After expressing his gratitude to Yang Ning for saving his son's life, Zheng Huang removed one of the rings he was wearing and offered it to her as a reward. He continued, "I received this ring from my father when I captured the kingdom near the southern area and expanded our territory. Typically, the successors of our family receive this honor, but I am bestowing this honor upon you.
Because you're the true savior of this Empire and my son's life. Take it." He handed her the ring, adorned with diamonds and featuring a large red ruby gem in the middle, emphasizing its preciousness.
Yang Ning's eyes widened in surprise upon receiving such a significant reward from His Majesty. Previously, when she had killed the wild bear, she received His Majesty's necklace, and now, he was giving her his ring. It wasn't just a reward but a tremendous honor that only the successors of the Empire could receive from previous Emperors.
"Father, how can I accept this precious reward from you? Please don't embarrass me with such high praises. I did nothing. It was the guards and Zheng Liang who thwarted the attack; I only reacted in the moment. It's not a big deal.
I cannot dare to accept this reward," Yang Ning resisted, holding onto her belief that Zheng Liang, the Crown Prince and true successor of the Empire, deserved this honor more than her.
The Emperor frowned and looked at Yang Ning seriously, "Are you defying my reward? Yang Ning, you're still the Crown Princess. You cannot reject the rewards I give you; instead, you should smile and accept this reward gladly. That would make me the happiest. Understand?"
Yang Ning was left speechless in front of His Majesty's words and glanced at Zheng Liang, hoping for some support. However, he smiled and said, "Take it. My wife deserves this more than me. This way, I can proudly show it off to others. After all, not everyone's wife could be so beautiful and talented."
Resigned and realizing she wouldn't get help from Zheng Liang, Yang Ning agreed to His Majesty's request and graciously accepted the ring. She sincerely thanked him, saying, "I thank Father for such a precious reward. I will keep it safe and protected with me."
He had hurt Zheng Liang when he was young, ignoring him and his responsibilities as a father and now had another son who has been living outside the palace, without familial love and care.
As a father, he has failed both of his sons.
"That's why I have decided to bring him to the palace. Zheng Liang, you're the Crown Prince, and that fact is unchanging. However, that child is also my son, and that is unchanging as well. Now, with his mother not there to worry about him, I cannot leave him to live alone outside the palace. Imagine how hard it must be for him to be criticized by people and be called a son of the traitor."
Zheng Liang remained silent and didn't say anything. He was aware that after Yang Lingxin was exiled, Zheng Xiang's condition wouldn't be great outside the palace. After all, Yang Lingxin's whole family was severely punished, except Zheng Xiang because he is His Majesty's son. Otherwise, his fate would have been the same as the other family members of Yang Lingxin's family.
However, bringing that man back to the palace would remind him of how, after his mother died, the Empress tried to make Zheng Xiang the Crown Prince. If His Majesty had not sent Zheng Xiang out of the palace to study and live outside to avoid the crown struggle, the supporters of the Empress would have done everything to make Zheng Xiang the Crown Prince by now.
That is why they were trying to kill the Emperor, attempting to make Zheng Xiang the next successor to the throne.
Even though Zheng Liang didn't have many thoughts about Zheng Xiang, as they never interacted much, and whenever they did, that child was sweet and friendly towards him. However, after his mother's death, Zheng Liang had become cold and distant towards everyone.
After losing his mother and hearing people's taunts about how Zheng Xiang should become the Crown Prince as his mother was the new Empress, it wasn't easy for him to become friends with him again.
The thought of bringing him back to the palace made him uneasy. Could he confront him without feeling hatred and hostility? Could he truly treat him like a brother and not a competitor?