Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1120 - 141: Mutual Deception (Part 3)

Sun Kui understood the boy's earnest intentions from the start and didn't pay much heed at first. But as time passed, he noticed the child's quick wit, tireless effort, and resilience to tough conditions—despite a few cunning tricks, his nature remained benevolent, never crossing into malice.

Having watched over the boy for a while, Sun Kui accepted him as a disciple, keeping him close and instructing him directly. Sun Doudou lived up to expectations; in the last decade, his achievements shone brightly.

Even with just ten years under the master-disciple bond, Sun Kui had come to see Sun Doudou as his very own child long ago.

"You've trained your disciple superbly; he handles tasks with remarkable steadiness," the Emperor commented. "Yet he still falls short when measured against you."

"Gratitude for your kind words, Your Majesty, but this servant..."

The Emperor cut off Sun Kui. "Spare me the modesty; after all these years at my side, surely I know your capabilities well enough?"

These words stirred deep feelings in Sun Kui, turning his eyes misty. He dropped to his knees in haste, voice thick with emotion. "Your Majesty, this servant..."

"No need for tears from a sturdy fellow like you—get up at once."

Sun Kui rose swiftly, lifting his sleeve to dash away the tears from his face.

"Your Majesty, I'm no grown man."

"Fair point," the Emperor eyed Sun Kui from head to toe with a grin, "You're no man, yet your spirit carries a true man's grit."

Sun Kui beamed broadly. "All thanks to staying by Your Majesty's side."

"That's enough bootlicking."

"Understood, Your Majesty." In his thoughts, Sun Kui amended silently: Your Majesty, that's a dragon's rear, not a horse's.

"Your disciple has served you for a full ten years—can you stand to let him go?"

Hearing this, Sun Kui reflected inwardly: Just as I suspected!

"This servant can endure it."

"I see you cherish him like a son—truly able to part with him?"

"Your Majesty, he can't remain at my side indefinitely." Sun Kui probed carefully. "Does Your Majesty intend for Sun Doudou to attend Prince Han?"

"Precisely the idea."

"Your Majesty, wouldn't it be premature for Sun Doudou to serve Prince Han now?" Sun Kui held no reluctance to release Sun Doudou; as his disciple, assigning him to Zhao Yao at this juncture would signal to everyone that the Emperor's top favored prince was none other than Prince Han.

"You're correct; the moment isn't ripe yet." The Emperor had nearly overlooked that detail.

Sun Kui preferred not to send Sun Doudou to Zhao Yao immediately, for one thing because timing was off. More importantly, retaining Sun Doudou within the palace outshone dispatching him to distant Swamp Prefecture alongside Zhao Yao.

With Zhao Yao stationed far off in Swamp Prefecture, remote from the capital, any informants he had there might relay capital events, but with inevitable lags. Keeping Sun Doudou in the palace allowed instant awareness of happenings in the capital or court alike. Plus, Sun Doudou could monitor the capital and official shifts on Zhao Yao's behalf.

"Though he can't directly accompany Little Ten, we can position him under Little Ten's shadow." The Emperor stated meaningfully, "The palace needs eyes and ears for Little Ten."

Such a revelation shocked Sun Kui, making his heart race wildly.

"Your Majesty, do you wish for Sun Doudou to relay intelligence to Prince Han?"

"Spot on."

Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, what's your scheme here?

Normally, wouldn't the Emperor loathe anyone transmitting palace secrets? But now, he's directing Sun Doudou to do exactly that.

"Turn your disciple into Little Ten's informants right here in the capital."

Sun Kui paused before replying, "Your Majesty, forcing Sun Doudou to openly swear loyalty to Prince Han—this servant believes it won't succeed."

The Emperor queried, baffled. "And why not?"

"This servant thinks Prince Han would turn it down."

This statement jolted the Emperor. After a pause, he sighed. "True enough—that stubborn Little Ten would never accept your disciple."

In his heart, Sun Kui murmured softly: Exactly. Pushing Sun Doudou toward Prince Han's allegiance? With His Highness's sharp mind, he'd see through the ploy in an instant and reject it outright.

"Your Majesty, back when Prince Han resided in the palace, he always maintained distance from court servants." Polite as Prince Han was toward them, he never sought their favor. Indeed, to sidestep complications, he kept well clear.

"That cunning lad is far too sharp." The Emperor shook his head. "Impossible to deceive."

Sun Kui recalled a certain matter, his lips parting as though to voice it, yet he dared not utter a word.

Noticing Sun Kui's reluctance to speak, the Emperor arched his brows faintly. "Speak your mind."

"Your Majesty, can you really think Prince Han hasn't grasped even a hint of your plans?" Sun Kui struggled to accept that Prince Han remained oblivious to the Emperor's true thoughts.

The Emperor's face stiffened momentarily, his eyes widening as his mouth fell slightly agape.

Observing the Emperor's reaction, Sun Kui felt shocked inwardly: Impossible—does His Majesty truly believe Prince Han detected nothing at all?

"You reckon that kid has figured it out?"

"No chance he hasn't." Prince Han isn't some idiot.

After mulling it over, the Emperor conceded Sun Kui's point rang true. Considering the kid's sharp mind, he couldn't possibly lack all insight.

Sun Kui ventured cautiously, "You and General He haven't exactly been subtle; Prince Han would be hard-pressed not to pick up on it."

The Emperor pressed a hand to his brow and heaved a deep sigh. "Sigh... Old He kept silent on the matter too."

"Looks like General He remains in the dark as well."

"Old He sticks by that kid constantly, yet he's utterly clueless—he's far too obtuse!"

Sun Kui: Your Majesty, haven't you overlooked it yourself?

Your own blindness and General He's just prove Prince Han conceals it masterfully.

"Has that kid actually noticed?" The Emperor brooded intensely, detecting no trace that Zhao Yao had sensed a thing.

"Your Majesty, no matter if Prince Han knows or not, perhaps a test could confirm it."

The Emperor waved it off dismissively. "No tests. If I probe, that kid will challenge me outright."

Sun Kui reflected: Prince Han would likely pull exactly that move.

"He acts unaware, so I'll mirror his pretense."

Sun Kui: "..." Your Majesty, are you and Prince Han set on fooling one another?

"I must never shatter this illusion," the Emperor proclaimed steadfastly. Should it break, that kid would forsake all duties and potentially abandon Great Zhou altogether.