Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1141 - 152: Princess Consort De’s Terror

As Zhao Yao had surmised, upon the dissemination of the news that he would conduct the Heaven and Earth sacrifice in the Emperor's stead, a chorus of dissent arose, deeming him unworthy. A considerable number of court officials proclaimed the Emperor's judgment to be clouded by illness, permitting the lowly Prince Han to officiate such a sacred ritual.

The assembled officials in the imperial court and the numerous concubines within the harem found themselves unable to accept Zhao Yao undertaking the Emperor's solemn sacrifice. Despite the Emperor's evident convalescence, a persistent stream of ministers and consorts petitioned for an audience with him.

Within the confines of the harem, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong expressed the most profound dissatisfaction with this arrangement. Both firmly believed Zhao Yao was utterly unsuitable to represent the Emperor in the Heaven and Earth sacrifice, asserting that their own sons were far more appropriate candidates, unless all other princes were deceased.

The Emperor, having long foreseen the potential confrontation from Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong, resolutely denied them entry. To his surprise, they resorted to kneeling outside his chambers, imploring him to rescind his decree.

Sun Kui then intervened, attempting to pacify them. He cautioned that any disturbance to the Emperor's rest, potentially exacerbating his illness, would constitute an unforgivable transgression on their part.

Unable to bear the weight of such a grave accusation and thus deterred from further troubling the Emperor, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong obediently retreated to their respective palaces. However, their indignation remained, and they plotted to take their anger out on Lady Liang. Unexpectedly, the Emperor issued a decree stating that any individual in the harem who deliberately caused Lady Liang distress would face his unmerciful wrath.

Witnessing the Emperor's profound protection over Lady Liang, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong, in a fit of rage, shattered numerous objects within their chambers.

At this juncture, Noble Princess Consort Ying stepped forward, extending her protection to Lady Liang. She openly declared that Lady Liang was under her safeguard, warning all against any clandestine schemes.

As for Princess Consort De, she had been apprehended a few days prior attempting to harm Lady Liang, leading to her subsequent confinement within the palace due to an inexplicable illness.

Princess Consort De recognized the peculiar nature of her malady but felt utterly helpless. Her attempts to dispatch a message were thwarted by constant surveillance, leaving her with no means to contact her family. She could only lie in bed, a helpless spectator as her son and kin faced mounting troubles.

Having just taken her prescribed medicine, Princess Consort De leaned weakly against the bed. She wished to speak, but her attendants were no longer the familiar faces from before. Since her affliction, all personnel within her palace had been replaced. Those who once served her faithfully had vanished, leaving her to surmise their grim fate without needing explicit confirmation.

An unnerving silence permeated Yishou Palace, devoid of any conversation.

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps was heard, followed by a voice from outside addressing Noble Princess Consort Ying.

Upon learning of Noble Princess Consort Ying's arrival, a glimmer of light sparked in the dim eyes of Princess Consort De. Since falling ill, Noble Princess Consort Ying was the only one who occasionally visited and conversed with her.

Previously, Princess Consort De had harbored the most animosity towards Noble Princess Consort Ying. Ironically, following her own downfall, it was only Noble Princess Consort Ying who made an appearance.

Princess Consort De understood inwardly that Noble Princess Consort Ying's visits were not motivated by genuine compassion but rather by a desire to mock her. Nonetheless, she did not object. Only when Noble Princess Consort Ying was present did she experience any form of conversation within the desolate Yishou Palace.

Noble Princess Consort Ying entered Princess Consort De’s chamber, her gaze falling upon the pale, frail figure propped against the bed. A disdainful scoff escaped her lips: "Observing your current state, I suspect your vitality will not endure much longer."

"In this biting cold weather, you have graced me with your presence."

"I confess, my boredom compelled me to seek you out, primarily for the amusement of taunting you," Noble Princess Consort Ying admitted, finding pleasure in ridiculing Princess Consort De. "One wonders if you shall persevere until the day you are reunited with your son."

These words caused Princess Consort De's gaze to sharpen, and she inquired with palpable urgency, "What precisely do you mean?"

"My meaning is quite clear, is it not?" Noble Princess Consort Ying replied indifferently, taking a sip of tea. "Have you not been eagerly awaiting your son's successful rebellion and his subsequent arrival to rescue you?"

At this statement, Princess Consort De's complexion shifted dramatically, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and dread.

"You…"

"And how would I possibly know?" Noble Princess Consort Ying chuckled softly. "Do you truly believe your son's clandestine activities have eluded the Emperor's keen observation?"

Princess Consort De's expression contorted in horror, her body trembling faintly. "The Emperor, he…"

"The Emperor is merely biding his time, allowing your son to walk willingly into the trap laid for him," Noble Princess Consort Ying declared with a laugh. "You ought to make an effort to hold on until the moment of your reunion with your son. I anticipate that meeting will transpire quite soon."

Princess Consort De’s breathing grew ragged, her vision blurring before succumbing to darkness.

Witnessing this, Noble Princess Consort Ying motioned to the attendant by Princess Consort De’s side, instructing her to apply pressure beneath the former’s nose, preventing a full collapse.

With practiced efficiency, the palace maid firmly pressed under Princess Consort De’s nose, jolting her back from the edge of unconsciousness.

Princess Consort De gasped, drawing in a ragged breath. “You… the Emperor…”

“Ah, yes, one more detail I neglected to mention. It was I who revealed your schemes against Lady Liang,” Noble Princess Consort Ying stated with a serene smile directed at Princess Consort De. “I’ve had my eye on you, and you certainly didn’t disappoint.”

Princess Consort De’s eyes snapped wide open, a look of sheer horror contorting her features. She pointed a trembling finger at Noble Princess Consort Ying. “You… you are… the Emperor’s…”

Noble Princess Consort Ying gracefully supplied the end of the sentence for her. “Precisely. I am the Emperor’s operative within the harem.”

Princess Consort De: “!!!!!”

A flicker of delight crossed Noble Princess Consort Ying’s face at Princess Consort De’s stunned reaction. “Quite unexpected, wouldn’t you agree?”

Princess Consort De, usually sharp-witted, was now paralyzed by fear with the revelation of Noble Princess Consort Ying’s true role. Her mind reeled, unable to process the terrifying implications, for… it was simply too frightening; the Emperor was truly too formidable.

“Oh, before you depart from this world, allow me to share one final piece of information out of kindness,” Noble Princess Consort Ying chimed, resting her chin on her hand with a smile. “Lady Liang is the one individual the Emperor cherishes above all others. Considering you chose to target her amongst everyone, do you genuinely believe the Emperor would show you leniency?”

Princess Consort De’s face was a mask of disbelief. “Lady Liang?! How could it possibly be her?” She had always held the conviction that the Emperor’s most beloved was Miss Si, whose resemblance to Noble Princess Consort Ying was striking, not Noble Princess Consort Rong. The revelation that it was, in fact, Lady Liang, stunned her.

A sudden recollection surfaced: the Emperor had shown Lady Liang considerable favor from the very moment she entered the palace. A wry, almost amused thought struck Princess Consort De, and she let out a hollow laugh.

“The Emperor has masterfully deceived us all, hasn’t he? Truly remarkable.”

“The Emperor’s affection for Lady Liang is indeed genuine,” Princess Consort De declared, her voice thick with a potent blend of hatred, envy, and raw anger.

“Unexpected, is it not?”

“The Emperor has turned us all into pawns in his grand game.” The greatest jest, however, was on Noble Princess Consort Rong. The mere thought that Noble Princess Consort Rong remained oblivious, still believing herself to be the Emperor’s favored consort, brought a perverse sense of satisfaction to Princess Consort De.

“And how does it feel, to be regarded as a mere plaything by the very man you hold dear?” Noble Princess Consort Ying inquired, her gaze sharp. Despite Princess Consort De’s skillful facade, Noble Princess Consort Ying perceived the deep affection she harbored for the Emperor, a love she concealed beneath a pretense of indifference, knowing it was unreciprocated.

Her hidden emotions laid bare, Princess Consort De recoiled in shock. “You… how could you possibly know?”

“Which woman within this imperial harem does not harbor feelings for the Emperor? You are certainly no exception.” The Emperor was undeniably handsome, supremely capable, and held the highest authority in the land. How could any woman resist such a man?

“And what of you? Do you not also love the Emperor?”

“Whether I do or do not is inconsequential,” Noble Princess Consort Ying replied, dismissing the topic with a wave of her hand. She had no desire to delve into the complexities of her feelings for the Emperor with Princess Consort De. “Ah, another small detail I almost forgot to mention.”

A chilling premonition washed over Princess Consort De.

Noble Princess Consort Ying spoke with deliberate slowness. “Your son’s deployment to Youzhou was not a request initiated by you.”

Princess Consort De’s heart plummeted as an icy dread seeped into her very bones, reaching her extremities. Her face contorted in terror. “You… what… what do you mean by that…?”

Noble Princess Consort Ying playfully winked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “It was the Emperor himself who orchestrated your request to be sent to Youzhou.”

Princess Consort De’s pupils constricted violently. The world dissolved into blackness, and she lost consciousness.

Observing Princess Consort De’s collapse, Noble Princess Consort Ying sneered dismissively. “Pathetic.”

“Noble Consort, shall I rouse her?”

“No, leave her be. Let her remain in her unconscious state.” Noble Princess Consort Ying approached the bedside, her gaze fixed on the still Princess Consort De. “How much longer can her body endure?”

“Your Highness, rest assured, she has at least another month or two.”

“Excellent. It would be a shame if they were unable to have their reunion,” Noble Princess Consort Ying remarked. After issuing a few more instructions to the palace maid, she departed from Yishou Palace.

As Noble Princess Consort Ying departed from Yishou Palace, the attendant by her side inquired, "Your Highness, what was the reason for your visit to Princess Consort De?" The maid had not accompanied her into Princess Consort De's chambers.

"I was merely bored," Noble Princess Consort Ying responded. "Princess Consort De has always carried herself with an air of arrogance, believing herself to be exceptionally clever and looking down on everyone. Seeing her fallen state, how could I resist paying a visit to witness her humiliation?"

"You are absolutely correct, Your Highness."

"With the New Year approaching, there will undoubtedly be more entertaining spectacles to witness."

"Your Highness, please tread carefully; the path is quite slippery."

Meanwhile, within Prince Han's Mansion, Zhao Yao was engrossed in the study of sacrificial rites and their associated etiquette. As he learned, a sense of regret washed over him for having returned to the capital.

Tomorrow marks New Year's Eve, and he is required to perform sacrificial rites on behalf of the emperor at the crack of dawn. Fortunately, after these rites conclude, his duties will be minimal. The New Year's Eve banquet will not require his attendance as host, as Prince Dai and Prince Chu will be overseeing it.

Had he been tasked with hosting the New Year's Eve banquet, he would have unhesitatingly fled back to Swamp Prefecture that very night.

Having concluded his study of the sacrificial rules and etiquette, Zhao Yao slumped onto the bed, utterly immobile.

"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?" Tong Xi asked with evident concern as he massaged Zhao Yao's shoulders.

"Do I appear to be alright?" Zhao Yao grumbled. "The sheer number of rules and etiquettes for this sacrifice is utterly…" He let out another sigh, reflecting that the position of emperor was truly not meant for human beings. He felt absolutely validated in his decision to forgo the throne.

"Your Highness, you only need to get through tomorrow and the day after; it will all be fine."

As Tong Xi spoke, Prince Chu entered, gesturing for him to withdraw. Prince Chu then took over the massage himself.

"Fourth Brother, how do you possess such boundless energy?" he asked. His fourth brother was responsible for all the New Year banquets, a task not to be underestimated. "Are you not feeling weary?"

"Not at all, I am quite accustomed to it," Prince Chu replied. Having hosted various New Year banquets annually for years, he had grown accustomed to the demands.

Zhao Yao offered Prince Chu an admiring thumbs-up, exclaiming, "Remarkable!"

"How has your learning progressed? You will not make any errors during the sacrifice, will you?"

"Even if I had ten heads, I would not dare to err during the sacrifice," Zhao Yao stated firmly. A mistake during such a solemn ceremony could very well cost him his life.

"That is good to hear," Prince Chu remarked, not dwelling on the matter further. Having other matters to attend to, he concluded his conversation with Zhao Yao after a brief chat and departed.

Gazing at Prince Chu's retreating figure, Zhao Yao let out a soft sigh and commented, "Fourth Brother must have realized."

Tong Xi quickly interjected, "Realized what, Your Highness?"

"He realized that I am deliberately avoiding the ongoing conflict between him and Eighth Brother."

"Your Highness, it is beneficial that Prince Chu is aware of this."

"Indeed, it is good that Fourth Brother knows; this way, I will not be caught in the crossfire," Zhao Yao finished. For reasons unknown, his brow furrowed, and his expression turned grave.

Eighth Brother… I truly hope my anxieties are unfounded.