Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1191 - 176: Prince Wei as Regent (Part 2)

With his eyes reddened and his voice trembling, the man choked out, "His Highness... is confined to the death cell."

The death cell?!

Zhao Yao's expression turned grave as he continued his inquiry, "And what of Fourth Brother? And Fourth Sister-in-law?" He hadn't paid much attention to the capital's affairs over the past year or two, thus remaining unaware of the developments between his fourth brother and eighth brother.

"His Highness's life is not in immediate peril, but... he sustained severe injuries previously and was poisoned with a lethal toxin. Though he survived, His Highness..." The man could no longer contain his sorrow and burst into tears.

Zhao Yao staggered slightly, and Tong Xi, noticing his distress, quickly stepped forward to offer support.

"What else?" Zhao Yao questioned in a low voice.

The man's fists were clenched, his face contorted with rage and hatred, saying, "The Princess and all of them are dead."

"What?" Zhao Yao gasped in disbelief. He then seized the man by his collar, demanding, "Say that again. What exactly happened to Fourth Sister-in-law and the others?"

The man's eyes were bloodshot, brimming with resentment, and he spat out through gritted teeth, "Prince Wei dispatched assassins to kill the Princess and the Princely Heir. They are all deceased."

Tong Xi, standing nearby, stared with wide, terrified eyes.

Zhao Yao refused to accept the news. "Impossible. Eighth Brother would never kill Fourth Sister-in-law and them."

"Your Highness Prince Han, what I speak is the truth. The Princess and everyone else were murdered by Prince Wei. The Li Family also..." The man trailed off, unable to continue.

Even the usually composed Zhao Yao could not maintain his composure upon hearing this devastating news. His body trembled unexpectedly, and he then slumped into a chair.

Witnessing Zhao Yao's ashen face and dark mood, Tong Xi rushed over, calling out with deep concern, "Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness..."

The man, weeping, added, "Minister Li and all his kin have been apprehended, and soon, the entire Li Family will face execution."

Tong Xi's face was etched with horror.

Zhao Yao forced himself to regain composure, his voice steady as he asked, "What is the current situation?"

"Your Highness Prince Han, the entire capital is currently under Prince Wei's absolute control."

Zhao Yao suddenly recalled the Emperor, urgently asking, "What about Father?"

"His Majesty suffered a stroke and is now bedridden."

"What did you say?" Zhao Yao shot to his feet, his gaze piercingly fixed on the man.

"Your Highness Prince Han, His Majesty has suffered a stroke and is bedridden. Prince Wei seized this opportune moment to seize control of the court and govern in his stead." The man's expression twisted in anguish. "Prince Wei, using his authority, framed His Highness, and..." The man broke down again, unable to continue through his tears.

Zhao Yao took a deep breath, attempting to steady his mind, though his face remained deathly pale.

"Is Father in critical danger?"

"His Majesty is not in mortal danger, but he has lost the ability to speak."

Hearing that the Emperor was not in life-threatening condition, Zhao Yao felt a sliver of relief.

"What else?"

"Prince Wei, ruling in the Emperor's stead, has employed every possible means to deal with His Highness..." the man recounted haltingly.

Following Prince Wei's consolidation of power, he systematically targeted Prince Chu and his supporters. During this tumultuous period, ministers who had backed Prince Chu faced execution, exile, or imprisonment, while others were demoted or completely removed from their official posts.

As Prince Chu's maternal lineage, the Li Family was unjustly accused and framed by Prince Wei, leading to the imprisonment of all its members. Furthermore, students from the Imperial College who had spoken out in support of Prince Chu and the Li Family were arrested and subjected to beatings. Fortunately, Prince Wei stopped short of ordering their deaths.

The Princess Consort Chu and her children were reportedly killed by bandits while en route to Liangzhou. The identity of these bandits, or who orchestrated the attack, was a truth that lay all too bare.

Prince Chu's assigned territory, Liangzhou, had also fallen under the control of Prince Wei's men. The majority of officials in Liangzhou had capitulated to Prince Wei, continuing their duties. A small faction who refused to submit were brought back to the capital and now awaited execution after the autumn harvest in the grim confines of the death cell.

Prince Wei's campaign of retribution was strictly directed at Prince Chu and his associates; officials who remained neutral in the court were left untouched. Prince Wei recognized the necessity of their support to manage the affairs of state.

Beyond his relentless pursuit of Prince Chu and his followers, Prince Wei refrained from any overtly extreme actions, thereby maintaining a semblance of stability within the capital and its administration.

Upon the man's conclusion, Zhao Yao directed Tong Xi to escort him away to rest.

Moments later, Princess Han entered the room. Noticing Zhao Yao's somber expression, she inquired with evident worry, "Your Highness, what has occurred?"

"I must travel to the capital immediately." He felt an undeniable urgency to go, to rescue his Fourth Brother and the Li Family. He could not stand idly by while the Li Family faced annihilation. Moreover, he needed to see his father in person.

Princess Han harbored suspicions about events in the capital but chose not to probe further.

"I shall make the arrangements for you immediately."

Just then, the butler hurried in, reporting to Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, Lord Wei has dispatched an envoy."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao's expression shifted to one of surprise. "Why would my Eighth Brother send someone here?"

"Your Highness, please attend to your affairs. I will assist you with the preparations," Princess Han said before departing.

Zhao Yao instructed the butler to usher in the emissary from Prince Wei’s residence.

The individual sent by Prince Wei was none other than Yu Jiang, the disciple of Yu Hai, whom Zhao Yao recognized.

Yu Jiang offered a respectful greeting to Zhao Yao before stating the reason for his presence in the Swamp Prefecture.

"Your Highness Prince Han, Lord Wei has instructed that you are not to return to the capital."

Zhao Yao listened, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What did you say?"

"Your Highness Prince Han, Lord Wei has instructed that you are not to return to the capital," Yu Jiang reiterated. "Lord Wei promises to uphold his commitment to you."

These words filled Zhao Yao with a surge of anger and astonishment. "He pledged not to harm Fourth Brother, yet he slew Fourth Sister-in-law and all her retinue."

"Your Highness Prince Han, Princess Consort Chu and her entourage were victims of banditry."

"Do you take me for a fool?"

Yu Jiang remained unfazed by Zhao Yao’s outburst, his demeanor calm as he spoke, "Your Highness Prince Han, should you insist on returning to the capital, Prince Chu will meet his demise."

Zhao Yao's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice turning ice-cold. "Is my Eighth Brother issuing a threat?"

"Your Highness Prince Han, you must remember that you cannot interfere in the matters between Lord Wei and Prince Chu. As the situation has not yet stabilized, your return to the capital and any attempt to meddle are forbidden."

"If I were to insist on returning to the capital, would Eighth Brother consider aiming his blade at me as well?"