Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1109 - 136: Prince Han Dare Not Return to the Capital (2)

A cold shiver pierced Yang Qi's heart upon this realization, fear creeping unbidden across his face.

Spotting the peculiar look on Yang Qi's countenance, Prince Han inquired, "Sir, what’s wrong?"

"Your Highness, Prince Han is likely far more intricate than we ever thought." Yang Qi revealed his doubts to Prince Han.

Prince Han's expression grew darker still after listening.

"Your Highness, Prince Han has feigned foolishness all these years to lure out the tigers." Terror laced Yang Qi's voice as he declared, "That Prince Han harbors schemes beyond comprehension!" For years on end, Prince Han had fooled the world into believing he was worthless, no real danger as a prince. Clearly, he's tougher to handle now than even Prince Chu.

Prince Han hadn't foreseen his own such grave misjudgment. Loath as he was to face it, all his power in those Annan nations had been thoroughly dismantled by Prince Han, leaving him no choice but to own his error.

"Hahaha..."

Prince Han erupted into sudden laughter, which grew increasingly wild, leaving Yang Qi to wonder if Prince Han had pushed him over the edge into madness.

"Excellent!" A maniacal gleam twisted Prince Han's features into something terrifying. "No surprise there—he's his father's son, after all!"

Inwardly, Yang Qi marveled: Truly, no prince is a pushover! Schemes upon schemes, ruthlessness unmatched!

"Zhao Yao has to die!" Prince Han now viewed Zhao Yao as a deadly rival, no trace of underestimation left! "By any method necessary, he dies!"

"Your Highness, with Prince Han still in Swamp Prefecture, striking him down is impossible." Past attempts to assassinate Prince Han had failed, every spy they placed there wiped out. "Our window opens only as Prince Han heads back to the capital—yet killing him there carries massive risks."

"We must scheme meticulously and ensure Zhao Yao never makes it back to Swamp Prefecture alive."

An idea struck Yang Qi: "Strike when Prince Han departs the capital."

"Handle the arrangements."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Fury boiled in Prince Han as memories flooded of his long labors in those Annan lands, all destroyed by Zhao Yao.

"I’ll make him beg for death."

Hesitation flickered in Yang Qi's gaze toward Prince Han.

"Sir, speak your mind freely."

Yang Qi paused before voicing it: "Your Highness, Prince Han may have learned of our alliance with the third princess."

"What?!" Prince Han's eyes flashed like daggers, voice turning icy, "How would he know?"

"Your Highness, Prince Han knows every move we made in those Annan countries; he can't be ignorant of our ties to the third princess." Their operations there had involved her people too, after all.

Prince Han smashed objects in a rage upon hearing this.

After the destruction ceased, Yang Qi continued: "Prince Han likely holds proof of our pact with the third princess. He'll reach the capital by year's end and lay it before the emperor—then we're doomed."

Even the typically unflappable Prince Han surged with dread in that instant.

"Your Highness, Prince Han can't be allowed a safe return to the capital; eliminate him en route." Earlier he'd suggested acting post-departure, but urgency demanded action before he even neared the capital.

"Then take him out before he gets back to the capital."

Yang Qi held his tongue, yet Prince Han surely suspected their retaliation after his agents' slaughter. Given Prince Han's shrewdness, he'd foresee any roadside ambush and foil it completely.

Prince Han proves no easy prey. Were he so, death would have claimed him ages ago.

"Your Highness, to play it safe, skip returning to the capital." Prince Han might have already informed the emperor of their third princess dealings. "Going back now..." It'd be stepping into a snare, escape near impossible. "Better to fake an illness."

Yang Qi's worries rang true to Prince Han. After deep reflection, he declared, "Fine, I won't go back to the capital." His original scheme—to return, oust Prince Dai, play the throne-saving hero, and claim the Crown Prince spot—lay in ruins from these twists.

Not just had his capital return plot collapsed, but peril now shadowed him closely. This could push him to desperate measures.

Prince Han quivered with rage upon recalling how Zhao Yao had shattered all his elaborate schemes, bellowing once again: "Zhao Yao!!!"

In distant Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao unleashed a barrage of sneezes.

"Your Highness, who’s cursing you this time?" Tong Xi, seasoned by experience, held back from summoning a physician right away.

"Probably Prince Han." Zhao Yao figured Prince Han had likely sworn at him eight hundred times and even fantasized about countless tortures for him.

"Prince Han? What did you do to Prince Han?"

"Not much, just enraged him nearly to death." Prince Han likely won’t make it back to the capital by year’s end. After the new year, a massive surprise awaits Prince Han.

"You didn’t write a letter cursing Prince Han, did you?"

Zhao Yao shot Tong Xi a sideways glare, snapping irritably, "Am I that bored?"

Tong Xi thought to himself: Your Highness, you are.

Lian Fang gazed at Zhao Yao: "What did you do to Prince Han?"

Zhao Yao winked playfully at Lian Fang: "Uncle, guess."

Rather than guessing, Lian Fang silently observed Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao shrugged toward Lian Fang and remarked, "It’s nothing major, just blocking his return to the capital by the year’s end."

"You won’t let Prince Han return to the capital at the end of the year?" Lian Fang asked, "What did you do?"

Zhao Yao responded mysteriously, "Uncle, let me keep it a secret for now; after the new year, you’ll find out."

After hearing Zhao Yao’s words, Lian Fang refrained from asking more.

"After the new year, there will be quite a show."

Observing Zhao Yao’s eager anticipation for the drama, Lian Fang concluded the post-new year event tied directly to Prince Han.

What scheme is this young man plotting, and how will he handle Prince Han?

"Your Highness, you wouldn’t intend to trap Prince Han, would you?" If so, Prince Han is doomed.

His Highness always lays traps with ruthless thoroughness. He now felt a touch of sympathy for Prince Han.

Zhao Yao grinned widely, "Yes, I’ve dug a big pit for him and will force him to jump in."