Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1121 - 142: Prince Chu’s Concerns

The Han Prince Mansion lay close to the Prince Chu Mansion. With Sun Doudou directing servants to tidy up the Han Prince Mansion, those in the Prince Chu Mansion naturally caught wind of it.

Sun Doudou and his team stepped into the Han Prince Mansion, geared up to scour every inch inside and out. Shockingly, the place shone spotlessly, like it received constant care—no cleaning was needed at all.

As Wei Mian arrived to escort Sun Doudou to the Prince Chu Mansion, Sun Doudou grasped why the Han Prince Mansion appeared freshly lived-in.

"Slave greets His Highness, Prince Chu."

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Father sent you to lead people in cleaning Tenth Brother’s residence?" Prince Chu inquired. "Is Tenth Brother heading back to the capital?" Prince Chu had heard of the Han Prince’s return before year’s end, yet the exact timing eluded him. He’d sent a letter asking when Tenth Brother would set off, only to learn it would be late, barely making it by year’s close. He’d planned to dispatch someone soon to greet Tenth Brother.

Sun Doudou bowed deeply: "Replying to Your Highness, Master informed this slave that His Highness, Prince Han, returns to the capital in these coming days."

Prince Chu’s face flickered with surprise at the news: "Tenth Brother arrives in the capital within these days?"

"Yes, Master stated as much."

Prince Chu furrowed his brow slightly and pressed: "On which exact day does he reach the capital?"

"This... Master didn’t specify, and this slave didn’t inquire," Sun Doudou answered, puzzled why even Prince Chu lacked details on the Han Prince’s return. Hadn’t the Han Prince notified Prince Chu? Nor had the Emperor?

Prince Chu dismissed Sun Doudou with a wave, and he retreated obediently.

Once Sun Doudou left, Wei Mian exclaimed in astonishment: "His Highness, Prince Han returns to the capital without telling you?"

This puzzled Prince Chu as well.

"Perhaps His Highness, Prince Han aims to surprise you?" Considering Prince Han’s temperament, such a stunt fit perfectly.

Prince Chu considered this too, yet a foreboding chill gripped his heart.

"I fear some mishap might befall Tenth Brother on his way back to the capital."

"Mishap? What sort of mishap?" Wei Mian questioned, face etched with confusion.

"Investigate it." Prince Chu prayed it was mere worry.

Sensing Prince Chu’s grave concern, Wei Mian’s heart clenched, and he vowed: "This slave will head out right away."

Shortly thereafter, Prince Wei caught news of Zhao Yao’s imminent return to the capital.

Much like Prince Chu, he wondered at Zhao Yao’s secrecy over the capital return.

That very night, Prince Chu dreamed of Zhao Yao’s assassination—pierced by a killer’s blade, lifeless on the ground. Jerking awake in terror, he shouted, "Tenth Brother!"

Princess Consort Chu jolted from sleep at Prince Chu’s outburst. She bolted upright, spotting his ashen face twisted in dread. Never had she witnessed him so shaken; anxiously, she probed, "Your Highness, what’s happened?"

Prince Chu regained composure, though his expression stayed somber. He flung off the covers and swung his legs from bed, nearly stumbling as he reached for his shoes.

Princess Consort Chu steadied him swiftly, voice laced with worry: "Your Highness, what’s the matter? What occurred?"

"I dreamt disaster struck Tenth Brother." Prince Chu eyed Princess Consort Chu. "You rest now." With that, he donned his outer robes in haste and dashed away.

"Your Highness..." As Prince Chu vanished, Princess Consort Chu scrambled from bed to dress.

Prince Chu stormed to the study and called for Wei Mian.

"Any word on Tenth Brother’s location?"

"Your Highness, two hours back, this slave got word that His Highness, Prince Han, he..." Wei Mian hesitated there, falling silent.

Prince Chu’s mind flashed to the nightmare, a thudding pain hitting his chest. Fists balled unwittingly, he demanded with a scowl, "What’s befallen Tenth Brother?"

Wei Mian held nothing back: "His Highness, Prince Han faced an assassination attempt."

"What?" The dream’s vivid slaughter replayed; Prince Chu trembled faintly. "Tenth Brother—did he come to harm?"

"Fear not, Your Highness. His Highness, Prince Han remains safe and sound."

Prince Chu suspected that Wei Mian might be deceiving him and struggled to accept it fully.

"Is Tenth Brother really okay?"

"His Highness, Prince Han remains unharmed, though it’s just..." Wei Mian paused uncertainly.

Prince Chu’s gaze sharpened intensely, "Just what?"

"Well before these events, His Highness, Prince Han had already set out, yet assassins have pursued him relentlessly on the road, attempting to take his life."

Prince Chu’s features darkened gravely, his voice carrying a menacing edge as he demanded: "Who dares?"

"Prince Han."

"Prince Han?" Stunned by the response, Prince Chu’s shock was evident, "Why on earth would Prince Han seek to assassinate Tenth Brother?" Was it tied to the Third Princess Consort incident? No way—that probe into Prince Han’s alliance with the Third Princess Consort was his own doing, steering clear of any link to Tenth Brother. Prince Han had no grounds to doubt Tenth Brother.