The Emperor nodded, saying nothing more.
He didn’t particularly care about his reputation.
He had been feeling resentful about the matter of adopting a son; it was the first thing he had done against his will during his years in power.
He had always believed that if being emperor meant not being able to act according to one’s own desires, then there was no point in being emperor.
Adopting an heir was the last thing he would concede.
Now that he favored Xu Lingyi, he wouldn’t listen to anyone’s advice, not even the Empress Dowager.
***
Li Xu’s Prince Residence—
“Your Highness, congratulations! In half a month, you will be His Majesty’s adopted son, the sole heir to the throne.”
Li Xu was also in high spirits at this moment. He had been on tenterhooks these days; after all, that position was the supreme ruler of the world.
Even he couldn’t completely suppress his desire.
He had even once considered targeting that person in the imperial clan.
That person was about as capable as he, the only difference being that he was younger.
He was his strongest competitor for the position.
But in the end, he restrained himself, as the Emperor wouldn’t tolerate such behavior.
Fortunately, he had finally achieved his goal. Now, he only needed to endure humiliation and hardship. The Emperor was already thirty-six; he would only live for another ten years or so at most.
In a decade or so, he might have his own supporters, or perhaps he would have already ascended the throne.
At this moment, Li Xu was filled with longing for the future.
He wished the Emperor would die next year, but unfortunately, he lacked the power to do so.
***
Xu Lingyi already knew that Li Xu would be adopted; in fact, she looked forward to it.
The more successful Li Xu is now, the more painful his fall will be.
That day, Li Xu also saw the Young Lady of the Xu family.
His advisors once wanted him to seduce the Young Lady of the Xu family, but at that time, he was unwilling.
This time, when he saw Xu Lingyi in the palace, even though he tried his best to restrain himself, he couldn’t help but take another look at her.
With just one glance, the Emperor noticed him, and his face turned cold.
Li Xu quickly lowered his head and knelt on the ground, not daring to look again, but Xu Shi’s face still lingered in his mind.
It turns out that there really is a woman this beautiful in the world.
Holding power over the world, resting on the lap is a beauty.
No wonder the Emperor doted on Xu Shi so much. If he were the emperor, he too would be unable to control such a stunning woman.
Xu Shi is not very old, and when he ascends the throne, she should still be young.
At that time… Xu Shi will be his.
Xu Lingyi didn’t know what Li Xu was thinking, but she did notice his gaze.
Clearly, Li Xu was utterly amazed by her beauty.
But she felt a little nauseous.
She could only alleviate this nausea by fantasizing about torturing Li Xu to death someday.
Back in the palace, Xu Lingyi nestled in the Emperor’s arms, softly complaining, her voice filled with grievance.
“Your Majesty, I don’t like him.”
The Emperor naturally knew who Xu Lingyi was referring to, and he was also displeased.
“Your Majesty, I am also a little scared. Please do not let him enter the palace in the future.”
Xu Lingyi nestled in the Emperor’s arms.
The Emperor patted her back and gently comforted her: “My dear consort, don’t be afraid. There won’t be a next time. I thought he was barely acceptable, but it seems he’s not up to the task.”
“Then will Your Majesty still choose him?” Xu Lingyi asked.
The Emperor nodded: “For now, it’s still him. But in the future, there might be other candidates from the imperial clan, including one who is younger than him…”
The Emperor said nothing more.
But Xu Lingyi knew that Li Xu’s position was not secure.
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Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152