Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1177 - 170: Princess Consort Li Could Never Be Made Empress

"Is your mother, Consort Zhao, not Emperor Zhao Zheng’s favorite?" He Lianfang found Zhao Yao’s reaction overly strong. "If he intends to elevate your mother to Empress, wouldn’t that be quite natural?"

After he finished speaking, noticing Zhao Yao’s peculiar gaze, He Lianfang raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of disdain in his voice. "What kind of look is that?"

"Uncle, did you venture out today and forget to bring your intellect along?"

He Lianfang, on hearing Zhao Yao’s impudent remark, shot him a sharp glare.

"Uncle, it’s precisely because Father Emperor cherishes my mother consort that he will not make her Empress," Zhao Yao mused, thinking how his uncle’s comprehension seemed to falter after mere half a year away from Swamp Prefecture. "My mother consort’s rank is deliberately kept low; Father Emperor has always shielded her, keeping her hidden away."

"The prominent clans of the capital have been dismantled; with no one left in the palace or the court to pose a threat, Zhao Zheng could openly appoint your mother as Empress."

"Precisely at such a juncture, Father Emperor would be even less inclined to make my mother consort Empress. Furthermore, we still have Noble Princess Consort Ying and Princess Li," Zhao Yao waved a dismissive hand. "Uncle, if you believe Father Emperor would elevate my mother consort to Empress, then you gravely underestimate him."

"Don’t you desire for your mother consort to ascend to the position of Empress?" He Lianfang inquired casually. "The Empress is the most esteemed lady in the realm."

Zhao Yao recognized He Lianfang’s attempt to probe him and inwardly found it amusing. Yet, he maintained a neutral expression.

"The Empress is indeed the realm’s most esteemed lady, but she is also its most precarious. I have no wish to see my mother consort placed in such a perilous situation. Moreover, my mother consort harbors no desire to be Empress herself."

"Oh, your mother consort does not wish for the Empress title? She doesn’t aspire to stand beside Zhao Zheng, to become Zhao Zheng’s wife?" In He Lianfang’s estimation, every woman within the harem yearned for the position of Empress.

"She neither desires nor concerns herself with it," Zhao Yao’s expression grew stern, his tone hardening as he perceived He Lianfang’s underestimation of his mother. "Uncle, though my mother consort is merely a consort within the harem, she is fundamentally different from the others. She and Father Emperor share a bond of deep affection and mutual understanding, yet she has never harbored ambitions for the Empress title. For her, being by my father’s side is sufficient. Her aspirations lie not in supreme authority, nor in boundless riches and glory, but solely in the continued safety and well-being of both my father and myself." Had my mother consort truly desired the Empress position, with her intelligence and capabilities, she would have secured it long ago.

He Lianfang remained silent, having initially assumed Lady Liang would accept the Empress role for Zhao Yao’s sake.

Zhao Yao gazed intently at the quiet He Lianfang, his voice resonating with uncommon seriousness. "Uncle, not everyone craves ultimate power. Just as I have no desire to be Emperor and no interest in contending for the throne, my mother consort likewise has no wish to be Empress and no inclination to vie for favor within the harem. Neither my mother nor I possess such ambitions."

He Lianfang perceived the unspoken meaning behind Zhao Yao’s words but feigned ignorance.

"Then, in your estimation, whom will Zhao Zheng choose as Empress—Noble Princess Consort Ying or Princess Li?"

"Noble Princess Consort Ying lacks an heir; even if Father Emperor wished to elevate her, the court officials would certainly object." Responding to He Lianfang’s query, Zhao Yao elaborated, "As for Princess Li, she possesses the qualifications for Empress, but she will not attain that position."

Hearing Zhao Yao’s confident assertion, He Lianfang inquired with burgeoning interest, "And why is it that Princess Li cannot become Empress?"

"Should Princess Li be made Empress, it would signify the designation of Fourth Brother as Crown Prince," Zhao Yao stated, followed by a soft sigh. "Eighth Brother would never permit such a development."

"Do you believe Prince Wei possesses the capability to prevent this?"

Zhao Yao gave a slight nod. "He does!" he affirmed, then added, "Should Princess Li indeed become Empress, her demise would not be far off, and Fourth Brother’s fate would also be bleak."

"Are you so certain that Prince Chu cannot contend with Prince Wei?" He Lianfang pressed. "Do you not wish for Prince Chu to occupy that position?"

"I do harbor such hopes, but reality may not align with my desires," Zhao Yao replied. He glanced at He Lianfang, and after a brief pause, continued, "Eighth Brother and Father Emperor have reached an agreement."

He Lianfang, who had just reached for his teacup, froze mid-motion upon hearing Zhao Yao’s declaration. His teacup hovered in the air, a flicker of surprise momentarily crossing his eyes. However, his composure swiftly returned, and he resumed the action of sipping his tea.

"Prince Wei and Zhao Zheng entered into an agreement. What kind of deal was it? How did you learn of this? Did Prince Wei confide in you, or did Zhao Zheng reveal it to you?"

Noticing the look of astonishment on He Lianfang's countenance, Zhao Yao inwardly let out a breath, thinking: My uncle's acting remains as superb as ever.