Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1027 - 99: Things Got Complicated

Pei Dingyuan had never once heard a mention of Southern Wei. Had the people of Southern Wei not unexpectedly approached him to clarify the ties between the Pei Family and their homeland, its existence would have remained unknown to him. Before his visit to Zhao Yao, he had attempted to conduct a discreet investigation, yet he turned up nothing, which led him to conclude that Southern Wei was shrouded in mystery.

"Your Highness, I once combed through the archives in the Imperial College library and found no trace of Southern Wei. Did they originate in the previous dynasty, or has this state existed for a long period?" He noted that neither his instructors nor his fellow students had ever spoken of such a place.

"Southern Wei surfaced during the reign of the previous dynasty, though it was merely a small polity back then," Zhao Yao replied, choosing to enlighten him since he obviously craved the truth. "Southern Wei eventually capitulated to the previous dynasty, becoming a vassal state. The emperor of that era granted them territory and bestowed the title of prince of a different surname upon their ruler. However, for reasons never fully explained, the previous dynasty eventually annihilated Southern Wei. Many perished, yet some managed to flee into hiding. To my best knowledge, remnants of Southern Wei are scattered throughout the Great Zhou realm."

"If they had already surrendered to the previous dynasty, why did that emperor behave so erratically and choose to destroy them?" Pei Dingyuan, already harboring deep resentment toward the previous dynasty for the unjust purge of his own clan, felt his anger boil over at the news of their destruction of Southern Wei.

Zhao Yao clarified with a shake of his head, "It was not the previous dynasty that was inconsistent, but Southern Wei itself."

Pei Dingyuan stared in disbelief. "What? The betrayal came from their side? Did they regret their submission and decide to launch a rebellion?"

"The people of Southern Wei did not rebel, but upon their surrender, they made a solemn vow to provide an item to the previous dynasty. When they failed to deliver on their promise, the emperor felt deeply deceived by the King of Southern Wei and his subsequent rage led him to order their total destruction." Zhao Yao cast a pointed look at Pei Dingyuan and added, "It is highly probable that the very item they failed to surrender is what these people are searching for today."

"So it was the Southern Wei people who broke their word." Pei Dingyuan’s initial irritation waned, replaced by an intense curiosity regarding the artifact. "Your Highness, what exactly is this mysterious object that both the previous dynasty and Southern Wei coveted so desperately? Is it some sort of legendary treasure?"

Zhao Yao replied dryly, "When they submitted, Southern Wei offered vast riches as tribute. If the object were merely a standard treasure, the previous emperor would never have been pushed into such a murderous frenzy, nor would he have been so hard to appease after their surrender."

"Then what could it be?" Pei Dingyuan racked his brain, unable to fathom an answer. "Could it be some kind of symbolic token for their people?"

"If it were just a token, why would the previous emperor even desire it?" Zhao Yao hesitated, deciding against mentioning the Imperial Jade Seal. While he trusted Pei Dingyuan, he felt that knowledge of that seal would serve him no purpose. "Perhaps it is a sacred relic rumored to grant longevity or even immortality."

"Immortality?" Pei Dingyuan’s surprise gave way to a dismissing shake of his head. "True elixirs of life exist only in myths. It must be something far more specific."

"Regardless of its nature, it concerns us not, and you must cease dwelling on it." Zhao Yao displayed no personal interest in the seal. "Furthermore, stop your inquiries. Given how obsessed Southern Wei is with this object, it is surely cursed by ill fortune. The less awareness you have of it, the safer you will remain. Ignorance is protection."

Pei Dingyuan countered, "Your Highness, if they prioritize this, perhaps it poses a legitimate threat to Great Zhou itself." He held no love for either the previous dynasty or the people of Southern Wei, and the prospect of their discovery harming the stability of Great Zhou troubled him. "You have stated yourself that these people are dangerous; we cannot simply turn a blind eye."

"Dingyuan, these people are far more treacherous and cunning than your current assessment suggests. This is precisely why I have withheld this information for years—I feared that any involvement would drag you into a death trap." Had Pei Dingyuan not sought him out tonight, Zhao Yao would have kept the secret buried. "The fact that they reached out to you personally is a sign that they presume you are ignorant, and should they discover you are digging into their affairs, you will be in grave danger."

Zhao Yao offered a final, stern warning, "Maintain your distance from them, as far as possible. Do not seek to unravel the truth of their business."

Witnessing the gravity in Zhao Yao’s expression, a cold shiver ran down Pei Dingyuan’s spine. He realized that if His Highness feared them so intently, they had to be an existential threat indeed.