The Host is Clearly A Scumbag (Quick Travel)

"If you submit the white sugar method to His Majesty, he will surely reward you. What would you like?"

Emperor Li had already rewarded Mingting many times, including shops in the capital, a hot spring estate in the suburbs, and vast stretches of fertile land.

First, Mingting was still young and lacked a solid foundation, and Emperor Li was worried that excessive rewards would make him a target of envy.

Another reason was that some of his contributions, such as state-owned factories, while benefiting the Emperor and the nation, had also indirectly harmed many people's interests.

Emperor Li had taken responsibility for these to shield Mingting from danger.

Therefore, in the early stage, Emperor Li didn't reward him much, which seemed too stingy compared to Mingting's contributions.

Now that Mingting was about to take the palace examination and soon enter court as an official, the rewards needed to carry more political weight, such as a noble title, so that Mingting can establish himself quickly and avoid being looked down upon.

Emperor Li had considered many things, but Mingting's answer moved him once again.

"I want to earn imperial honors for my mother and sister, and glory for my biological mother who died early."

Emperor Li hadn't expected Mingting's wishes to be so simple. It was all for his family.

He had known for a long time that this child was very filial.

Now, it seemed the title he had bestowed upon Mingting, 'Pure kindness, filial piety', had been absolutely fitting.

However, Emperor Li soon discovered a problem, "You only think of your biological mother… don't you want to announce to your late father in the underworld that you've brought honor to your ancestors?"

"Him? Hah…" Mingting sneered.

"He's alive and well, wallowing in wealth and luxury. How could he possibly remember my mother? How can he remember me?!"

'What?!'

Emperor Li had always thought that Mingting's biological parents were dead, which was why He Gu had adopted him.

'How is this different from the information obtained by the spies?'

"What's going on? "Explain this to me…"

By now, Emperor Li truly regarded Mingting as a nephew.

Seeing the young man's expression darken at the mention of his biological father, the Emperor didn't fault him for hiding the truth, and his first thought was that the boy had suffered injustice.

Entering court as an official meant background checks would be far stricter than during the adoption process. Mingting had long planned to confess his origins.

Now that Emperor Li had come in person, he wouldn't let this chance slip. That scumbag father can't blame him as a son who is not 'filial'.

Immediately, Mingting lodged a formal complaint against his biological father, Song Yi.

"My mother spat blood on her deathbed and made me promise to go to the capital and ask him… what had she done wrong?"

"Little did she know, that heartless beast had abandoned the poor for the rich, climbed the social ladder, and become the son-in-law of nobility, becoming the husband of the princess!"

"When my mother died, she was only 26 years old. What was he doing at that time? He was getting married and enjoying himself. I'm afraid he had long forgotten his wife who worked hard at home to manage the housework, cared for his parents, and raised his child."

'Song Yi?'

'The Vice Minister of Rites, husband of Princess Dongyang?'

Emperor Li remembered Song Yi well.

After all, there weren't many good-looking officials in court, and Song Yi was among the best, which was why the Emperor had named him Tanhua back then. (T/N: Tanhua are Jinshi who ranked third overall.)

'No wonder I felt that Mingting looked familiar just now… it turned out that he was Song Yi's child.'

When the Tanhua had married a princess of the royal family, Emperor Li had even bestowed gifts in honor of his uncle's face.

Unexpectedly, Song Yi concealed the fact that he was married and had child, and forced his wife to death after achieving success!

'What a vile man!'

Emperor Li had shared a deep bond with his late Empress, otherwise, he would not have made Li Sheng the Crown Prince shortly after he was born.

In Emperor Li's eyes, Song Yi was utterly despicable!

Seeing Mingting's eyes brim with tears as he spoke of his late mother, Emperor Li sighed and stepped forward, patting the young man's head.

"Don't cry. Your mother would be proud of your achievements today."

"No, my mother would only worry."

Mingting shook his head.

"I look exactly like Song Yi. Once we meet, he'll recognize me immediately."

"Song Yi is a man who is eager for quick success. When he sees that I have achieved something, he'll surely come demanding recognition under the pretense of filial piety. Just as he abandoned my mother for power, he'll force me to acknowledge him as my father for wealth."

At this point, Mingting slammed his palm on the table.

"He forced my mother to death, the grudge of killing my mother is irreconcilable! If he insists on claiming me as his son, I would rather die in glory than live in disgrace!!"

The fiery determination in the young man's words left no doubt… he was ready to fight his father to the death.

"Don't, don't…"

Emperor Li was counting on Mingting to dedicate his brilliance to the court, so how could he bear to let him waste it on a useless scoundrel like Song Yi?

Seeing his reckless resolve, Emperor Li was anxious.

'If anything happens to Mingting, the nation would lose a rare talent… and I'd lose a top-tier workhorse… cough, loyal minister!'

On one side is a mountain of gold and silver, a young talents, and on the other side is a lump of dirt, a heartless, unrighteous, and talentless unfaithful man. Even with his toes, Emperor Li can tell who to choose.

"Your foster father will think of a solution. That dog won't get his claws on you."

Emperor Li hurriedly reassured Mingting, but he was afraid that Mingting would really act impulsively, so he repeatedly promised him.

"My mother was divorced and buried in the wilderness after her illness. I also want to move her grave. Now that I'm a son of the Jiang family, I can't let her remain a wandering ghost..."

"No problem, I understand. Believe in your foster father, child. Don't be afraid."

Emperor Li's mind worked quickly.

He had already thought about how to wipe out Mingting's past, solidify his identity as a child of the Jiang Family while properly honoring his birth mother.

As for Song Yi?

'Hmph! Who said you have a son?'

'Mingting was the Crown Prince's sworn brother, my foster son, which is equivalent to my son when rounded off!'

'That dog dares to covet what belongs to the Emperor?'

'Did he have a death wish, trying to steal both a son from the throne and a genius from the court!'