Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1188 - 175: Impatience

Within the confines of Prince Han's Mansion, Zhao Yao was occupied with a chilled dessert, a creation of Princess Han's, while simultaneously perusing official documents.

At the North Mountain Laboratory, progress had once again stagnated, compelling Zhao Yao's return to Prince Han's Mansion. Furthermore, his prolonged absence from the imperial court had fostered concerns that high-ranking officials like Wen Daoji might contemplate abandoning their posts.

In the subsequent days, Zhao Yao punctually attended the morning court, engaging in discussions of state affairs with the assembled ministers. Post-court, he dedicated himself to the diligent review of memorials.

While the majority of these state documents underwent initial scrutiny by several cabinet ministers, certain paramount matters still necessitated Zhao Yao's personal review. However, his preoccupation with rubber experiments at the North Mountain Laboratory had precluded his return for these crucial assessments, leading the cabinet ministers to manage them in his stead.

Previously, upon Zhao Yao's return to the capital last year, the administration of his nominal court, encompassing both minor and major issues, was entrusted to the cabinet officials. Naturally, He Lianfang retained the authority for decisions on truly significant matters.

The memorials, having been reviewed by the cabinet officials, had amassed since the previous year, forming a considerable pile. Zhao Yao's current undertaking involved meticulously sifting through all of them. Despite the prior reviews, a thorough personal examination was essential to detect any lingering discrepancies.

Tong Xi stood at a respectful distance, observing Zhao Yao's shifting expressions – a furrowed brow, a grimace, a curl of disdain, and frequent displays of impatience. He mused internally: "Here we go again, His Highness is immersed in his usual theatrics. One, two, three..."

With a resounding thud, Zhao Yao brought the memorial in his hand down upon the table.

Tong Xi suppressed a chuckle, thinking, "Indeed, His Highness's impatience is palpable."

Gazing at the imposing stack of memorials before him, Zhao Yao's head throbbed. He voiced his exasperation, his face a mask of impatience, "When will I ever finish reading all of this?"

Tong Xi promptly presented a teacup, "Your Highness, please partake in some tea and allow yourself a brief respite."

Zhao Yao grasped the teacup and drained its contents without ceremony.

As Tong Xi retrieved the teacup, he couldn't help but almost laugh at the sight of Zhao Yao glaring at the memorials with palpable animosity.

"Tong Xi, fetch the candles. I intend to incinerate this entire pile of memorials."

"Your Highness, that course of action is ill-advised," Tong Xi cautioned, "Your Highness, you should simply persist with your reading."

"I can barely stomach looking at this drivel," Zhao Yao declared, radiating displeasure from every inch of his being. "Why are there so many memorials? Where do all these issues even originate?"

"Your Highness, these memorials represent the accumulation of nearly a year's worth of state affairs; naturally, their number is substantial," Tong Xi continued his placation. "Your Highness, the ministers have already conducted their reviews on your behalf; your task is merely to give them a cursory glance."

"Do you suppose my father grows weary of poring over such a multitude of memorials daily? Does he not find it vexing?" As he once again delved into the memorials, Zhao Yao found himself lamenting: "The life of an emperor is far from humanly achievable. Thankfully, I harbor no desire for the throne."

"This servant has no knowledge of such matters."

In truth, the emperor most certainly experiences annoyance. While reviewing memorials each day, he frequently voices his complaints. At times, he resorts to expletives, other times he throws a fit, declaring his unwillingness to continue as emperor, and occasionally, he sweeps all the memorials from his imperial desk onto the floor.

"Let whoever desires the throne have it; I am finished with this burden." This sentiment was frequently uttered by the emperor during his memorial reviews. Similarly, "Being an emperor is truly not a task for humans; my existence is worse than that of a dog," was another common refrain.

Despite his frequent pronouncements of discontent, the emperor would still meticulously review the memorials from dawn till dusk, ensuring not a single error or omission went unnoticed.

After his bout of grumbling, Zhao Yao resumed his examination of the memorials.

At that precise moment, Hidden Guard A materialized.

"Your Highness, a clandestine dispatch has arrived from the capital."

Tong Xi retrieved the secret message and dutifully presented it to Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao immediately set aside the memorial he was holding, unfurled the secret message, and scanned its contents. A faint smile touched his lips after reading: "Fourth Brother has not conceded defeat, I see."

Upon hearing this, Tong Xi inquired with curiosity, "Your Highness, what transpired with Prince Chu?"

"Fourth Brother prevented Eighth Brother from proceeding to Qingzhou," Zhao Yao stated, gesturing to Tong Xi, who, understanding the unspoken cue, brought forth a candle. Zhao Yao held the secret message over the flame, allowing it to burn. "Fourth Brother's intention was to accompany Eighth Brother to Qingzhou to escort Seventh Brother back, but Father disallowed it. Instead, he dispatched an official from the Ministry of Rites to retrieve Seventh Brother."

"Prince Chu barred Prince Wei from traveling to Qingzhou?" Tong Xi exclaimed, his surprise evident. "Could it be that Prince Chu has uncovered something of significance?"

"I can't be certain what Fourth Brother uncovered, but the very fact that he prevented Eighth Brother from going to Qingzhou signals that Fourth Brother holds the advantage, at least for the present moment." Zhao Yao had initially presumed Prince Chu would permit Prince Wei to travel to Qingzhou. However, to everyone's surprise, Prince Chu submitted a petition to the emperor, expressing his own desire to visit Qingzhou before Prince Wei could depart.

Naturally, Prince Wei was quite displeased by Prince Chu's competing ambition regarding Qingzhou.

Upon learning that Prince Chu had sought an audience with the emperor to formally request permission for the Qingzhou expedition, Prince Wei swiftly entered the palace himself. He informed the emperor that he could escort Prince Jing back to the capital alone and had no need for Prince Chu's assistance. Nevertheless, Prince Chu countered, asserting that as Prince Jing's elder brother, it was his responsibility to personally bring him back to the capital.