Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1 The Storm is Coming

Liang Zhaoyi lingered at the entrance, gazing at the heavy clouds beyond, as a strange unease rose within her chest.

"Lady, why are you standing by the door?" Gui Xing drew near, placing a somewhat frayed cloak around Liang Zhaoyi's shoulders. "Today's weather is poor, and the winds are strong outside. Don't stand there and risk catching a chill."

Liang Zhaoyi furrowed her brows and replied, "The weather is on the brink of shifting."

Gui Xing missed the underlying implication in Liang Zhaoyi's statement. She glanced at the gloomy heavens outside and commented, "It appears rain is coming, perhaps a downpour." Then, recalling the young master, she gasped, "Lady, if the rain pours hard, won't the young master get drenched heading to Wende Hall? What if he falls ill?"

Liang Zhaoyi chuckled and assured, "The rain won't fall just yet, so no need to fret about him getting soaked." She cast another look outside, adding, "It's time to rouse him." Saying this, she made her way to the side hall.

[Yao Yao, wake up, wake up to study.]

Upon entering the side hall, Liang Zhaoyi heard the parrot Lai Yun squawking diligently, urging the young master to rise. Regrettably, its young master ignored the calls completely.

Lai Yun spotted Liang Zhaoyi entering and crowed mockingly, [The Lady is here to spank Yao Yao's bottom.]

Liang Zhaoyi approached the bed and drew back the curtain. There, a fragile young boy rested. Next to him slept a cat and a dog.

The cat was a hefty orange tomcat, while the dog was a spotless white Pekingese.

The dog went by Lai Fu, and the cat by Lai Cai.

Lai Fu noticed Liang Zhaoyi nearing and wagged its tail toward her.

Lai Cai rose, stretched lazily, and then sauntered gracefully to Liang Zhaoyi.

Liang Zhaoyi extended her hand to pet Lai Cai's head, and Lai Cai purred contentedly a couple of times.

Lai Fu licked the sleeping young master and woofed gently at him twice.

The young master murmured in his sleep, "Lai Fu, let me sleep a bit more."

Lai Fu woofed, [Little master, the Lady is here, you need to get up.]

"Just a bit more, just a little."

Witnessing this, Liang Zhaoyi had no option but to tug away her son's covers. Next, she scooped her son up in her arms.

Zhao Yao stirred from the chill. He blinked his eyes sleepily and whispered to Liang Zhaoyi, "Mother Consort."

Seeing her son's cute just-woken expression, Liang Zhaoyi's heart melted. She hesitated to disturb him further, yet he had to attend studies at Wende Hall. Without waking him, he'd arrive late.

She rubbed her son's cute little cheeks firmly, drawing a yelp from him.

Zhao Yao's small face got distorted by his mother consort's grip, and his drowsiness vanished accordingly.

"Mother Consort, I'm up now, stop rubbing my face." Each time Mother Consort pulled this move, it felt like his skin was being scrubbed sore.

Liang Zhaoyi pinched her son's cheek once more before releasing him and proceeded to assist with his attire.

Once clothed, Zhao Yao dashed to the side chamber to freshen up and change.

After cleaning himself, he proceeded to the dining area accompanied by Lai Fu and Lai Cai. As he exited the side hall, a sudden thunderclap jolted him.

A loud rumble ensued, causing Zhao Yao to sense the earth trembling.

Then, he watched the dark sky tear apart from a vivid purple lightning strike, which looked utterly terrifying.

Zhao Yao gaped wide-eyed at the divided sky, his tiny mouth agape in astonishment, "Is morning supposed to be this frightening?"

Lai Fu barked twice; [It's going to pour.]

"What, it's going to pour?" Zhao Yao cried out in surprise, "It feels like spring, not summer, doesn't it?" Right after uttering this, he recalled something and giggled, "If it pours, I won't need to head to Wende Hall for lessons."

Lai Cai doused Zhao Yao's enthusiasm like a cold splash, [This rain isn't coming for a while.]

Hearing Lai Cai's words, Zhao Yao's face filled with disappointment, and he sulked, "You raised my hopes in vain." With that, he hopped toward the dining hall.

At that moment, a soldier entered the palace grounds, proclaiming loudly as he advanced, "Great victory in Liangzhou, Prince Dai has triumphed greatly!"

This announcement hit the morning assembly like a bolt from the blue, stunning numerous officials.

The report of Prince Dai's success delighted some while troubling others; for the ministers backing the Crown Prince, it spelled trouble.

Before long, word of Prince Dai's triumph spread to the inner palace.

Zhao Yao sat eating breakfast alongside Liang Zhaoyi when Tong Xi burst in hastily and bowed to inform them, "Lady, Your Highness, fresh reports indicate Prince Dai has secured a major victory."

Liang Zhaoyi halted her chopsticks mid-air and remarked pointedly, "As expected, a tempest looms."

Zhao Yao showed little joy at this positive update; he pursed his lips and grumbled, "Second Elder Brother won the battle, so Ninth Elder Brother will boast endlessly. Later at Wende Hall, he'll brag nonstop."

Liang Zhaoyi counseled softly, "Let him boast, no need to rival him—just act like you heard nothing."

Zhao Yao nodded compliantly, "I get it." Then he chomped a large piece of his meat bun and added, "Ninth Elder Brother's conceited look is truly irritating."

"Simply disregard him." Liang Zhaoyi shelled an egg and set it in her son's dish, "Your Second Elder Brother's major success likely means a feast this evening."

Zhao Yao wrinkled his forehead, cheeks bulging, "Mother Consort, may I skip it?" His young mind raced, devising a scheme, "I could fake being unwell and stay away."

Liang Zhaoyi smiled warmly, "What makes you think so?"

Uh...

"Mother Consort, don't smile that way—it's pretty eerie, alright?" Zhao Yao feared Liang Zhaoyi's smile most; it sent shivers through him, and he conceded reluctantly, "Fine, I'll attend."

Noting her son's reluctance, Liang Zhaoyi reassured him, "View it as a chance to savor fine dishes, nothing more to fret over."

"Mother Consort, even if I tried to worry, there's nothing I could manage." Zhao Yao shrugged and stated, "Second Elder Brother's grand win doesn't concern me." Second Elder Brother's conquest in Liangzhou would probably earn him plentiful rewards from Father, boosting his court allies and vexing the Crown Prince considerably.

"Your thinking is spot on." Liang Zhaoyi preferred her son avoid the imperial succession battles. Moreover, they simply lacked the power for it.

Liang Zhaoyi hailed from modest origins; her father served merely as a County Magistrate, with her family consisting of everyday folk devoid of authority or connections. Furthermore, no court official backed Zhao Yao.

Remaining aloof from the throne contention proved the securest route for Liang Zhaoyi and her son. Involvement would invite peril.

Liang Zhaoyi harbored simple desires; she merely wished for Zhao Yao to mature securely. Upon reaching adulthood, he could depart the palace smoothly, establish his own home, and reside as an idle Prince or Commandery Prince. With fortune, she might even spend her later days with him beyond the walls.

"Fine, I'll just observe the spectacle." Zhao Yao grinned widely, revealing two neat rows of teeth, his smile radiant, "This evening's feast is bound to be thrilling."

Breakfast concluded, and despite his reluctance, Zhao Yao set off for studies at Wende Hall.

Lai Fu and Lai Cai accompanied him from Kunde Hall; [Yao Yao, study diligently, we'll await your return.]

Zhao Yao bent down, stroking Lai Fu and Lai Cai's heads, "I'm heading out—behave while I'm gone."

Tong Xi trailed behind, books and umbrella in hand. Observing Zhao Yao's bouncy gait, he fretted over a possible stumble and urged, "Your Highness, mind your step to avoid falling."

Zhao Yao halted abruptly, waving at the sparrows on the palace battlements, "Good morning."

The sparrows atop the walls lifted a wing in unison, replying to Zhao Yao's salute; [Good morning, Yao Yao.]

[Yao Yao, heavy rain is forecast today—did you pack an umbrella?]

"Yes, I brought one." Zhao Yao indicated the umbrella Tong Xi held.

The head sparrow flapped its wings, settling on Zhao Yao's shoulder, then rubbed its head against his face.

Zhao Yao rubbed back against it.

Lai Qian perched on Zhao Yao's shoulder, chattering animatedly with him.

Zhao Yao replied occasionally, "Oh, I see...is that so..."

Tong Xi saw Zhao Yao conversing with the birds once more and pondered inwardly, each time His Highness chatted with these creatures, it appeared so sincere and genuine that he nearly believed His Highness comprehended their speech.

Tong Xi hit the mark; Zhao Yao could grasp what Lai Qian and the rest said and even decipher other creatures' tongues. He understood every animal language.

It appeared he possessed the ability to comprehend animals from his previous life too.