Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1058 - 112: Am I Really That Superficial? (2)

Factions of both Prince Jing and Prince Wei desire to probe into the secret probe of Prince Chu in the northern lands, yet all spies dispatched by them have met untimely deaths, heightening their alarms.

During the recent two days of morning assemblies, the court officials remained unusually subdued, free from finger-pointing or disputes. Prince Chu's name stayed unspoken as well.

The Emperor clearly grasps the ministers' thoughts, yet he feigns complete ignorance. Regarding the still-absent Prince Chu, he acts as though the prince has slipped his mind entirely.

Following this day's court session, the Emperor, in an uncommonly cheerful mood, summons Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu for a fishing outing. Witnessing the Emperor's high spirits, fellow ministers grow even more assured that Prince Chu remains safe and has fulfilled the imperial assignment.

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu have not joined the Emperor for fishing in ages, so they accept the rare invitation without hesitation.

Noticing the pleased expressions on Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, the Emperor jests, "Oh, what’s happened that makes you look so pleased?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty’s favor, there have been much fewer issues lately." Lately, the ministers have toiled earnestly without stirring trouble, boosting efficiency and sparing Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu from excessive worries and expenditures.

Grandmaster Liu wishes Prince Chu would delay his return further, allowing him to keep pressuring those scheming ministers.

The Emperor, with a half-smile, remarks, "I find it rather quiet."

Hearing the Emperor's mischievous remark, Grandmaster Liu bluntly retorts, "Your Majesty, you should do less, indeed." Such rare tranquility graces the court, with officials behaving properly; any meddling by the Emperor would plunge it back into turmoil.

The Emperor dislikes Liu’s retort, "Lao Liu, I haven’t done anything recently; don’t slander me."

Grandmaster Liu grumbles back, "I hope Your Majesty can continue like this."

"Then I’ll be bored."

Grandmaster Liu insists, "It’s better for you to be bored."

The Emperor flashes a knowing smirk: "In a few days, I’ll have a good show to watch."

For an Emperor who thrives on spectacles and dreads calm over disorder, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu feel exhausted, pondering their fate with such a meddlesome ruler.

"From Your Majesty’s words, does this mean Prince Chu will be returning soon?"

Grandmaster Liu sighs inwardly, hoping Prince Chu lingers even longer.

"It won’t be many days." The Emperor grabs an apple and crunches into it, "Thanks to that pesky little Han, or else your elder brother might not have been able to return."

Intrigued, Prime Minister He inquires, "What did Prince Han do?"

"He had your elder brother disguise himself as part of my second cousin’s caravan, and your elder brother returned with the caravan." The Emperor chuckles with smug pride, "The pesky kid has some capability."

Observing the Emperor's boastful air, Prime Minister He teases, "Your Majesty, it seems Prince Han supports Prince Chu quite well."

Grandmaster Liu chimes in mockingly, "Your Majesty, the final result might not be as you wish."

"It’s good that little Han and your elder brother get along well." The Emperor shoots a sidelong glance at Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, snorting coldly, "Absolutely everything will go according to my plan; you just wait and see."

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu share a glance, mutual helplessness evident in their eyes.

"Having a father like you, how unfortunate for Prince Chu and the others." Only Grandmaster Liu has the audacity to voice this.

At present, events unfold precisely per the Emperor’s scheme, signifying total control on his part. In essence, everyone dances to the Emperor's tune.

The Emperor's face turns grave upon Grandmaster Liu’s words, his voice turning heavy: "I am not a good person, nor a good father, because my responsibility is not to be either, but to be a good Emperor." He fully recognizes the burden he bears. "So far, I think I’ve done a decent job as an Emperor; but, it’s not enough that I do well. My successors must continue to be good Emperors; otherwise, everything we’ve fought so hard for will be destroyed, and I don’t want to see the nation in chaos again."

Recalling past upheavals, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu's faces darken.

"I chose Han not just because the old Taoist said Han is the chosen one who can bring a golden age to Great Zhou."

Surprised, Prime Minister He questions, "So it isn’t true?"

The Emperor stares at Prime Minister He in disbelief, "Am I that shallow?"

Grandmaster Liu fires back without restraint, "Aren’t you?"

The Emperor shoots them a furious glare, "This is a matter of the state, concerning the wellbeing of the people; how could I possibly hand the nation to Han based solely on the old Taoist’s words?!"

As the Emperor fusses, Prime Minister He hastens to soothe him, "If Your Majesty didn’t choose him for that reason, then why?"

"Naturally because that pesky little Han has the ability. If he weren’t capable, even if the old Taoist says he’s a deity, there’s no way I’d hand him the nation." The Emperor presses on, "Even if I really believed the old Taoist, would you all allow me to be so foolish?"

"Certainly not, I would plead to death to stop it." As the Emperor noted, Great Zhou's realm was won through blood and sweat; they won't permit its ruin. The Emperor speaks truth; without Prince Han's prowess, they'd reject such folly outright.

Though the Emperor often seems capricious, they recognize deep down he never trifles with national affairs.

"Your Majesty, you intend to hand the nation to Prince Han, but does Prince Han want to accept it?" Grandmaster Liu douses the enthusiasm.

"Hmph, whether he wants it or not, he’ll have to take it." With that bold claim, the Emperor fixes a wicked stare on Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, "Then it will depend on your abilities."

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu: "..." They foresaw this burden landing squarely on them!

The Emperor savors his ministers' stunned looks, then resumes fishing contentedly.

"Enjoy your fishing; in a few days, you won’t have such leisure."

Meanwhile, Prince Chu, alongside Liang Chun and their entourage, has crossed into Yong State. In just days, they'll arrive at the capital.