Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1014 - 93: Poisoning (Part 2)

Zhao Yao softly caressed the heads of Wang Cai and the rest, saying, "Off you go."

A group of Wang Cai's young pups followed as it headed out.

Zhao Yao petted Fu Duoduo's head gently, "You should patrol as well."

Fu Duoduo nuzzled into Zhao Yao’s hand before guiding its young ones away. As the leading cat in Prince Han’s Residence, Fu Duoduo handled the daily patrols around the estate. Its coat was pure ebony, free of any other hues, which allowed it to blend seamlessly into the night. This made it ideal for night watches, reconnaissance, and surprise attacks.

From last year onward, numerous killers had tried to take Zhao Yao's life. Numerous intruders were spotted right after reaching Swamp Prefecture and then seized, all because of Wang Cai and Fu Duoduo's efforts.

Certain attackers possessed impressive abilities, managing to slip into Prince Han’s Residence against the odds. Yet, the moment they stepped inside, Fu Duoduo and its companions sensed them, leading to swift captures by the guards.

In addition to nabbing would-be killers, Wang Cai and Fu Duoduo excelled at spotting poison attempts, similar to the recent one. This wasn't the initial effort to toxify Zhao Yao; starting last year, such plots had cropped up periodically.

The culprit behind the poisonings was a spy hidden within the Prince Mansion. Intruders who could penetrate the estate weren't average folk; their masking skills were highly advanced, eluding the guards' notice. Wang Cai and Fu Duoduo alone could uncover them.

Back last year, Zhao Yao instructed Wang Cai and Fu Duoduo to memorize the smells of all mansion residents. Should anyone attempt to pose as a household member, Wang Cai would identify the impostor through odor.

In Prince Han’s Residence, the cats and dogs not only "memorized" the scents of everyone there, but the guard dogs at the Personal Guard’s barracks did the same for personnel in the camp.

Beyond felines and canines, various other creatures assisted Zhao Yao in monitoring the estate or the army base, preventing any dubious figures from entering undetected.

Having directed Wang Cai and Fu Duoduo, Zhao Yao continued his affairs with composure, acting as though the incident never occurred.

Tong Xi, earlier terrified by the poisoning, quickly regained his poise, though a lingering fear remained within him.

"Your Highness, who's trying to poison you now?" Despite facing such threats repeatedly, he couldn't shake the dread each time.

"It's those same folks again."

"Who exactly are they? Are they from nearby regions or straight from the capital?"

"From both places."

Noting Zhao Yao's relaxed attitude, Tong Xi grew a bit irritated and sulked, "Your Highness, don't you feel any concern over someone plotting to poison you?"

"Why worry?" Zhao Yao responded casually, "This isn't new to me, and I've endured it plenty of times already. I'm accustomed now. Moreover, with Wang Cai and the crew around, I'm safe."

"It was truly Wang Cai and the others who saved the day before," Tong Xi held great respect for Wang Cai and its group, "Your Highness, without their help, you'd have perished ages ago."

"True enough, sans Wang Cai and the rest, heaven knows how often I'd have met my end."

"Your Highness, forget the poisonings—even the hits on your life they've launched are terrifying." The thought still chilled him, "Your Highness, are you just going to let them keep coming for you?"

"So what should I do, return to the capital and eliminate every plotter pulling the strings?" Zhao Yao chuckled in resignation, "I wish I could wipe them out, but I lack the power."

"You could inform the emperor," said Tong Xi, "he favors you greatly, and learning of the attacks on you, he'd never spare them."

With amusement, Zhao Yao shot back, "You believe reporting to my father would make a difference?"

"Of course it would. The emperor would definitely defend you."

Grinning while shaking his head, Zhao Yao remarked, "Ah, your innocence is astounding." Though his father cherished him, he wouldn't eliminate those enemies on his behalf. Furthermore, proof was absent that they dispatched the killers.

Tong Xi challenged boldly, "Your Highness, in what way am I innocent?"

Zhao Yao scanned Tong Xi from head to toe, "Your gaze brims with utter simplicity."

"Your Highness, how am I simple?" Tong Xi viewed himself as sharp.

"Stop it—pretend you saw nothing of this affair." Zhao Yao cautioned him firmly, jabbing a finger at Tong Xi, "Leak anything to the foes, and your penalty will be scrubbing the latrines."

These words scared Tong Xi, draining color from his face as he shook his head frantically.

"Your Highness, I swear I won't tip them off," he vowed, resolved to avoid the latrines forever. He'd visited once previously, and the odor was intolerable.

"Dump this soup bowl, then prepare some tea for me."

"At once, Your Highness." Tong Xi emptied the soup over a plant pot situated in the study's corner. The bloom inside had withered long ago from toxins. This marked far from the first occasion Tong Xi had disposed of tainted soup or tea there.

As he perused the official documents, Zhao Yao pondered silently, struck by how crucial his existence apparently was, considering the persistent efforts to end it.

Tong Xi entered holding the newly made tea, "Your Highness, here's your tea."

Just as Zhao Yao reached for it, Tong Xi halted him.

"Your Highness, you should check it with a silver needle first," Tong Xi urged gravely. "Even though I made the tea personally, I can't guarantee the leaves, pot, or water source weren't meddled with."

Observing the anxiety in Tong Xi’s expression, Zhao Yao reluctantly used the silver needle to test.

"It's clean—no poison. So now it's safe to sip?"

"Your Highness, go ahead with your tea."

"Your territory is the tea chamber; nobody else ventures near it," Zhao Yao noted following a taste, "There's no call for such extreme vigilance."

"What if a stealthy killer manages to enter the tea area and taint it?" Tong Xi explained, typically on edge for some time post-poisoning scares. "Your Highness, since you're not sharing the hits and toxins with the emperor, why not confide in Lord Chu and Lord Wei? They'd back you up for sure."

Dismissing with a wave, Zhao Yao stated, "Believe I'm the sole target of these killings and poisons?"

Tong Xi failed to grasp Zhao Yao's meaning, staring at him in bewilderment.

"My Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother face as many strikes and tox attempts as I do. I keep it from them to avoid alarming them." Despite not vying for the crown, he drew fire; contenders like his Fourth and Eighth Brothers endured far worse threats. "Plus, since I'm unharmed, no need to fret them pointlessly."

Aware he couldn't sway Zhao Yao, Tong Xi let out a soft sigh, "Thank goodness for Wang Cai and the group. I'll seek out Tong Le soon and get him to give Wang Cai and the others chicken drumsticks as thanks for uncovering the poison."