Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1161 - 163: Killing the Body, Destroying the Soul

Within the royal mansion of Prince Han, Zhao Yao was found lounging in a hammock, enjoying a languid midday nap under the sun's warm embrace.

Suddenly, a shadow warrior materialized before him, bowing respectfully as they delivered the somber news: "Your Highness, Prince Dai and Prince Yue have taken their own lives."

The words jolted Zhao Yao upright, his visage shifting dramatically as he urgently inquired, "When did this happen?"

"A mere quarter-hour past," the shadow warrior responded, "They met their end by hanging themselves."

Still seated upon the hammock, Zhao Yao's face grew grim as he posed a crucial question, "Who did they encounter before their deaths?"

"They saw no one."

"No one at all?" Zhao Yao's brow furrowed, his expression etched with disbelief. "Are you absolutely certain they did not encounter a soul beforehand?"

"I am certain, Your Highness," the shadow warrior affirmed. "Ever since Prince Dai and Prince Yue were confined, no one has visited them."

"If no one saw them, why then would they resort to such a drastic measure?" Zhao Yao pondered internally: His Eighth Brother must surely have confronted Prince Dai and the others; otherwise, their self-inflicted demise would be utterly inexplicable.

"They penned suicide notes, citing deep shame before His Majesty and an inability to continue living with such disgrace."

"Suicide notes? Are we positive they penned them?" Zhao Yao pressed further. "And where has my Eighth Brother been today?"

"Lord Wei has remained within the Ministry of Justice for the entirety of the day, not departing even once," the shadow warrior reported. "Indeed, Lord Wei has not ventured beyond the capital's confines these past few days."

Zhao Yao's eyebrows drew together, his contemplation deepening: His Eighth Brother need not personally visit the Second Prince and the others; a proxy would suffice. Given Eighth Brother's considerable capabilities, maintaining absolute secrecy would be well within his reach.

However, if it wasn't Eighth Brother himself delivering the message, the Second Prince and the others would likely remain unconvinced. Only upon hearing the truth of their involvement in the rebellion directly from Eighth Brother's lips would they find themselves unable to bear the weight of it, ultimately choosing to end their lives.

It had to be Eighth Brother.

Eighth Brother possessed the means to meet with the Second Prince and the others without attracting any attention.

As anticipated, Eighth Brother would not let the Second Prince and the others off the hook so easily.

Previously, Zhao Yao had harbored a strong premonition that the Emperor would refrain from issuing a decree for the execution of Prince Dai and Prince Yue. Instead, he had foreseen their potential stripping of titles, reduction to commoners, and subsequent imprisonment, much like the fate of the Deposed Crown Prince. His intuition, it turned out, had been accurate.

Following that, he had anticipated Prince Wei's inevitable move against Prince Dai and the others. However, the precise timing remained elusive. His initial expectation was that Prince Wei would act within two or three days of their incarceration. Yet, Prince Wei had not made his move then.

Zhao Yao had surmised that perhaps Prince Wei intended to wait until after his own marriage and departure from the capital before dealing with Prince Dai and the others. He had certainly not foreseen Prince Wei choosing this precise juncture to strike.

Prince Dai and Prince Yue had languished in prison for twenty long days; their choice to commit suicide at this particular moment was undeniably opportune. Eighth Brother had truly masterfully orchestrated the timing.

Eighth Brother was, without a doubt, a master strategist with impeccable foresight.

Noticing Zhao Yao's contemplative sigh, the shadow warrior inquired, "Your Highness, what are our next steps?"

Zhao Yao slowly roused himself from his thoughts and waved a dismissive hand. "This matter concerns us not. We shall remain uninvolved."

"Understood, Your Highness." The shadow warrior offered a salute and vanished from Zhao Yao's sight.

Zhao Yao resumed his position on the hammock, a complex tapestry of emotions playing across his face.

Tong Xi arrived, carrying a fresh pot of tea. Observing Zhao Yao lost in thought upon the hammock, he inquired with evident concern, "Your Highness, is something amiss? Did you experience a troubling dream?"

Zhao Yao reached out, accepted the teacup, tilted his head back, and drained its contents before stating in a measured tone, "Second and Ninth are dead."

"What?" Tong Xi exclaimed, his voice initially sharp with surprise. Quickly realizing the volume, he lowered it considerably. "Prince Dai and Prince Yue have passed away?"

"Mm, deceased," Zhao Yao confirmed, reclining once more on the hammock, his expression unreadable. "They took their own lives by hanging."

"Hanged themselves?" Tong Xi echoed, his face contorted in shock and horror. "Whatever could have driven them to such an act?"

"They felt deep shame before Father Emperor and believed they had no face left to continue living," Zhao Yao replied, adding, "That is what was stated in their suicide notes."

Upon hearing this, Tong Xi let out a sigh. "I never imagined Prince Dai and the others would..." At such a moment, uttering sentiments like 'their wicked deeds have met their just deserts' felt rather out of place.

"Go to Eighth Brother's mansion and inform them that I will be joining them for dinner this evening." With his instructions given, Zhao Yao closed his eyes, intending to resume his afternoon repose.

"Yes, Your Highness."

As dusk settled, Zhao Yao arrived at the Prince Wei Mansion. Prince Wei had not yet returned, so he waited for a period in the mansion before Prince Wei finally made his appearance.

Upon finding Zhao Yao in his study, Prince Wei expressed mild surprise before quickly offering a smile. "What unexpected breeze brings Prince Han here personally today?"

"I've come to dine with you," Zhao Yao replied. Despite waiting within Prince Wei’s study, he had refrained from touching anything. He was lounging on the study's couch, one leg casually crossed over the other, engrossed in the newest storybook released in the capital.

Prince Wei scrutinized Zhao Yao for a prolonged moment. "You've come because of the demise of Second and Ninth, haven't you?"

News of the suicides of Prince Dai and Prince Yue had already spread through the capital more than two hours prior. Every official, civil and military, and every citizen in the capital was aware of the event.