Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1074 - 120: Prince Chu Returns

While countless ministers in the court fretted over their positions and very lives, Prince Chu made a triumphant return to the capital amid grand spectacle.

Lately, the charges leveled by Annan had left civil and military officials in a frenzy of anxiety and distraction, too absorbed to spare a thought for Prince Chu. It was only upon his arrival back in the capital that they recalled his special mission to the Northern border. The very idea that Prince Chu's homecoming could unleash fresh chaos in the court filled the ministers with unease. For a time, a wave of nervousness swept through their ranks.

Prince Chu arrived in the capital but didn't rush into the palace right away; he headed straight to his mansion first to bathe and don fresh attire. The long, dust-choked journey had left him ragged and unkempt. Presenting himself to the emperor in that condition would be an grave affront.

Minister Li and the ministers backing Prince Chu buzzed with excitement at news of his return. Were it not for knowing he was about to head to the palace for an audience with the emperor, they would have flooded Prince Chu's mansion in droves.

Fresh from his bath, Prince Chu hastened into the palace.

The emperor had long known of Prince Chu's return to the capital and eagerly awaited his palace entry. The moment word came that he had arrived, the emperor dispatched Sun Kui himself to greet him.

No sooner had Prince Chu descended from his carriage than he spotted Sun Kui at the palace gates. Before he could utter a word, Sun Kui strode forward.

Sun Kui offered a deep, respectful bow to Prince Chu before declaring, "Your Highness, the emperor has sent me to receive you."

"Thank you, Mr. Sun."

"No need to be so polite, Your Highness." Sun Kui inquired with genuine worry, "Your Highness, did you face any difficulties on the road?"

"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Sun. My journey was smooth without any issues." He owed it all to his tenth brother's assistance, which guaranteed his safe passage back to the capital.

"You wouldn’t believe how worried the emperor was for you, not to mention Princess Li’s deep concern." Sun Kui's remark rang half-true. Princess Li had indeed been fretful, while the emperor harbored no such worries. "Princess Li will be overjoyed to know you’ve returned."

Learning of Princess Li's concern stirred profound guilt in Prince Chu: "Mr. Sun, how has my mother been these days?" To evade Prince Han’s spies, he had refrained from sending letters or messengers. No doubt his mother and the others were on tenterhooks without news of his return.

"Princess Li has lost weight, saying it’s due to the summer heat, but I think it’s because she’s worried about you."

"I am unfilial." Prince Chu resolved to visit Princess Li right after briefing the emperor. "By the way, how is Lady Liang?"

"Lady Liang is also worried about you," Sun Kui reflected silently on her fine state. "She’s fine, you needn’t worry."

"That’s good." Ever since Zhao Yao departed for Lingnan, Prince Chu had come to view Lady Liang as his own mother.

Sun Kui proceeded to fill Prince Chu in on recent court developments. Though Prince Chu had been away from the capital, rumors had reached him of the Annan Princess indicting numerous ministers. Naturally, he was also aware of former Prince Zheng's demotion to commoner and impending execution.

"Your Highness, the emperor has instructed that you may go in directly without announcing your arrival."

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Sun."

"You honor me too much, Your Highness. This is my duty." Sun Kui remained outside the Imperial Study instead of following him in, stationed at the entrance.

Noticing his master lingering by the door, Sun Doudou asked curiously, "Master, why aren’t you going in to attend?"

"The emperor has important matters to discuss with Prince Chu, so I’m not going in," Sun Kui replied with discretion, "I’ll wait for the emperor to call me."

Sun Doudou peeked slyly into the Imperial Study before murmuring to Sun Kui, "Master, Prince Chu has returned. Does this mean there’s going to be trouble, maybe even major trouble?"

Sun Kui shot Sun Doudou a stern glare, "Is it your place to be concerned with court affairs?" He cautioned sharply, "Don’t ask what you shouldn’t."

Sun Doudou beamed obsequiously at Sun Kui: "I was just startled." The recent cascade of events had everyone on pins and needles—not just the ministers quivering in terror, but even palace servants jittery, terrified of crossing the emperor.

"What are you afraid of? These matters have nothing to do with you." With that, Sun Kui reclined against the pillar and shut his eyes for a brief rest.

Sun Doudou held his tongue, standing silently beside his master.

Within the Imperial Study, the emperor gave Prince Chu's report his undivided attention.

Prince Chu recounted in exhaustive detail everything he had witnessed and learned en route to the Northern border, along with all the incidents that unfolded after he got there, to the emperor.

The emperor absorbed the account, interjecting now and then with commendations for Prince Chu's feats.

In covering the disaster relief efforts, Prince Chu wove in some heartfelt praise of his own, heaping lavish accolades on Zhao Yao for rushing provisions to the Northern border and hailing her notion of consuming locusts as ingenious. These days, the Northern border's people no longer dread locusts but hail them as the "God of Wealth."