Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1156 - 160: Three Birds with One Arrow (Part 2)

As the Hai hour approached, the curfew was strictly enforced, and fewer and fewer people ventured onto the streets. Once the Hai hour arrived, the once vibrant capital fell into a profound silence.

A palpable sense of danger and tension permeated the now quiet capital.

Within the Prince Wei Mansion, Zhao Yao and his companions were engrossed in a game of mahjong. His luck seemed exceptionally good tonight, as he consistently won, leaving Prince Wei and the others utterly speechless.

Their game concluded only at the fourth quarter of the Hai hour.

It was so late that Zhao Yao opted to stay overnight at the Prince Wei Mansion, foregoing a return to the Han Prince Mansion.

Upon observing Zhao Yao finish his ablutions and make preparations for rest, Tong Xi urgently exclaimed.

"Your Highness, Prince Han and Prince Yue are already outside the capital, poised to rebel. How can you possibly go to sleep now?"

Zhao Yao, reclining in bed and propping his face, let out a yawn. "If I don't sleep, should I go out and observe their performance?"

"You aren't the least bit concerned?"

"Everything is proceeding according to plan; there's nothing to fear." Noticing Tong Xi's anxious and fearful demeanor, Zhao Yao offered reassurance. "You should go and sleep soundly. Even if chaos erupts, it's not something you need to fret over."

"Your Highness, this servant is concerned for your safety?" Tong Xi clarified that his worry wasn't about himself, but about Zhao Yao. "You won't be in any danger, will you?"

"What harm could possibly come to me? Besides, I am currently residing at my eighth brother's mansion." Zhao Yao yawned once more. "My eighth brother specifically invited me here tonight to guarantee my safety."

"Ah, is that so?" Tong Xi appeared surprised.

"Hurry back to your sleep, and by the time you awaken, all will be resolved." Zhao Yao concluded his statement and pulled the blanket over his head.

"Your Highness, this servant shall not disturb your rest any further." Tong Xi, feeling immediately relieved, obediently withdrew.

Concealed beneath the covers, Zhao Yao emitted a muffled chuckle.

His eighth brother was indeed thoughtful, and to avoid disturbing his slumber, had administered a sleeping potion. This concoction was designed to induce a deep sleep, ensuring he would remain asleep until the following day.

Zhao Yao had no intention of participating in the night's unfolding events, nor was he inclined to witness the spectacle. Since his eighth brother had assured him of a restful sleep, he resolved to simply sleep.

With another yawn, Zhao Yao quickly succumbed to sleep.

Moments later, the door to his chambers creaked open, and Prince Wei entered the room with quiet steps.

Prince Wei approached the bedside and, observing Zhao Yao's deep sleep, still felt a twinge of unease. He called out his name several times and gently poked him a few times, but Zhao Yao remained sound asleep, showing no signs of stirring. Only then did Prince Wei's apprehension subside.

As he departed the room, Yu Hai, stationed at the doorway, spoke. "Your Highness, the potent drug administered to Prince Han will ensure he sleeps so profoundly that even if the heavens were to crumble, he would not awaken. Please be at ease."

Prince Wei offered a gentle nod. "Ensure the mansion is well-guarded."

"Your Highness, allow this servant to accompany you, to provide protection."

"I am already under protection. You are to guard the mansion and ensure the tenth brother's safety."

"Understood, Your Highness."

Meanwhile, on the other side, Tong Xi, after washing and consuming a cup of tea, also fell into a deep slumber shortly thereafter.

While Zhao Yao and Tong Xi slept soundly, earth-shattering events were unfolding both within and beyond the capital's walls.

That fateful night, the capital became a scene of clashing swords and rivers of blood.

Zhao Yao had anticipated waking to the new day, but to his surprise, he slept for an entire two days. By the time he awoke, the foiled rebellion, orchestrated by Prince Dai, Prince Han, and Prince Yue, had already been decisively quelled.

"Was this some sort of knockout drug? Otherwise, how could I have slept for such an extended period?" Upon waking, his mind felt groggy, and it took a full day for his senses to fully return.

Gazing at Prince Wei, who was seated opposite him, Zhao Yao sighed with helplessness. "Eighth brother, there was no need to administer such a potent drug, was there?" Although his mind was now clear, his body felt weak and drained.

"I was concerned you might awaken prematurely, so I increased the dosage to ensure a longer period of rest."

"Thank you for allowing me such a prolonged sleep," Zhao Yao remarked, a hint of petulance in his tone.

"As long as you remained safely within my mansion, I could remain at ease."

"But you didn't have to ensure I slept so deeply that I was utterly unreachable. I wouldn't have disrupted anything."

Prince Wei cast a glance at Zhao Yao, who appeared somewhat displeased, and stated bluntly, "You simply enjoy observing spectacles."

"Even if I enjoy witnessing events, I wouldn't choose to watch this particular kind of spectacle. You underestimate me." Zhao Yao understood that Prince Wei's actions were primarily to prevent his involvement and secondarily to sever any potential ties. "What became of second brother and ninth brother?" He remained unaware of the specific details of the night's turmoil.

"They are confined within the dungeon of the Zongzheng Temple."

This outcome did not startle Zhao Yao. He persisted with his inquiry: "And what of the Xiongnu soldiers brought forth by Prince Han?"

Prince Wei responded, "The majority have perished, while the remainder have been taken as captives."

"And the Xiongnu Royal Court?" Zhao Yao questioned, reasoning that the Xiongnu Royal Court could not have remained unaffected when Prince Han led Xiongnu forces southward.

Prince Wei calmly stated, "General Chu has already secured its conquest."

"As anticipated!" Zhao Yao expressed no surprise. "What of the other Xiongnu tribes?"

"All have submitted to the Great Zhou."

"This aligns with the strategy devised by you and Father Emperor." Zhao Yao mused that this rebellion instigated by Prince Han was initially envisioned as a dual objective: to apprehend Prince Han and vanquish the Xiongnu. The unforeseen involvement of Prince Yue and Prince Dai, however, transformed it into a tripartite success.

Prince Wei exhibited no surprise at Zhao Yao's accurate deduction of the rebellion's underlying cause.

"Indeed."

"You were the mastermind behind the insurrections of second and ninth brother, were you not?" Zhao Yao posed this observation as a statement rather than a question.

Prince Wei openly confessed, "That is correct."

"Your and Father Emperor's original plan did not encompass the involvement of Prince Dai and Prince Yue, correct?" Zhao Yao speculated, adding, "Father Emperor would not have moved against second brother so swiftly, considering the Marquis Xuanping Mansion posed no significant threat."

Prince Wei did not refute this, stating, "Precisely, that was my orchestration."

"Did Father Emperor hold you accountable for drawing second brother and ninth brother into this?"

"They chose to rebel of their own volition. Why would Father Emperor fault me?"

Zhao Yao found this logic sound. He continued his questioning: "Is seventh brother slated to be next?"

"Once your marriage is finalized and you depart, then I shall address him." Prince Wei chuckled. "My priority is ensuring your marriage proceeds smoothly." Prince Wei was determined to prevent any untoward incidents prior to Zhao Yao's wedding, wishing to spare Zhao Yao's marriage from any potential blight or impact on his lifelong happiness.

Zhao Yao clasped his fists in gratitude towards Prince Wei: "My thanks to you, eighth brother, for your magnanimity."

Gazing at Zhao Yao, Prince Wei gently advised, "Upon concluding your marriage, depart the capital without delay."

"You need not voice it, eighth brother. As soon as the marriage is settled, I shall depart immediately." Zhao Yao mused that had it not been for this impending marriage, he would have returned to the Swamp Prefecture long ago.

Zhao Yao posed several more queries to Prince Wei before returning to the Han Prince Mansion.

Upon his arrival back at the Han Prince Mansion, the Hidden Guard provided a comprehensive account of the events that transpired over the preceding two days, with particular emphasis on the rebellion that occurred the previous night.

After hearing the report, Zhao Yao remained largely unmoved, as the events had unfolded largely as he had anticipated.

"What is the status of the harem?"

"Princess Consort De has been stripped of her title and relegated to commoner status, currently confined within the Cold Palace," the Hidden Guard reported with deference. "Noble Princess Consort Rong knelt for an entire day before the Imperial Study's entrance yesterday, falling ill that night. Today, despite her weakened state, she once again presented herself to kneel at the Imperial Study's doorstep, succumbing to illness by noon."

"Father Emperor did not degrade her rank?"

"No, Noble Princess Consort Rong was unaware of the rebellion planned by Prince Dai and the others."

"And the Empress?" Zhao Yao inquired, assuming that with the downfall of Noble Princess Consort Rong and Prince Dai, Empress Xie must be experiencing considerable elation.

"The Empress has fallen ill due to an excess of joy."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao erupted into laughter: "Haha, my prediction was indeed accurate."

He then inquired further: "Speaking of which, what has become of my fourth brother?"

"Prince Chu has been tasked with the adjudication of the rebellion case involving Prince Dai, Prince Han, and Prince Yue."