The Emperor was anything but a fool.
There were two reasons he had gone to such great lengths to make Jiang Shi become the Second Prince’s Consort.
First…
Gu Yanshuang was far too vicious.
She was so cruel that even the Emperor, who ruled the nation through benevolence and virtue, could no longer tolerate her.
Second…
Ling Yu was his chosen successor.
As the future Crown Prince, his identity could never be tainted by scandal.
The Emperor would rather have Ling Yu legally become “Gu Yanshuang’s” son in the future than allow Jiang Shi to become Empress Dowager.
However…
There was another concern.
If Gu Yanshuang wasn’t Ling Yu’s biological mother, the Emperor feared she would never truly treat him well.
Taking everything into account…
He simply eliminated Gu Yanshuang and had Jiang Shi take her place.
That way, even after Ling Yu ascended the throne…
Others might not know the truth…
But Ling Yu himself would know that the Second Prince’s Consort—Jiang Shi—was his real mother.
And with Jiang Shi’s gentle, timid nature…
There was no chance she would abuse a son who wasn’t biologically hers the way Gu Yanshuang would have.
As for the useless Huangfu Rongsheng…
He would at least be allowed to keep his life.
It could be said that the Emperor had exhausted every ounce of brainpower he possessed to ensure Ling Yu would inherit the throne without flaw.
Others didn’t know this.
But Wan Zhenxiang did.
Over the past several days, the Emperor had worried so much he was practically going bald.
What the Emperor had never expected…
Was for Ling Yu’s identity to be exposed in this manner.
Grandfather? Grandmother?
My foot!
The Ling family had never treated his precious grandson well.
Why should he show them any respect?
At this point, the Emperor felt that everyone around him was trying to harm his beloved eldest grandson.
Even Gu Hengcang…
His own maternal grandfather…
Was no exception.
Since Gu Hengcang had chosen to expose the matter…
Then let him expose it.
The Emperor had already anticipated this possibility when he first arranged for Jiang Shi to replace Gu Yanshuang.
After hearing Su Xi’s explanation, Tang Wan fell silent.
His Majesty truly values my husband…
Then again…
That wasn’t surprising.
Aside from having a bad temper…
And being a little arrogant…
When it came to governing the nation, managing court affairs, balancing political factions, and caring for the people’s welfare…
Ling Yu was second to none among emperors.
If the Emperor didn’t value him…
Who else could he possibly value?
The Huangfu family no longer had anyone else suitable.
“In any case…”
“These are His Majesty’s instructions.”
“While taking care of the Second Prince’s Consort these past few days, the Shadow Master also sent people to train me.”
“Please rest assured, Master.”
“I will never ruin His Majesty’s plans.”
Su Xi spoke with complete seriousness.
The strange part was…
She was wearing Jiang Shi’s lifelike face.
Tang Wan had long grown accustomed to seeing Jiang Shi as timid and submissive…
And the Second Prince’s Consort as proud and domineering.
Watching Su Xi wear Jiang Shi’s face while speaking so confidently…
Honestly…
It felt rather surreal.
“I understand.”
“My husband and I will cooperate with His Majesty.”
Tang Wan nodded seriously.
At this point…
Whether they wanted to or not…
They had no choice but to cooperate.
Before long, the carriage arrived at the imperial palace.
Tang Wan adjusted her expression before getting out with Ling Yu.
The moment the couple stepped into the Hall of Diligent Governance…
They were met with countless complicated gazes from the assembled officials.
Some looked shocked.
Some couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
Some harbored ill intentions.
Others looked genuinely worried.
There were simply too many emotions to count.
Then…
When Su Xi, disguised as Jiang Shi, appeared…
Everyone’s attention immediately shifted to her face.
The civil and military officials collectively froze.
They looked at Su Xi.
Then turned to look at the Second Prince’s Consort—
the real Jiang Shi.
A chorus of sharp gasps echoed throughout the hall.
“I always thought the story of the Chancellor’s twin daughters was just a rumor.”
“I never imagined it was actually true.”
“You can’t blame us for not recognizing her.”
“The younger sister has never appeared before us.”
“They look alike…”
“They’re astonishingly alike.”
“As expected of identical twin sisters.”
“Jiang Shi only looks slightly older than the Second Prince’s Consort.”
“Otherwise, they’re practically identical.”
“Well, naturally.”
“They’re twins born of the same mother.”
“Of course they look the same.”
…
Unlike everyone else…
The instant Gu Hengcang saw “Jiang Shi”…
His face immediately darkened.
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