Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1150 - 157: Prince Yue Actually Conspires with Prince Han for Rebellion (Part 2)

After hearing Prince Yue’s plan, Chang Xiao finally understood.

"Your Highness is indeed wise."

A proud smile touched Prince Yue’s lips as he replied, "Everyone sees me as foolish, but in truth, I am quite cunning. By seizing this chance, I will ensure my elder brother ascends directly, thus sparing him the need to contend with the Fourth and Seventh Princes."

"When Prince Dai learns of your efforts, Your Highness, he will surely be deeply touched."

"It is only fitting that I assist my brother," Prince Yue responded, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features as he considered his brother’s unresolved position as Crown Prince after the previous one was deposed. "Father’s mind has been clouded with age. If he will not grant my brother the throne, then I shall help him take it."

"Your Highness, you are truly a devoted brother."

"I have always been a supportive sibling to my brother," Prince Yue declared, rising and stretching. "Prince Han’s treachery with the Xiongnu presents an opportunity that we must carefully strategize around."

"Your Highness, perhaps it would be prudent to inform Prince Dai?"

"Revealing it now would spoil the surprise," Prince Yue stated with conviction. "I wish to present my brother with a surprise."

"I understand, Your Highness."

"Come, let us consult with them." Such a significant undertaking demanded meticulous planning.

Two days elapsed, and Prince Han, alongside the Xiongnu forces, launched an assault on Yanmen Pass. Prince Yue valiantly led the defense for three days and nights, but the relentless Xiongnu Iron Cavalry proved too formidable, ultimately breaching Yanmen Pass.

Following their victory at Yanmen Pass, Prince Han and his Xiongnu allies did not immediately advance on the capital.

The capital itself was garrisoned by ten thousand Imperial Guards, and more crucially, defended by the formidable Song Weikang and Zhang Gong. Breaching the capital’s defenses was no simple feat.

To conquer the capital, an inside accomplice was essential. Therefore, Prince Dai was expected to instigate a rebellion within the city walls, allowing for a coordinated attack from both within and without to seize the capital.

Upon his success at Yanmen Pass, Prince Han dispatched a letter to Prince Dai, urging him to commence his rebellion without delay.

Prince Dai received the correspondence and was preparing to present the matter to the Emperor when a clandestine letter from Prince Yue arrived. Upon perusing Prince Yue’s message, Prince Dai was so incensed he nearly lost consciousness, utterly blindsided by his brother’s involvement.

Prince Yue’s letter plunged Prince Dai into a whirlwind of anxiety, fury, gratitude, helplessness, and elation…

"Fu Zhong, summon Uncle," Prince Dai commanded.

Noticing the grave expression on Prince Dai’s face, Fu Zhong promptly went to fetch Marquis Xuanping.

Marquis Xuanping hurried over, apprkening an urgent matter from Prince Dai. However, upon laying eyes on Prince Yue’s letter addressed to Prince Dai, he began to tremble uncontrollably, nearly collapsing from the shock.

"Your Highness, this… this… this…" Marquis Xuanping stammered, his entire body shaking.

"My ninth brother acted independently; I only recently discovered his involvement in this affair," Prince Dai explained, acknowledging his brother’s well-intentioned, albeit unilateral, actions, which left him in a precarious situation. "Uncle, what course of action should we take?"

Marquis Xuanping, equally bewildered, sank onto a nearby seat, his strength seemingly depleted.

"Your Highness, allow me a moment to think."

Prince Dai’s own thoughts were in disarray, unable to find clarity at that moment.

The uncle and nephew remained in heavy silence, their faces etched with worry.

After an indeterminate period, Marquis Xuanping let out a profound sigh. "Sigh… Your Highness, what is your own assessment?"

Prince Dai offered a bitter smile. "Before receiving my brother’s secret dispatch, I was resolved to confess everything to Father in the palace. Now, however, I am uncertain if I should proceed."

Aware of Prince Dai’s feigned collaboration with Prince Han, Marquis Xuanping remarked, "Prince Yue displays truly astonishing audacity."

"I never anticipated my brother would be so reckless, yet he acts for my sake," Prince Dai confessed, torn between anger and helplessness towards Prince Yue. "If I were to confess to Father now, would my brother face his condemnation?"

"Your Highness, Prince Yue has committed treason. How could the Emperor possibly refrain from punishing him?" Marquis Xuanping exclaimed, his expression fraught with anxiety. "Treason carries the penalty of extermination for the entire clan; the Emperor might even order Prince Yue’s execution."

"If I implore Father, he should spare my brother’s life."

"Even if the Emperor shows clemency and spares Prince Yue, he would undoubtedly be stripped of his title, reduced to the status of a commoner, and imprisoned for life in the dungeon of the Zongzheng Temple, never to see the light of day again."

"Once I ascend the throne, I shall ensure my brother’s release."

"Your Highness, at this moment, would the Emperor believe you if you went to the palace and laid everything bare? After all, Prince Yue undeniably conspired with Prince Han to launch a rebellion alongside him." Marquis Xuanping's brow creased deeply, his expression one of grave concern. "You are Prince Yue's full elder brother; how can you possibly convince the Emperor that you were not complicit in the treason?"

"Father understands my character. He will not believe I would engage in rebellion."

"Your Highness, while the Emperor indeed favors you, when it comes to matters of rebellion, all emperors would prefer to err on the side of caution, even if it means executing the innocent." Marquis Xuanping stated sternly. "Especially now, with the Emperor gravely ill. Sick emperors invariably become more suspicious, and rebellion strikes at the very heart of the Emperor's deepest concerns. With Prince Yue now involved, it will be exceedingly difficult for the Emperor to believe in your innocence."

Upon hearing Marquis Xuanping's words, Prince Dai's expression darkened. "Uncle, are you suggesting I join my brother in rebellion?"

"Your Highness, is there any other viable path available at present?" During the preceding silence, Marquis Xuanping had painstakingly considered various possibilities. After rigorous deliberation, he concluded that a rebellion still held a fifty percent chance of success. Should they refrain from rebelling, Prince Dai would perpetually remain in Prince Yue's shadow and be subject to the Emperor's deep-seated fear, ultimately never ascending to the throne.

"Uncle, I am the son my Father values most; I have no need to undertake such perilous risks."

"Your Highness, if you are indeed the child the Emperor cherishes most, then what of Prince Chu?" In recent years, the Emperor had increasingly entrusted Prince Chu with significant responsibilities, a development that had unsettled Marquis Xuanping. "Compared to Prince Chu, do you genuinely believe the Emperor still regards you as his most favored son?"

These pointed words cast a somber pall over Prince Dai, plunging him into silence. It was true; he had indeed perceived the Emperor's overt favoritism towards the Fourth Prince in recent years, yet he had stubbornly refused to acknowledge it.

"Your Highness, had the Emperor truly valued you, you would have been appointed to officiate the ancestral and heavenly worship ceremonies in his stead this year. As the eldest son, it was Prince Han whom the Emperor ultimately selected. While this may appear trivial on the surface, in reality, the true intention was to favor Prince Chu." Marquis Xuanping mused that Prince Yue's recent actions might not necessarily be a negative development. "Your Highness, perhaps the Emperor has already set his sights on Prince Chu. The secret edict concealed behind the plaque in Zichen Hall designates Prince Chu, not you, as his successor."

Prince Dai remained silent. After a prolonged pause, he finally spoke, his voice raspy, "Uncle, permit me some time to ponder this."