Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1128 - 144: Mother and Son Reunited (Part 2)

"No cuisine globally matches the deliciousness of Mother Consort's cooking." He had savored many exquisite dishes in Swamp Prefecture, yet none could rival those his mother prepared. "What I yearned for most while in Swamp Prefecture were Mother Consort's culinary creations."

Lady Liang playfully inquired, "Don't you miss Mother Consort?"

"Of course, I do," Zhao Yao responded sweetly. "I missed Mother Consort the most."

Zhao Yao's affectionate words greatly pleased Lady Liang. "I had thought you were hesitant to return to the capital."

"How could that possibly be true?" Zhao Yao paused his meal, chopsticks in hand, and declared, "With Mother Consort residing in the capital, how could I possibly not wish to return?"

"My lady, His Highness has become increasingly eloquent with his words."

Lady Liang continued to tease her son, "You must have indulged in plenty of sweets back in Swamp Prefecture."

"Mother Consort, you are teasing me."

"Very well, very well. Mother Consort will cease her remarks; you should eat your fill first."

Zhao Yao consumed four full bowls of rice before feeling satiated. Had Lady Liang not intervened, he might have consumed another.

Following the meal, the mother and son settled in for a conversation.

Zhao Yao initiated by expressing concern for Lady Liang's well-being and her life within the palace over the past year, to which she replied that she was faring well.

Lady Liang also inquired about various matters before steering the conversation toward the primary reason for her questions.

"Why did you not inform me of your return to the capital in advance?"

"I wished to surprise you," Zhao Yao quipped, giving Lady Liang a knowing look. "Mother Consort, were you surprised?"

"You faced an assassination attempt," Lady Liang stated with certainty.

Zhao Yao considered denying it, but upon meeting Lady Liang's composed gaze, he found himself unable to. After a brief pause, he admitted, "As expected, I couldn't keep anything from Mother Consort."

"Sent by Prince Han, wasn't it?"

"Yes." Lady Liang surmised that Prince Han was behind the assassination attempt, a deduction that did not surprise Zhao Yao. "Two days after my departure from Swamp Prefecture, he dispatched assassins to eliminate me, wave after wave, even deploying a suicide squad. More recently, it has been the Xun Family and the Wang Family sending their own suicide squads after me."

Lady Liang's countenance shifted dramatically, and she urgently asked, "Were you injured?"

"I was not." Zhao Yao finished speaking, and noticing Lady Liang's skepticism, he rolled up his sleeves and opened his shirt to show her.

Lady Liang meticulously examined him. Seeing no fresh wounds on his person, she visibly relaxed.

"It is a relief that you were unharmed."

"I had anticipated assassination attempts from Prince Han, and thus, I was prepared."

"Why does Prince Han desire your demise?"

Zhao Yao explained calmly, "Recently, I dismantled his operations in Annan and Johor and, in the process, indirectly uncovered evidence of his collusion with the Third Princess of the Xiongnu."

Lady Liang was astounded by her son's revelation. "You annihilated all his foreign forces?"

"Indeed, not a single remnant remains." Zhao Yao smiled. "Their influence in those regions was substantial, allowing me to secure considerable wealth. Prince Han and the Third Princess had amassed significant fortunes within those territories."

Lady Liang: "..." It was now understandable why Prince Han sought his death.

"You disrupted their life's work; it is no wonder they harbor such animosity towards you."

"Let them hate; it costs me nothing." Prince Han had always underestimated Zhao Yao, and Zhao Yao, in turn, held no admiration for him. "Prince Han believed his and the Third Princess's clandestine dealings in those foreign lands were beyond reproach, assuming I, as Prince Han, was merely a figurehead. I needed to demonstrate otherwise."

"What actions did they take that compelled you to completely eradicate their foreign influence?" Lady Liang understood her son; he would not act impulsively without significant provocation.

"Repeatedly sending assassins to target me, does that not suffice?"

Lady Liang frowned, her voice laced with concern. "What? Prince Han continuously dispatched assassins after you, and you neglected to inform me?"

"Would informing you have served any purpose other than to cause you worry?"

"Why did Prince Han resort to sending assassins after you initially?"

"What else could it be, but my refusal to grant him advantageous business deals?"

Upon hearing this, Lady Liang was overcome with indignation. "This is simply intolerable."

"Mother Consort, please do not be angered. All those he sent to assassinate me have met their end," Zhao Yao reassured her. "Furthermore, his spies within Swamp Prefecture have all been apprehended."

Lady Liang, confident in her son's capabilities, inquired, "What other transgressions has Prince Han committed?"

"He engaged in human trafficking, selling the citizens of Great Zhou to overseas realms." Reflecting on the actions of Prince Han and the Third Princess, Zhao Yao’s expression chilled. "Those foreign lands witnessed their depraved deeds. By eliminating them, I performed a public service." Zhao Yao chose not to detail the specific atrocities committed.

"A well-deserved fate, then." Lady Liang, having a fair idea of Prince Han and the Third Princess’s transgressions, inquired, "He’s likely too intimidated to return to the capital because of you, isn't he?"

"Indeed, he fancies himself clever. Had he returned to the capital and issued a strong denial, no issue would have arisen. Yet, he feigned illness and absented himself." Zhao Yao spoke with evident scorn. "His refusal to return exposed his guilty conscience, thereby confirming his complicity with the Third Princess."