TFWYH – Chapter 873 Crown Prince

The Emperor gave a cold snort before turning his attention to the two men who had provided the false testimony.

Even without knowledge, one should at least have common sense.

With the truth right before their eyes, there was no point in continuing to lie.

“Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, please spare me!”

Ling Cangshun was nearly scared to death. He immediately pointed at Gu Hengcang and sold him out.

“It was the Prime Minister! He told me to say all of this. In truth, I don’t even know whether Ling Yu is my second brother’s child. Back then, my second brother brought Jiang Shi back with him. Not only her, but also Ling Yu, who was still an infant. My second brother claimed to everyone that Ling Yu was his child, so I… I believed him.”

The Daoist had completely lost his previous aloof demeanor. He trembled as he lay prostrate on the ground, begging for mercy.

“This lowly one is merely a servant from one of the Prime Minister’s estates. The Prime Minister ordered me to do this. I’m innocent, Your Majesty!”

“…”

Innocent?

The two of you were innocent my foot!

The Emperor spoke in a deep voice.

“Guards! These two men are vicious and malicious. They framed an imperial heir. Take them outside and give each of them one hundred heavy strokes.”

One hundred strokes!

And heavy strokes at that!

After such a beating, there was little chance they would survive.

Soon, several guards entered. Ignoring the two men’s tearful pleas for mercy, they dragged them outside.

Before long, the sound of wooden rods striking flesh echoed from outside, accompanied by the two men’s agonized howls.

“As for Gu Hengcang…”

The Emperor turned a cold gaze toward him. Even his voice carried a hint of barely restrained fury.

“You plotted to murder your own daughter, framed your own grandson, and deceived the Emperor. With such conduct, how are you fit to hold the position of Prime Minister? Guards! Strip Gu Hengcang of his official hat and robes and throw him into the Heavenly Prison to await further judgment.”

Gu Hengcang was horrified. His face turned deathly pale.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty! This old臣 was confused for a moment! Your Majesty, please forgive me!”

“Take him away!”

The Emperor could not even be bothered to look at him anymore.

More guards soon entered, stripped Gu Hengcang of his official robes and hat, and dragged him away.

Poor Gu Hengcang continued begging for mercy.

At first, he pleaded with the Emperor.

Then he began begging Huangfu Yi.

Finally, he even pleaded with Ling Yu to ask for mercy on his behalf.

But neither of the father and son, nor the Emperor, showed the slightest reaction.

Gu Hengcang’s voice gradually faded into the distance, while everyone in the hall remained so silent that no one dared even breathe too loudly.

The Emperor slowly swept his gaze across all the officials. Finally, his eyes settled on Ling Yu.

The coldness between his brows quickly disappeared, and his tone softened.

“Child, you’ve suffered.”

Ling Yu cupped his hands respectfully.

“Yu has not suffered. I caused Your Majesty to worry; that was Yu’s failure as a subject.”

“You are a good child…”

The Emperor smiled as he said this, then ordered Wan Zhenxiang to draft an imperial decree.

Ling Yu was, in truth, Huangfu Yu—the true bloodline of the Huangfu imperial family.

He was to be granted the title of Heir Apparent, with the bestowed title “Guanhua.”

Not only that, the Emperor also officially registered Ling Yu under the name of the Second Prince’s Consort. From this day forward, Huangfu Yu would be recognized as the biological son of Huangfu Yi and his wife, the Second Prince’s Consort.

The names of Huangfu Yu and his wife, Princess Weng Nai, Tang Wan, were both entered into the imperial genealogy.

Jiang Shi, who was now the Second Prince’s Consort: “…”

If the occasion hadn’t been inappropriate, she would have wanted to set off firecrackers right then and there.

Huangfu Yi was equally delighted.

He had a son again—and such an outstanding son at that.

Heaven had not abandoned him after all!

Now that Ling Yu’s true identity had been officially recognized, their family of three could finally be reunited.

But none of them had expected that the Emperor’s rewards would not end there.

Next, the Emperor personally bestowed the title of Princess upon Huangfu Yu’s elder sister, Huangfu Ronglan, who had once suffered from a Gu poison and spent many years in a state of foolishness. She was granted the title “Mingzhu.”

Huangfu Yu was overjoyed. He pulled Jiang Shi along and knelt to kowtow in gratitude.

The children of the princes were all granted the titles of Heir or Princess, but none of them had ever received a special bestowed title from the Emperor.

And today, the Emperor had bestowed titles upon two people at once.

What exactly did this mean?