In a room filled with books everywhere, Henry Johnson finally saw his equally renowned father. William Johnson looked younger than The Lincoln Family, though he seemed a bit weary, but when he saw the visitor, his face immediately broke into a look of delighted surprise.

“Mèiniang!”

“Your concubine greets Your Majesty!”

“There’s no need for such formality when there are no outsiders.”

With a casual wave of his hand, William Johnson let out a cold snort: “Clearly acting out of selfish motives, yet insisting on using lofty principles to argue back—do they really think I am a muddle-headed ruler? The Great Tang has only seen three generations so far, where do all these precedents come from! They’re obviously planning to use their merit in supporting me to hold me hostage for life!”

The Lincoln Family smiled but did not reply, while Henry Johnson widened his eyes, carefully sizing up this emperor who, in novels and TV dramas, was often described as weak and incompetent. Judging by appearance alone, William Johnson still had a somewhat heroic air; as for whether he possessed the majesty of a ruler, he couldn’t really tell. But judging from that last sentence, it seemed his father was not so incompetent after all.

The problem was, from the moment William Johnson entered, he hadn’t even glanced at him directly, as if he was being automatically ignored!

“Your Majesty, let’s not worry about court affairs for now. I brought Henry here today because I have some good news to report!” The Lincoln Family shifted Henry Johnson in her arms, smiling brightly. “Henry spoke his first words today!”

“What?” William Johnson’s eyes widened at once, as if only now noticing the son in The Lincoln Family’s arms. After a flustered moment that nearly knocked over the teacup on the table, he finally composed himself. “I remember Hong’er didn’t speak until he was two. Henry is speaking this early?”

Henry Johnson rolled his eyes impatiently. Seeing his mother give him an encouraging look, he had no choice but to open his mouth after a moment’s silence and call out, “Long live the Empress Mother!”

Pfft—

This time, William Johnson simply sprayed a mouthful of tea, staring at his son in disbelief, coughing repeatedly for a while before he could catch his breath. Only then did he stammer and ask The Lincoln Family, “This… this…”

“I gave birth to him before full term, and sometimes I couldn’t help but neglect this child… but I never expected his first words would be ‘Empress Mother’! Even if someone might have prompted him, the moment I heard those words, I thought of the one who passed away… Now, with so much resistance outside regarding the matter of establishing the Empress, all kinds of unpleasant things are being said. I truly…”

As his mother spoke, tears began to fall, and his father hurried to comfort her, completely ignoring Henry Johnson’s outstanding performance. Henry Johnson couldn’t help but feel a bit frustrated. In comparison, his mother’s performance was truly masterful: first, she distanced herself from any suspicion of deliberate acting, and second, she revealed her true feelings to win sympathy. With such acting skills, he was still far from her level.

After much effort comforting The Lincoln Family, William Johnson was moved and said emotionally, “Mèiniang, I promised you back then that I would see justice done for you. Those people keep talking about ‘virtuous sons and wives’—what’s so virtuous about that woman? Since I ascended the throne, my uncle has acted arbitrarily in everything; the ministers only know my uncle, not me! If this goes on, it’s only a matter of time before power slips from my hands. I never expected Henry to learn to speak at this very moment—surely this is a sign from Heaven that this matter will succeed. Don’t worry, if I can’t accomplish this, I’m not worthy of being called Emperor!”

Seeing William Johnson already holding The Lincoln Family in his arms, and The Lincoln Family leaning into him, while he himself was left aside and ignored, Henry Johnson couldn’t hold back any longer. Since he couldn’t just cough to break the awkwardness, he could only shout out, “Long live the Emperor Father!”

“Your Majesty, listen! So young and already knows the etiquette of ruler and subject, Henry, Henry he…” The Lincoln Family seemed so excited she was almost incoherent, grabbing William Johnson’s hand and shaking it vigorously, finally managing to finish her sentence, “To have such a son is my great fortune, and Your Majesty’s great fortune!”

His son had just said both “Long live the Emperor Father” and “Long live the Empress Mother”—even if someone had taught him, William Johnson was overjoyed, especially since he was now at a critical moment in deposing the Empress and striking at the old ministers. Thinking of the dull Crown Prince Li Zhong, and then of Li Hong and Henry Johnson, both born to Empress Wu and so clever, he immediately made up his mind.

“Good, good, Mèiniang, well said!” William Johnson nodded repeatedly, immediately lifting Henry Johnson up with both hands. “If your words bring me luck and I succeed this time, I will grant you a great fief in the future! It’s a pity you’re younger than Hong’er, otherwise you could be Crown Prince yourself!”

After being poked twice in the face by his father’s beard, Henry Johnson shuddered inwardly even as he felt uncomfortable. Seeing The Lincoln Family’s face full of joy, he couldn’t help but shiver again. With a mother like this, could he really sit on the throne so easily? That would be courting death!

Chapter Three: A Clash Without Suspense

After leaving the Hall of Two Instruments, The Lincoln Family did not hand Henry Johnson over to the wet nurse, but instead carried him for a leisurely stroll through the palace. A large group of palace maids and eunuchs dared not go against her wishes and could only follow at a distance, step by step.

“Henry, you truly are my lucky star.”