Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1035 - 102: Prince Chu’s Suspicions (Part 2)

"Your Highness, I worry that Prince Chu will not be easily neutralized." Yang Qi recalled a past incident, his expression clouding with obvious anxiety.

Prince Han watched Yang Qi’s troubled face and asked with a puzzled frown, "Sir, what are you trying to imply?"

"Do you remember, Your Highness, when Prince Chu was dispatched to Peng City to investigate those missing copper shipments?"

Prince Han failed to see the relevance, but the memory remained vivid; that very investigation had been the catalyst for the Crown Prince’s downfall.

"I remember it clearly."

"Then you must recall how Prince Chu, despite being hounded by the deposed Crown Prince, the disgraced Duke Zhen, and Prince Dai, managed to return to the capital unscathed? He even exposed the Crown Prince’s scheme to forge weapons with stolen copper."

Recalling the event, Prince Han remembered how they had all assumed Prince Chu was a dead man walking. To their shock, not only did he survive, but he arrived back with irrefutable proof, shattering their plans.

"I heard that the pursuit was relentless, with wave after wave of killers leaving almost all his retainers dead," Yang Qi remarked. "I fear he may rely on the same resilience again. Furthermore, given his cunning, he likely suspects our intentions and has already made contingencies."

"If one wave fails, we send ten. If ten are insufficient, then a hundred. He cannot possibly escape forever." Prince Han trusted that his own men were far superior to the incompetent lackeys of the former Crown Prince. "The northern border is quite a distance from the capital; we have endless opportunities. Failing once is irrelevant, as long as we succeed by the tenth attempt."

Yang Qi conceded the point, bowing his head. "Your Highness is wise."

"I had intended to spare him to let him deal with Prince Dai, but since he insists on walking into the jaws of death, I shall oblige him." Prince Chu’s demise was inevitable, and moving up the schedule would only serve his own ends. "Once Prince Dai re-enters the capital, the Seventh and Eighth Princes will surely tear him apart." When they finish destroying each other, he will emerge to claim the throne.

After final preparations for the assassination were settled, Yang Qi took his leave.

Meanwhile, Yang Ling was in the midst of discussing the return trip with Prince Chu.

"Your Highness, Prince Han is certainly aware that you have been scrutinizing his ties with Princess Three. He will undoubtedly ensure you never reach the capital alive." Yang Ling wore a grim expression. "I fear he has already laid an ambush; your journey back will be treacherous."

Prince Chu appeared unsurprised by this warning.

"The tactics you employed to escape Jiangnan will likely prove useless now," Yang Ling insisted, his tone heavy. "We must devise a meticulous plan, or you will face grave danger."

Prince Chu listened patiently and offered a faint smile. "Sir, rest easy. It is actually Tenth Brother who has organized my return journey."

"Prince Han?" Yang Ling asked, completely bewildered. "Your Highness, why would he ever facilitate your safe return?"

"Sir, it was Tenth Brother who alerted me to the illicit connection between Prince Han and the Princess Three of the new Modu Chanyu."

Yang Ling gasped, nearly losing his composure. "What..." He quickly lowered his voice, checking his surroundings. "Are you certain of this, Your Highness?"

"Quite. Tenth Brother wrote to me directly. Though he admitted it remains a strong suspicion without concrete evidence, his intelligence is rarely off the mark." Zhao Yao had been quite explicit regarding the affair.

Yang Ling felt a shiver of alarm. "How could he even suspect a connection between Prince Han and the Princess Three?" Even he, with all his experience, hadn't considered such a possibility.

"Tenth Brother reasoned that for a woman to survive the Xiongnu Grassland and rise to power, she must possess an extraordinary nature—hardly common for any ordinary noblewoman..." Prince Chu continued, recounting Zhao Yao’s theories in detail.

Yang Ling listened, his expression oscillating between shock and contemplation.

Understanding the weight of that silence, Prince Chu simply let it be.

"Your Highness, regarding Prince Han..." Yang Ling started, but Prince Chu raised a hand to silence him. "Sir, I know what you wish to say, but there is no call for it. I stand by my brother; I trust him."

With no other recourse, Yang Ling swallowed his protest.

"Tenth Brother warned that the moment I began digging into Prince Han and the Princess, Prince Han would sense it and move to intercept me. That is why he has orchestrated this plan for my return."

"And how does he intend to ensure your safe passage?"

"In two days, I shall depart the north as part of a convoy provided by Tenth Brother, traveling toward the Western Regions. From there, I will circle back to the capital." Prince Chu explained, "Simultaneously, Tenth Brother will dispatch a decoy to remain in the north. After a time, this double will travel toward the capital in my stead."

Yang Ling frowned. "Your Highness, Prince Han will surely attempt to see you off. He will notice the ruse immediately if the person standing before him is an impostor."

"Tenth Brother has secured a master of disguise from Lingnan. Prince Han will see exactly what he expects to see."

"Disguise?" Yang Ling was skeptical. "Can such a deceptive art truly exist in this world?"

"You will see the truth for yourself the day after tomorrow," Prince Chu replied, his faith in Zhao Yao unshaken.

"Your Highness, consider the possibility that Prince Han's strategy might be..." Yang Ling tried one final time, but was cut off again.

"Sir, I trust that Tenth Brother means me no harm."

Seeing such blind faith, Yang Ling felt a mix of frustration and helplessness.

"Your Highness, should Prince Han betray you, I implore you to never trust him again."

"Agreed," Prince Chu nodded readily. "But if he acts in good faith and ensures my safe return, then I ask you to drop your suspicions once and for all."

"Very well." If Prince Han refrained from attacking, it would effectively prove he had no designs on the throne and harbored no malice.

The conversation shifted back to the dangerous alliance with Princess Three.

"We know Prince Han is conspiring with her, but without proof, the Emperor may dismiss the accusation." Yang Ling sighed. "Our scouts in the grasslands have been exposed. Deploying more agents is futile; they are far too vigilant now."

Prince Chu looked at Yang Ling calmly. "Sir, do not underestimate the Emperor’s natural suspicion."

Yang Ling’s eyes widened as the implications sank in, and a knowing smile touched his lips.

Far off in the palace, the Emperor let out a sudden, loud sneeze.

"That little brat is definitely cursing me."

Sun Kui: Your Majesty, truly, your self-awareness is unparalleled.

The Emperor tossed aside a scroll and leaned back with a deep, stretching sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty, you are weary. Allow me to massage your shoulders." Sun Kui moved behind him, his fingers working rhythmically.

Just then, a Hidden Guard materialized. Sun Kui intercepted the confidential report and presented it to the Sovereign.

Upon reading it, the Emperor let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha! That rascal did not disappoint me."

Intrigued, Sun Kui ventured a question: "Your Majesty, what news brings you such joy regarding Prince Han?"

"That brat discovered Prince Han is dallying with the Princess Three of the Xiongnu and warned Prince Chu accordingly." The Emperor chortled. "I expected it to take him much longer, but he is quick indeed."

Sun Kui stood stunned: He found out about the affair between Prince Han and the Princess Three?!

Wait, the Emperor already knew!