Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1107 - 135: The Lost Crown Prince Position (Part 2)

"Do you get it now?"

A puzzled expression crossed Prince Dai's face: "Get what?"

Noble Princess Consort Rong let out a furious chuckle: "You admitted it yourself moments ago—these military feats surpass all before, yet they've cost you your shot at becoming Crown Prince."

At these words, enlightenment struck Prince Dai, his visage paling in utter shock.

"This explains why I forbade you from swapping your war merits for your uncle's marquisate."

"Mother Consort, has Father Emperor spoken to you?" Prince Dai's eyes reddened, tears welling up as if he might weep, "Did he promise that my merits from the Northern Border would secure me the Crown Prince seat?"

"The Emperor never uttered those words, but couldn't you think it through? Given your latest triumphs alongside your prior exploits, who among the princes merits the Crown Prince title more than you?"

These remarks eased the turmoil in Prince Dai's frantic heart a bit.

"Mother Consort, others gained merits at the Northern Border too. When measuring the scale of accomplishments, mine pale against General Chu's." Prince Dai hadn't led the campaign versus the Xiongnu; Chu Ying held that command.

"Speak not of General Chu. Aren't you the prince with the greatest merits? Aren't you now the eldest imperial son?" The old Crown Prince's demise elevated Prince Dai to the Emperor's firstborn. "Had you not bartered for your uncle's title, courtiers would leverage your Northern Border feats to boost your prestige, convincing all you're the prime choice for Crown Prince. Instead, you traded those merits away."

Noble Princess Consort Rong had long dreaded Prince Dai actually exchanging his battle honors for Marquis Xuanping's rank; she'd cautioned him urgently against it, yet he'd stubbornly proceeded.

Prince Dai's mind raced with worry once more upon this revelation.

"Mother Consort, I... what... how do I fix this?"

"Panic strikes you now, but why dismiss my advice earlier?" Despite her grave illness, Noble Princess Consort Rong refrained from urging the Emperor to recall Prince Dai or reinstate Marquis Xuanping's status, solely to let him amass further glories at the Northern Border and claim the Crown Prince throne outright.

"Mother Consort, my error—I shouldn't have disregarded you." Kneeling beside Noble Princess Consort Rong's bed, Prince Dai brimmed with remorse. "Mother Consort, what's our path forward?"

"What options remain?" Having vented her rage at Prince Dai earlier, Noble Princess Consort Rong regained composure. "With this chance squandered, we must bide time for another."

"Mother Consort, might another opportunity arise?" With Chu Ying commanding the Northern Border Camp, Prince Dai doubted he'd battle the Xiongnu anew.

Noble Princess Consort Rong cast a faint glance at Prince Dai, her voice even: "What say you?"

Overwhelmed by regret, Prince Dai collapsed to the floor: "I am a fool."

"Such regrets come too late. Trading merits for your uncle's title doesn't wipe away your Northern Border deeds—the officials and commoners will recall them still." The deed was sealed; scolding Prince Dai changed nothing. "Your choice held some gains, at least."

Hope sparked in Prince Dai's gaze at this, prompting his eager query: "What gains?"

"All see your loyalty and gratitude."

Prince Dai frowned in disdain at the words: "How is that a gain?"

"It earns you a fine name." Noble Princess Consort Rong sought solace in this thought, lest fury consume her.

Prince Dai fell silent.

"Enough—return now." Exhausted from the exchange with Prince Dai, Noble Princess Consort Rong yearned for rest.

"Mother Consort, are you alright?" Never had Prince Dai witnessed such frailty in her.

"Without your provocations, I'd be hale by now." Noble Princess Consort Rong shooed Prince Dai away with a wave: "Leave, leave—your sight irks me."

"Mother Consort, I'll depart at once; preserve your strength." As he exited, Prince Dai urged Jin Mei repeatedly to tend well to Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Once Prince Dai departed, Noble Princess Consort Rong heaved a deep sigh: "Ah..."

"Consort, are you well?"

"Never mind, I'm weary. Assist me to bed."

"Yes, Consort."

Upon returning to the Prince Mansion, Prince Dai discovered that Marquis Xuanping and his son had been waiting patiently for quite a while. He chose not to reveal what Noble Princess Consort Rong had told him.

Marquis Xuanping and his son had come to meet Prince Dai concerning the New Year’s Eve sacrifices. Though New Year’s remained some distance away, the topic demanded early deliberation.

Back when the former Crown Prince held his position, he handled the New Year’s Eve sacrifices annually. Once the Crown Prince faced deposition, the duty shifted to Prince Dai and the capital’s other princes, rotating among them.

This year marked Prince Dai’s responsibility to oversee the New Year’s Eve sacrifices.

With the sacrificial arrangements concluded, Marquis Xuanping and his son departed. Prince Dai then rushed off excitedly to locate his Beauty. He had initially intended to promote Beauty to concubine, yet Noble Princess Consort Rong’s illness prevented him from raising the issue, worried it might worsen her state.

While Prince Dai was playfully cavorting with Yun Ji, Fu Zhong arrived seeking him out, announcing a visitor. That individual came from Prince Han.

Prince Han dispatched an advance messenger to the capital to locate Prince Dai regarding the issues they had covered in the Northern Border.

By the close of this year, Zhao Yao would not be alone in returning to the capital—Prince Han and Prince Yue would come back as well.

Several days earlier, the Emperor issued an edict summoning all his sons from outside the capital to return and celebrate the New Year as a family.

Prince Han sought to arrange all preparations in the capital beforehand, prior to his arrival.

In remote Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao caught word that Prince Han and Prince Yue were also heading back to the capital this year, filling him with confusion. His own return stemmed from his planned marriage next year, but he puzzled over the motive behind calling Prince Han and Prince Yue.

The Emperor professed a longing for his sons afar, yet Zhao Yao dismissed this as the true cause.

A ominous foreboding gripped Zhao Yao’s heart, as he suspected the Emperor harbored major plots by gathering all his sons. If such were the reality, he’d prefer skipping the capital this time.