Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1077 - 121: Prince Wei Is So Angry He Coughs Blood (Part 2)

Those ministers targeted by the Princess of Annan yearn for the Northern Border incident to surface, hoping it will draw the emperor's gaze away and possibly spare them from ruin.

To shift the blame aside, these officials exhaust every tactic to probe the Northern Border situation, but they've gleaned no valuable intel whatsoever.

Currently, beyond the emperor himself, only Prince Chu grasps the true events at the Northern Border. Numerous ministers approached supporters in Prince Chu's camp, lavishing bribes in hopes of extracting details.

Even allies within Prince Chu's group crave knowledge of the Northern Border happenings to strategize and act accordingly. Yet Prince Chu refuses to meet them, leaving them no option but to turn to Minister Li.

Upon his return to the capital for respite, Prince Chu shunned all outsiders—except for his visit to Minister Li.

Minister Li had questioned Prince Chu about the Northern Border events, but Prince Chu deemed it secret and off-limits; thus, the old minister pressed no further.

Ministers from Prince Chu's faction, learning from Minister Li that Prince Chu withheld the details, held back their questions, fully aware that a monumental event must have unfolded at the Northern Border—otherwise, Prince Chu wouldn't conceal it from even Minister Li.

Groups backing Prince Jing, Prince Dai, and Prince Chu, plus neutral officials, all buzz with curiosity over the Northern Border affair. Solely Prince Wei's faction shows no interest, for they already know—though just a handful among them possess the full truth.

Within a modest home in the capital's North Market, Prince Chu and Prince Wei sat unusually side by side. Naturally, mutual contempt lingered in their glares, faces devoid of warmth.

This occasion saw Prince Wei initiating the rendezvous with Prince Chu.

"Was it your tenth brother who aided your escape from Prince Han’s clutches?"

Prince Chu stared blankly at Prince Wei and replied, "What business is that of yours?"

"During your probe into Prince Han, did you endanger your tenth brother?" Prince Wei's eyes sharpened fiercely, piercing straight at Prince Chu. "Should Prince Han suspect your tenth brother leaked his ties with the Third Princess, he won't spare your tenth brother."

Prince Chu felt no shock that Prince Wei knew of this.

"So you're aware of Prince Han’s alliance with the Third Princess." With that thought, memories of Southern Wei agents in the Western Regions, Northern Border, and even grasslands flashed; his eyes chilled instantly. "Did you orchestrate Prince Han’s pact with the Third Princess?"

Prince Wei scoffed icily, "Whether we did or didn't, why does it concern you?"

From Prince Wei's response, Prince Chu deduced that Prince Wei hadn't masterminded Prince Han’s deal with the Third Princess, though Southern Wei operatives were undoubtedly entangled.

"Look after yourself."

Prince Wei brushed it off: "Spare me your counsel."

"Southern Wei agents keep dispatching assassins after your tenth brother, and Prince Han too." Prince Chu hadn't learned of Zhao Yao’s assassination bids until Liang Run slipped during their Western Regions trek. Pressed hard, Liang Run confessed that since Zhao Yao's arrival in Swamp Prefecture, kill attempts persisted. Even prior, Southern Wei had covertly targeted him. "On my Western Regions trip, Prince Han's men poisoned your tenth brother—multiple times. Your Southern Wei agents poisoned him as well."

Prince Wei had no inkling of Southern Wei's poisoning plot against Zhao Yao.

Observing Prince Wei's face darken to a ghastly hue, Prince Chu confirmed Prince Wei's ignorance of Southern Wei's poisoning scheme against Zhao Yao.

"You're truly adept, letting your underlings stalk and poison your tenth brother time and again without a clue."

Prince Wei quelled his inner fury and uttered coldly, "I'll deal with it."

Prince Chu fixed Prince Wei with an icy, menacing stare, "Should harm befall your tenth brother, neither you nor Southern Wei will escape my wrath!"

"I won't allow any harm to come to him!"

Prince Chu fell silent, yet his derisive gaze toward Prince Wei spoke volumes.

"Cease digging into Prince Han and the Third Princess, lest you drag your tenth brother down." Prince Wei cautioned, "I'll warn your tenth brother to drop this probe too."

"Once my tenth brother informed me, I ordered him to wash his hands of it." Prince Chu shot back coldly, "Mind your Southern Wei operatives."

Prince Wei had voiced his piece to Prince Chu, and with it done, he had no desire to linger.

He rose, gazing down at Prince Chu, "The moment for our showdown approaches. Don't disappoint me." Then he spun on his heel and departed.

Gazing at Prince Wei's retreating figure, Prince Chu sneered with scorn.

Prince Wei rushed back to the Prince Wei Mansion, dispatching loyal agents to unearth the truth behind Southern Wei's hits and poisons on Zhao Yao. He demanded the culprits' identities.

Long ago, Prince Wei had forbidden those agents from touching Zhao Yao, yet they dismissed his command like fleeting air.

Noting Prince Wei's stormy, terrifying visage, Yu Hai ventured warily to the Hidden Guard, "Your Highness, His Highness Prince Han remains safe—don't let rage consume you." But upon those words, Prince Wei spewed blood in fury, alarming him. "Your Highness, what's wrong? This servant will summon a physician at once."

"No need, I'm all right."

"Your Highness, blood's on you." Yu Hai fretted with deep worry.

"I'm fine." Prince Wei smeared the blood from his mouth's edge with his hand's back.

"Your Highness, a physician should examine your pulse." Years had passed since his highness last spat blood, and now fury provoked it anew; he itched to punish the offenders.

"No need." Prince Wei eyed Yu Hai's fretful, anxious expression and directed steadily, "You probe this affair too."

"I'll head out now." Yu Hai growled fiercely, "Rest easy, Your Highness—I’ll uncover who defied your command and targeted His Highness Prince Han."

Prince Wei gave a faint nod.

Yu Hai withdrew.

With a thunderous crash, Prince Wei smashed the desk before him, his features cloaked in shadow.

Evidently, they believed him dependent on them, but now he'd demonstrate his true might.

Meanwhile, distant in Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao savored chilled watermelon with delight.

Autumn had gripped the capital, bringing cooler air, yet Lingnan sweltered in summer's grip, humid and scorching. Daily ice was essential to dodge heatstroke.

Reclining in a swaying chair, Zhao Yao scooped watermelon while pondering deeply.

His fourth brother ought to have reached the capital by now, stirring the court into frenzy once more. The Princess of Annan's charges lingered unresolved, and with his fourth brother's return, the officials must be gripped by utter dread.