Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1158 - 161: Provoking Prince Han (Part 2)

"I ask you, when they rebelled, did they spare my life?"

This question left Noble Princess Consort Rong stunned. She was dazed for a moment, then quickly shook her head, "Cousin, Yi’er and the others would never kill you."

"Not kill me?" The Emperor sneered, "If they don’t kill me, how can he ascend the throne?"

"Cousin..."

The Emperor interrupted Noble Princess Consort Rong again, "You were not aware of this matter, I won’t hold it against you, but as for them, I will never spare them lightly."

"Cousin, Yi’er is our first child..."

"Sun Kui, escort the Noble Princess Consort back to the palace. Without my orders, she is not allowed to step out of Yongxin Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Cousin, I beg you..." Sun Kui had no choice but to forcefully escort Noble Princess Consort Rong away with Sun Doudou.

The Emperor raised his hand to pinch his brow, then continued reviewing the memorials as if nothing had happened.

After a while, Sun Kui returned to the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, the Noble Consort fainted again."

"Have the Imperial Physician take good care of her, and make sure that those around her attend to her well," the Emperor said very calmly, "Don’t let her leave Yongxin Palace again."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Sun Kui turned and left the Imperial Study, repeating the Emperor’s instruction to Sun Doudou, who immediately went to make arrangements.

When Sun Doudou returned, he saw his master guarding the door and asked in surprise, "Why are you not inside attending?"

"His Majesty is not in a good mood."

"Master, does His Majesty really want to..." Sun Doudou didn’t dare to finish his sentence.

Sun Kui glared at him warningly, "That’s not something you should be inquiring about."

Sun Doudou immediately shut his mouth obediently, not daring to say another word.

At this moment, Prince Chu came over with several ministers.

Sun Kui quickly went into the Imperial Study to report, and the Emperor allowed Prince Chu and the others to enter.

Prince Chu and several ministers reported to the Emperor the truth about the collusion of Prince Dai, Prince Yue, Marquis Xuanping, and Prince Han in the rebellion.

They originally thought Prince Dai would keep his mouth shut, refusing to say anything. Unexpectedly, Prince Dai confessed everything honestly.

During the examination, Prince Dai cried with tears all over his face. He deeply regretted his rebellion and begged the Emperor to spare his life.

Prince Han initially said nothing, but later, when Prince Chu presented all the evidence of his collusion with the Xiongnu and informed him it was all a trap, he couldn’t withstand it, shouting madly. Eventually, he stopped denying everything he had done.

After reading the confessions of Prince Dai and Prince Han, the Emperor’s expression remained calm.

"Father, Prince Dai wants to see you," At present, Prince Dai has not yet been convicted, so he temporarily remains Prince Dai.

The Emperor guessed what Prince Dai wanted to say and replied coldly, "No."

Prince Chu asked, "Father, what should be done next?"

"Proceed according to the law, announce it at tomorrow’s early court."

Suddenly, Prince Chu knelt on the ground, "Father, I beg you to spare Prince Dai and the others."

Seeing Prince Chu pleading for Prince Dai and the others, the Emperor was not surprised at all.

Meanwhile, in Prince Han’s Mansion, Zhao Yao was reading a letter sent by He Lianfang. Every ten days, He Lianfang would write to Zhao Yao, informing him about the situation in Swamp Prefecture and other prefectures in Lingnan, as well as in Siam and Johor.

With He Lianfang guarding it, everything in Lingnan was normal, and the neighboring foreign countries were also very compliant.

"Ah, Uncle... Uncle..." During his absence, his uncle certainly secretly orchestrated quite a few things again.

Tong Xi asked, "Your Highness, what’s wrong with the Second Master?"

"Nothing," Zhao Yao asked, "Is the Eighth Brother in the mansion?"

"Your Highness, Prince Wei is busy at this time and should not be in the mansion."

"Indeed, they are all very busy, unlike me, who’s idle." Zhao Yao finished speaking, then picked up a roasted rice cake to eat.

"Your Highness, will Prince Dai and the others die?"

"It’s hard to say whether Prince Dai and Prince Yue will die, but Prince Han will definitely die; after all, he colluded with the Xiongnu. But it’ll probably not be beheading—he might die of illness in prison instead." Zhao Yao thought to himself, "Even if the father spares Prince Dai and Prince Yue, the Eighth Brother probably won’t let them go."

"Prince Han deserves it."

Suddenly, a Hidden Guard materialized to deliver news, "Your Highness, Commoner Xun has met her end."

"Commoner Xun?" Zhao Yao failed to recall the individual's identity immediately.

Tong Xi interjected, "Your Highness, she was the former Princess Consort De."

Recognition dawned on Zhao Yao, "Ah, it was her. How did she pass away?"

"The Emperor bestowed poisoned wine upon her."

"A predictable outcome."

"Before her demise, Commoner Xun stated that Noble Princess Consort Rong was with her, ensuring she did not die unjustly."

"Did Father not declare he would hold Noble Princess Consort Rong blameless?" Zhao Yao quickly realized the naivete of his question, sighing, "Once Prince Dai, Prince Yue, and Marquis Xuanping are gone, Noble Princess Consort Rong likely won't escape fate."

"Noble Princess Consort Rong's health has been frail," the Hidden Guard added, "Prince Chu interceded for Prince Dai and Prince Yue. The Emperor offered no comment."

"It's unsurprising that Fourth Brother would speak for them." The Fourth Brother consistently advocated for Prince Dai and his sibling, both in public and private matters.

"Prince Dai is currently weeping in his cell, desperately seeking an audience with the Emperor."

"Regretting his treacherous actions, is he?"

"Indeed."

Zhao Yao scoffed, "If he regrets it now, why did he even choose rebellion in the first place? Ultimately, it's just the fear of death."

The Hidden Guard proceeded to detail Prince Han's descent into madness within his prison cell.

"Let us pay a visit to my esteemed Fifth Brother in confinement." Zhao Yao harbored a desire to utterly humiliate Prince Han before his execution.

"Your Highness, are we permitted to enter?"

"Why would we not be? Father has not issued any decree forbidding it."

Zhao Yao, accompanied by Tong Xi, proceeded towards the Zongzheng Temple's prison.

The guards at the Zongzheng Temple offered no obstruction to his path.

Upon reaching Prince Han's cell, Zhao Yao observed him, hair unkempt, slumped in a corner in a pitiable state.

"Fifth Brother, I've come to see you."

Prince Han remained unresponsive, not even betraying a flicker of his eyelids.

Zhao Yao procured a chair and positioned it before the cell, continuing his taunts, "Fifth Brother, I never fathomed you would be so utterly foolish. When I dismantled your forces in Johor and Siam, you were so terrified you soiled yourself, avoiding the capital and instead foolishly conspiring with the Xiongnu's third princess to launch a rebellion."

Prince Han finally stirred, lunging towards the bars in fury, his gaze fixed venomously on Zhao Yao.

"Zhao Yao! I will kill you!"

Witnessing Prince Han's murderous intent, Zhao Yao found immense amusement, his laughter echoing.

"Allow me to graciously impart one more detail: your rebellion this time was orchestrated by Eighth Brother from the shadows, though I must admit I lent a helping hand."

Prince Han roared at Zhao Yao, "I will kill you all!"

"You foolishly believed allying with the third princess would guarantee success? Let me enlighten you: both the Left Virtuous King and the Right Virtuous King of the Xiongnu Royal Court are under Eighth Brother's command. You fancied yourself in control of the Xiongnu Royal Court, but in reality, it was merely a snare meticulously laid by Eighth Brother," Zhao Yao elaborated with a grin. "During this ill-fated rebellion of yours, both Eighth Brother and Father meticulously planned every move. As you marched south, General Chu launched an assault on the Xiongnu Royal Court; the third princess you allied with has already been executed."

"Aaaaaahhhh..." Prince Han's voice devolved into a guttural, maddened scream.

The realization that his every action had been predetermined by others shattered his world.