence, he was having a meal there.

Upon hearing that Wen Erya had arrived, Wen Cheng hurriedly put down his chopsticks and went out to greet her.

The mansion was not large and there was no special reception room, so Wen Cheng could only arrange for the two distinguished guests, Han Lu and Wen Erya, to sit at the dining table.

Upon entering the room, seeing the mud-covered rain boots placed by the door and the food on the table, Wen Erya secretly gave Wen Cheng a point.

In the morning, Wen Cheng had just finished inspecting the river embankment with the officials. Even though he was a cultivator at the third level of Qi Refining, he was still in a sorry state.

There was only one meat dish and two vegetable dishes on the table, three dishes and a soup, very simple, not at all like the lunch of a prince who was sent to serve as an official outside the capital.

"Fairy Zhenfeng, Imperial Sister, please sit down." Although according to seniority, Wen Cheng should not address Wen Erya with such a title, he felt that Wen Erya probably liked this title.

Han Lu and Wen Erya took their seats. Wen Cheng felt a little restrained and nervous, even though he was on his own turf, being stared at by the two "seniors" and "elders".

Sensing the emotion emanating from Wen Cheng, Wen Er Ya immediately deducted half of the impression points she had just added.

Wen Erya didn't give Wen Cheng much time before speaking, stating her purpose. She immediately asked the first question, "Wen Cheng, tell me about your achievements during your more than twenty years of serving as an official."

This question is one of the few with a clear answer among the questions devised by Han Lu and Wen Erya. It mainly tests whether the candidate is honest and whether the candidate will deliberately boast or exaggerate their achievements at this time.

Discussing objectively existing topics is ultimately simpler than engaging in empty talk.

Wen Cheng felt much more relaxed as he recalled his achievements during his four terms as an official.

The narrative is straightforward and without excessive exaggeration; Wen Cheng even went so far as to omit some good deeds that he considered not to be meritorious.

While answering the questions, Wen Cheng was also thinking about a question that he had been pondering repeatedly for the past two days.

Do I really want to be emperor?

Having completed the achievements he was proud of and passionate about, Wen Cheng had found his answer.

"I don't want to."

Some people like to lead the state apparatus, while others prefer to be a component, a cog in the machine.

Wen Cheng is the latter.

After answering the question, Wen Cheng proactively told Wen Erya and Han Lu that he had neither the desire nor the ability to become emperor and govern the entire Southern Dynasty.

If I were to actually sit in that position, I would feel extremely uncomfortable and would fail to live up to Wen Erya's expectations.

Wen Cheng's straightforwardness and dislike of power surprised both of them.

After all, in the eyes of the two Golden Core cultivators, no one living in the mortal world could resist such a huge temptation.

However, since the candidate had voluntarily withdrawn, Wen Erya, with six candidates remaining, naturally had no intention of forcing Wen Cheng to drink water.

After Wen Erya praised and encouraged Wen Cheng's political achievements and character, Han Lu symbolically cast an illusion spell to control Wen Cheng for a moment, in accordance with the previously established procedure, to verify in the simplest way that what he had just said was indeed the truth.

After completing all this, the two hurried away to the location of the next candidate.

On their way out, Han Lu and Wen Erya had only a brief discussion before making a decision.

The two will recommend Wen Cheng to the chosen future monarch, allowing him to realize his modest political ideals from a higher position.

"To choose the right and left arms for the future monarch." Wen Erya used such words to explain this decision.

Soon, it took about four hours.

Wen Erya and Han Lu traveled to four different places to examine four candidates, including Wen Cheng.

Because the information obtained was complete and had undergone a preliminary selection process on paper, all four candidates considered were satisfactory.

None of the four are two-faced hypocrites, nor are they empty shells with only a reputation. Even without the bloodline of the Wen family, they can still be considered pillars of the nation.

They are all talented, and whoever succeeds to the throne may not become a wise ruler praised by everyone, but they will certainly not have any problem maintaining the foundation of the Wen family in the Southern Dynasties.

This undoubtedly tells Wen Erya and Han Lu that they are on the right track.

In the blink of an eye, the two Golden Core cultivators, Wen Erya and Han Lu, flew back to the capital of the Southern Dynasty to continue their investigation of Wen Qing, the third candidate on the list, on this night with the bright moon hanging high.

Thanks to Wen Erya's recommendation by Wu Yueyi, both Han Lu and Wen Erya have a natural affinity for the little princess Wen Qing, whom they have not yet met.

Han Lu even vaguely felt that she and Wen Erya might ultimately choose Wen Qing as the new queen and inherit the throne after visiting seven candidates.

Visit the princess's residence, which is also located in the capital.

Guided by two maids, Han Lu and Wen Erya met Wen Qing in a study.

Chapter 776 Warmth

Just as Han Lu and Wen Erya would pay attention to details such as decorations and furnishings when visiting Wen Cheng, they would also use their divine sense and eyes to observe the surrounding environment when following the two not-so-pretty maids through the little princess's residence, trying to obtain corroborating evidence from these inanimate objects and analyze some information about Wen Qing.

The residence was built according to the standards of a typical princess or prince. In fact, because Wenqing was favored by the emperor, special designs were made in its layout and regulations.

Although the mansion was large, there were not many servants serving the princess, and many of them even had disabilities. It was clear that Princess Wenqing had taken pity on them and invited them to work in the mansion to help them.

The garden in the courtyard house has few plants, and they are all the most common varieties.

The sculptures, rockeries, and other decorations that should be in the garden are all nowhere to be seen.

If these weren't deliberate arrangements made to welcome Wen Erya and Han Lu, these points would clearly demonstrate that Princess Wenqing values ​​thrift and possesses a kind heart.

Wen Erya and Han Lu communicated telepathically as they walked, and they arrived at almost the same conclusion.

Han Lu transmitted her voice, "It seems that Princess Wenqing is indeed worthy of your mother's recommendation."