Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1148 - 156: Is Prince Yue Going to Stab Prince Dai in the Back? (2)

The Hidden Guard delivered a truthful report: "Prince Yue has yet to formally respond, but the soldiers under his command have already begun to mobilize."

Zhao Yao held a snack in his left hand and tapped the table lightly with his right. He spoke with evident interest, "The reason Prince Yue hasn't given a clear answer is that the conditions Prince Han presented are not substantial enough for him."

"Your Highness, should we inform Prince Dai that Prince Han has approached Prince Yue?"

"Since Prince Yue himself hasn't informed Prince Dai, why should we interfere?" Zhao Yao turned to the Hidden Guard and inquired, "What do you surmise Prince Yue is contemplating?"

The Hidden Guard considered for a moment before stating, "Prince Yue is planning to rebel."

A sudden thought struck Zhao Yao, his eyes sharpening as he probed, "Does Prince Yue have knowledge of Prince Han's collaboration with Prince Dai? Did Prince Han disclose this to him?"

"Yes, Prince Han actually intends to cooperate with Prince Yue on this matter, hoping for his assistance alongside Prince Dai."

"This certainly adds an intriguing layer," Zhao Yao found the unfolding situation increasingly fascinating. "I've never paid much attention to Prince Yue; has his relationship with Prince Dai been strained over the years?" He recalled that the ninth prince had always held Prince Dai in high esteem. During their youth and shared studies, the ninth prince would consistently praise Prince Dai. After coming of age, Prince Dai continued to show kindness towards his younger brother, Prince Yue.

"Quite amicable, there has been no overt conflict."

"If there hasn't been any conflict, then why has the ninth prince turned against his elder brother, Prince Dai?"

The Hidden Guard offered, "Your Highness, it's possible Prince Yue desires the throne for himself."

Zhao Yao couldn't suppress a snort of derision, letting out a scoff, "It appears that even the bonds of blood between brothers cannot withstand the allure of the throne."

"Your Highness, history is replete with instances of blood brothers turning against each other."

"You are correct. All this time, I had perceived the ninth prince as a straightforward individual. It seems the naive one in this scenario was myself." Zhao Yao had consistently underestimated Prince Yue, viewing him as simple-minded, rash, and impulsive. Now, it was becoming clear that Prince Yue was far more complex than he initially appeared.

"Your Highness, it's not only you; Prince Dai likely never anticipated Prince Yue would act in such a manner." The Hidden Guard exhibited no surprise.

"Indeed, a prince who doesn't aspire to the throne is hardly a commendable one." He mused, noting his own lack of ambition for the imperial seat.

The Hidden Guard then asked, "Your Highness, what are our next steps?"

"Continue to monitor the situation closely, with a particular focus on Prince Yue." Zhao Yao's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression inscrutable as he stated, "Let us observe whether he intends to aid his 'good brother' or truly betray him." Should Prince Yue indeed betray Prince Dai, it would only escalate the unfolding drama into something even more sensational.

"Understood, Your Highness."

"Do you know if the Emperor is aware of this development?" Zhao Yao inquired further, "Have the Dragon Guards initiated an investigation?"

"Your Highness, I am unaware if the Dragon Guards have undertaken any investigation." The Hidden Guard had long since departed from the Dragon Guards and maintained no subsequent contact. Furthermore, the Dragon Guards possessed a unique standing, typically refraining from direct communication with external factions.

"Indeed."

"Your Highness, would you like us to discreetly leak this information to the Dragon Guards?"

Zhao Yao gestured dismissively, saying, "Given that we have already uncovered this, it's improbable that the Dragon Guards remain oblivious. There is no necessity for us to undertake any superfluous actions."

Hidden Guard: "Yes, Your Highness."

"Also, keep a watchful eye on the eighth prince's activities. Ascertain if the eighth prince and his associates are cognizant of this..." Before completing his sentence, Zhao Yao abruptly halted, his eyes widening in a display of utter astonishment.

The Hidden Guard, taken aback by Zhao Yao's sudden change in demeanor, quickly inquired with concern, "Your Highness, is something amiss?"

Zhao Yao gradually regained his composure, a dawning realization illuminating his face as he murmured, "So that's how it is, so that's how it is..."

"Your Highness, what troubles you?" The Hidden Guard had never before witnessed Zhao Yao exhibit such a profoundly shocked expression.

"There's no longer a need to monitor the eighth prince's affairs." He elaborated, "Prince Han's approach to Prince Yue was a calculated maneuver to ensnare him within his schemes, thereby exerting pressure on Prince Dai and compelling his cooperation. While it appears to be Prince Han's initiative on the surface, in reality, this entire strategy has been orchestrated by the eighth prince."

"Eighth brother, oh eighth brother, your schemes are truly intricate. This time, you have not only duped Prince Han but also placed both Prince Dai and Prince Yue in grave peril."

Hold on a moment, are the imperial siblings only Prince Dai and Prince Yue, or is Prince Jing also a factor?

"What's the current status with Prince Jing?" Zhao Yao inquired, "Has Prince Han made any contact with Prince Jing?"

"No, there haven't been any unusual movements from Prince Jing's side either."

"No unusual movements from Prince Jing's side..." Zhao Yao's brow furrowed. The eighth brother hadn't included Prince Jing in his strategy, not intending to use this situation to trap them all in one swift move...

A sense of unease crept over Zhao Yao. Suddenly, his thoughts drifted to Empress Xie.

"What is the Empress's condition?" Zhao Yao mused, realizing the eighth brother didn't need to involve Prince Jing in his scheme because Empress Xie already served as a means of leverage against him.

"Over the past few days, the Empress has been suffering from increasingly severe headaches, and her temperament has become quite erratic."

"Is she on the verge of losing her mind?"

"Likely so, Your Highness."

"Then it's understandable why Prince Jing has been quiet." Empress Xie had consumed the Divine Pills some time ago. For the preceding months, she had been receiving counterfeit Divine Pills from Prince Jing. These fakes provided temporary replenishment of her qi and blood but failed to alleviate her persistent headaches or restore her youthful vigor. Before taking the Divine Pills, Empress Xie was already displaying signs of instability. Now, without their supposed effects, she was nearing a complete mental breakdown.

The Hidden Guard inquired, "Your Highness, shall we maintain our surveillance on Prince Jing?"

"Continue observing," Zhao Yao commanded. He then shifted his focus, asking, "What news do we have regarding the Xiongnu?"

Prior to Prince Han's collusion with the Xiongnu for a southern invasion, the third princess and the Left Virtuous King had conspired to incapacitate the new Modu Chanyu, leaving him paralyzed by a stroke. Following this, the third princess's son assumed temporary leadership of the Xiongnu Royal Court.

The third princess remained at the Xiongnu Royal Court, while her son marched with the Xiongnu forces.

Although the Xiongnu Royal Court had pledged allegiance to the third princess's son, the other tribes had not. To assert dominance over these dissenting tribes, he needed to establish his authority, and a southward campaign against the Great Zhou presented the perfect opportunity.

"The Xiongnu Royal Court remains outwardly calm, but there is significant unrest brewing amongst the other tribes," the Hidden Guard reported. "The Han Tribe is preparing to launch an assault on the Xiongnu Royal Court in the near future."

"The third princess and her faction must have countermeasures prepared for any tribal assaults. Advise the Han Tribe to hold their actions for the moment," Zhao Yao instructed, a cunning smile playing on his lips. "Let them make their move only after Prince Han's army has reached the capital's gates."

"Understood, Your Highness..."

"Wait, instruct them to remain vigilant regarding the overall situation." He couldn't shake the feeling that the situation was more intricate than it appeared, and patience was the wisest course of action for now.

"Your Highness, are we not going to attack the Xiongnu Royal Court?"

"Not at this moment." Zhao Yao tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. "I have a strong premonition that the eighth brother has already laid arrangements within the Xiongnu Royal Court."

"Lord Wei, Your Highness?"

"Remain stationary and await the opportune time." The eighth brother's true intentions were indeed difficult to fathom.