Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1119 - 141: Mutual Deception (Part 2)

"What’s so scary about a suicide squad?" The Emperor dismissed the suicide squad completely without a care. While crushing the rebellion in the past, assassins had come after him countless times. "Don’t worry, that brat will be fine."

Sun Kui sensed a touch of confusion. Those reassuring words were meant to come from him to ease the Emperor, yet the Emperor turned around and comforted him.

"His Highness Prince Han is a blessed person; he will surely turn misfortune into fortune."

"The brat does have quite the luck," the Emperor remarked, resuming his review of the memorials.

Sun Kui stole several peeks at the Emperor and noticed he truly held no fears for Zhao Yao’s well-being. A quiet sigh escaped him inwardly: Let His Highness Prince Han make a safe return!

"Your Majesty, the Han Prince Mansion hasn’t been tidied up yet. Should I call someone to clean it?" Since His Highness Prince Han headed to Lingnan, the place had stood empty with nobody maintaining it. With His Highness due back shortly, preparations like cleaning ought to start right away.

"Then have someone clean it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sun Kui stepped outside and summoned his apprentice. "Go personally with some folks to tidy up the Han Prince Mansion."

Sun Doudou’s eyes sparkled at once upon hearing this: "Master, is His Highness Prince Han coming back?"

Sun Kui gave a faint nod and replied, "Yes, in just a few days."

A look of astonishment crossed Sun Doudou’s face: "How come there was no news beforehand?"

"Don’t you know now?"

Sun Doudou tugged Sun Kui to the side and whispered, "Master, will everything be alright with His Highness returning to the capital?"

Sun Kui shot a look at his fretful apprentice and countered, "What do you think?"

Noting his master’s demeanor, Sun Doudou’s chest grew heavy, his face growing grave: "Master, has something happened to His Highness?" His master had never breathed a word about His Highness heading back to the capital earlier. The sudden mention now surely hinted at trouble.

Sun Kui inwardly felt pleased at his apprentice’s sharp vigilance, though his expression remained unchanged.

"His Highness Prince Han is quite well, so stop worrying about it."

Not entirely reassured, Sun Doudou probed doubtfully, "Is His Highness really alright?" After a brief pause, he continued, "Master, there’s no announcement in the capital or the palace about when His Highness Prince Han is coming back. If I go clean the Han Prince Mansion now, isn’t that telling everyone that His Highness is returning? Won’t that be bad for him?"

Sun Kui lightly rapped his apprentice’s forehead with the horsetail whisk, calmly stating, "If I’m asking you to clean the Han Prince Mansion, it means there’s nothing to worry about. Enough chatter, go and clean up quickly."

Reassured by Sun Kui’s words, Sun Doudou relaxed: "Alright, I’ll take people to clean it now." Off he hurried.

Sun Kui gazed after his apprentice’s retreating form, a warm smile gracing his features.

The brat is getting sharper by the day.

Back in the Imperial Study, Sun Kui bowed and informed the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I have ordered Sun Doudou to take people to clean the Han Prince Mansion."

At the mention of "Sun Doudou," the Emperor’s vermillion pen halted briefly in his grip. He glanced at Sun Kui and inquired, "How old is this apprentice of yours?"

Caught off guard by the Emperor’s abrupt query, Sun Kui quickly responded with respect, "In response to Your Majesty, Sun Doudou is twenty-three this year."

"Twenty-three, huh." The Emperor pressed further, "How many years has he been in the palace?"

Sun Kui replied, "Fifteen years this year."

"How many years has he been with you?"

"Ten years."

"I recall you taking on this apprentice was thanks to that brat Xiao Shi, wasn’t it?"

Sun Kui hadn’t anticipated the Emperor recalling such a trivial matter. "Your Majesty is correct, it was thanks to His Highness Prince Han."

Ten years prior, Sun Doudou served as a lowly eunuch tending the Imperial Garden each day. That winter proved exceptionally harsh, and despite thin clothing, he endured the biting cold to clear snow there, collapsing from exposure soon after. Luckily, Zhao Yao came upon him. Zhao Yao had nearly hoisted the chilled boy toward Kunde Hall for aid when Sun Kui appeared.

Zhao Yao handed the frostbitten Sun Doudou over to Sun Kui, stressing over and over the need for proper care. In this way, Sun Kui preserved Sun Doudou’s life. Yet afterward, Sun Kui let the incident slip his mind.

After pulling through his sickness, Sun Doudou made a point to visit and express his thanks to Sun Kui. Back then, Sun Kui hardly spared a glance for the young eunuch. He'd only rescued him because Zhao Yao had made the request.

From that day forward, Sun Doudou would drop by now and then to pay his respects to Sun Kui. Any scrumptious treats or fine goodies he came across, he'd bring them straight to Sun Kui. He even took care of washing Sun Kui's clothes, feet, and shoes, tending to him like the mythical snail girl from folklore.