Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1041 - 105: Using Prince Zheng (2)

Prince Han’s brows knit into a tight furrowed line, his features set into a frigid and somber mask as he remained deathly silent.

Observing the prince’s reticence, Yang Qi wisely chose to hold his tongue.

Only after a prolonged stillness did Prince Han finally break the quiet: "Sir, have you any viable strategies?"

"Your Highness, at this juncture, our only recourse is to deploy a suicide squad to eliminate Prince Chu, but..." Yang Qi paused, a flicker of trepidation clouding his eyes. "By dispatching such a unit to slay the prince, we risk exposing our own hand."

Yang Qi’s anxiety was well-founded. If a detachment from the Prince Han Mansion were found responsible for the fourth prince’s death, the trail would inevitably lead back to his residence, confirming the Prince as the architect of the assassination.

"If utilizing a unit from my own estate is unfeasible, then simply find another group of assassins to do the deed."

"Your Highness, do you perchance mean...?"

A crafty smile played on Prince Han’s lips: "Youzhou, and indeed the entire northern frontier, is not exclusively populated by my personal soldiers."

"But Your Highness, employing someone else’s suicide squad to take down Prince Chu lacks discretion," Yang Qi cautioned. "It would effortlessly unmask us as the masterminds."

Prince Han fixed Yang Qi with a penetrating stare and hinted, "Sir, why must we be the ones to solicit these mercenaries directly?"

The realization dawned upon Yang Qi instantly, and a wave of visible embarrassment washed over his expression.

"Your Highness, I apologize for my lack of foresight."

"Sir, you are merely too impatient. " Prince Han held deep trust in Yang Qi and harbored no resentment for his momentary lapse.

"I shall arrange for someone else to coordinate this task later today."

Prince Han directed, "Target several specific families."

"Understood, Your Highness." With that confirmation, Yang Qi departed to initiate the plan.

Much later, he returned to the private study.

"Your Highness, my deepest fear is how much leverage Prince Chu has already gathered against us."

Prince Han replied with a gravelly grunt, "That is the very question haunting me as well." Having maintained a low profile in Youzhou for years with meticulously obscured tracks, it remained a mystery how the fourth prince stumbled upon his secrets.

Yang Qi deliberated before speaking: "Your Highness, we have acted with supreme caution, and your public persona has been impeccable. By all logic, the fourth prince ought to be none the wiser." The capital had long ignored the goings-on in Youzhou, confident in the Prince’s mask. Yet, how did Prince Chu see through the disguise?

Prince Han spat with venom, "And yet, the fourth prince knows everything."

"Your Highness, there remains but one explanation."

Prince Han leaned forward, demanding, "What explanation?"

"There is a mole among us—a traitor who has funneled our secrets to Prince Chu." The more Yang Qi pondered this, the more conviction solidified in his chest.

Hearing this, Prince Han’s face curdled with malice; he lashed out, overturning the heavy table beside him with a brutal kick.

"Indeed, there must be an infiltrator. How else could he have uncovered my affairs?"

Identifying the presence of a traitor brought Yang Qi no comfort; instead, it weighed even heavier upon his spirit.

"Prince Chu is profoundly cunning to have planted an agent within our ranks undetected. Had he not arrived in the northern lands to pursue the Third Princess’s matter, we might have remained blissfully ignorant." They believed they were masters of concealment, yet Prince Chu was clearly the superior shadow.

Prince Han grit his teeth in rage, "Root them out and unearth every last one of them for me."

"Your Highness, we cannot be certain how many spies he has embedded in our camp."

"Regardless of the number, dig them out," Prince Han commanded icily. "And once captured, I want them torn to ribbons. Fourth prince, you have severely underestimated me. Also, instruct the squad members to bring the fourth prince back to me alive. I wish to savor this process myself!" Killing him outright would be too simple; he intended to drag out the prince’s suffering until he begged for death.

"Your Highness, I understand your resentment is immense, but for our survival, it is safer if he remains dead on the field," Yang Qi advised. "Do not jeopardize our entire operation for the sake of one prince."

Prince Han relented, "You speak true, perhaps a swift end away from home is best." He mused that perhaps keeping him alive was too generous anyway. "Sir, do you possess a method to flush out these spies?"

"Your Highness, within a few days, we shall disseminate word that Prince Chu has been assassinated. The spies will surely react if they hear such tidings," Yang Qi proposed. "We need only wait for them to expose their own movements."

Prince Han found the scheme agreeable and flashed a sinister grin, "Let us proceed; I look forward to unmasking them."

"Your Highness, what of Prince Zheng in the capital? I believe he could be weaponized." They had always enjoyed a cordial rapport, bolstered by the wealth and beauties Prince Han frequently lavished upon him.

"He is nothing but a useless puppet. Beyond serving as a shield, what value does he hold?" Regarding Prince Zheng, the other prince held nothing but contempt; his only utility was as a scapegoat.

"Your Highness, if handled correctly, even this fool can serve our interests."

Intrigued by Yang Qi’s persistence, Prince Han asked, "Sir, what is your strategy?"

"Your Highness, consider this..." Yang Qi murmured into the Prince’s ear. As the plan unfolded, Prince Han’s eyes widened, transforming into a wicked, gleeful grin.

"Hahaha, Sir, your ingenuity is truly remarkable." Prince Han had never envisioned Prince Zheng being utilized in such a fashion.

"After all the benefits Prince Zheng has accepted from you over the years, it is only right he pays his debt."

"Indeed, Sir." Since their youth, Prince Zheng had served as a convenient scapegoat for Prince Han’s schemes, a pattern that continued into their adult lives. Even with their separate domains, Prince Zheng’s greed kept him tethered to Prince Han, oblivious that every favor granted was merely a leash tightening around his neck.

"Prince Dai thinks he returns to the capital in triumph, blind to the fact that he is walking straight into a purgatory of our making."

Prince Han sneered, "He only has himself to thank for his arrogance."

"Your Highness, when the time comes, Prince Dai will be desperate to align with us, perhaps even groveling for the chance."

"I shall force him to his knees to beg at my feet."

At that exact moment, within the Northern Border Camp, Prince Dai was seized by an inexplicable, bone-chilling tremor.

Far off in the Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao sat deep in contemplation as he played a game of chess against himself. Glancing at the board, a cryptic smile graced his lips, "Next, Prince Han will surely unleash Prince Zheng against Prince Dai."