Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1105 - 134: Return to the Capital Approaching (2)

"Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned you to return to the capital before the New Year, so you’ll need to set off next month."

"What’s the rush? Leaving on the twentieth of December would still be on time." Zhao Yao felt no eagerness to rush back to the capital prematurely.

"Your Highness, don’t you want to go back early to see Your Highness the Empress?" Tong Xi remarked, "I’m sure Her Highness misses you and yearns to see you sooner."

"Alright, then I’ll depart at the beginning of next month. You go ahead and make preparations." Actually, he yearned for his mother, the Noble Princess Consort, too.

"I will prepare immediately." Tong Xi finished his bow and dashed off to organize their trip back to the capital.

Zhao Yao eyed the plates of pastries on the table thoughtfully before picking one up slowly and beginning to savor it. He relished this particular flavor.

This came from someone’s sincere gesture, and he wouldn’t allow it to go wasted.

After devouring an entire plate of pastries, Zhao Yao made his way to the neighboring courtyard to seek He Lianfang.

He Lianfang had bathed as well, his hair unbound and a book laid open while he lounged on the couch. He didn’t rise when Zhao Yao arrived.

Zhao Yao clambered onto the couch and reclined facing He Lianfang. "Father wants me to return to the capital before the year ends."

At these words, He Lianfang shut his book and sat up to gaze at Zhao Yao.

"Return to the capital before the year’s end?"

"Yes, to celebrate the New Year," Zhao Yao replied casually, cheek propped on his right hand. "I’m planning to leave next month. Uncle, are you coming along?"

"No, I’ll remain in Swamp Prefecture," He Lianfang asked. "Has the Emperor arranged your marriage yet? Which family’s daughter?"

"Father didn’t say in the letter."

He Lianfang suspected Zhao Yao’s future princess could be from Prime Minister He’s family. "Once you head back to the capital, you likely won’t return soon."

"If things proceed smoothly, I can come back after the wedding," Zhao Yao said, brow creasing. "But if troubles arise, I have no idea when I’ll return."

"Why, are you afraid that returning to the capital will trap you there, preventing a return to Swamp Prefecture?"

"Uncle, you know the capital’s chaos. Once I’m back, I’ll get ensnared," Zhao Yao reluctant to go now but with no choice. "Plus, given the fortune I’ve earned, they won’t release me lightly. I’m like succulent meat—everyone hungers for a piece."

"So, what’s your plan?"

"I’ll play it by ear."

He Lianfang reflected briefly, then stated, "I’ll go back to the capital with you."

"What? Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t? Why the change?"

"Don’t you want me accompanying you to the capital?"

"Uncle, Swamp Prefecture is our core base. If I leave, you must stay to guard it, or I won’t feel secure," Zhao Yao said earnestly. "If we both go, what if foes assault our stronghold?"

He Lianfang pondered and recognized the validity.

Swamp Prefecture was crucial, and both leaving would tempt exploiters.

"I’ll stay then."

"Uncle, my greatest fear is Prince Han. After I depart, remain extra wary."

"I know what to do."

Zhao Yao sat upright, legs crossed on the couch, wearing a displeased expression. "Returning means facing a ton of hassles. Uncle, is this marriage truly essential?"

"If you avoid marrying, what then?" He Lianfang gave Zhao Yao a peculiar glance. "You show no interest in women—perhaps you lean toward men?"

Zhao Yao glared at He Lianfang. "Uncle, what nonsense? Do I look like someone who favors men?"

"No," no men swarmed around this youth anyway.

"I just don’t want to return to the capital. Can’t they send my future princess here?"

He Lianfang disregarded Zhao Yao’s words.

Zhao Yao kept mumbling to himself, "This return could endanger my life."

"Your wits will keep you alive," He Lianfang dismissed, scanning Zhao Yao’s troubled face. "Anything more? If not, leave and let me rest." The sea travels lately had fatigued even tough He Lianfang. His health wasn’t top-notch either.

Spotting He Lianfang’s weary look, Zhao Yao jested, "I told you not to sail with me; you wouldn’t heed, now you’re exhausted."

Unable to kick Zhao Yao, He Lianfang flung his book at him.

Zhao Yao effortlessly snatched the book flying at his face. He leaped from the couch, twirled the book in his right hand, and flashed a cunning smile, saying, "Then rest well, Uncle; I won’t be joining you for dinner tonight."

He went on, "In the coming days, I’ll be away; if you need something, dispatch someone to North Mountain to locate me."

"What are you up to at North Mountain?"

"Making North Mountain produce a batch of firearms, hand grenades, and explosives to bring back to the capital." Zhao Yao grinned widely, "Without these protective treasures, I fear I won’t make it back." Saying that, he returned the book to He Lianfang and bounded off lightly.

He Lianfang laid the book across his face and shut his eyes to relax.

Zhao Yao went back to his study, where the Hidden Guard stood waiting. He questioned, "Has the matter been handled?"

The Hidden Guard bowed respectfully, "It’s completed; Prince Han will learn of it in a few days."

"What about Prince Dai?"

"Prince Dai has been informed."

Zhao Yao pressed further, "When Prince Dai learned of it, what action did he take?"

"He’s cooperating fully."

"Hahaha!" Zhao Yao burst into loud laughter, "Prince Han looks down on Prince Dai, but little does he know Prince Dai isn’t actually foolish." Then, thinking of Noble Princess Consort Rong, he asked, "Is Noble Princess Consort Rong truly sick, or just pretending?"

The Hidden Guard answered dutifully, "It’s a real illness, and quite severe."

"It’s genuine!" Zhao Yao showed mild shock. He’d thought Noble Princess Consort Rong was faking it to reinstate Marquis Xuanping’s noble status. "How did Noble Princess Consort Rong get sick? Was it the Empress’s handiwork?"

"Not the Empress; it was Consort Shu."

Zhao Yao looked stunned, "Consort Shu?" This was unexpected. "Why would she target Noble Princess Consort Rong? Revenge? But she didn’t kill her son."

"To summon Prince Dai back to the capital."

"Why call Prince Dai to the capital?" Her son was gone, Duke Anyang’s Mansion destroyed; she had no stake left in the throne fight.

"I don’t know."

Zhao Yao knitted his brows in contemplation, then after a pause declared, "Probe into Consort Shu and check for any ties to Prince Han."

"Do you think Consort Shu is scheming with Prince Han?"

"Indeed, why else would she inflict such grave illness on Noble Princess Consort Rong without cause." Zhao Yao’s fingers drummed softly on the table, "Also, investigate if she’s linked to the Xiongnu’s Third Princess Consort."

"Yes, Your Highness." The Hidden Guard shared a few additional updates.

Once the Hidden Guard departed, Zhao Yao let out a soft sigh, "Ugh, heading back to the capital means diving into all this muck." All he craved was a life as a leisurely prince, yet everyone kept blocking his path.

Truly irritating, utterly vexing.