Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1162 - 163: Killing the Body, Destroying the Heart (Part 2)

Zhao Yao found Prince Wei's directness surprising. He took a moment to collect himself before admitting, "Yes, their deaths are why I sought you out."

Without prompting, Prince Wei took a seat opposite Zhao Yao and confessed, "I was the one who did it."

Zhao Yao felt a mixture of surprise and resignation upon hearing Prince Wei's confession. After a prolonged stare, he let out a soft chuckle, "Eighth Brother, I never anticipated such candor from you."

"You came to me, which implies you already suspected me, doesn't it? So, why the pretense of denial?" Prince Wei inquired with a light laugh. "Furthermore, there is absolutely no reason to conceal this particular matter."

"Did you reveal the truth of the conspiracy to them?" Zhao Yao pressed further. "Did you also inform them that the Emperor was aware of their treasonous plot but chose not to intervene?"

"More or less," Prince Wei replied. The words he had spoken to Prince Dai and the others were even more devastating than Zhao Yao's own, leading Prince Dai to be unable to bear the truth and ultimately succumb to grief-stricken suicide. "Second Brother was filled with deep regret for his rebellion. He clung to the belief that the Emperor had spared him out of affection, convinced his imprisonment would be brief and he would soon be reinstated as Prince Dai."

"He has always possessed such a naive outlook," Zhao Yao remarked.

Prince Wei idly spun the tea cup in his hand, a playful smile gracing his lips. "I informed him that he was nothing more than a pawn in the Emperor's grand strategy. Had the Emperor truly held affection for him, he would have intervened to prevent the rebellion. The sole reason the Emperor refrained from executing him was to avoid public condemnation for heartlessness, given Second Brother's considerable contributions to Great Zhou."

"Eighth Brother, your words possess a truly sharp edge," Zhao Yao mused. He suspected that if he were in Prince Dai's position, he too would find such a brutal reality unbearable.

Throughout his life, Prince Dai had been showered with the Emperor's favor and reliance. Even when the deposed Crown Prince was still alive, Prince Dai held immense influence, commanding a respect that even the Crown Prince had to acknowledge. Prince Dai had always harbored the conviction that he was the Emperor's most cherished son and destined for the role of Crown Prince. Yet, Prince Wei had cruelly shattered this illusion, revealing that the Emperor's supposed love and trust were merely a calculated facade to exploit him. How could Prince Dai possibly accept such a devastating revelation?

"This outcome aligns with my expectations," Prince Wei declared with a laugh. "They did not fail me; they took their own lives."

Observing Prince Wei's nonchalant smile, Zhao Yao felt an involuntary shiver course through him, though his expression remained unchanged.

"When precisely did you converse with Second Brother and the others?"

"On the very day I returned with you from Lady Liang's residence, I paid a visit to the other courtyard."

"So soon?" Zhao Yao had assumed Prince Wei had met with them perhaps two days ago, or the day before, not anticipating that the encounter had occurred a full ten days prior. "Then why did they not choose to end their lives at that time?"

"They had not yet reached a full understanding of the situation," Prince Wei replied with an indifferent smile. "One must allow them a few days to fully comprehend, wouldn't you agree? To let their despair deepen incrementally?"

Zhao Yao was left speechless. Prince Wei had, indeed, mastered the timing with chilling precision and demonstrated a ruthless resolve.

"Do you believe I erred in taking their lives?"

Instead of answering Prince Wei's question directly, Zhao Yao inquired, "Does the Emperor possess knowledge of this?"

Prince Wei offered no direct response, instead posing his own question, "And what is your assessment? Do you believe the Emperor is aware?"

Zhao Yao's internal thought: The Emperor knows, yet he did not intervene.

"The Emperor..." Regardless of the circumstances, Prince Dai had once been his most favored son. Could the Emperor's affection for Prince Dai have been entirely feigned?

Sensing Zhao Yao's contemplation, Prince Wei spoke in a gentle tone, "The Emperor is only human, and also a father. He is not as devoid of emotion as you might perceive; otherwise, he would not have shown leniency towards Second Brother and the others."

"Then why did he..." Zhao Yao trailed off, the unspoken question hanging in the air: why didn't he stop you from eliminating Second Brother and the others... Zhao Yao did not complete his sentence, but Prince Wei understood its implication.

"The decision to eliminate Second Brother and the others was mine alone; it was beyond the Emperor's ability to prevent."

Though simple, these words conveyed a profound significance that resonated with Zhao Yao.

"Eighth Brother, you truly had an arrangement with the Emperor."

Zhao Yao's deduction did not surprise Prince Wei. He nodded, openly admitting his agreement, "Indeed, I had a pact with the Emperor. This rebellion orchestrated by Fifth Brother was my design, and initially, the Emperor was unaware of my involvement."

"I suspected as much." While Zhao Yao had harbored suspicions, hearing the confirmation directly from Prince Wei still left him astonished. "What other agreements did you forge with the Emperor?"

Prince Wei offered a knowing smile, replying, "It is best that you remain ignorant of such matters."

Zhao Yao chose his words wisely, deciding against further pursuit. "Eighth Brother, you instigated Fifth Brother's rebellion solely to eliminate those three? If that were the case, the Emperor would not have reached an agreement with you."

Prince Wei briefly replied, "Xiongnu."

"It was indeed about that!" Zhao Yao exclaimed, having anticipated this. "Eighth Brother, Second Brother and the others were already deposed and imprisoned; they posed no threat to you. Why did you insist on their demise?"

Prince Wei lifted his gaze to meet Zhao Yao's, stating, "Do you truly believe they pose no threat? You neglect the fact that they are military men. As long as they draw breath, the soldiers will remain loyal, ever awaiting their chance to rise again."

Zhao Yao remained silent.

"Tenth Brother, you must not underestimate Second Brother's military renown and his sway over the common folk. Even if every officer who backed him were gone, his past contributions to Great Zhou are widely known. Within a year or two, the people will remember his merits, grow sympathetic, and feel pity. He could then feign remorse and emerge once more from his confinement."

Zhao Yao mused that even if Prince Dai were freed in a few years, he would be no match for Prince Wei.

"I will not permit them to continue living."

Zhao Yao then inquired, "Just as the deposed Crown Prince was not permitted to live, was he?"

"Precisely, he could not endure," Prince Wei responded with chilling finality, his tone exceedingly cold. "Even after his deposition and imprisonment, he still commanded considerable support among both the court officials and the populace."

It unfolded exactly as he had foreseen.

Zhao Yao gazed at Prince Wei, his lips parting as if to speak, yet he faltered and remained quiet.

Perceiving the unspoken words Zhao Yao hesitated to voice, Prince Wei stated, "I gave you my word that I would spare Fourth Brother's life, and I shall."

Realizing his thoughts had been transparent to Prince Wei, Zhao Yao felt no shame but instead offered his thanks. "Thank you, Eighth Brother."

"Do you find my actions exceedingly cruel?"

Zhao Yao met Prince Wei's gaze, not denying the perception but honestly admitting, "Yes."

Prince Wei observed the candid honesty in Zhao Yao's clear eyes, a subtle warmth blooming in his chest as his expression gentled.

"I am a person of dark and ruthless intent; it is not as though you are unaware of this."

"Eighth Brother, I intend no blame." Zhao Yao felt that the execution of the deposed Crown Prince and Prince Dai was unnecessary, but he was not Prince Wei and could not impose his own principles. Furthermore, what right or standing did he possess to criticize his Eighth Brother?

"Are you not apprehensive of someone like me?" Prince Wei inquired casually, his grip on the teacup tightening unexpectedly.

"Why should I fear you? You would not inflict such a fate upon me."

Seeing the implicit trust in Zhao Yao's eyes, Prince Wei felt a sense of solace. He smiled and declared, "You are the only kin I have in this world; I shall never subject you to such actions." Within Prince Wei's heart, his sole family consisted of Zhao Yao and Lady Liang.

Zhao Yao beamed, his smile radiant. "I know, and that is precisely why I harbor no fear of you." He understood his Eighth Brother to be cunning and formidable, possessing deeply laid schemes, yet he felt no fear. This was because his brother would never employ such stratagems against him.