TFWYH – Chapter 800 A Summons in the Middle of the Night

Because of this matter, Ling Yu was summoned to the palace in the middle of the night.

Ling Yu: …

Now what is this about?

It’s the middle of the night, and they’re not even letting me sleep with my wife?

I really want to defy the imperial decree…

With a sigh, he resigned himself to his fate, got out of bed, put on his clothes, and quietly walked outside.

Not wanting to wake the sleeping Tang Wan, he made sure not to make the slightest sound.

Wan Zhenxiang had already been waiting outside.

The moment he saw Ling Yu emerge, he forced a broad, wrinkled smile onto his face and hurried over carrying an imperial decree.

“Minister Ling, I’m terribly sorry for disturbing you so late at night.”

“…”

If you know it’s inconvenient, why are you here?

Ling Yu smiled politely.

“You’re too courteous, Eunuch Wan. May I ask why His Majesty has summoned this humble official?”

“It’s good news! Very good news indeed!”

Wan Zhenxiang glanced behind him before asking curiously,

“Has Princess Wengnai not come out? This imperial decree is for her.”

“…”

Waking me up wasn’t enough—you want to wake my wife too?

The corner of Ling Yu’s eye twitched.

“My wife has been tired all day and has already gone to sleep. May I receive the decree on her behalf?”

Wan Zhenxiang: …

Who receives an imperial decree by proxy?

This isn’t lining up in the military camp to collect rations!

That was what he thought.

But he certainly didn’t dare say it aloud.

The man standing before him was the future heir to the Tian Dynasty.

Forget it…

With a smile, Wan Zhenxiang handed the decree to Ling Yu.

“Then I’ll trouble Minister Ling with it.”

“Not at all.”

Ling Yu accepted the decree, opened it, and skimmed through its contents.

A smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

So… His Majesty has finally decided to deal with the Ten Great Families.

Good.

Those arrogant people who think so highly of themselves are long overdue for a lesson.

Otherwise, they’ll never learn their place.

“I presume His Majesty has summoned me because of the Ten Great Families?”

“Indeed.”

Wan Zhenxiang shuddered at the memory.

“His Majesty was furious.”

Even now, recalling the Emperor’s rage made him feel uneasy.

Those Ten Great Families truly had no one to blame but themselves.

The Emperor had offered them a broad and easy road to walk.

Instead, they had stubbornly chosen the path toward destruction.

He honestly didn’t even know how to criticize them anymore.

As they walked toward the palace together, Wan Zhenxiang recounted the Emperor’s outburst to Ling Yu.

…

Inside the palace, the Emperor received Ling Yu in his private bedchamber.

He wasted no time with pleasantries.

Instead, he laid the matter before Ling Yu and asked for his opinion.

After a moment of thought, Ling Yu replied,

“Your Majesty is benevolent to the point of still being willing to give them another opportunity.”

“In my opinion…”

“Training certain stubborn people is no different from training dogs.”

“You can’t reward them with treats alone.”

“Sometimes they also need the stick.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow.

“So you agree that I should reopen investigations into the crimes the Ten Great Families have committed over the years?”

Ling Yu nodded with a faint smile.

“Only when the beating truly hurts will they understand that imperial authority is sacred and inviolable.”

“When that time comes, Your Majesty won’t even need to summon them.”

“They’ll come begging on their own.”

The Emperor frowned again.

“But I’m worried that if I strike too hard, I’ll destroy their foundations.”

“There are so many talented people among them.”

“It would be a great pity if none of them could ever serve me.”

Ling Yu chuckled softly.

“Your Majesty needn’t worry about that.”

“As far as this humble official knows, the Ten Great Families are hardly united.”

“People will die for wealth, just as birds will die for food.”

“Everyone wants to become the head of the family.”

The Emperor paused before breaking into a smile.

“You’re right.”

“Take the men under your command, Yan Cheng and Mu Qingfeng.”

“I think they’re excellent examples.”

Ling Yu merely smiled without replying.

It’s not just Yan Cheng and Mu Qingfeng.

There’s also Xiao Nan… and Jin Lin.

As for the Yan Family…

The family to which Yan Cheng belonged had already long since become part of Ling Yu’s sphere of influence.

“I understand now.”

The Emperor smiled.

“I’ve made you come all this way in the middle of the night.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Would you care to join me for a late-night meal?”

“This humble official obeys Your Majesty’s command.”