Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 521 - 455: Father and Son Recognize Each Other

Chapter 521: Chapter 455: Father and Son Recognize Each Other

To think the Crown Prince had guts, but not this much.

In just one day, Eunuch Yu’s entire perception of the Crown Prince was overturned.

Not just Eunuch Yu—even Emperor Liang himself, his biological father, suspected whether his son had secretly swapped with someone else.

Faced with Consort Hu’s tearful complaints, Emperor Liang sympathized, but he also had a headache about it.

This wasn’t a young concubine whom he could reprimand with a sharp word; given Consort Hu’s age, one misstep and she might "fly to the heavens."

"Calm down first."

Emperor Liang said.

Consort Hu stepped into the Imperial Study Room, her voice trembling with sobs as she wailed, "Your Majesty! I cannot calm down! Please tell me—is Qi’er truly my biological grandson?"

At this point, denying it was futile.

The rebel son had already revealed everything to the Imperial Concubine, so it was only a matter of time before it became widely known.

It wasn’t as if fire suppression could outpace arson.

Apparently, the rebel son wasn’t beaten enough—none of his other five sons dared to defy him this way.

"Qi’er is Hua’er’s flesh and blood."

Lu Zhaohua, Prince Jin’s given name.

Consort Hu’s tears flooded out like a rushing spring: "I knew it... I just knew it... The first time I saw that child, my heart ached inexplicably... This is wonderful... Hua’er has an heir now... Your Majesty, bloodline matters are of utmost importance. It’s better to let Qi’er return to his biological father as soon as possible."

Emperor Liang responded sternly, "I have my own plans."

Consort Hu choked back her emotions: "Your Majesty, could Qi’er visit my palace for a while?"

Such a visit would completely solidify Qi’er’s identity as Prince Jin’s son.

Eunuch Yu cast an imperceptible glance at Consort Hu.

In the inner court of the Prince Mansion, was any woman truly simple?

The speed at which news spread in the harem was likely not the Crown Prince’s doing, but rather the Imperial Concubine’s.

The Imperial Concubine’s brother was the Emperor’s right-hand man, accompanying him on various expeditions; after the Emperor ascended to power, he was bestowed the title of General of Cavalry.

Prince Jin was just one son away from reaching the Crown Prince’s position.

Now that there’s a son, and one carrying the nation’s destiny as the Guardian Qilin, naturally the Imperial Concubine’s family would exert every effort to swiftly reclaim Prince Jian.

Delays invite complications.

Emperor Liang furrowed his brow.

Consort Hu sobbed uncontrollably: "Your Majesty! At my age, I don’t know how many days I have left to live. I beg Your Majesty, considering how I’ve earnestly and diligently served you for years, to grant me this final wish—to hear Qi’er call me grandmother before my end..."

She knelt before Emperor Liang.

"Imperial Concubine!"

Eunuch Yu hurriedly extended his hands to help her up. "The floor is cold—take care of your health!"

Emperor Liang frowned helplessly: "Qi’er doesn’t know the truth yet. Once I’ve spoken with him about his lineage, I will let him visit you."

Consort Hu wept with gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Consort Hu departed, Emperor Liang said to Eunuch Yu, "Go ask that rebel child one last time if he still wants to remain the Crown Prince or not."

Eunuch Yu’s expression turned complicated as he replied, "...Yes."

Meanwhile, Emperor Liang was at his wit’s end, but Lu Zhaoyan, who had thrown aside the burdens, wandered carefree and unrestrained.

He went to the Imperial Garden.

Treasure Piggy was already tuckered out, lying on the grass with its chubby behind sticking up, sound asleep.

Lu Yuan was still perched on the swing, carefree and serene, as if in unity with the heavens.

"The child’s fallen asleep, and you didn’t think to pick her up?"

Lu Zhaoyan bent down to scoop up the little one.

As soon as the little one got into his arms, she slipped out like a nimble little mudfish.

She was determined to sleep on the ground.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and huffed: "So clever."

Lu Zhaoyan clenched his fingers and exhaled deeply.

Xiao Bai carried her for ten months.

His own child—blood-related.

The swing frame was large, and Lu Yuan was seated on one side of it.

Lu Zhaoyan sat down beside him.

Lu Yuan curled his lips into a smirk: "Father, you seem a little different today. What’s the matter? Did you get scolded by Grandfather Emperor again?"

He truly was his son—sharp with his guesses, clever as could be.

After enduring the most challenging reunion, Lu Zhaoyan could now face Lu Yuan with relative composure.

He looked at Lu Yuan with affection and calmly asked, "Yuan’er, if I were no longer the Crown Prince, would you still acknowledge me as your father?"

Lu Yuan asked, "What did you do to lose the Crown Prince position? Did you try to assassinate His Majesty?"

Lu Zhaoyan’s smile froze.

Lu Yuan immediately got up and stood far away, drawing a clear line: "I’m not in cahoots with you! I know nothing about your rebellion against Heaven!"

Being an outlaw father requires the mindset of one; don’t drag him into treason.

Lu Zhaoyan: "..."

"Let’s go back to the mansion."

Lu Zhaoyan felt that even if he told him he was his biological father, he still wouldn’t believe it.

It was better to let Xiao Bai reveal it herself.

"Oh."

Lu Yuan wasn’t about to refuse.

Since his outlaw father had offended Emperor Liang, he, as the unconventional Imperial Grandson, might also fall out of favor. Better to leave quickly.

He hoisted Treasure Piggy up.

Treasure Piggy wasn’t pleased and bit him.

Lu Yuan said, "Your mother’s here."

Treasure Piggy stuck out its little tongue and licked ingratiatingly.

On the way back in the carriage, Treasure Piggy fell asleep yet again.

Lu Zhaoyan held her, his heart feeling full.

He knew everything Prince Ming had told him.

To abandon Lu Qi meant giving up everything he had fought so hard to obtain.

But there was never a moment of regret for the decision he made in the Imperial Study Room.

He raised his eyes and looked at the leisurely Lu Yuan: "Yuan’er, do you wish to continue living in the Crown Prince Mansion?"

Lu Yuan responded lightheartedly, "Of course. Don’t tell me the Crown Prince Mansion is off-limits now? What did you do exactly?"

Lu Zhaoyan no longer wanted to hide it from him: "Lu Qi isn’t my biological son—he’s Prince Jin’s."

Lu Yuan was stunned: "Then His Majesty took away your Crown Prince position?"

Lu Zhaoyan said, "No, His Majesty gave me a choice: keep Lu Qi and remain Crown Prince, or—"

Lu Yuan finished for him: "Abandon Lu Qi and give up the Crown Prince position."

"Yes."

Lu Zhaoyan nodded.

Lu Yuan stroked his chin.

Emperor Liang’s maneuver really puzzled him.

The one who truly offended Emperor Liang wasn’t Crown Prince Lu Zhaoyan but that Prince Jin.

Lu Yuan stared at Lu Zhaoyan incredulously: "So, you refused? Your son’s gone?"

Lu Zhaoyan, unable to take it anymore, gave him a glance: "Don’t curse yourself like that."

Lu Yuan: "...?!"

Lu Yuan: "What do you mean?!"

"Your Highness, we’ve arrived."

Ji Feng announced.

Lu Zhaoyan carried Treasure Piggy off the carriage: "Go ask your mother. She’ll tell you."

"Where’s my mother?"

Lu Yuan asked.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Your room."

Lu Yuan hurried to the main courtyard of the Crown Prince Mansion.

Midway, he bumped into Dou Qingyi, who seemed to say something to him, but he ignored her and headed straight for his room.

More accurately, the Crown Prince’s room.

"Mother!"

He pushed the door open and rushed in.

Liu Qingyun yawned, half-asleep, and mumbled, "Son... you’re back? Was the Great Liang Palace fun?"

Lu Yuan shook her shoulders: "Mother, I know you want to sleep, but don’t sleep yet. Lu Zhaoyan said he’s my father."

"Hmm..."

Liu Qingyun responded groggily. Suddenly, her body jolted, and she sat up, exclaiming, "Ah! He told you?!"

Lu Yuan felt as though he had just been struck by lightning.