Emperor Mingxi, seeing that Yu Chongshan remained silent with his head bowed, couldn't help but press further, "Minister Yu, regardless of everything, the Little Immortal Lord is still in your household. What do you think…?"

Under the Emperor’s intense gaze, Yu Chongshan swallowed hard before replying helplessly, "Your Majesty, this minister will do his best, but…"

He hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Yet, considering everyone present was aware of the situation, he decided there was no need for pretense.

He continued, "But as Your Majesty has heard, due to our mistakes, we’ve wounded that child’s heart. She holds no affection or trust for us. As for the miraculous high-yield seeds—such a precious gift—she…"

Yue Fuguang clearly neither trusted nor felt close to them, so how could they expect her to willingly share the seeds?

At this, Emperor Mingxi’s expression darkened. Heaven had bestowed upon them a living blessing, a human-shaped auspicious sign, yet Yu Qinchun’s foolishness had driven her to feel little connection to the Yu family or even the Great Yan Empire.

The Emperor turned his gaze to the Yu father and son, particularly Yu Qinchun, who had been kneeling silently since entering. "Then, Minister Yu, how do you intend to resolve this matter?"

Yu Chongshan immediately understood the Emperor’s implication. Gritting his teeth, he laid out the plan he had prepared earlier.

He said, "This humble official proposes to formally adopt the child under my eldest son’s lineage…"

"Father!" Before he could finish, Yu Qinchun, who had been kneeling with his head down, suddenly cried out upon hearing that Yue Fuguang was to be given to his elder brother.

Disregarding the Emperor’s presence, he protested, "Father, you cannot do this! The seventh child is my own flesh and blood—"

"Your flesh and blood?" Yu Chongshan scoffed. "When have you ever treated her as such? In the month since she was brought back to the Yu household, how many times have you visited or shown her any care?

"As her father, you didn’t even give her a proper name! Your heart and eyes were only ever fixed on that impostor who stole her place!"

Seeing that Emperor Mingxi made no move to stop him—even seeming to approve—Yu Chongshan pressed on.

"Now that you know her true status, you suddenly remember she’s your daughter? Your real daughter died three years ago at the age of five, abused to death by the Zhou Family!"

His anger grew as he berated his son. "You had a chance to rebuild that bond, but what did you and that Madame Sun do?

"You treated your own child as a foster daughter and tried to hide the truth from us! If I hadn’t investigated myself, how long would you have kept this secret?

"As a father, you not only neglected your own blood but even provided money and support to the murderers who killed her!"

When Yu Qinchun tried to argue, Yu Chongshan cut him off. "Don’t claim ignorance of her death at five.

"Even if you didn’t know that, you must have been aware of what those Zhou monsters did to her! They were your enemies, not benefactors!"

Yu Qinchun wanted to say he hadn’t known—or at least not fully—because he had entrusted everything to his wife, Madame Sun, only sending a steward to fetch the child.

At first, he had believed that as the mother, Madame Sun would naturally love and care for their daughter best.

Who could have predicted things would turn out this way?

He dared not speak, finding no words to defend himself.

Yu Chongshan watched his third son’s trembling silence with icy disdain.

"Very well," he said, his voice turning frigid. "Since you care nothing for this daughter, she will be adopted by your elder brother. You and Madame Sun can live out your days with that impostor!"

"Elder Brother!" Yu Qinchun, stung by his father’s words, turned desperately to Yu Zhongchun for help.

Yu Chongshan cut in, "Don’t beg him. If he refuses, I’ll have her adopted by my second son instead. This old man has plenty of sons to choose from—"

"Father, I’ll take her!" Yu Zhongchun, the eldest son, had been momentarily stunned by the sudden offer, gaping in shock and delight. Now, realizing the opportunity might slip away, he hastily interjected.

"Father, our branch has no legitimate daughter yet. Madam Zhang and I have always longed for one.

"You have my word—we will treat her as our own. Whatever my sons have, she will receive no less, only more."

Emperor Mingxi and the assembled officials had just witnessed an up-close performance of Yu family "harmony," inwardly marveling at the spectacle.

Every family had its share of troublesome descendants, but seeing the Yu family’s drama made their own problems seem mild by comparison.

Some even thought privately that while their own sons might be wasteful or incompetent, none had caused a disaster on this scale.

Had they not overheard the Little Immortal Lord’s thoughts today, the third branch might have driven her away completely!

Yu Chongshan was too lenient—had it been them, they’d have taken off their shoes and beaten some sense into the fool!

Today’s entertainment had been courtesy of the Yu family, and with the Little Immortal Lord’s mind-reading abilities, the capital was in for even more excitement.

Secretly, many envied the Yu family. Even Emperor Mingxi had wondered why Yue Fuguang hadn’t been born into the imperial line.

Though they knew she was a soul inhabiting another’s body, her status as an immortal being erased any fear or disgust one might feel toward spirits. Instead, they regarded her with reverence.

Moreover, since she now resided in a Yu family body, they considered her bound to them by blood—still one of their own.

Yu Chongshan and his sons shared this belief. The flesh was their kin’s, so Yue Fuguang remained tied to them.

Yue Fuguang had anticipated this reasoning. Her earlier declaration had been meant to sever ties with the third branch.

She had much to accomplish and refused to be shackled by filial obligations—especially not toward someone like Madame Sun. Even superficial mother-daughter relations were unacceptable.

With the matter settled, the officials ignored Yu Qinchun’s devastated expression and instead congratulated Yu Zhongchun.

"Congratulations, Minister Yu, on gaining such a noble daughter!"

"Truly a joyous occasion, Minister Yu!"

One even joked, "Such happy news calls for a celebration, doesn’t it? The Yu estate must host a grand banquet!"

Another chimed in, "Indeed! Minister Yu, you must treat us all to a feast!"

Emperor Mingxi joined in, smiling. "This is indeed cause for celebration. A banquet is in order."

Yu Chongshan seized the opportunity, bowing. "It shall be done, Your Majesty." Internally, he sighed in relief—the Emperor’s displeasure with the Yu family had passed.

With a smile, he addressed the officials, "In five days, the Yu family will hold a banquet to celebrate my eldest son’s newfound daughter. Honored guests, you must all attend!"

Then, emboldened, he turned to the Emperor and bowed deeply. "If Your Majesty and the Crown Prince…"

Before he could finish, the Crown Prince chuckled and interjected, "Minister Yu, We would not miss such a joyous occasion."

He then turned with a look of deep reverence toward Emperor Mingxi and said, "Father, why not join me on this outing? You are usually swamped with the affairs of state and rarely have time to rest. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to leave the palace for a while—consider it a much-needed break."