Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1065 - 115: Sending Away a Living Buddha Is Hard _2

Oh, what a shame—Grand Commandant Zheng is such a risky figure; he needs to be kept at a distance.

Zhao Yao galloped his horse straight back to the Han Prince Mansion and told a guard to call Zheng Qian over.

"Zheng Qian, your father still hasn't departed—why didn't you inform me?"

Hearing Zhao Yao's words, Zheng Qian froze in surprise, then replied with a baffled look, "Your Highness, Father left Lingnan ages ago. What are you talking about?"

Noting Zheng Qian's bewilderment, Zhao Yao questioned in astonishment, "You're unaware your father remains in Swamp Prefecture?"

"Your Highness, did you spot my father?" Zheng Qian inquired, brow slightly furrowed. "Where was he?"

"Near a Wild Pond beyond Swamp Prefecture, where Grand Commandant Zheng was angling." Zhao Yao asked, somewhat stunned, "You truly had no idea your father hasn't gone?"

"Father sent a letter a month back claiming he'd returned home." Zheng Qian's face darkened at the thought of his father's deception.

"Looks like Grand Commandant Zheng deliberately hid his lingering presence from you." Zhao Yao grew more perplexed—why would Grand Commandant Zheng act this way? What goal did he have in Swamp Prefecture? Was he evaluating him? Hadn't the elder long abandoned court matters, so why now show interest in his affairs?

"I'll chase him off right away."

"Hold on." Zhao Yao halted Zheng Qian. "If you rush off to shoo away Grand Commandant Zheng now, won't that reveal I know about him?"

"Master, Father can't remain in Swamp Prefecture."

"I get that your father mustn't stay in Swamp Prefecture, yet you can't confront him directly like this. Act as if you stumbled upon the fact that he hasn't left." Zhao Yao warned Zheng Qian sternly, "Never let on that I'm aware of your father, or matters will tangle further."

Zheng Qian grasped Zhao Yao's worries. "Master, don't worry—I'll manage this properly and ensure Father never learns you know him."

"Did your father mention why he ventured to Lingnan? Surely not just for fun?" Zhao Yao couldn't buy that Grand Commandant Zheng traveled to Lingnan for idle pleasures. If it were mere relaxation, why not arrive sooner? Why right after the trade conference?

"He claimed it was for leisure." Zheng Qian shared his father's excuse but doubted it too. "I suspect he targeted Swamp Prefecture on purpose to witness the trade conference you hosted, Master."

"That's likely just part of his aims; the old fellow probably harbors other intentions." Perhaps his suspicions held true, given Grand Commandant Zheng's status as a founding hero. "I sincerely hope the old man isn't targeting me." The Emperor had picked him as heir, yet he rejected it outright.

"Master, he definitely came for you."

At those words, Zhao Yao let out a resigned sigh. "I fear the same." He massaged his brow in distress. "Zheng Qian, devise a plan to escort your father—this troublesome Buddha—away. Should he linger in Swamp Prefecture, word will reach the capital, and I'll be unable to prove my innocence even jumping into the Yellow River."

"Master, have no fear—I'll get him gone." Even if Father resisted, he'd bind him and drag him off.

"Truth be told, my chat with your father this afternoon proved enlightening. Still, his position carries too much weight and sensitivity; I can't risk closer ties."

Zheng Qian sneered dismissively, "He's nothing but a headache."

Zhao Yao discussed matters with Zheng Qian a bit more before dismissing him.

Come evening, Zhao Yao heard Zheng Qian had 'stumbled' upon Grand Commandant Zheng.

Meanwhile, inside Zheng Qian's home.

"Prince Han recognizes me after all." Grand Commandant Zheng dismissed any notion of a coincidental encounter with his son.

"Don't kid yourself—His Highness has no clue who you are." Zheng Qian's voice dripped with disrespect toward the esteemed Grand Commandant Zheng, his face matching that scorn. "If His Highness knew, he'd boot you out on the spot."

"And aren't you trying to boot me now?" From their afternoon talk, Grand Commandant Zheng had sensed Zhao Yao's caution. When he probed with those questions later, Prince Han's evasions confirmed the recognition.

"Are you lingering for His Highness?"

Grand Commandant Zheng replied vaguely, "In a way, yes—and no."

"His Highness shuns the throne; your probing of him wastes time." Zheng Qian spat with disdain, "Such a hypocrite you are."

Grand Commandant Zheng, mid-sip of tea, choked hard at his youngest son's blunt accusation.

"Cough cough, you brat—what did you just call me?"

"Utterly hypocritical."

Fuming, Grand Commandant Zheng jabbed a finger at Zheng Qian. "Speak—how am I, your father, a hypocrite?"

"You swore off court meddling and worldly cares, yet here you are in Swamp Prefecture testing His Highness?" Zheng Qian mocked. "You feign detachment from affairs, but still meddle in politics—hypocritical, right?"

Grand Commandant Zheng laughed bitterly in rage. "Visiting Swamp Prefecture to check on your master makes me hypocritical?"

"Doesn't it?" Zheng Qian shot back fiercely. "Stop judging my master by your measures—besides, he's loathed the throne idea from the beginning."

"I've seen that." Grand Commandant Zheng chuckled. "Your master mirrors his father in scorning the imperial seat." Like father, like son indeed.

"Now that you know my master rejects emperorship, leave at once." Zheng Qian said icily. "Don't make me bind you."

"You insolent whelp— is that how you address your father?"

Zheng Qian's face stayed stone-cold. "Sever our father-son bond then; disown me as your son."

Grand Commandant Zheng seethed at his youngest's defiance, yet felt powerless against this thorn in his side.

"You punk, grown bold have you?"

"My boldness never wavered." In this realm, even the emperor bowed to Grand Commandant Zheng, but only Zheng Qian scorned his own sire. "I don't care about your schemes with the emperor—if you endanger my master, our ties end."

Grand Commandant Zheng exploded in fury. "Prince Han must be your real father!" How else such a infuriating offspring?

"Your stay in Swamp Prefecture threatens my master—depart at dawn."

"I refuse; tomorrow I'll call on Prince Han properly."

"My master refuses to meet you and bids you return whence you came."

"Those are your words alone." Grand Commandant Zheng eyed his youngest. "I have urgent matters for Prince Han—escort me tomorrow."

"I told you Master won't see you—begone by morning, or I'll tie you myself." Zheng Qian tired of arguing with Grand Commandant Zheng and stormed off.

"You rascal... rascal... rascal..." Grand Commandant Zheng yelled repeatedly, but his son never glanced back.

Unaware of Grand Commandant Zheng's so-called urgent business, Zheng Qian still reported it to Zhao Yao.

"Urgent matters for me?" Zhao Yao probed. "What could they be?"

"Nothing beneficial—no need to meet him, Master."

"Grand Commandant Zheng knows I identified him, and insists on business with me—I can't dodge the meeting." Zhao Yao sighed to himself; excessive cleverness brought woes. "Plus, I must spell things out to the old man so he departs Swamp Prefecture willingly." Priority: expel this pesky Buddha swiftly.

"I'll head to your place now, confront him, and settle it before complications brew."

As Zhao Yao faced Grand Commandant Zheng, the elder shot a glance at his son, who rolled his eyes in response.

"Your Highness truly knows this lowly subject."

"Old Zheng, you feigned ignorance, forcing me to play along." Zhao Yao cut to the chase. "What business brings you to me, Old Zheng?" He prayed it wasn't his dreaded concern.

Grand Commandant Zheng sidestepped Zhao Yao's query, countering, "What does Your Highness suppose?"