My Emperor Father Can Read Minds
Chapter 3

In just a quarter of an hour since waking up, Emperor Wei had already gained a full understanding of his Empress’s true nature.

He had no desire to hear more of her inner ridicule and simply asked about the past few days.

“These three days I was unconscious—was the imperial court and harem stable?”

The Empress dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief before looking up at him. “Everything has been fine. The sisters in the harem were deeply worried about Your Majesty. These past few days, Noble Consort Li and the others have been taking turns insisting on tending to Your Majesty’s illness. But I feared it would disturb Your Majesty’s rest, so I declined. As for the court…”

She paused briefly. “I don’t really understand court affairs. What happened that day was too sudden. Prime Minister and the others saw it with their own eyes. The officials have been worried about Your Majesty’s health and refused to leave the palace. Because of that, I couldn’t stop them and had to let them stay temporarily.”

Emperor Wei lowered his gaze, staring at the dragon embroidery on the quilt. He appeared deep in thought, but in reality, he was listening to the Empress’s inner thoughts.

[That old fossil Gongsun Tai—worried about His Majesty’s health? Pah! He’s just hoping for His Majesty to drop dead soon so he can push the Second Prince onto the throne! That damned scoundrel!]

The corner of Emperor Wei’s eye twitched.

She, she, she—how could his Empress be so crude?

The contrast in her demeanor was so extreme that even the treasonous notion of Prime Minister Gongsun Tai plotting to install the Second Prince barely fazed him.

After all, the Second Prince’s birth mother, Consort Xian, was Gongsun Tai’s daughter. They were in-laws, and some collusion was only to be expected.

Who wouldn’t want to be emperor?

Even he had desired it back when he was still a prince.

Sitting in bed, Emperor Wei pondered for a moment before asking, “They are all outside now?”

“Yes, they’re waiting outside. Would Your Majesty like to see them?”

“Mm, let Prime Minister and the others come in first.”

“Yes, I’ll go at once.”

Emperor Wei considered for a moment and decided it was best to summon the officials first and listen to what they were really thinking.

After all, these were the pillars of Great Wei, the capable ministers he had personally promoted. Over the years, the emperor and his officials had worked in harmony. Surely, they wouldn’t…

[His Majesty actually survived the lightning strike?!]

…betray him?

The ministers flooded into the bedchamber like a tide. And then, like a bolt of lightning, a voice filled with shock and regret exploded in Emperor Wei’s mind.

He sat on the bed, staring deathly at the incoming ministers.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Wishing Your Majesty boundless health!”

The officials knelt down in unison, but their inner voices surged like a spring, pouring into Emperor Wei’s ears.

[Sigh, His Majesty actually didn’t get struck dead by lightning. Tsk, what a waste of these past three days of scheming…]

[Thank heavens, thank heavens! If the Second Prince had ascended, Gongsun Tai would have skinned me alive!]

[Huh? His Majesty actually looks quite well. He really is fine…?]

[I took sides too early. Sigh, as expected, the Emperor is protected by the golden dragon. He wouldn’t die so easily. I’d better discuss this again with Minister Li when I return…]

Sixteen ministers knelt in the chamber—all men of great significance in Emperor Wei’s court.

Yet…

Half of them had actually been hoping he’d be struck dead by lightning!

Emperor Wei was utterly shaken.

He was furious—furious to his core.

He almost gave the order to drag out and execute those who had been plotting behind his back!

He wasn’t even dead yet, and they were already scheming for his throne?! Had he not treated them well? Hadn’t he been the one to raise them up? What happened to the harmony between ruler and ministers, to their supposed unwavering loyalty?!

It had all been a lie.

His breathing grew heavy.

He struggled to suppress his rage, afraid his emotions would show on his face.

Meanwhile, the ministers, still kneeling on the ground without being told to rise, began growing puzzled.

What was wrong with His Majesty?

Why hadn’t he given them permission to stand?

Could it be… he had lost consciousness again?!

Hearing their inner thoughts, Emperor Wei closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then forced himself to speak calmly.

“You may rise.”

His voice sounded weak, which immediately sent the ministers’ imaginations running wild.

Emperor Wei: ……

He had always known that a single word from the emperor could send officials into endless speculation, but now that he could actually hear their thoughts, he realized just how exaggerated they were.

Just because his voice lacked authority for a moment, they were already reading so much into it?!

As the Prime Minister, Gongsun Tai was the first to step forward and respectfully inquire, “Your Majesty has been unconscious for many days. We have been gravely concerned. May we ask if Your Majesty’s imperial body is well?”

At the sight of Gongsun Tai’s solemn and dignified face, Emperor Wei immediately thought of his secret dealings with the Second Prince.

Taking a silent breath, he answered in a deep voice, “I am fine. Prime Minister, in the days I was unconscious, did anything major occur in court?”

“Your Majesty, all is stable in court. Please rest and recover without worry. We ministers will surely handle all affairs and resolve any difficulties for Your Majesty.”

His voice was firm and sincere, his demeanor utterly loyal.

Had this been the old Emperor Wei—the one who truly believed in the trust between ruler and ministers—he would have been deeply moved.

Unfortunately for him, that was the past.

As for the present Emperor Wei?

Heh.

He only thought himself a fool for ever believing it.

Prime Minister Gongsun stood before the bed, his face filled with devotion. Yet deep inside, his true thoughts were—

[What a pity to waste such a golden opportunity…]

Emperor Wei’s gaze darkened as he stared at Gongsun Tai.

One had to admit—the Prime Minister was indeed a shrewd politician. Deeply calculating, cautious in action—even his thoughts were restrained.

Emperor Wei waited for a while, but Gongsun Tai’s mind revealed nothing further. Instead of pressing him, he turned to question the other officials.

The Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Personnel, the Minister of War… one by one, he questioned all sixteen of them.

His questions weren’t particularly crucial—he simply wanted to hear more of their inner thoughts.

Words spoken aloud can be false, but these unguarded inner thoughts…

Those can’t be faked.

—

Inside the imperial bedchamber, the ministers each harbored their own thoughts. Outside, however, was a different scene altogether.

On one side stood the imperial concubines, while on the other, the princes and princesses.

The harem women, adorned with fragrant powders and jingling ornaments, needed no mention—whenever they gathered, there was bound to be jealousy, veiled sarcasm, and subtle scheming.

In contrast, the princes and princesses, though not particularly well-behaved, were noticeably quieter than the concubines.

Especially the young man standing at the very back, near the palace wall. From the moment he arrived, he had stood there without uttering a single word.

Dressed in luxurious robes, the young man had striking features, with sharp, phoenix-like eyes and a dignified seven-star coronet atop his head. He was clearly at an age of youthful vitality and carefree elegance, yet his gaze was utterly dull and lifeless.

Positioned in the corner, he attracted little attention. Arms crossed over his chest, he leaned against the wall in a slouched, languid manner, completely disregarding courtly decorum. His vacant, blank stare gave the illusion that he might be a fool.

A young eunuch scurried over.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has awakened! I just heard from the front—His Majesty is awake!”