Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1140 - 151: Standing in for the Emperor to Worship Heaven and Earth (Part 2)

Lady Liang held the Emperor, her hand gently stroking his back as she spoke warmly, "Very well, I shall make the decision for you."

Zhao Yao’s expression darkened, finding him to be such an eyesore that he couldn’t bear to look.

"Yao’er..."

As Lady Liang began to speak, Zhao Yao cut her off, stating firmly, "Mother Consort, regardless of what you say, I am not going, and that is my final decision."

"My dear Yao’er, there is no one else as suitable for this task as you; others simply wouldn’t fit. If you undertake this, no one will misinterpret the situation, but should anyone else go, the entire world will misunderstand." Lady Liang’s voice was gentle as she continued, "Prince Han is on the verge of rebellion, and any misunderstanding at such a critical juncture could lead to unnecessary trouble, perhaps even danger. However, if you are the one to go, none of this need be a concern."

He understood that his Mother Consort’s words were merely an excuse, yet her reasoning was undeniably sound, leaving him with no grounds to argue. Despite this, Zhao Yao held firm in his refusal.

"I will not go."

Neither the Emperor nor Lady Liang had anticipated that after all their efforts, Zhao Yao would remain completely unmoved, stubbornly refusing to go.

The Emperor cast a pleading gaze towards Lady Liang. She offered him a reassuring smile before turning back to her son, her voice tinged with entreaty, "Yao’er, please, just consider it a favor from your Mother Consort, would you?"

Zhao Yao remained silent, inwardly decrying his “smelly old father” as too despicable and sinister for resorting to such a trick.

"Mother Consort, you are forcing my hand."

"No, Mother Consort is merely pleading with you."

Zhao Yao looked at Lady Liang with profound resentment, stammering, "Mother Consort, you…"

"Will you go, Yao’er?"

Zhao Yao shot an angry glare at the Emperor, who was nestled in Lady Liang’s embrace, exclaiming, "Old man, you are too cunning."

"Xiao Xiao, look how he speaks to me." the Emperor chuckled.

Infuriated by the Emperor’s nonchalant attitude, Zhao Yao muttered, "Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have returned no matter what." He immediately prepared to depart back to Swamp Prefecture. Let whoever wished to attend the New Moon’s ritual go; he certainly would not be attending.

"Yao’er..."

Zhao Yao interrupted Lady Liang once more, his voice laced with exasperation, "Fine, fine, I’ll go, is that enough?" With his Mother Consort personally pleading, he found he had no further room to refuse.

Lady Liang beamed with relief, stating, "Mother Consort knows that Yao’er is the most filial."

Zhao Yao pursed his lips, whispering under his breath, "I wish I could be unfilial." He no longer wished to witness the repulsive countenance of his father. "Mother Consort, I am leaving." With that, he stormed off in a fury. He didn’t even spare the Emperor a glance, let alone offer a bow.

Once Zhao Yao had departed, the Emperor took Lady Liang’s face in his hands and kissed her passionately.

After a lingering moment, they broke apart.

"I knew that brat would listen to you."

"My pleading might not work the next time," Lady Liang replied, her understanding of her son’s nature profound. "Yao’er is becoming increasingly cautious; what are your future plans?"

The Emperor drew Lady Liang into his embrace, saying, "That brat perceived my intentions long ago and grew wary, which is precisely why he kept refusing."

"It’s hardly surprising that Yao’er guessed your intentions," Lady Liang mused, thinking it rather odd that he wouldn’t have. "Much like you, he dislikes the throne; the more you push him towards it, the more he will resist."

"Fear not, I have it all figured out," the Emperor declared mysteriously. "I possess methods that will ultimately make him agree to ascend the throne."

Lady Liang playfully pinched the Emperor’s cheek, cautioning him, "Do not push Yao’er so hard that he ends up hating you."

"Alas, for the sake of the realm’s people, if he indeed ends up hating me, I shall bear it," the Emperor sighed deeply. "He is our son, and if it were possible, I would never wish for him to be confined to the throne as I am, living a life devoid of freedom. I too wish he could live freely, doing as he pleases, but I must fulfill my responsibility to the Great Zhou realm and its people."

"At times, I wish Yao’er wasn’t so exceptionally clever; perhaps then he wouldn’t have to bear the heavy burden of the realm’s responsibilities and could instead live a life of freedom."

"And who else could have given me such a clever and capable son but you," the Emperor laughed heartily. "This brat must shoulder the responsibility of ensuring a peaceful era; whether he wills it or not, he must take the throne."

"Truthfully, if it comes to that point, Yao’er will likely be willing, after all, he has always harbored deep concern for the people in his heart." Lady Liang contemplated her son’s nature, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "He may not admit it openly, but his heart inherently places great importance on the well-being of the common folk."

"One caught in the situation often becomes confused; however, the brat’s denial is of no consequence. I deem him suitable, and therefore, he is suitable." As the Emperor spoke, his expression turned stern. "This brat is more capable than I ever was, achieving what I could not."

"That is what they call surpassing the master."

"And it is all thanks to you, my Xiao Xiao."

While the Emperor and Lady Liang were engaged in their tender moment, Zhao Yao, consumed by rage, returned to Prince Han’s Mansion.

Prince Wei was awaiting his arrival in Prince Han’s Mansion. Noticing Zhao Yao’s furious return, he quickly inquired with deep concern, "Tenth Brother, what troubles you? Did Father cause you distress?"

Zhao Yao took a deep, steadying breath, forcing his expression to relax as he suppressed his simmering anger.

"Eighth Brother, I am unharmed."

"Yet your brow is so furrowed, and you claim to be fine," Prince Wei remarked, personally ladling a cup of tea for Zhao Yao. "What has transpired?"

Zhao Yao saw no reason to conceal the truth. He reasoned that even if he kept silent now, Prince Wei and the others would undoubtedly learn of it within a few days.

"Father intends for me to officiate the ritual of heaven and earth in his stead. Is this not akin to casting me into a fiery abyss?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s declaration, Prince Wei’s countenance remained steady, betraying no surprise that the Emperor would designate Zhao Yao for such a crucial rite.

"Eighth Brother, you appear remarkably unperturbed."

"I had foreseen this possibility," Prince Wei replied.

"You anticipated Father’s decision to have me perform the ritual?"

Prince Wei offered a slight nod. "Among us, you are the only one truly suitable. Your officiating the ritual in Father’s place would not invite undue speculation."

"Eighth Brother, you are merely repeating Mother Consort’s sentiments," Zhao Yao stated, a touch of bitterness in his voice.

"It is but a single ritual; harbor no unnecessary anxieties," Prince Wei advised, sensing Zhao Yao’s growing unease and offering gentle reassurance. "Others will neither misunderstand nor direct their ire towards you."

Zhao Yao managed a wry smile. "Let us fervently hope so."

Prince Wei met Zhao Yao’s gaze with a significant look, articulating his profound belief, "Tenth Brother, your undertaking this ritual represents the most favorable outcome."

"I cannot concur. Should any misfortune befall Great Zhou in the coming year, the entire realm will undoubtedly point fingers at me, accusing me of desecrating the gods of heaven and earth."

"Such a thing will not occur," Prince Wei declared, raising a hand to clap Zhao Yao firmly on the shoulder. "You have rendered such immense service to the people; they will not lay blame upon you."

"One can only hope," Zhao Yao sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "Once the news circulates that I am to perform the ritual in Father’s place, rumors of my incompetence will inevitably arise. Just you wait and see, Eighth Brother. You shall witness it."