Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 520 - 454: Divine Assist

Chapter 520: Chapter 454: Divine Assist

This delicate and frail son suddenly became so resolute—it left Emperor Liang utterly astonished.

It seems his son not only plays the sheep to eat the tiger but is also as stubborn as an ox.

Emperor Liang was no stranger to storms and waves. He glanced at his son and sternly said, "Don’t act impulsively. You’ll regret it later."

Lu Zhaoyan replied earnestly, "I’m not acting impulsively, nor am I an impulsive person."

Emperor Liang scoffed, "Not impulsive, huh? Then how did the child come into being?"

Lu Zhaoyan was speechless.

He couldn’t possibly admit that Xiao Bai had forced him into it, especially not with his father in front of him, younger brother behind him, and Eunuch Yu beside them. His dignity would be in shreds.

Seeing his son at a loss for words, Emperor Liang withdrew his gaze and ordered, "I’ll give you two days to think. Decide wisely before you act."

Lu Zhaoyan’s eyes were resolute: "My mind is already made up."

As he said this, he pulled out the Crown Prince’s Golden Seal from his robes and presented it with both hands to Emperor Liang.

Eunuch Yu was stunned: "Your Highness..."

Emperor Liang was infuriated: "This is the Crown Prince’s mantle—your five brothers all covet it but can’t get it, while you treat it like it’s worthless! Lu Zhaoyan! Don’t think just because you’re my own flesh and blood that I wouldn’t dare to kill you!"

Prince Ming’s expression changed; risking his life, he hurried in: "Father, Father! Zhaozhao seems to be looking for Second Brother! That child is so stubborn—he won’t stop crying for him, no matter how much coaxing!"

He grabbed Lu Zhaoyan’s wrist. "Second Brother, come along! Zhaozhao is weeping for you!"

Anyone could tell Prince Ming was giving the father and son a way out.

It was fortunate he had the presence of mind; after all, he invoked Emperor Liang’s most beloved Treasure Piggy, and the Emperor’s wrath was temporarily stifled.

"Second Brother, let’s go!"

Prince Ming increased his strength and pulled Lu Zhaoyan out of the room.

Before leaving, Lu Zhaoyan placed the Crown Prince’s Golden Seal on the table.

Emperor Liang’s expression darkened.

Prince Ming swiftly retrieved the Golden Seal, saying to Lu Zhaoyan: "You don’t want it? Then I’ll take it!"

After leaving the Imperial Study Room, Prince Ming took out the Golden Seal. Initially intending to return it to Lu Zhaoyan, he had a flash of inspiration and threw it to Lu Yuan, who was swinging on the garden’s swing set.

"It’s your father’s Golden Seal. Keep it safe!"

Lu Yuan caught the Crown Prince’s Golden Seal, his face full of bewilderment.

Only then did Prince Ming return to the area near the Imperial Study Room to look for Lu Zhaoyan.

"I’m exhausted!"

He wiped the sweat off his forehead, panting as he said, "Fighting with Father—you’re fearless!"

Lu Zhaoyan didn’t reply.

Having eavesdropped outside the Imperial Study Room for so long, Prince Ming finally pieced everything together: Lu Qi wasn’t Second Brother’s son—he was Eldest Brother’s.

Dou Qingyi had mistaken identities, and the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion had bet on the wrong horse. As for his Eldest Brother, he had tragically lost the position of Crown Prince.

This unfolding drama—it was explosively juicy.

For a moment, he didn’t know whose loss was greater.

"Haven’t you realized? Father is compensating you."

Prince Ming could vaguely understand Emperor Liang’s thought process.

Years ago, Eldest Brother had shirked the blame for his romantic entanglement by pinning it on Second Brother, who bore a resemblance to him.

Since Eldest Brother was at fault, why not have him relinquish the Crown Prince title to compensate Second Brother?

In Prince Ming’s view, for a ruler to go this far was already more generous than most emperors of the realm.

So he couldn’t understand why Second Brother would refuse it.

"You should know this: Eldest Brother was originally Father’s chosen successor. If not for the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion suddenly bringing you a child, you wouldn’t have become Crown Prince."

"I’m not trying to belittle you, but let’s be honest—look at Eldest Brother’s pedigree, then look at yours. Do I even need to elaborate?"

"It’s rare enough that Father hasn’t reclaimed the Crown Prince title. Since the opportunity has come knocking, why not seize it?"

Lu Zhaoyan said, "If you want it, then you take it."

Prince Ming grew anxious: "What’s wrong with you? You’re just being stubborn! They’re merely giving you an extra son—not forbidding you from acknowledging your real one. If you like that woman, you can marry her as the Crown Princess Consort! At this crucial moment, Father would undoubtedly agree! Once everything is settled, you’d have both a wife and children! Think about it—what holds more prestige? A Crown Prince’s son or a Prince’s son? The Crown Princess Consort will eventually be Empress—if not for you, at least think about her. If you don’t want the Crown Prince title, isn’t it possible that she might still want to be Empress?"

Lu Zhaoyan stared at him coolly: "Are you done?"

Prince Ming opened his mouth: "I’m done."

Lu Zhaoyan said softly, "Sixth Brother, my whole life has been a constant weighing of pros and cons."

Prince Ming asked, "Even with me?"

Lu Zhaoyan readily admitted: "Yes."

Prince Ming sighed: "Second Brother, you’ve wounded my heart."

Can’t you just utter one comforting word?

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "This time, I only want to follow my heart."

Prince Ming clutched his chest dramatically, lamenting, "Second Brother, you have no heart."

Lu Zhaoyan drew a deep breath. "Father won’t easily revoke his decree."

Prince Ming shook his folding fan: "As long as you know that—resign yourself to it, won’t you? Listen to yourself; if the other brothers overheard this, they’d rage themselves to death!"

Lu Zhaoyan instructed, "Go to the Imperial Concubine Palace and inform Noble Consort and Eldest Brother of this news."

Prince Ming’s instincts flared: "Hey, are you mad? If you tell them, won’t that leave you with no way out?"

Lu Zhaoyan stared unwaveringly in the direction of the Imperial Study Room and said, "I want to sever all retreats."

-

After Lu Zhaoyan left, Emperor Liang immediately dispatched scouts to investigate.

Previously, this avenue had been overlooked. Now, with a clear direction, they reexamined the details of Dou Qingyi and her son’s visit seeking recognition.

It turned out Dou Qingyi truly didn’t know the man who had favored her was Prince Jin. She sincerely believed it was Lu Zhaoyan.

However, at the time, she didn’t know Lu Zhaoyan was the son of Prince Qin Mansion.

Lu Zhaoyan had given her a bowl of Abortion Soup, but Lu Qi proved resilient and survived.

The subsequent events—they were all already known to Emperor Liang.

While traveling with disciples, Gongsun Yanming inadvertently encountered Dou Qingyi and her son. Something about Lu Qi’s appearance struck him as familiar.

After some inquiries, an artist sketched a likeness of Lu Zhaoyan’s visage.

Not only that, but Gongsun Yanming also discovered the celestial fortune of the Qilin in Lu Qi. He immediately brought the mother and son to the Prince Qin Mansion.

Aside from the deliberate scapegoating following Prince Jin’s one-night dalliance, everything else seemed like tricks of fate.

With his hands clasped behind him, Emperor Liang gazed at the twilight-drenched skies. "You’re dismissed."

"Understood."

The scout departed silently.

As if he had never set foot in the Imperial Study Room.

Seeing that the tea on the table had gone cold, Eunuch Yu replaced it with a fresh, hot cup. "Your Majesty."

Emperor Liang sighed deeply. "Perhaps this is destiny."

Eunuch Yu understood—His Majesty didn’t intend to let each child return to their rightful place. Since matters were already muddled, he might as well let things continue as they were.

Lu Qi would remain publicly as the Crown Prince’s son.

"Your Majesty—"

At that moment, an impassioned voice suddenly rang out outside the room.

Eunuch Yu’s brow furrowed sharply, only to see Consort Hu, drenched in sweat, arriving at the Imperial Study Room, supported by palace maids.

Tears brimmed in her reddened eyes as she exclaimed fervently, "Your Majesty, is it true what I heard—that Qi’er is Prince Jin’s child?"

Eunuch Yu stepped forward and asked, "Noble Consort, where did you hear such a thing?"

Consort Hu choked back tears, "The entire palace is talking about it!"

Eunuch Yu turned to glance at Emperor Liang.

The situation had gone awry.

It seemed the Crown Prince had leaked the truth.

Knowing Consort Hu’s personality, it was clear she wouldn’t give up on reclaiming Lu Qi.