As an emperor, especially one who considered himself enlightened, he couldn’t possibly miscount numbers under ten!
The princes obediently raised their heads, with Yu Jin appearing quite calm among them.
Emperor Jingming started counting from the leftmost prince.
Eldest, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Fourth, Eighth, Crown Prince…
Wait, why were there two Fourth Princes?
Emperor Jingming rubbed his temples – having too many sons was making him dizzy.
He walked down the stone steps to see more clearly, and his gaze fell on Yu Jin.
“You—”
Only upon getting a clear look did he realize the youth before him was far more handsome than the Fourth Prince, with more delicate features, superior bearing, and a more upright posture – as if a rough mold had been carefully refined.
The resemblance was still there, anyone could see the similarities between them, but the youth before him simply outshone the Fourth Prince.
“Your son Jing greets Father Emperor.” Yu Jin lowered his gaze after letting Emperor Jingming look his fill.
“Jing?” Emperor Jingming grew more confused and glanced at his trusted eunuch Pan Hai.
Pan Hai immediately reminded him in a low voice: “Your Majesty, this is the Seventh Prince.”
Emperor Jingming was stunned for a moment before reacting, his gaze burning as he stared at Yu Jin: “You’re Seventh?”
“Indeed, your son.”
Emperor Jingming fell silent for a moment.
He had almost forgotten about this son.
No, forgotten wasn’t quite right – this son had left the palace at birth, making him the most special one in his heart.
But this special status didn’t mean he could remember having such a son at any given moment. Just like earlier, looking at his kneeling sons, he never imagined the Seventh Prince would be among them.
Seeing Emperor Jingming’s expression change, Pan Hai quietly wiped his sweat, inwardly cursing the reckless guards.
When His Majesty heard the princes were fighting uncontrollably and ordered them all brought in, these fools had brought them all – including the Seventh Prince – without thinking to mention it first.
These idiots!
“Your Majesty, today is the Seventh Prince’s birthday. He has turned eighteen,” Pan Hai quickly added in a low voice, knowing the emperor’s taboos.
Hearing this, Emperor Jingming’s eyebrows twitched. After a long while, he sighed: “How time flies.”
Having an eighteen-year-old son suddenly appear was like getting an unexpected gift.
No one knew what Emperor Jingming meant by these words, and the main hall fell into silence.
Sweeping his gaze over his kneeling sons, Emperor Jingming’s face darkened: “Now, tell me what exactly happened today!”