Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1143 - 153: The Emperor Poisoned (Part 2)

"You've done well." Zhao Yao gently placed a hand on Sun Kui’s shoulder. "It's rare for Father to have a day off; let him enjoy a good sleep-in. I will proceed with the ancestral rites."

On hearing Zhao Yao's declaration, Sun Kui's eyes welled up slightly. He quickly averted his gaze, unwilling to let his unusual emotions be detected by Zhao Yao, and replied with his head bowed, "As Your Highness commands. Travel safely."

Without another word, Zhao Yao turned and made his way towards Chonghua Palace.

Upon his arrival at Chonghua Palace, Prince Chu and Prince Wei were already present.

Prince Chu and Prince Wei offered words of reassurance and encouragement, advising him not to be too anxious.

Before long, the ancestral rites officially commenced.

Although Zhao Yao was acting in the Emperor's stead, he remained clad in his princely attire. He executed the rites and observed all etiquettes associated with the ancestral ceremony without a single misstep.

The assembled princes and the civil and military officials, despite their discontent that Zhao Yao was substituting for the Emperor in these sacred rites, were unable to find any fault with his performance.

Light snow had fallen before the ceremony began. However, once Zhao Yao concluded the rites, the skies miraculously cleared, and brilliant sunlight streamed through the dispersing clouds, bathing the land in warmth.

Inside, Zhao Yao released a long, heartfelt sigh of relief once the ceremony was over. A significant burden had been lifted from his shoulders, instantly making him feel considerably lighter.

He had dedicated the previous few days to meticulously studying the rules and etiquette required for the rites, committing them all to memory. Nevertheless, as he stood to perform them, a palpable nervousness lingered, fueled by the fear of a mistake that might offend the ancestors. Fortunately, no errors occurred, and the entire process concluded flawlessly.

Now, with his duties fulfilled, he looked forward to a period of leisure, free to indulge in food and drink.

Despite Zhao Yao's role as the Emperor's proxy, the ministers offered no sycophantic praise, nor did they shift their allegiance to support him. From his perspective, this lack of overt attention was indeed beneficial.

While Prince Han's substitution for the Emperor in presiding over the rites was met with a degree of dissatisfaction, it was still preferable to any of the other princes taking on the role.

Because Prince Han performed the rites, the ministers raised no objections, ensuring a peaceful New Year celebration for all.

With the Emperor indisposed and unable to make an appearance, the responsibilities of hosting the gathered ministers during this festive period fell to Prince Dai and Prince Chu.

Zhao Yao partook in a palace lunch and departed early. Having risen before dawn, he desperately needed to catch up on sleep. Furthermore, an evening banquet loomed, and without adequate rest, he would lack the stamina to manage the affairs of the night's festivities.

The Emperor finally awoke around noon. His immediate inquiry upon rousing was concerning Zhao Yao's performance of the ancestral rites. Upon receiving confirmation that Zhao Yao had successfully and smoothly completed them, the Emperor felt a sense of profound relief.

"Your Majesty, the Empress and Noble Princess Consort Rong conveyed their regards and mentioned they would join you for lunch should you awaken," informed Sun Kui.

"I wish not to see them. I shall dine alone," the Emperor stated firmly.

"Your Majesty, today is New Year's Day; would it not be rather solitary to dine by oneself?" Sun Kui ventured, "Might I suggest inviting Lady Liang to join you?"

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "For Xiao Xiao to be here at this juncture would only intensify the Empress and the others' jealousy. It is best to allow Xiao Xiao to enjoy a peaceful New Year." After his rest, the Emperor felt noticeably better, his complexion also showing marked improvement. "I too desire a quiet New Year. Prepare the meal," he commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Following his lunch, Prince Dai and Prince Chu were granted an audience with the Emperor.

Observing the Emperor's visibly frail condition, Prince Dai and the others offered their sincere concerns. After delivering a few brief instructions, the Emperor permitted them to depart.

Shortly after Prince Dai and his companions had left, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu entered the Emperor's chambers.

Noticing Prime Minister He and the others' unwavering gazes fixed upon him, the Emperor chuckled and reassured them, "I am quite well."

Prime Minister He's brow furrowed. "Your Majesty, has your old wound flared up again?"

The Emperor promptly denied it. "No."

"Your Majesty, you cannot conceal it from us," Prime Minister He declared with unshakeable certainty. "Your old wound has indeed acted up."

Grandmaster Liu concurred, adding, "Your complexion betrays you."

The Emperor cast a look of utter helplessness towards Prime Minister He and the others. "Having two individuals constantly by one's side proves quite taxing; even the slightest deviation does not escape their notice," he remarked with a wry smile.

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu were intimately familiar with the Emperor's long-standing maladies. Despite the Emperor's persistent efforts over the years to conceal his recurring old injuries, he had never managed to hide them from their keen observation.

"It is merely the old ailment; it will cause discomfort for a few days and then subside."

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, afflicted by old injuries that resurfaced periodically, understood the agony of recurring ailments, though their suffering pales in comparison to the Emperor’s. When the Emperor’s old wound acted up, the pain was considerably more acute.

"Your Majesty, take this period to recuperate," Prime Minister He advised, adding, "We shall attend to the court's affairs."

Grandmaster Liu chimed in, "Regarding Prince Han’s situation, we will monitor it closely; you need not trouble yourself."

The Emperor, without pretense, replied, "Then I entrust it to you."

Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu did not prolong their stay, after briefing the Emperor on pertinent matters, they departed.

After Prime Minister He and the others had left, the Emperor indulged in another nap. He awoke in the evening, only to resume his coughing.

Witnessing the Emperor cough up blood once more, Sun Kui swiftly presented a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

"Your Majesty..." These days, the Emperor had been spitting blood daily. If this continued, even a robust constitution would falter, let alone the Emperor's already fragile health. "You must cease coughing blood; I shall summon the Imperial Physician."

"On New Year's Day, what need is there for an Imperial Physician?" the Emperor inquired calmly. "Merely coughing a bit of blood, it amounts to nothing serious."

Sun Kui offered a cup of tea for the Emperor to rinse his mouth.

Neither the Emperor nor Sun Kui detected Zhao Yao’s presence outside the door.

Zhao Yao, having just awakened from his nap, had proceeded to the palace to visit the Emperor, only to overhear this conversation at the entrance. He chose not to enter, instead turning and leaving.

"Sun Doudou."

Noticing Zhao Yao's countenance etched with worry, Sun Doudou's heart constricted. He surged forward, respectfully stating, "I am here."

"I was not present a moment ago, understood?"

Startled by Zhao Yao's stern tone, Sun Doudou rapidly nodded and confirmed, "Your Highness was not here."

"Do not relay this to your master."

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I shall not inform my master."

Zhao Yao offered a nod before making a swift departure.

Guard, Tong Xi, observed Zhao Yao emerging so abruptly and promptly inquired, "Your Highness, why the hasty departure? How is His Majesty?"

Zhao Yao bypassed Tong Xi's question, instead asking, "Where is Xiao Jin?"

"Xiao Jin?" Tong Xi faltered, then pondered. "It seems to be away from the mansion; I haven't seen it these past few days."

"Return to the mansion." Upon arriving back at the Prince Mansion, Zhao Yao instructed the sparrows within to locate Xiao Jin.

An hour later, Xiao Jin returned from its travels.

"Xiao Jin, proceed to the palace and summon Lingyun. Inform him I have something for him."

[I shall depart immediately.] Xiao Jin spread its wings and soared towards the Imperial Palace. Not long after, it reappeared before Zhao Yao, accompanied by Lingyun.

"Lingyun, I must ask you something. Has something befallen my father?"

Lingyun bobbed its small head and replied, [The master has been poisoned.]