“Ridiculous! That’s impossible!”
Huangfu Xiao could no longer maintain his composure. The calm, detached expression on his face gradually crumbled.
“How could Huangfu Yi possibly have another son besides that useless one?”
The key issue was…
The man in question was Ling Yu!
In truth, the moment the Empress spoke those words, Huangfu Xiao had believed them almost instantly.
Because only then did everything make sense.
The Emperor’s inexplicable favoritism toward Ling Yu.
Huangfu Yi lending his greatest trump card—the Black Scale Cavalry—to Ling Yu.
Everything could finally be explained.
And that was precisely why Huangfu Xiao could no longer remain calm.
Thinking he genuinely didn’t believe her, the Empress immediately recounted everything that had happened years ago regarding the “Twin Jewels” of the Prime Minister’s residence.
She even revealed that the current Second Princess Consort had already been replaced by another person.
The more she spoke…
The heavier Huangfu Xiao’s heart became.
Because every revelation pointed to one thing—
The Emperor’s true intentions.
He was no longer the Emperor’s only choice.
The Emperor intended to pass the throne to the Second Prince…
Because the Second Prince had Ling Yu as his son.
Huangfu Xiao’s heart continued sinking.
His killing intent toward Ling Yu surged to an unprecedented level.
Seeing his expression, the Empress also began to feel sorry for him.
Softening her tone, she said,
“Your father dotes on Ling Yu far too much now.”
“He indulges him in everything.”
“He has undoubtedly assigned people to protect him.”
“So we absolutely cannot act rashly.”
“Otherwise, we’ll lose far more than we gain.”
“So what?”
Huangfu Xiao’s face darkened.
“As long as Ling Yu dies…”
“I’ll once again be Father’s only choice.”
It was obvious that he hadn’t taken her warning to heart.
The Empress became anxious.
“You child!”
“Why won’t you listen?”
“If your father discovers that you were the one who harmed Ling Yu…”
“Do you really think he’ll still consider you as his successor?”
“My son…”
“Don’t let others reap the benefits while you and someone else destroy each other.”
Huangfu Xiao fell silent.
Right…
There was still Huangfu Que.
If Father became furious with him…
What if he simply handed the throne to Huangfu Que instead?
That absolutely could not happen.
“Then what should I do?”
Was he supposed to simply let Ling Yu continue living…
And watch the Second Prince take what should rightfully have been his?
His mind was in complete turmoil, and his expression grew increasingly grim.
The Empress sighed before finally revealing her plan.
“I have a way…”
…
No one knew what the mother and son discussed behind those closed doors.
By the time Huangfu Xiao emerged, gloom filled his eyes.
As his carriage passed the Ministry of Revenue, he lifted the curtain and looked at the enormous plaque hanging over the entrance.
His mood worsened even further.
Just look at it…
Even the calligraphy on the plaque had been personally written by the Emperor.
Across the entire empire…
Who else enjoyed such an honor?
A cold, sinister gleam flashed through Huangfu Xiao’s eyes as he lowered the curtain once more.
Just as the carriage rounded a corner, the horses suddenly neighed loudly.
The coachman’s startled voice rang out from outside.
“Watch where you’re going!”
“I’m terribly sorry.”
“I was lost in thought and wasn’t paying attention.”
A woman’s soft, delicate voice answered.
The coachman stared at the elaborately dressed young woman before him.
After a long moment, he finally recognized her.
“Y-You’re… Miss Gu?”
How could he not recognize her?
The so-called “Yan Concubines” had become the talk of the capital.
He had long heard all about her.
“What is it?”
Huangfu Xiao’s gloomy voice came from inside the carriage.
The coachman immediately snapped back to attention and replied respectfully,
“Reporting to Your Highness…”
“Miss Gu of the Prime Minister’s residence suddenly walked into the carriage.”
“It seems she’s sprained her ankle.”
“Oh?”
Huangfu Xiao raised an eyebrow and lifted the carriage curtain.
There sat Gu Xiyan on the ground directly in front of the horses, frowning as she rubbed her injured ankle.
Today she wore a pale pink gown with wide flowing sleeves.
Her elegant coiffure was adorned with delicate pearls, while vivid crimson floral hair ornaments with dangling tassels framed her beautiful face.
Her slender waist was so graceful it seemed one could encircle it with a single hand.
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