Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1075 - 120: Prince Chu Returns (Part 2)

The Emperor experienced a blend of satisfaction and mirth upon hearing Prince Chu's enthusiastic commendation of his youngest son.

"Father, my tenth brother deserves all the credit for swiftly ending the northern locust plague; please reward him fittingly." Prince Chu insisted that the Emperor recognize Zhao Yao’s contributions despite any personal dislike.

The Emperor, grasping the underlying message in Prince Chu’s statement, responded, "I’ve already given him a reward."

Prince Chu refrained from probing what reward the Emperor had granted Zhao Yao. "Tenth brother must be thrilled about it."

"You display genuine care for him," the Emperor observed.

"As his older brother, showing concern for him is my duty."

The Emperor eyed Prince Chu approvingly and said, "You’re handling things admirably." Then he inquired, "How is your second brother holding up in the northern regions?"

"Second brother is managing well up north..." Prince Chu highlighted only Prince Dai’s struggles and accomplishments against the Xiongnu, steering clear of criticism.

The Emperor nodded faintly after hearing the account, then asked, "And what of the fifth brother?"

"Father, I have something to report concerning fifth brother."

"Go ahead."

Prince Chu informed the Emperor about Prince Han’s secret ties with the three Princesses linked to the new Modu Chanyu. Though lacking proof, he affirmed its truth and urged an immediate probe.

The Emperor’s face remained impassive as he listened.

"It’s praiseworthy that you uncovered this."

Prince Chu was taken aback. "Father, you already knew?"

"I’m aware to some extent."

Shock registered on Prince Chu’s features.

"The dealings between fifth brother and the three Princesses run deeper than you realize." The Emperor warned Prince Chu, "Leave it be; no need for your involvement."

"Understood, Father." With the Emperor informed of fifth brother’s alliance with the three Princesses, Prince Chu felt reassured.

The Emperor commended Prince Chu once more before directing him to visit Princess Consort Li.

Princess Consort Li, aware of Prince Chu’s return, awaited her son’s arrival.

When Prince Chu met Princess Consort Li, he first expressed remorse for his filial shortcomings and the anxiety he had caused her.

Tears welled in Princess Consort Li’s eyes as she assisted Prince Chu to his feet, repeating that his safe return was everything.

Throughout this time, Princess Consort Li had fretted endlessly over her son’s well-being, dreading calamity on his capital-bound journey. Nightmares plagued her of him chased and slain, her spirit adrift in torment.

After Princess Consort Li composed herself, Prince Chu described how Zhao Yao aided his daring escape.

Princess Consort Li sighed deeply. "Prince Han’s aid saved you this time, otherwise..." Her son’s kindness to the youngest had paid off in gratitude. "Did you face perils in the north?"

Prince Chu summarized the northern events for Princess Consort Li, omitting Prince Han’s intrigue with the three Princesses as a guarded secret.

"Prince Dai earned great distinction repelling the Xiongnu. I feared his northern return might eclipse you, but the Princess of Annan’s charges against him and Marquis Xuanping for mustering troops and crafting arms in Annan changed everything unexpectedly." Princess Consort Li had dreaded Prince Dai’s triumphs boosting his prospects over Prince Chu’s, yet the Princess of Annan provided a timely gift. "Mustering troops and forging arms is grave; his northern feats might merely offset the offenses."

"His victorious return changes nothing significant," Prince Chu declared, undaunted by Prince Dai’s exploits.

Noting her son’s indifference to Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s Annan ventures, Princess Consort Li questioned puzzledly, "Were you aware of their schemes in advance?"

Prince Chu gave a slight nod. "Yes, tenth brother dispatched the Princess of Annan."

Stunned by the disclosure, Princess Consort Li exclaimed, "What do you mean? Prince Han orchestrated it?"

"Precisely. The Princess of Annan fled that monster and crossed paths with the Liang Family’s Trading Team. They covertly escorted her to Lingnan before sending her back to Annan."

"This... this..." Princess Consort Li stood speechless in astonishment.

"Tenth brother dispatched the vengeful Princess of Annan to Great Zhou."

Princess Consort Li paused in awe. "Who would have thought the youngest aided her so."

"Tenth brother conducts trade with folks from those borderlands at Swamp Prefecture; his intel surpasses ours by far."

Princess Consort Li’s surprise deepened upon hearing this. "So, the youngest gathered details on Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s Annan plots, then prompted the Princess of Annan to denounce them?"

Prince Chu affirmed with a nod. "That’s right."

"This..." To Princess Consort Li, Zhao Yao had always appeared childish. "The youngest has grown remarkably capable."

"Tenth brother has long been capable, Mother—don’t underestimate him." Pride shone on Prince Chu’s face as he spoke of Zhao Yao.

"It’s wonderful the youngest is capable, but why the paternal glow?" Princess Consort Li jested. "He’s not your child; that fatherly smugness suits you poorly."

Flustered by the ribbing, Prince Chu retorted, "Mother, tenth brother is my brother."

"The youngest’s abilities ensure he won’t suffer bullying in Lingnan." Princess Consort Li spoke these words, then remembered the ministers’ outcry over Zhao Yao executing Lingnan officials. "That boy likely does the bullying there."

"I fretted over tenth brother facing mistreatment in Lingnan, but it appears he’s the one imposing on others."

"Advise the youngest against wiping out Lingnan’s officials entirely; it harms his standing."

"Mother, tenth brother scorns reputation. Those Lingnan officials committed unforgivable crimes, meriting death. He executed them lawfully, fully justified." After discovering the officials’ misdeeds, Prince Chu endorsed Zhao Yao’s actions wholeheartedly.

Observing Prince Chu’s ire, Princess Consort Li dropped the Lingnan officials topic and shifted to current affairs.

"Prince Jing and Duke Zhen joined those Annan schemes too. Once the Emperor sends investigators and verifies the facts, what punishment do you foresee?"

"Absent weapons smuggled back to Great Zhou or troops from Annan, it falls short of treason." Prince Chu reasoned, "Great Zhou law spares them execution but demands heavy penalties. Ultimately, Father decides: leniency means escape, pursuit risks their noble titles."

"The Emperor has targeted aristocratic houses lately; could he use this to dismantle Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Duke Anyang Mansion, and Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion?" Princess Consort Li yearned for the Emperor to crush Duke Zhen and his ilk this round.

"Difficult to predict." Prince Chu couldn’t read the Emperor’s mind. "For Duke Zhen Country Mansion, elder brother’s household faced trouble last year; striking again might tarnish Father’s image as ungrateful. Besides, their weakened state makes total ruin unnecessary for Father."

"You’re right; the Emperor likely won’t let Duke Anyang Mansion off."

"Indeed. Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion ties to a maternal clan; Father might show mercy for Noble Princess Consort Rong or the Imperial Grandmother."

Princess Consort Li let out a heavy sigh. "Alas, banking on the Emperor to harshly punish Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion via this seems improbable."

Composed and steady, Prince Chu replied, "Another chance will arise eventually."