TFWYH – Chapter 715 The Emperor Relents

Sure enough…

“But you were gambling,” the Emperor said with a smile, as if he had read Ling Yu’s thoughts. “You were gambling on whether I possessed compassion. Gambling on whether I could spare the life of a mere woman.”

Ling Yu pondered for a moment before cupping his hands in salute.

“Your Majesty is truly wise. Nothing can escape your notice.”

The Emperor smiled faintly, his gaze toward Ling Yu filled with grandfatherly affection.

“I’m telling you now—I am indeed a wise ruler, but that isn’t the reason I spared Jiang Shi. I spared her because I didn’t want to see you suffer any more.”

“Your Majesty!”

Ling Yu knelt and bowed deeply.

“This humble subject…”

“There’s no one else here now,” the Emperor interrupted with a hint of dissatisfaction. “Stop calling me ‘Your Majesty’ and referring to yourself as ‘this humble subject.’ Can’t you call me ‘Grandfather Emperor’ just once?”

A smile curved across Ling Yu’s lips as he called out earnestly,

“Grandfather Emperor.”

“Good, good, good!” The Emperor beamed and beckoned him over. “Get up. Stop kneeling.”

Ling Yu rose and walked to his side.

At that moment, the Emperor was no different from any ordinary grandfather. He patted Ling Yu on the shoulder and sighed.

“You’ve suffered a great deal all these years. To have grown up amid hardship and still become such an outstanding young man… Grandfather Emperor is truly gratified. When my time comes and I go to meet the Huangfu ancestors, I’ll finally be able to face them with pride.”

Ling Yu immediately replied,

“Grandfather Emperor is the Son of Heaven, blessed with a long life equal to the heavens. You’re still in the prime of your years. Please don’t say such things.”

“Hahaha…”

The Emperor burst into hearty laughter at Ling Yu’s words.

Huangfu Yi had worn a bewildered expression the entire time. It took him a while before he finally understood what was happening.

His eyes widened in shock.

“Father Emperor… are you planning to appoint an Imperial Grandson?”

The moment the Emperor heard him speak, his expression changed instantly. He shot Huangfu Yi a cold sideways glance.

“Is there a problem with that?”

“How could that be possible?” Huangfu Yi blurted out anxiously. “Our dynasty has never had a precedent where the father is still alive and the son is bypassed in favor of appointing the grandson. I…”

“What about you?” the Emperor cut him off impatiently, looking utterly disgusted.

“If I don’t appoint an Imperial Grandson, should I appoint a Crown Prince instead? Who? You? Or your eldest brother? Or your third brother?”

“Heh…”

“Do the three of you honestly have no idea what you’re capable of?”

“Let’s not even talk about your eldest and third brothers. Just look at you. You’ve been manipulated by a woman for decades. If I were to entrust the Huangfu family’s empire to you, wouldn’t history simply repeat itself, with the imperial in-laws seizing power just like in the past? Before long, the Huangfu dynasty would probably end up changing its surname to Gu.”

Those words were incredibly harsh.

With a thud, Huangfu Yi dropped to his knees.

Feeling wronged yet unconvinced, he protested,

“Father Emperor, your son is by no means that incompetent.”

The Emperor gave a sarcastic laugh.

“Your own Second Prince’s residence almost ended up belonging to the Gu family, and you’re still telling me you’re not incompetent? You can’t even manage your own household, yet you expect me to trust you with governing the entire realm?”

Huangfu Yi: “…”

He was completely speechless.

The Emperor snorted.

Just looking at this troublesome son irritated him.

“Enough. I won’t violate our ancestral traditions. If I decide to establish Yu’er, then I’ll first make you Crown Prince. For now, hurry back to your prince’s consort. She looks timid enough already—don’t let the poor woman be frightened into foolishness.”

“Yes, Father Emperor. Your son takes his leave.”

Huangfu Yi let out a huge sigh of relief.

At the same time, excitement welled up inside him.

Crown Prince!

His father had finally agreed to make him the Crown Prince!

And all of this was thanks to Jiang Shi for giving him such an excellent son!

Looking at Ling Yu with heartfelt satisfaction, Huangfu Yi asked him to stay later so the family could share a meal together.

After Ling Yu agreed, Huangfu Yi hurried off to see Jiang Shi.

Ling Yu was handsome, exceptionally talented, and highly educated.

Jiang Shi deserved enormous credit for raising him into the man he had become.

Although Huangfu Yi still felt uncomfortable every time he saw the face that was identical to Gu Yanshuang’s, he resolved that he would give Jiang Shi the utmost respect and treat her as his rightful prince’s consort.