aircannonsinc Chapter 274 Yang Guang: How wonderful it would be if this were a real grandson!
Chapter 274 Yang Guang: How wonderful it would be if this were a real grandson!
"Maternal grandfather".
Lu Zhen stepped forward, his eyes clear and without the slightest panic or fear.
It would be so nice to have the surname Yang.
Looking at the clever, composed child before him, Yang Guang thought to himself, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
He reached out and picked Lü Zhen up, gently nudging her head with his own, his expression full of love and tenderness.
He had many grandsons, including Yang You, Yang Dong, Yang Tan, and others, many of whom he favored.
But the only person who truly suited his tastes was Yang You before he went astray.
That once well-behaved, sensible, and exceptionally intelligent grandson now only has Lü Zhen as his grandson.
It's just a pity that a grandson is, after all, just a grandson.
Inheriting the throne illegitimately and without proper justification will invite criticism from the people.
"Grandfather, your father's arrival with this letter must mean he has something big planned. You should be prepared."
Lu Zhen leaned on Yang Guang's shoulder, put her mouth close to his ear, and gave him a reminder.
Although his voice was young, it conveyed a seriousness and composure beyond his years.
"What big move?"
Yang Guang raised an eyebrow, a thought flashed through his mind, and the smile on his face faded slightly.
Could there be something else going on here?
"The Xiao family."
After saying two words, Lü Zhen began to analyze Yang Guang again.
His arguments were clear and logically sound, like a seasoned strategist offering advice to a king.
Since ancient times, those who plot rebellion have been punished by having their entire clan exterminated as a warning to others. This has been an ironclad rule, a bottom line, and a necessary means to maintain imperial power.
In particular, those who are associated with the royal family and commit treason are guilty of an even greater crime and are unforgivable.
If the punishment is not severe enough to serve as a warning to others, where is the imperial authority since ancient times?
Wouldn't the rest of the royal family follow suit?
Wouldn't the imperial power become a joke?
However, the current Xiao family is somewhat special.
The rebel was Xiao Xian, a member of the Xiao clan and a descendant of the Southern Liang dynasty.
The current empress, Lady Xiao, was his paternal aunt; they were close friends and blood relatives.
Once the rebellion is quelled, the Xiao family will surely carry out a massacre to uphold the law and serve as a warning to others.
As the emperor, the supreme ruler, my maternal grandfather was unwilling to break ties with the empress, with whom he had shared many years of life's hardships, lest he cause her heartache and put her in a difficult position.
Therefore, the only one who could be the King of Shuo, Lü Xiao, who was fighting abroad, was Lü Xiao.
He personally took on the role of the villain, sharing the Emperor's burdens, bearing the Emperor's infamy, and doing the thing the Emperor had to do but didn't want to do himself.
However, there is a prerequisite: the Lü family must advance further in the court, gain greater power, and establish a deeper foundation.
Even if Empress Xiao and the Xiao clan members in the court who did not participate in the rebellion wanted to take revenge, the Lü family would not be easily shaken.
"hiss……"
Mentioning Lady Xiao, or Empress Xiao, would give Yang Guang a toothache, a headache, and make him feel unwell all over, causing him to furrow his brow.
Although Empress Xiao was a wise and righteous woman who considered the overall situation, she was also a virtuous and capable wife.
But after all, that was her ancestral home, her roots.
These days, she has been begging herself, crying and sobbing, her face streaked with tears.
If the rebellion is quelled, could you please show mercy and spare the Xiao family's bloodline, leaving some for the Xiao clan?
"Grandfather, you should understand now, right?"
Lu Zhen spoke at length, yet his arguments were remarkably clear.
Anyone who isn't an idiot should understand.
"Young man, did Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui tell you this? Or did your father send a third letter?"
Yang Guang never expected that Lü Zhen would think so much, so thoroughly, and so profoundly.
How old is this child?
How could you think so deeply?
"This was all my grandson's idea."
Lu Zhen spoke truthfully, without taking credit, his eyes calm and composed.
My father is not a fool, nor would he commit treason. He has no such ambition; he only wants to wage war.
Therefore, forming parties openly and honestly to protect oneself and to prevent any unforeseen circumstances is quite reasonable, isn't it?
"Is Ruyi real?"
Yang Guang turned his head to look at his daughter and asked her a question, his eyes filled with scrutiny.
"what?"
Yang Ruyi nodded blankly, her face utterly bewildered, her mind a complete blank.
Anyway, she had never thought about what her son said, nor had she thought about it that deeply or that far ahead.
In the past, she always secretly plotted for her son, winning people over, forming cliques, and pursuing personal gain.
Now, his son's thorough analysis and mature insights...
It makes her look like a fool, like someone who has no brains and hasn't figured anything out.
"Asking you is pointless!" Yang Guang said irritably, his face full of disgust, his eyes practically rolling to the sky.
Her own daughter, looking so silly, clearly hadn't understood or figured out Lü Xiao's true intentions.
It's such a waste of time and effort to raise and pamper them.
"Zhen'er, you have truly surprised and delighted your grandfather."
Yang Guang hugged Lü Zhen even tighter, unwilling to let go for a long time, his face full of satisfaction and his eyes full of admiration.
Judging solely by his mental fortitude, how old is Lü Zhen?
Such clarity, such maturity, such insight.
If he grows up, he will surely become a wise and capable minister, a pillar of the nation.
"A grandson who spends his days with his maternal grandfather will be influenced by him."
When Lü Zhen started to flatter, she could speak fluently and without blushing, her lips seemingly coated with honey.
He knew that his grandfather liked to hear this and liked it when others praised him.
"Hahaha! Good! Well said, 'One is influenced by one's surroundings'!" Yang Guang was amused and laughed heartily, his mood greatly improved, and the gloom on his face vanished. "Being around your mother, that's called 'One is influenced by one's surroundings'."
Yang Guang was in a great mood because of his grandson's performance.
He had originally intended to say some harsh words and give his daughter a good scolding, but now he was joking with her instead.
The atmosphere inside the hall became much more relaxed, and everyone was happy and harmonious.
"Father, by being by your side, I've also become influenced by your company."
Seeing Yang Guang so happy, Yang Ruyi also put on a smiling face and leaned forward to coax him.
She never even considered rebellion; that would be suicide.
The previous mobilization of troops was merely for self-preservation.
After all, Yang You was not in the Eastern Capital; he had gone to the Northwest battlefield.
But there were also his confidants, and those powerful families who had long wanted to eliminate the Lü family.
Throughout history, it has been common for ministers to frame crown princes; how many bloody examples are there?
Moreover, Lady Lü was not the crown prince, but merely a prince, an outsider.
If Yang Guang falls ill and becomes bedridden because of this incident, and powerful families take the opportunity to cause trouble, then Lady Lü can protect herself and not be helpless and at the mercy of others.
"Alright, I'm going to keep Zhen'er by my side. You can go now and return to your Prince Shuo's residence." Yang Guang waved his hand dismissively, issuing an order to leave.
"Remember, do not form any more cliques. If I find out again, you will not be spared!"
"Shall we have the second son keep you company?"
Seeing that Lü Zhen was about to be left behind again, Yang Ruyi immediately thought of her youngest son, Lü Yan, and her eyes lit up.
She gave birth to him just to cover for her older brother, Lü Zhen.
If not now, when?