Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1034 - 102: Prince Chu Discovers the Truth

Within his mansion in Youzhou, Prince Han sprawled comfortably on a couch, sipping vintage wine as he observed a troupe of performers. Surrounding him were several youthful, graceful maids; some meticulously decanted his wine, others hand-fed him choice fruits, while others kneaded his shoulders or waved large fans to keep him cool.

These entertainers were not natives of Great Zhou, but rather imports from the Western Regions, specifically acquired by Prince Han to satisfy his desire for novelty after growing weary of local performances. Dressed in daring attire, these Western dancers exuded a bold and fiery allure, their movements carrying an exotic charm that captivated the eye.

Prince Han propped up his right leg and rested an elbow upon his knee, his fingers drumming rhythmically against his thigh as his head swayed to the melodic cadence.

The tranquility was broken when his steward entered. The man bowed respectfully before hurrying to Prince Han’s side to relay a message in a hushed tone.

The Prince’s demeanor shifted instantly; a cold, somber mask replaced his relaxed expression. He stood abruptly and dismissed the performers, who retreated in haste.

"Summon Mr. Yang to the study immediately," Prince Han commanded, then strode toward the study himself.

"As you wish, Your Highness," the steward replied, departing to fetch him.

Soon, Mr. Yang arrived. Prince Han relayed the disturbing intelligence he had just received.

The advisor, known as Yang Qi, listened closely, his brow furrowing as he remained silent for several moments.

Prince Han offered no pressure, waiting with practiced patience as the advisor processed the implications.

Finally, Yang Qi spoke: "Your Highness, are you certain that Prince Chu has dispatched agents to gather information on the Third Princess?" This woman was not of Prince Han Mansion, but rather the consort of the new Modu Chanyu—the same figure Zhao Yao identified as the Han Princess.

"Who else could it be?" Prince Han sneered. "The second one lacks the intellectual capacity to even conceive of investigating her." To him, Prince Dai was a negligible nuisance. "Only the second and fourth have ventured to the northern frontier; the seventh and eighth are confined to the capital and lack the reach to influence matters here."

"If Prince Chu is truly behind this investigation, his machinations are far more sophisticated than we anticipated," Yang Qi muttered, knitting his brows. "How could he have deduced our ties to the Third Princess?"

At that inquiry, Prince Han’s face darkened in frustration.

"How should I know?" Prince Han retorted, refusing to view Prince Chu as a genuine threat. In his estimation, neither Prince Chu nor Prince Jing deserved the title of rival. "It seems I have grossly underestimated the fourth." Only a handful of people globally were aware of his dealings with the Third Princess, yet apparently, the fourth had unearthed them.

"For Prince Chu to arrive at the northern frontier so recently and already uncover our connection is a testament to his intellect," remarked Yang Qi, who had long urged the Prince never to underestimate his brother.

"Impossible," the Prince countered with a wave of his hand. "We have kept the fourth under constant surveillance; he could not have discovered our affairs so quickly."

"Your Highness, are you implying that Prince Chu had knowledge of our activities long before he ever set foot in the north?"

"It is highly probable," Prince Han replied chillingly. "I had assumed the frontier lacked the fourth’s infrastructure, but it seems his agents are deeply entrenched. It appears even the Xiongnu Grassland is crawling with his spies now."

"If that is the reality, Prince Chu’s influence is deeper than we feared," Yang Qi sighed. "Truly, my cousin—who serves by his side—is not a man to be trifled with."

"Sir, if the fourth has learned of our secret, he must be eliminated, lest I be the one to perish," Prince Han declared, his eyes glinting with a lethal, icy intent.

"Your Highness, Prince Chu is not a simple target," Yang Qi warned. "If he falls while in the northern frontier, everyone, including the Emperor, will immediately point the finger at you. Even without direct proof, you will be branded the murderer. Should you bear the stigma of killing a sibling, the throne will forever slip from your grasp."

"If the fourth remains alive, our treachery will be laid bare and I will face certain death." Prince Han acknowledged the danger of suspicion, but calculated that being suspected was preferable to being dead. Furthermore, once he sat upon the throne, the stain of fratricide would be washed away by the passage of time.

"Prince Chu must meet his end, yet he cannot die on these northern lands," Yang Qi concluded. "Your Highness, wait until he departs; strike him while he is in transit back to the capital."

In his panic, Prince Han had overlooked the reality that the Prince would soon be departing the frontier.

"Sir, make the necessary arrangements. See to it that he is silenced before he reaches the capital."