Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

As Shin Tingming said, Old Su stood up to support the name of his son. Along with him, a few others also chose the side of Su Ce, since this was the plan made for a long while now.

But a change of wave appeared when amidst everyone choosing the side of Su Ce, suddenly Lady Zhao announced to prefer her trust over the old name, Shin Tingming.

"I am already in the age where I can claim to have eaten more salt than anyone of you have eaten rice. At this old and experienced age, I can't dare to take the risk. So, I would still support in favor of our previous king who has led the royal family impeccably up until now. I believe none could be his alternative yet."

She said before walking to the side of the one she chose. And the intentional explanation of her choice like that made other people think twice about their decisions. Although all of them have decided to choose Su Ce before, now that hearing Shin Tingming's reason behind his previous decisions, they all were having second thoughts.

After all, no one could deny that there could be no one better than Shin Tingming on the throne. He was selfless, righteous as well as capable like no other, constituting the best king. Su Ce was just a replica that was forced to become like him by his father, Old Su.

As people decided to think all over again, after giving much thought to it, some of their decisions changed. They walked back in support of Shin Tingming.

Since not everyone had the selfish motive of choosing Su Ce over, Shin Tingming knew there would happen a change of mind in people when they would be presented with the truth. So, when he once again found himself getting their support, he was satisfied.

While on the other hand, Old Su did not expect this turn of tables. With their plans earlier, they were going to win with a wholesome majority, whereas Shin Tingming, not receiving even one person in support. But here, not just does he have supporters standing with him, but he has also got the numbers that could easily get equal to them if some more people get to his side.

Although earlier, he might not have understood the underlying intentions of Shin Tingming's words, now he understood them very well. Not just was his smile mocking him that time, but he was also giving a challenge to him about whose results he was sure of.

'Who says that I have been the cunning one when clearly all these years, it's him using the underhanded tricks? Back then he played a trick and proved himself better than me, snatching away the throne that could have belonged to me. And even today, he played the game.' Old Su felt aggrieved as his fingers clenched on his sides, seeing the ray of hope again becoming bleak.

Since Li Xue was still not included in the family officially, she was not the one to take part in the poll. She stood at the side counting the count people on both sides. She wasn't anxious about things but she wasn't confident about the things as well. Even though she has threatened Su Ce before, she was not sure if the man would give in to his warning or would he be crazy to take the risk.

The chances of the latter were five percent, but even that five percent was twisting her nerves within. She just hoped that she didn'tbecome one of the indirect reasons that would make her father leave the throne. In the past, all her childhood, she has grown up hearing that she was ominous by Liu Hua. At that time, she didn't believe her, but if today things don't turn out in favor of her parents, she would have to believe it even if she doesn't want to.

Li Xue counted and, in her count, there were still three more people on the side of Su Ce, bringing him to the majority. It was the time when she spotted the Shens still standing separately. They were yet to choose. Her eyes matched with Shen Bingling as the girl nodded to her in understanding before leaning to her father.

"Father, His Majesty is lacking the count in support. You should walk to his side now. Since you promised earlier, you can't back off now. Li Xue has helped us and now it's our time to help her. I …" Shen Bingling was speaking when suddenly her words stuck down her throat when she saw her father turning to look at her. "I … I … Father, I was just telling you this for, this is the time …"

"Enough!" Shen Donghai's voice came soft but deep, instantly silencing the girl in her words. "You don't get to tell me all this after creating such a mess on my name. I know what and when to do." He said before turning to look at the two sides.

Old Su looked at Shen Donghai and immediately smiled. But ignoring his smile very easily the man turned to walk to the side of Shin Tingming. Like his brother, he has also never liked Old Su. Even today, if he would not have chosen the side of Tingming, he would have never walked to support Su Ce as well.

When Shin Tingming saw his cousin brother walking to his side, he was satisfied. He gave a small smile before turning back to look at the others standing on the other side. He wasn't offended by them for not choosing him because he knew in the court there are doomed to be people who won't like to see you with power. If he has got some count in it, what's there to get offended.

Old Su looked at people standing on Shin Tingming's side. Although their plan didn't work as they had thought, he was satisfied to see that even with Shen Donghai choosing the other side, they were in the majority.

"As you can see, Your Majesty, we are clearly in the majority; it's the time for you to give up your throne and title." Old Su said and major people on the side of Shin Tingming became anxious.

But right at that moment, Li Xue interrupted with a very polite voice. "The poll is not yet over. There is still someone yet to choose their side, Mr. Su." This was her first time speaking in between the people. So, when she did, everyone paused and looked at her.