The old duke had a day off today.
However, he got up very early and put on his court robe.
In the bronze mirror, a solemn and imposing face was reflected.
The old duke was always quite satisfied with his appearance. When he was young, he was elegant and handsome, the dream lover of the noble ladies in the capital. As he aged, he remained valiant and capable, a trusted card for the emperor to intimidate the border areas.
But why did he suddenly feel that he had aged ten years overnight?
Could the loss of a son he didn't particularly like have such a great impact on his emotions?
He stared at the bronze mirror and couldn't help but recall the features of that rebellious son in detail. Everyone said that the rebellious son resembled him when he was young. But because the mother of the rebellious son was Princess Jiahe, he scoffed at such compliments.
He didn't pay much attention to the rebellious son and focused on cultivating the legitimate son he had with his late wife.
Chuan'er was honest, meticulous, and gentle in nature. He always thought what the old duke thought and worried about what the old duke worried about. He was like a well - polished jade, making the old duke feel at ease.
The position of the heir apparent should rightfully belong to Chuan'er.
On the contrary, the rebellious son was like a hammer full of thorns, stubborn and arrogant. Every time the old duke tried to discipline him, he got his hands full of blood from the thorns.
However, when he witnessed with his own eyes the rebellious son defeating one expert after another in the military training ground and receiving high praise from the emperor, he felt proud.
Although he felt sorry for Chuan'er and his late wife, he also accepted the idea of making the rebellious son the heir apparent.
He knew he was biased, but the rebellious son left without any hesitation, not even bothering to take an extra look at him, his father.
The rebellious son not only wanted to leave but also cut off all ties with the Duke's Mansion. He even disdained to bear the surname Liang anymore.
Did he really have no feelings for his father at all?
The old duke felt a pang of soreness in his chest.
There was a noise at the door. Liang Yuchuan walked in slowly and softly asked, "Father, are your eyes uncomfortable?"
The old duke touched his face and found it was wet.
Liang Yuchuan carefully took out a silk handkerchief and offered it to him.
The old duke smiled faintly. "I'm old. My eyes can't even bear a bit of strong light."
He didn't take the handkerchief. Liang Yuchuan's face changed slightly, and he silently retracted his hand.
"Father, I'll accompany you to see the emperor today."
Liang Yuchuan was pious, his eyes full of concern for the old duke. "I'm your eldest legitimate son. If you're going to be beaten or scolded, I'll bear it for you."
On normal days, the old duke would surely be touched by Liang Yuchuan's filial piety.
He would also scold Liang Yuzhou for his extreme rebelliousness.
But this time, he just nodded gently. "It's good to go together."
Liang Yuchuan's eyebrows twitched a few times. He had a faint premonition of something bad.
The old duke requested an audience with the emperor after the morning court.
The emperor summoned him in the imperial study.
Just after he paid his respects and before the emperor could ask a question, the princess came.
She was wearing a peach - pink brocade dress that didn't match her age, beaming with joy, with smiles hidden in the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
"The duke doesn't look well."
The maid brought a soft stool. The princess casually sat down beside the emperor. Although she seemed concerned, her tone was rather light, more like watching a joke.
"Second Master Liang is really something. Since Song Wanchu left, there are plenty of noble ladies in the capital. Why was he so stubborn and only pursued Song Wanchu? He just abandoned such a huge family business. He didn't even want his fame and the position of the heir apparent. For such a large family like the Duke's Mansion, he really has no sense of responsibility at all. He let down the emperor's trust and favor."
She didn't care at all whether the old duke was embarrassed or not. Since Liang Yuzhou had become a monk, the Duke's Mansion would surely belong to Liang Yuchuan sooner or later.
Liang Yuchuan was much easier to control than Liang Yuzhou.
The old duke's cheeks twitched, and he pursed his lips without saying a word.
"Although my second brother is rebellious and has disappointed Father many times, after all, he was raised by Father. Maybe he has no feelings for Father, but Father surely can't let him go so easily. Father - son affection can't be cut off just like that."
Liang Yuchuan lowered his eyes, showing a look of pain and regret. "If my second brother comes to his senses and returns to the Duke's Mansion, Father will surely still recognize him."
His words were so sincere that the emperor and the princess both showed expressions of appreciation. Only the old duke remained expressionless.
The princess didn't stint her praise on Liang Yuchuan. "Your Majesty, look. Although the eldest Master Liang is not as capable as the second Master Liang, he is extremely filial, reasonable, and kind - hearted. In my opinion, in the future, it will be the eldest Master Liang who will support the Duke's Mansion."
After a moment of thought, the emperor asked the old duke, "Since the second Master Liang has become a monk, the imperial edict to make him the heir apparent is no longer valid. Do you have any other considerations, my dear minister?"
This was asking for his opinion on whether to make Liang Yuchuan the heir apparent.
Liang Yuchuan was so excited that his hands trembled. He couldn't help but give the princess a bright smile.
The princess's words were really effective.
Now he just had to wait for his father to speak.
His father would surely agree.
Liang Yuchuan was full of expectations.
The old duke remained silent.
He came today to plead guilty. Years ago, he had lied in the battle report. This crime could be either serious or minor. If taken seriously, it was a crime of deceiving the emperor. If the emperor was angry, he would be deprived of his title and military power, and the century - old glory of the Duke's Mansion would be destroyed.
If taken lightly, it was just his vanity that made him conceal a small part of the battle report. If the emperor was willing to forgive him, the Duke's Mansion would be safe and sound. At most, he would be criticized and lose some dignity.
When he came, he was extremely nervous, afraid that the emperor would impose a heavy punishment. But now, seeing that the emperor still asked him about making the heir apparent, it was obvious that the emperor didn't intend to pursue his guilt.
The emperor was very lenient towards him.
The old duke knelt down and saluted. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. My body is still quite strong. There's no need to rush this matter. We can wait for a few more years."
As soon as these words were spoken, the princess's face changed slightly, and Liang Yuchuan's body froze.
His father had always favored him, and he was also the candidate for the heir apparent that his father had always liked. Why did he hesitate and decline?
When the emperor said at the military training ground that he would make Liang Yuzhou the heir apparent, his father didn't hesitate at all!
Liang Yuchuan tried his best to hide the astonishment in his eyes and slowly clenched his hands into fists.
At the same time, a sense of panic spread in his heart. Was his father suspecting something?
"Your Majesty, three years ago, I was deceived by a group of hooligans and wrongly accused Song Hengyi, which led to his tragic death at Pingsha Pass. I feel extremely guilty and think I deserve punishment. Please punish me, Your Majesty. Otherwise, I will have a guilty conscience and feel unworthy of the heaven and earth, let alone Your Majesty's kindness."
Although the emperor didn't pursue the matter, the old duke couldn't take chances and say nothing about it.
As soon as he finished speaking, his face burned with shame.
The emperor had already weighed the pros and cons and decided not to pursue his responsibility for that year.
After all, Liang Xuguang had spent most of his life defending the territory of the Great Zhou. His merits outweighed his faults.
However, if he didn't punish him at all, there would be discussions in the court, saying that he was unfair.
The emperor became serious. "You really deserve punishment. Your salary will be suspended for three years. You will go to Lingxiao Pavilion to kneel for three hours on the first and fifteenth day of each month for a whole year."
Liang Yuchuan immediately volunteered. "Your Majesty, Father has fought for half his life and has old injuries on his legs. He can't kneel for a long time. I'm willing to atone for Father's sins instead."
"Your Majesty, look. The eldest Master Liang's filial piety is really touching. Such a person is worthy of great responsibilities."
Although the words were addressed to the emperor, the implication was a strong hint to the old duke.
The emperor valued his opinion. As long as he said a word, it would be a done deal for Liang Yuchuan to become the heir apparent.
"I'm sure you have your own fair judgment, my dear minister." The emperor's eyes swept over Liang Yuchuan's ugly face and smiled meaningfully.
The princess felt that she had lost a lot of face.
Everything was going according to plan. Why did the old duke become the variable?
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding and kindness. I will surely reflect on myself well."
The old duke thought it was about time to stop talking.
"My son and I will take our leave now."
"Please wait, Duke."
Suddenly, the crown prince appeared.