Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1117 - 140: Prince Han Vomits Blood in Rage (Part 2)

No way! Shupin, offspring of the Wang Family, grew up entirely in the capital without ever venturing out—how on earth could she be acquainted with the Third Princess?

The Third Princess hails not from the capital but the northern frontier. Captured by the Xiongnu, she was later offered to the Chanyu.

How are these two women linked at all?

Is Shupin secretly communicating with the Xiongnu's Third Princess, and is the Wang Family aware? Besides, her ties with Princess Consort De were strained—why aid Princess Consort De and even help Prince Han forge ties with the Third Princess?

From the start, Prince Han selected Youzhou for his fief, apparently to link up with the Third Princess.

The Marquis Jingyang’s Mansion once schemed with the Xiongnu, leading to their whole clan's execution—can Prince Han and Shupin truly ignore that lesson? Do they still risk allying with the Xiongnu's Third Princess, smug in the belief no one will discover, or boldly certain of victory?

"Why do you suppose they're all scheming with the Xiongnu, those barbarians?" Zhao Yao directed the question not at Tong Xi or the rest, "Don't they realize colluding with the Xiongnu warrants wiping out nine clans? Aren't they aware of the Xiongnu's savage cruelty and heartlessness? Don't they know the Xiongnu have long lusted after Great Zhou? Aren't they terrified of ushering wolves into their home?"

Zhao Yao grasps Prince Han's hunger for the throne and their willingness to go to extremes in the fight, yet he fails to comprehend their alliance with foreigners.

To claim the throne, they partner with the Xiongnu, permitting the Xiongnu Iron Cavalry to trample into Great Zhou.

Or perhaps they dismissed the Xiongnu as mere tools from the outset, convinced they could crush them effortlessly after exploiting their aid?

Zhao Yao pondered if they were bold or simply idiotic.

Tong Xi responded, "Your Highness, for the throne, they'll resort to any means."

"The annihilation of Marquis Jingyang’s entire household failed to instill fear in them," Zhao Yao declared gravely, "Evidently, the Xiongnu Iron Cavalry appears unbeatable and irresistible to them."

Lu Guang sneered, "The Xiongnu Iron Cavalry amounts to nothing—a single sack of explosives would scatter them in shreds."

Liang Chun gave a cold laugh, "These aristocratic clans are ravenous wolves indeed, allying with foreign barbarians just for their selfish gains."

Zhao Yao let out a sigh, "Little surprise Father seeks to purge these noble houses." Such clans, driven by personal gain, utterly ignore the nation's greater good. Family comes first in their minds, with no loyalty or care for the common folk. Their clan's prosperity is all that counts.

"Self-serving lot, they merit the Emperor's extermination," Tong Xi fumed, "Your Highness, you must inform the Emperor of this."

Lu Guang stated, "Evidence is lacking."

"These Xiongnu Assassins offer no proof of Prince Han's ties to the Third Princess." Liang Chun lamented, yet soon recalled something else, his face lighting up with glee, "The Xiongnu Assassins prove nothing of the collusion, but no matter—we hold those seized from Annan and Johor, who can expose Prince Han and the Third Princess's plot." Elsewise, Prince Han wouldn't dispatch these Xiongnu Assassins against Your Highness.

"The proof falls short," for the findings from Annan and Johor didn't straightly implicate Prince Han and the Third Princess in collusion. Should Prince Han venture back to the capital denying any link to the Xiongnu Third Princess, neither Zhao Yao nor the Emperor could act. Sadly, Prince Han cowers from returning, sealing his dealings with the Third Princess. "But that's irrelevant—Prince Han admitted it personally." They had hoped for solid proof from these Xiongnu Assassins tying Prince Han to the Third Princess, but the killers knew zilch.

That prior indirect proof from Siam and Johor had already been dispatched by Zhao Yao to the Emperor through the Hidden Guard. The Emperor's response to it? Zhao Yao couldn't care less.

"Your Highness, might Prince Han dispatch more killers after you?" Prince Han's Xiongnu Assassins not only botched the hit on Your Highness but perished themselves. Surely by now, Prince Han realizes sea-borne Xiongnu Assassins are worthless and won't try again?

"No more Xiongnu Assassins, but killers from the Xun Family." To date, the Xun Family remains inactive.

"Ah, the Xun Family’s assassins are surely not scared of water," Tong Xi remarked with a sour expression, "Your Highness, does this mean no peaceful days lie ahead for us?" Nightly assassination attempts had wrecked his sleep. For several nights, he hadn’t rested properly. Those assassins stayed awake all night, denying him rest too. Many days remained before the capital; would he lack good sleep throughout?

"No good days until we reach the capital," Zhao Yao rose, stretched out, and stated, "Even back in the capital, peaceful days won’t come."

Tong Xi’s face twisted into that of a resentful wife at these words.

"Your Highness, why not head back to Swamp Prefecture?"

"Think I don’t wish to return?" Zhao Yao shot Tong Xi a glare, "I’m afraid Father would dispatch men to haul me to the capital the moment I did."

Tong Xi pleaded miserably, "Your Highness, this servant only craves a solid night’s sleep."

"Sleep once we’re in the capital."

"But didn’t you say even the capital lacks peace?"

"Still beats our current plight." Zhao Yao clapped Tong Xi’s shoulder softly, offering gentle reassurance, "Endure just a bit more."

Tong Xi: "..."

Lu Guang suddenly questioned, "Your Highness, why hasn’t the Emperor sent guards for your protection?" The Emperor couldn’t possibly ignore the dangers of your journey to the capital, could he?

"I’m just an unfavored prince; Father couldn’t care less about my life or death."

Tong Xi’s speechless look: "..." Your Highness, don’t you feel guilty uttering that?

Lu Guang bought it completely, his face flushing with outrage, "Your Highness, as the Emperor’s flesh and blood, how can he disregard your safety? That’s outrageous."

Tong Xi stared at Lu Guang in disbelief: What’s he on about? Doesn’t he realize Your Highness is the Emperor’s most cherished son?

"Sigh, that’s the lot of the unfavored—you grow accustomed." Zhao Yao patted Lu Guang’s back, "Don’t rage on my account. Without Father’s guards, I still thrive. Plus, I’ve got you, the expert marksman, by my side."

Moved by Zhao Yao’s supposed hardships, Lu Guang vowed solemnly, "Fear not, Your Highness; I’ll protect you and guarantee your safety."

"Excellent, my safety rests with you then."

Lu Guang responded with vigor, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Tong Xi and Liang Chun watched Lu Guang, fooled by Zhao Yao, at a loss for words momentarily.

Just two days later, in distant Youzhou, Prince Han learned his dispatched Xiongnu assassins failed against Zhao Yao due to seasickness. Rage overcame him; he spat blood and collapsed right there.