The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

At this time, everyone in the ancestral hall was silent, thinking about their own thoughts.

Wu Shide looked up at Wu Jingyuan and Wu Long, father and son, and said after a long while: "It's too late for you to realize your mistake now."

"From the moment you started to join Li Zhaohui in rebellion, you should have expected that you would end up like this."

"I, Wu Shide, have been a cautious person my whole life. I never thought I would give birth to a son like you, a foolish and greedy one."

"Wu Jingyuan, from the time you were born until today, have I ever lacked anything from you?"

"You're still not satisfied, so audacious that you're going to try to imitate others and start a rebellion? How many brains do you have?"

"Mrs. Ruan is right. It's all because of my incompetence as a father and my failure to fulfill my responsibilities that I raised such a useless thing like you."

"It's too late to say anything now. From now on, you and your son are no longer members of my Wu family."

"I will have someone rewrite the family tree, and by then, your names will no longer appear on it."

"Just pretend that you never had a father like me, and I will pretend that I never gave birth to a son like you."

"I'll talk to the elders of the tribe in a few days."

Although Wu Shide didn't care much about Wu Jingyuan, he was his son after all. When he thought about what he was about to do, he couldn't help feeling sad.

Wu Jingyuan is to blame for his current fate. If he had not paid more attention to the child because of his hatred for Zhao, perhaps the outcome would have been different.

It's too late to say anything now. Even if he is reluctant, it cannot change the fate of Wu Jingyuan and Wu Long, father and son.

The Queen is willing to ignore the crime of Duke Wu's Mansion today, which is already a great grace.

No matter what, he had to give an explanation to the queen and protect his family.

"Grandfather, you can't treat me and my father like this. We are all your descendants."

"Grandfather, Grandfather, please, please go to the palace and beg the Empress. Since she is willing to let the Duke of Wu go, then she will definitely let us go as well."

Wulong, who had been in a daze, finally regained consciousness.

He is not a fool, he understands the meaning of what Wu Shide said.

"It's too late to be afraid now. Why weren't you afraid when you and your father did such a heinous thing behind my back?"

Wu Shide sighed and ordered, "Daughter-in-law, take them all out. Jinglin and I still have some things to deal with."

"Yes."

Although Cui didn't know what Wu Shide was going to do, she had a rough idea in her mind.

She also came from a prominent family and had seen a lot of things like this.

Cui turned around and left first, and everyone behind her followed her out.

Even Zhao, who had fainted, was carried out.

Now only Wu Shide, Wu Jinglin and his son Wu Jingyuan are left in the ancestral hall.

Seeing that there was no one else here, Wu Jingyuan rushed forward to Wu Shide, hugged Wu Shide's legs, and begged: "Father, I really know that I was wrong. Please save my life and Long'er's life."

"Father, Long'er and I are both your blood. Can you bear to watch us die like this?"

Wu Shide was heartbroken and couldn't help but tear up. "Don't you know what crime you have committed?"

"If I let you and your son go today, the lives of more than a hundred people in my Wuguo Mansion will be lost."

"Your mother, your little son, and all your wives and concubines are going to die."

"Do you want their lives, or your own?"

Wu Shide closed his eyes. He never thought that at his old age, he would have to bury his son and grandson with his own hands.

This is really a case of bringing disaster upon oneself, and in the end, retribution still comes back upon oneself.

"Father knows you're afraid of pain, so the poisoned wine he prepared for you won't make you feel any pain. After drinking it, it'll be like falling asleep, and you won't know anything."

"You and Long'er should drink it yourselves, don't let me do it myself."

As a father, Wu Shide could say such words to his son. One can imagine how desperate he felt at that moment.

Wu Jingyuan completely lost hope after hearing his father's words. It seemed that both he and his son were doomed to die today.

But he really couldn't accept it. He had been planning for so many years, but in the end he got nothing and was going to die in such a cowardly way.

Wu Jingyuan looked up at his eldest brother Wu Jinglin and said, "Brother, you can't just watch your brother and nephew die. Please save them."

"My eldest sister-in-law is from the Qinghe Cui family, and her uncle, Lord Cui Yi Cui, is the teacher of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Brother, please ask your sister-in-law to come forward and plead with Master Cui Yi Cui, asking the Queen to spare us this time."

"Brother, I really know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. I will never have any other thoughts again. I will stay at home and listen to my father and eldest brother."

Seeing Wu Jingyuan crying bitterly, Wu Jinglin felt very reluctant, but this matter was of great importance and he could still tell what was important.

Not to mention that the Cui family will not care about this kind of thing, even if the Cui family is willing to care, the outcome of this matter cannot be changed.

Compared with the lives of more than a hundred people in the Wuguo Mansion and the entire Wu family, the lives of Wu Jingyuan and Wu Long are not worth mentioning.

It's not that he is cruel as the eldest brother, but he really has to consider the fate of his family and clan.

Before Wu Jinglin could open his mouth to refuse, Wu Shide stood up and kicked Wu Jingyuan in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

"You beast! It's already this hour, and instead of thinking about your family, you're still thinking about how to keep your worthless life alive."

"It's fine that you've implicated my Wu clan, but now you're going to implicate the Cui family too?"

"Since you know that your eldest sister-in-law's uncle is the Crown Prince's teacher, you should also know that Master Cui Yi, as the Emperor's tutor, should uphold justice, set an example, and be a role model for the people of the world."

"He cannot bring shame to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and certainly not to the scholars of the world."

"You've spent all these years reading sage books, but they've all gone to waste, right?"

"Zhang Dayong, give this evil creature this poisoned wine and send him to the west soon, so that my Wu family can be clean again."

As soon as Wu Shide finished his final roar, a strong man jumped down from the beam.

The burly man was the Zhang Dayong that Wu Shide mentioned. Zhang Dayong walked to Wu Jingyuan, and without saying a word, he picked up Wu Jingyuan, dislocated his jaw with his hands, and poured the poisoned wine into his mouth.

After pouring the poisoned wine into Wu Jingyuan's mouth, Zhang Dayong didn't wait for Wu Shide's further instructions. He directly picked up Wu Long who was standing beside him, and before he could say anything, he used the same method to pour the poisoned wine into his mouth.

Wu Shide did not lie to Wu Jingyuan. This poisonous wine was different from ordinary poisonous wine. It would not cause any pain after drinking it.

The whole person seemed to be asleep and died quietly in his sleep.

When he saw Wu Jingyuan and Wu Long lying on the ground, Wu Shide closed his eyes in pain. After a long time, he waved his hand at Zhang Dayong and said, "Take them away. We will find a place to bury them tomorrow."

Zhang Dayong followed the order and took the bodies of Wu Jingyuan and Wu Long, father and son, away.

Wu Jinglin stood up and walked to Wu Shide, saying softly, "Father, don't be too sad. Your health is more important."

Wu Shide shook his head gently, handed his hand to Wu Jinglin and said, "Help me go to the study. I have something to tell you. Oh, and call my daughter-in-law too."

The reason why Wu Shide asked Wu Jinglin to invite his daughter-in-law Cui was simply because Cui was in charge of many things inside and outside the family.

Soon Cui also arrived at the study. She saluted Wu Shide as she entered and said, "Father, I asked someone to make some ginseng soup. Please have some."

"Well, okay." Wu Shide nodded, and his voice sounded weak and old.

"You should sit down too. I called you two here because I have something to explain."

Cui sat down next to her husband, Wu Jinglin. The couple looked at Wu Shide nervously, waiting to hear what he had to say.

"When I was in the palace today, Madam Ruan said that the Queen felt that I was too old to manage the affairs of a family."

Upon hearing this, Wu Jinglin and the Cui couple were both shocked. They looked at each other tacitly, then silently withdrew their gazes and lowered their heads to continue listening to what Wu Shide said.

"I am indeed old, and many things are no longer within my power. Especially after what happened with Jing Yuan today, it's time for me to step down."

"Originally, the position of head of this family should have been given to you, Jinglin, but your health is not good and you should not overwork yourself."

"Besides, Madam Ruan already has a candidate."

Cui was so nervous that she twisted her handkerchief with her hands, and her breathing stopped temporarily. It was no wonder that she couldn't keep her composure.

Who will be the head of the Wu family is directly related to the future fate of their family.

If the head of the Wu family was not her husband or her son, there would soon be no place for their family to stay in the Wu Mansion.

Whether choosing one from among his close relatives or from outsiders, this would be a big blow to Wu Jinglin's lineage.

Without shelter and a foothold, their future will not be any better.

The reason why Wu Shide still sits on the throne of the Wu family's patriarch at such an old age is not because he is greedy for power, but because he wants to hold on for a few more years and pass the position directly to his grandson.

This will not only prevent the Wu family from losing the protection and honor they deserve, but also preserve the Wuguogong Mansion from being replaced by others.

But now the situation has changed because of Wu Jingyuan and his son. When they don't know who will be the new head of the family, it is inevitable that the Cui family is nervous.

"The family head chosen by Madam Ruan is our Chengjun. I originally thought that because Chengjun was too young, he lacked the qualifications and prestige, and that those old stubborn people and those with ulterior motives in the family would oppose him."

"But even if they object now, it doesn't matter."

"After all, Chengjun was personally chosen by the Empress. No matter what anyone says, it won't change this fact."

Listening to her father-in-law speaking in a breathless and non-key manner, Cui could no longer bear the ups and downs.

However, when Cui heard Wu Shide say that his son Wu Chengjun had been chosen as the next head of the Wu family, she was relieved.

Now that his son has become the head of the Wu family, nothing will change and his family can continue to live a stable life in the Wu Mansion.

As a woman in the inner chamber, all Cui wanted was for her family to be safe and have a secure future.

Compared to Cui's fear and terror, Wu Jinglin was able to remain calm.

He knew his father too well. If the candidate for the head of the family was someone else, his father would have jumped up and down long ago, and would have been even more anxious than them.

However, when Wu Jinglin heard that the candidate was his eldest son Wu Chengjun, he was indeed surprised.

After all, his eldest son is far from enough in terms of age, qualifications and prestige.

The queen chose her eldest son, Wu Chengjun, to be the head of the Wu family. What is the deep meaning behind this?

Wu Shide glanced at his son who was in deep thought. If it weren't for his physical condition, his son would definitely be a more remarkable person than himself. What a pity.

"Jinglin, I believe you have already guessed the Queen's intention. From now on, not only Chengjun, but also our Wuguo Mansion and my Wu family will belong to the Queen and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"From now on, we can only be staunch royalists. There must never be another Wu Jingyuan in our family."

"Jinglin, even though you're not in good health, you're not incapable of doing anything."

"Chengjun is a smart kid, but he's still young and hasn't experienced much. He needs someone by his side to guide and help him."

"You are his biological father. No one else can do this except you."

"So after Chengjun comes back, you must remind him from time to time and never forget his current identity."

"Whether our Wuguo Mansion can be preserved and how long its glory can last depends entirely on him."

"Father, don't worry, I understand."

"For the sake of our Wuguo Mansion and for Chengjun, I will do my best to assist Chengjun."

"Although Chengjun is young and lacks experience, prestige, and experience, he has always been steady."

"As long as there's someone by her side to assist her, within five years she will definitely be able to become a qualified head of the family and shoulder the responsibility of the Wu family's prosperity and decline, honor and disgrace."