If Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin knew the Emperor had thoughts like this, they might wonder if the Emperor’s mind had gone astray?

A benevolent father? Song Hong’s actions were anything but the instincts of a kind father.

It was merely because he understood the Emperor’s nature too well and knew that he had made the Emperor wary.

Besides, with father and son serving together at court, if he held a high position, Song Chongjin could not emerge.

Therefore, one of them must step down. He knew his own health best and didn’t know how many more years he could hold on.

As for Song Chongjin, his future is still long. For the foundation of the Song Family of the Duke Weiguo, he naturally had to choose to step down himself, not to hinder Song Chongjin’s prospects.

Everything he did now was to clear obstacles for Song Chongjin, to earn a final good impression in front of the Emperor, so that even if he stepped down in the future, the Emperor, remembering this bit of affection and good impression, would treat the Song Family and Song Chongjin leniently and favorably.

In Song Hong’s heart, the most important thing is the legacy and future of the Song Family. For this, he could sacrifice anything, including himself.

But the Emperor was only moved momentarily and quickly realized clearly what Song Hong was doing everything for.

As a father himself, didn’t he also strive diligently to govern the country, working tirelessly, so as to live up to his ancestors, allowing the Great Chu Dynasty to endure for thousands of years, not to end in his hands?

When the time came to entrust it to his son, it would also be a time of peace and prosperity!

Thinking this, the Emperor felt he was indeed the best father in the world.

It’s just a pity that he didn’t have the luck of Song Hong to have a son as outstanding as Song Chongjin.

Thinking of those grown-up little brats of his, just qualified to attend the court, barely stable, and already their intentions weren’t pure.

It only amused the Emperor, thinking he wanted to be a kind father, but his sons were unfilial! With such dispositions, could he dare entrust the empire to them?

Moreover, what sort of creature is the Emperor? Better to wrong the world than let the world wrong him!

He wasn’t dead yet, and he thought he could hold power for at least another ten years, yet his sons were already eager to act.

These sons lived in the palace, still obedient before leaving for their own residences. How long had they been granted their estates before harboring such thoughts?

As a parent, when a child makes a mistake, the first reaction is that others instigated it rather than believing it was their own child’s fault.

The Emperor was most adept at blaming others, thinking his children’s hearts were originally good, but they must have been gullible and deceived by those ill-intentioned, cunning old foxes.

Of course, the more subtle thoughts were unspoken by the Emperor. In his view, anyone daring to challenge his authority, whether sons or outside ministers, would not be spared.

Just as a little eunuch adept in the Soul Capturing Technique appeared nearby, he seized the chance and set a trap.

He pretended to indulge in pleasures, ignoring state affairs, letting the princes attend court sessions.

Then, he fanned the flames from behind, wanting to see if these sons truly had the notion of usurping power.

And those ministers, they often chanted long live, professing loyalty, but who knew what they really thought?

Especially in recent years, his governance became increasingly mild, tolerating the older ministers, causing them to forget that he ascended the throne through a sea of blood.

Now, those senior ministers, holding onto positions, yet inept, first in forming cliques and seeking personal gains.

He had long disliked and wanted to deal with them, but considering the gravity of the matter, these old guys were very vigilant. Any significant movement would unite them, making it troublesome.

Therefore, he always planned but dared not act rashly.

This time, he saw that those old ministers probably also sensed his dissatisfaction, so they hurriedly leaned on the princes, thinking the young princes were easier to fool. If they truly achieved merit in following the dragon, the next Emperor would have to favor them, either for appearances or otherwise.

So, the cunning old foxes he disliked mostly eagerly chose the prince they favored, wholeheartedly planning for their future master. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The Emperor’s heart was irate, but putting this matter aside, he laid down this intricate plan, waiting for the final closing of the net.

As for the follow-up with the Soul Capturing Technique, that was incidental.

He long knew the palace was unclean. When that demoness Qi Le caused turmoil within the palace, thinking about it still gave him, as the Son of Heaven, a chill down his spine.

Only he knew exactly how sinister that woman was.

Although after the event, all palace attendants related to the woman were executed to silence them, he always suspected she had left something behind.

Thus, over the years, he was always wary of the palace attendants.

When the steward of the Imperial Garden appeared before him, he realized.

Pretending to be under a spell, obeying everything that steward of the Imperial Garden ordered, sure enough, his actions were in the style of that demoness Qi Le.

He fooled the steward, then followed the trail, aiming to round up Qi Le’s hidden forces and spies in one swoop.

The Emperor knew, given that woman’s abilities, it wouldn’t be easy to detect those hiding in the Capital City.

Perhaps, her spies were nestled within the homes of officials; it was possible they were among the court officials themselves.

Therefore, until the last moment, he dared not relax; he had to continue the act.

Fortunately, those confidants he trusted and valued over the years were not wrong.

The Gu Family, Song Family, and Zhu Haoran among others realized something was amiss and privately contacted him.

Especially Song Hong, who completely broke with silence, even exposing his family assets.

So, the Emperor hesitated these days, considering whether to spare the Song Family for Song Hong’s dedicated service.

Today, he finally made up his mind.

The Duke Qiguo Residence couldn’t be preserved, and as for the Duke Weiguo Residence, since Song Hong had risked everything, with his shrewdness, he would likely feign illness afterward and withdraw.

Even if Song Chongjin were very capable, he was still young now. The Duke Weiguo Residence would surely lay low for a few years.

Without Song Hong as the anchor, Song Chongjin being too young, those aristocrats would not trust him, making former secret alliances dissolve naturally.

Moreover, these aristocrats already exposed their petty schemes this time; many had already defected to the various princes.

After closing the net, most of these aristocrats would likely fall.

The remaining few households wouldn’t be able to stir up any trouble.

After all, after decades of ruler-minister relationships, if possible, he naturally hoped Song Hong could have a good end.

Having made up his mind, the Emperor no longer thought more of it. In a few days, it would be New Year’s Eve, and as the Emperor, he naturally couldn’t refrain from appearing.

He still had to arrange things properly, ensuring everyone saw his indulgent image, setting their minds at ease.

With these thoughts, the Emperor frowned and gave a quiet instruction.