Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1151 - 158: Not Long Left to Live

"Uncle, you need to consider this matter very carefully," Prince Dai urged. The idea of rebellion had never crossed his mind; it was an act of treason, and despite his usual arrogance, he lacked the audacity to even contemplate usurping the throne. "Uncle, please don’t act on impulse; after all, this could lead to the extermination of our entire lineage."

Marquis Xuanping fixed his gaze on Prince Dai and inquired, "Your Highness, are you perhaps afraid?"

"Uncle, aren’t you afraid?" Prince Dai, while bold in other aspects, was not reckless enough to attempt such a monumental undertaking as rebellion.

A sudden laugh escaped Marquis Xuanping. "I am not afraid. If I fail, I will die trying. Sometimes, one must push themselves to their limits."

"Uncle, we are not in such dire straits that rebellion is our only option," Prince Dai argued. While impulsive in daily affairs, he would not act rashly in a matter of such gravity.

Marquis Xuanping’s expression turned remarkably calm as he articulated, "Your Highness, once the Emperor uncovers the collusion between Prince Yue and Prince Han in their act of treason, he will undoubtedly remove you from consideration for the throne. Furthermore, you will forever be under his suspicion. You must be able to foresee how your life will unfold from this point onward." He continued, "Ultimately, you will still find yourself on the path of rebellion. So, why not initiate it now?"

Prince Dai conceded that there was some logic to Marquis Xuanping’s words, yet he did not immediately commit.

"Uncle, this is a matter of great significance, and both of us need time to deliberate thoroughly."

"Your Highness, three days at most," Marquis Xuanping stated firmly. "Time is of the essence; it waits for no one."

"I understand." Prince Dai recognized Marquis Xuanping’s unwavering resolve to rebel and offered a final plea, "Uncle, you should still contemplate this with utmost care."

Marquis Xuanping offered no further words and turned to depart.

The moment Marquis Xuanping had left, Prince Dai’s face hardened into a grim expression.

"Has Uncle lost his mind?"

Fu Zhong, standing nearby, was also taken aback by Marquis Xuanping’s talk of rebellion. "Your Highness, the Marquis truly seems intent…" The word "rebel" was simply too audacious for Fu Zhong to utter directly.

"It appears Uncle has harbored this intention for a considerable time."

Fu Zhong exclaimed, "The Marquis only began considering this after hearing of Prince Yue’s conspiracy with Prince Han…"

"No, the alliance between my brother and the fifth prince merely provided Uncle with a convenient pretext," Prince Dai countered. He reasoned that if his uncle hadn't been contemplating rebellion for a long time, he wouldn’t have immediately suggested it upon hearing of his brother’s cooperation with the fifth prince. "What perplexes me is the reason behind Uncle’s desire for rebellion; Father has not been unkind to him."

"Your Highness, this servant believes the Marquis is acting for your benefit."

Prince Dai, ever clear-headed, responded, "It’s not solely for me, but also for himself, and perhaps even more so for the Yu Family."

"For the Yu Family, but isn’t that still for your sake?" Fu Zhong clarified, noting that since the Yu Family was Prince Dai’s maternal lineage, anything Marquis Xuanping did for them ultimately served His Highness.

"It is different; while the Yu Family is my maternal clan, my own identity lies with the Zhao Family," Prince Dai stated.

"Your Highness, the Yu Family represents your crucial support base."

Prince Dai dismissed Fu Zhong with a wave of his hand, indicating his need for solitude to ponder the situation.

Fu Zhong respectfully withdrew, instructing others to ensure Prince Dai remained undisturbed.

Meanwhile, within Prince Han’s Mansion, Zhao Yao was already apprised of Prince Yue’s collusion with Prince Han in treason, as well as Marquis Xuanping’s efforts to incite Prince Dai to seize the opportune moment for rebellion.

"Your Highness, should we perhaps advise Prince Dai?"

Zhao Yao waved his hand dismissively. "Why should we? If he has no inclination to rebel, he will firmly reject the notion. Conversely, if he is determined to rebel, no amount of persuasion will deter him."

Tong Xi inquired with evident curiosity, "Your Highness, do you believe Prince Dai will choose to rebel?"

"He likely will not at this very moment; he is probably quite apprehensive, though perhaps a little thrilled. If he were to rebel now, he might have a fifty percent chance of success. However, if he chooses not to, he faces uncertainty regarding his prospects of ascending the throne."

"So, Prince Dai will ultimately decide to take the risk?"

"That hinges entirely on the intensity of the throne’s allure for him," Zhao Yao remarked, a faint, amused smile gracing his lips. "How many individuals in this world can truly resist the potent temptation of supreme power?"

"Your Highness, you are one such person." Tong Xi recalled that even when the Emperor offered him the throne, Zhao Yao had refused it.

"How many astute individuals like myself exist in this world?" Zhao Yao then issued an instruction: "Have our people prepare for the potential rebellion of Prince Dai."

"Your Highness, you believe Prince Dai will still proceed with his rebellion."

Zhao Yao expressed his certainty: "Even if he shows hesitation now, those surrounding him will undoubtedly push him towards rebellion. In three days' time, he will make his move." He added, "Furthermore, the Eighth Prince will not permit Prince Dai to refrain from rebelling."

Tong Xi's thoughts suddenly leaped to a startling conclusion, causing him to exclaim, "Your Highness, should Prince Dai indeed rebel, then all three princes will find themselves in dire straits!" He held up three fingers, listing them: "Prince Dai, Prince Yue, and Prince Han."

"Initially, it was solely Prince Han who was targeted, but now, it truly involves all three," Zhao Yao stated with a detached air. "Prince Dai and Prince Yue are quite literally seeking their own demise; what else can be done about such a situation?" He mused, "The Eighth Prince's scheme is truly ingenious, utilizing this rebellion as a means to eliminate all three rivals simultaneously."