Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1032 - 101: The Han Princess on the Grasslands

Rather than ending Song Dachuan’s life, Zhao Yao chose to spare him, intending to transform the man into his personal informant within Southern Wei. Keeping him breathing served a far more strategic goal than simply disposing of him.

Naturally, Song Dachuan did not leap at the chance to serve Zhao Yao, yet his options were non-existent. Having been force-fed a lethal poison, his refusal would result in immediate death, his life draining away from his seven orifices.

Though he postured with bold defiance initially, Song Dachuan was, at his core, terrified of mortality. Few in this world truly welcome the end. Moreover, he harbored a deep-seated desire to crush Duan Jiangcheng beneath his heel; he could hardly do that if he were a corpse. Furthermore, Zhao Yao’s demands were not excessively perilous—he merely required intelligence from Southern Wei. If he performed satisfactorily, Prince Han promised generous rewards. On reflection, the arrangement seemed quite advantageous.

Zhao Yao assigned a shadow to track Song Dachuan, serving the dual purpose of surveillance and secret protection. Since Song Dachuan remained a valuable asset, his preservation was for now an necessity.

While the imposition of a tail rankled his nerves, Song Dachuan dared not voice a single complaint.

To ensure Song Dachuan’s cooperation was genuine, Zhao Yao dangled the opportunity to earn merit. He promised the man a chance to finally subjugate Duan Jiangcheng, ensuring his rival could never hold his head high again. To seal the deal, he disclosed a secret regarding the item in question.

"How could you possibly have knowledge of that?" Song Dachuan asked, his eyes narrowing with deep skepticism. "Are you even aware of what it truly is?"

"The Imperial Jade Seal," Zhao Yao replied with a casual shrug.

Song Dachuan surged to his feet, shock radiating from his face as he stared at Zhao Yao. "How do you know that?" The Imperial Jade Seal was a matter of utmost secrecy, known only to the highest echelons of Southern Wei. Ordinary citizens were never privy to such dangerous intelligence.

Observing the man’s rattled state, Zhao Yao laughed softly. "Why on earth wouldn't I know?"

Song Dachuan struggled to process the implications. Surely Prince Wei would never leak such a sensitive fact to Zhao Yao, so how had Prince Han acquired this, information?

"Who leaked this to you?" Could there be a mole for the Prince operating within the heart of Southern Wei?

"I uncovered it through my own means," Zhao Yao reminded him. "Do not forget what I told you days ago: my understanding of your Southern Wei goes far deeper than you assume." With a flick of his hand, he motioned for his guest to take a seat.

Song Dachuan complied, his movements stiff. "What else are you hiding?"

Zhao Yao toyed with his teacup, a smirk playing on his lips. "I also happen to possess news regarding the item’s current location."

"What—you know where it is?!" Song Dachuan jumped up once more, his panic evident. Yet, he immediately shook it off. "Impossible. You couldn't have tracked it down unless Pei Dingyuan gave you the location."

"Dingyuan is unaware that the item is actually the Imperial Jade Seal," Zhao Yao chuckled. "For years, I have been conducting my own private search for that artifact."

Song Dachuan spat out, "You truly have ambitions for the throne!"

Zhao Yao shot him a sharp, annoyed glare. "If I hungered for the crown, do you honestly think I would be discussing these matters with you?"

Song Dachuan remained unconvinced, but seeing his stubborn refusal to accept the truth, Zhao Yao decided to cease his explanations.

"I have found a lead; the object might be located within the borders of the Xiongnu," he continued, noting that this was based on his own deductions rather than hard fact. "Mind you, I am still vetting the reliability of this information."

"It cannot be in Xiongnu territory," Song Dachuan countered. "If it truly were there, that legendary figure would have surely recovered it by now."

"By 'that figure,' are you referring to Wuwei?" Zhao Yao inquired. "Or should I call him Ji Bochang?"

Song Dachuan sprang up again, his sudden movement causing the table before him to topple over with a loud crash.

"How do you know that name?"

Zhao Yao regarded him with thinly veiled contempt. "I have already made it clear that I know far more than your simple mind can grasp."

Song Dachuan felt a chill crawl up his spine. Just who was this Prince Han? How did he stumble upon such guarded secrets? What other terrors did he command?

"Ji Bochang and his associates have failed to find the object because they did not succeed in their search."

"It is you who have failed to account for his greatness!" Song Dachuan argued. Ji Bochang held a position of profound reverence among their people, and the man’s reputation was sacred to him.

Irritated by the constant interruptions, Zhao Yao raised his brows and pierced Song Dachuan with a chilling, predatory stare.

The intensity of the gaze caused Song Dachuan to shudder, his bravado instantly evaporating. He recoiled and sat back down with trembling compliance.

"Please, do carry on."

Noting the man’s restored silence, Zhao Yao proceeded. "The reason Ji Bochang failed to find the item while sweeping the Xiongnu camps is quite simple: they missed one specific location."