TFWYH – Chapter 544 A Fierce Man Emerges

“If the three princes want to fight, then fight—but of all times, they had to pick this moment.”

Still, something like this didn’t seem like something the First Prince would do. No matter how unreliable Huangfu Xiao might be, he knew better than to air family scandals in public.

But Huangfu Que…

This was probably that idiot Third Prince’s doing.

Not only did everyone else think so—even the Emperor thought the same.

Countless gazes immediately focused on the Third Prince.

And just so happened, Huangfu Que still had that smug, self-satisfied expression on his face.

The Emperor trembled with rage, grabbed a teacup from the side, and hurled it at him. “You unfilial wretch—get out! Get out of my sight!”

“Father Emperor!” Huangfu Que was startled, dodging the teacup as he immediately dropped to his knees to protest. “Why are you angry at me? It’s Second Brother who failed to teach his son—this has nothing to do with me!”

Everyone: …

See? He just confessed without being asked!

What an idiot!

The Emperor pointed toward the door and roared thunderously, “I told you to get out—get out!”

Terrified, Huangfu Que didn’t dare linger a second longer. He scrambled away in panic, afraid his father might actually have him executed.

No one had expected things to escalate like this. The entire scene fell into a heavy silence, no one daring to speak.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. The most important matter right now is the metropolitan examination,” Grand Tutor Yi finally stepped forward to advise the Emperor, glancing at Ling Yu as he spoke.

The Emperor frowned slightly, his gaze also falling on Ling Yu.

He stood there calm and composed, straight as a pine tree, as if the Emperor’s fury had no effect on him at all.

Seeing this young man, the Emperor’s anger subsided by half.

His expression softened as he pointed at Ling Yu. “You—step forward!”

Everyone followed the Emperor’s finger and looked over, immediately breaking into a cold sweat for Ling Yu.

He’s finished, everyone thought.

Ling Yu himself was puzzled, though none of it showed on his face. Obediently, he stepped forward.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor asked, “I hear you ranked first in the ‘Lesser Triple Crown’?”

Ling Yu cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, that is correct.”

The Emperor nodded, then suddenly changed the topic. “What do you think of this matter?”

Everyone: ?

What’s going on?

Ling Yu was just as confused, but after a brief moment of surprise, he quickly regained his composure. After thinking for a moment, he replied:

“Taken seriously, it is a matter of the Heir of Rongsheng behaving without propriety and being unworthy of his title. Taken lightly, it is merely a family matter of Your Majesty, and outsiders have no right to comment.”

Everyone: !

He dared to say the Heir of Rongsheng was unfit for his title?!

Good heavens!

Are this year’s examinees all this bold?

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, his anger easing further, even a faint smile appearing on his face. “Then let me ask you this—if it is treated as a serious matter, how should it be handled? And if treated as a minor matter?”

Ling Yu remained calm, yet his words were astonishing:

“If treated as a serious matter, it should naturally be handled according to the law.”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Even Huangfu Xiao looked at Ling Yu in surprise.

Ignoring the surrounding reactions, Ling Yu continued, “If treated as a minor matter, I have seen many cases among common folk where unruly children fight and cause trouble. The parents discipline them as needed, compensate those harmed, and properly restrain their children to prevent future wrongdoing.”

Everyone: …

That scared us to death!

We thought a real daredevil had appeared this year!

The Emperor gave a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You certainly know how to conduct yourself—throwing the problem right back to me.”