'Blood test?'
A dark glint flashed in Emperor Li's eyes.
Even though Mingting had previously mentioned that his biological father, Song Yi, was a man without scruples, Emperor Li, being a kind and responsible father himself, had still held some expectations for Song Yi.
From the traditional male perspective, one might wrong a wife, but a son, especially the eldest son, who was the heir to the family line.
No matter what conflicts existed between father and son in private, a father should never force his child into such a corner in front of public.
Now, Emperor Li finally understood that there really were fathers who would push their own sons to the brink for the sake of profit!
What 'father-son reunion'?
It was nothing more than Song Yi coveting Mingting's abilities and trying to assert paternal authority over him, using filial piety as leverage!
Originally, Emperor Li had already arranged a new identity for Mingting.
But now, Song Yi was demanding a blood test to verify kinship, so none of those preparations mattered anymore. Emperor Li's gaze toward Song Yi grew increasingly cold.
"Minister Song, you truly have the audacity!"
Li Sheng snorted coldly, then stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Mingting.
"Mingting is a Count, and he is also this Crown Prince's sworn brother. Minister Song, do you really think Count Zhongyi owes you this favor just because you demand a blood test?"
Li Sheng might as well have said: Who the hell do you think you are, daring to treat my brother like this?
Even though Song Yi knew Mingting and the Crown Prince were sworn brothers, that had been private information. Now that the Crown Prince publicly acknowledged it in court, Song Yi felt a surge of excitement.
'Sure enough, what the princess said was right. There are many benefits for recognizing Mingting! I had to acknowledge him!'
"Your Highness, this subject merely seeks the father-son relationship, which is human nature. If not for Mingting's misunderstanding, believing that this subject abandoned his wife and child, refusing to call me 'Father', why would I resort to this?!"
Song Yi coughed repeatedly as he spoke, playing the pitiful victim.
Seeing that Li Sheng was about to intervene again, Mingting tugged his sleeve and shook his head.
Song Yi was using filial piety as his justification, and even if Li Sheng was the Crown Prince, it was not convenient for him to speak more for him, otherwise, it would attract criticism from the ministers.
"Minister Song, if you want the truth, then let's do the blood test."
"However, as the Crown Prince said, I am a Count personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. If it's proven that I am not your son, what then?"
"You must know that my body is given by my parents. To harm what they gave me for the sake of your obsession would be the height of unfilial conduct."
"Minister Song, surely you don't think that just because you flap your lips and threaten a Count, you can walk away without consequences?"
Mingting's smile vanished and he looked at Song Yi coldly.
Although he was less than 15 and had just been appointed, his presence was overwhelming. Even when standing beside the Crown Prince, his aura didn't weaken in the slightest, forcing Song Yi to retreat several steps.
"What, do you want your own father to kneel to you?"
Realizing he had actually backed down under Mingting's pressure, Song Yi flushed with humiliation.
'This rebellious brat!'
'If it weren't for your current achievements, why would I have humbled myself like this!!'
"I've said it before that you're not my biological father. You're only demanding a blood test in court because you want to use filial piety to force my hand."
"Out of humanitarian consideration since you're mentally ill, I'm willing to humor you, if only to avoid further harassment in the future."
"But you've repeatedly harassed my family, provoked me, said bad things, and now you stand before His Majesty trying to intimidate me, trampling on my dignity. This isn't something a mere 'search for the truth' can make up for."
"Then what do you want? Do you want me to pay with my life?"
Song Yi's eyes were bloodshot.
"No, I'm a civilized person."
Mingting looked at him for a while, then shook his head.
"Forget it. They say you're ill. If I lower myself to argue with a sick man, wouldn't that make me seem petty?"
"I'll consider this an act of charity, a good deed for the day. I hope this finally cures your delusions."
Mingting waved his hand magnanimously.
"Do whatever test you want. I have no objections."
Seeing that its boss was suddenly so kind, Fengtian silently mourned for Song Yi.
Given its understanding of Mingting, the kinder and more accommodating he appeared, the worse the other party's fate would be. The only question was… what kind of trap had Mingting dug for his scumbag father this time?
Fengtian was practically vibrating with impatience, floating midair, its tiny body swaying back and forth.
It wished it were a mind-reading parasite in Mingting's brain, just so it could figure out his plan.
'Or, at the very least, couldn't Boss just spoil the plot already?'
Fengtian was dying of suspense.
"Mingting!"
Li Sheng was also very anxious. He was someone who knew Mingting's true identity, so what if the blood test confirmed it?
"Big Brother, don't worry. When have I ever lost? Just help me gather a few things…"
Mingting whispered a few words into Li Sheng's ear.
"Count Zhongyi, if you have something to say, say it openly! What need is there for secret whispers with the Crown Prince? Are you so guilty that you need His Highness to help you cheat!"
Prince of Qi stepped forward.
As Song Yi's brother-in-law, he naturally stood united with him.
"Your Highness worries too much. The Crown Prince is fair and upright, so how could he do such a thing? Moreover, I am genuinely willing to cooperate with Minister Song to help him find closure. Petty tricks are beneath me."
"Your Highness should not judge a gentleman's heart by a petty man's heart!"
The handsome, refined young man smiled, his demeanor effortlessly winning people over.
Seeing how composed he was, the ministers who had initially doubted him now turned their scrutiny toward Song Yi.
'This man wouldn't really rely on the fact that Count Zhongyi looks like him to insist on being someone's father, right?'
As for who was the gentleman and who was the petty man in Mingting's words, everyone could see that clearly.
"Since Your Highness and Minister Song distrust me so much, you may choose someone you trust to prepare a few items for me. I'll need a dog, a chicken, an icebox, some..."
Mingting listed seven or eight things, including some bones, which left everyone baffled and didn't understand what he was going to do.
After some discussion, Prince of Qi and Song Yi nominated Shangguan Shi to oversee the preparations.
Shangguan Shi had the reputation of being impartial and upright in the Ministry of Justice. He would never bend the law for personal gain and would never help Mingting.
As for the Crown Prince? Better not!
Since he defended Mingting so much, it can be seen that he was not trustworthy at first glance.
Even Shangguan Shi was curious about Mingting's requests. After receiving the permission from Emperor Li, he left to gather the items.