TFWYH – Chapter 653 Everyone’s Thoughts

“Your Majesty!” Marquis Yong’an cried out in shock.

The Yong’an Commandery Princess also stared at the Emperor in disbelief. She had never imagined that merely talking back a few times, like she usually did, would cost her her title of commandery princess.

“Father Emperor, please reconsider! The Yong’an Commandery Princess merely has the temperament of a young girl. She meant no harm! She—”

“My decision is final. Since the imperial decree has been spoken, how can there be any taking it back?”

Huangfu Xiao still wanted to say more, but the Emperor gave him no opportunity. Instead, he looked at him warningly. “The Noble Consort is, in the end, still my Noble Consort. Disrespecting her is disrespecting me.”

After saying that, the Emperor turned toward Wan Zhenxiang. “Wan Zhenxiang, draft the decree. Noble Consort Li is to be promoted to Imperial Noble Consort. I would like to see who still dares look down upon the Noble Consort in the future.”

“Your Majesty…” The Empress was stunned and wanted to speak, but the Emperor raised his hand to cut her off.

“There is no need for the Empress to persuade me further. Today, with all the officials present, I intend to make one thing clear to everyone: my Noble Consort possesses exalted status. Whoever dares disrespect her may bring me their head!”

By the end of his speech, the Emperor’s face had darkened completely, his tone especially heavy.

The Empress sat frozen for several seconds, as though all her strength had been drained away. Her whole person became dispirited.

The First Prince also looked utterly incredulous, completely unprepared for the Emperor to pull such a move.

In the past, he had openly and secretly targeted Su Qing many times. He had even killed Su Qing’s son and daughter. Yet the Emperor had never become enraged before.

Today, it was merely a small matter, so how had things escalated to this extent?

Most terrifying of all, the Emperor’s actions were sending everyone a clear message — he did not favor Huangfu Xiao as the Crown Prince.

If he truly favored the First Prince, he would not weaken the First Prince’s faction.

The gathered officials exchanged bewildered glances, utterly unable to understand what was happening with the Emperor.

Wasn’t he supposed to favor the First Prince?

Then why was he suddenly beginning to suppress members of his faction?

Unlike everyone else, Huangfu Que was so delighted he practically felt ready to fly.

Father Emperor did not favor Huangfu Xiao, and Second Brother Huangfu Yi had no sons, so Father Emperor surely would not choose him either!

That meant Father Emperor only had one option left.

At the thought of this, Huangfu Que nearly rushed forward to hug the Emperor and shower him with kisses.

Father Emperor has finally recognized my worth!

Ling Yu silently took in everyone’s expressions. Calmly, he lifted his wine cup, the corners of his lips carrying the faintest trace of a smile.

Suddenly, Tang Wan leaned closer and whispered, “Husband, Godmother and the Emperor planned this together, didn’t they?”

Ling Yu looked at her helplessly, then lightly tapped her forehead. “When it comes to things like this, you’re as clever as a monkey.”

Yet when it came to matters of love, she was hopelessly dense.

Tang Wan covered her forehead and grinned. “So I guessed right? But why does that Censor look strange? Shouldn’t he be one of the Emperor’s or Godmother’s people? Why does it seem like he’s scared?”

Ever since Miss He’s incident, Censor He had not uttered a single word. With his head lowered like a quail, he practically looked as though he wanted to bury himself underground.

Ling Yu glanced at the trembling Censor He across from them and said indifferently, “He’s not one of the Emperor’s or the Noble Consort’s people. Most likely, he knew nothing about it. Everything was Miss He’s own decision.”

Tang Wan was stunned. “Miss He staged all of this without discussing it with her father first? Isn’t she afraid of being punished when she returns home?”

Ling Yu replied meaningfully, “I heard that Madam He has recently been searching for a marriage match for Miss He and has visited the First Prince’s residence several times.”

“I see now!” Tang Wan immediately understood.

Most likely, Lord He and Madam He intended to send Miss He to become one of the First Prince’s secondary consorts, but Miss He was unwilling, so she secretly cooperated with Su Qing on her own initiative.