Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1193 - 177: Eliminate the Roots (Part 2)

"I possess the means to rescue Fourth Sister-in-law and the others, yet I remained idle, turning a blind eye to events unfolding in the capital. This inaction resulted in the tragic demise of Fourth Sister-in-law and her kin..." Zhao Yao's eyes welled with tears, his visage etched with profound remorse and guilt. "Bao Bao and the rest were such well-behaved, obedient children, and yet... I am the reason for their untimely, gruesome deaths. I have failed Fourth Sister-in-law..." The Fourth Sister-in-law had always treated him with immense kindness, akin to a maternal figure, and he had stood by, allowing harm to befall them. "I should never have ignored it..."

As Zhao Yao spoke, he struck himself.

Tong Xi rushed to intervene, pulling Zhao Yao into an embrace.

"Your Highness, it was Lord Wei who orchestrated their deaths, not you. This is not your fault..."

"It is my fault, my fault for not intervening to save them..." Zhao Yao crumpled to the ground, weeping uncontrollably like a child. "I have let down my Fourth Brother, and my Fourth Sister-in-law..." He possessed the capability to prevent his Eighth Brother from harming Fourth Sister-in-law and their family, yet he had done nothing at all.

"Your Highness..." Tong Xi, who had dedicated his life to serving and nurturing Zhao Yao since his youth, had never before witnessed such profound helplessness and sorrow in him.

Princess Han, upon hearing the cries, hurried over. Upon seeing Zhao Yao seated on the ground, weeping inconsolably, she rushed to embrace him.

"Si Yun, I am the cause of Fourth Sister-in-law and Bao Bao's deaths..."

Kneeling beside them, Tong Xi elaborated to Xiao Siyun: "Lord Wei dispatched assassins to eliminate Princess Consort Chu and the Princely Heir, and Your Highness bears the burden of guilt for this tragedy."

Xiao Siyun gasped in shock: "Fourth Sister-in-law and the others... were murdered by my Eighth Brother?"

Tong Xi gave a slight nod. "Every one of them was slain by Lord Wei."

"But why would Eighth Brother..."

Tong Xi merely shook his head before quietly withdrawing, leaving Xiao Siyun to comfort the distraught Zhao Yao.

Meanwhile, far away in the distant capital.

Lady Liang dispatched Gui Xing to the place of execution to visit Prince Chu, bringing with her provisions and medicinal supplies.

The jailers guarding the condemned showed no hesitation when they learned Gui Xing was a palace maid serving Lady Liang, granting her passage.

Lord Wei had, at an earlier juncture, given explicit instructions to the death row jailers: should Lady Liang send an envoy to visit Prince Chu, no obstacles were to be placed in their path.

The death row was a desolate place, where every footstep echoed with the startling resonance of thunder.

Gui Xing, visibly frightened and trembling, followed the jailer to the confinement cells of Prince Chu.

The cell designated for Prince Chu was maintained with remarkable tidiness and cleanliness, devoid of any foul odors. Within its confines were a table, chairs, bedding, and a bed.

Prince Chu reclined against the bed, his hair disheveled, his complexion pallid, and his frame emaciated, appearing on the brink of utter collapse.

The jailer unlatched the cell door, permitting Gui Xing to enter.

Gui Xing offered a respectful bow to Prince Chu before placing the food container she had brought onto the table.

"Your Highness, this fare has been specially prepared by Lady Liang, and she instructed me to personally deliver it to you." As she spoke, she opened the container. "Her Ladyship has also prepared a tonic for your recuperation; you must consume it."

Prince Chu seemed to rouse from his stupor, turning his gaze towards Gui Xing.

"Your Highness, Her Ladyship conveyed that regardless of the circumstances, one must sustain themselves through nourishment to endure and gather strength." Gui Xing approached Prince Chu, holding the medicinal bowl. "This is a herbal concoction sent by Prince Han from Lingnan, meticulously brewed for you. Please drink it."

Prince Chu managed a hoarse utterance: "My thanks to Lady Liang..."

"Your Highness, allow me to assist you in taking it."

"I am grateful for your assistance."

"It is of no consequence." Gui Xing carefully administered the medicine to Prince Chu. Witnessing his current wretched state filled her heart with sorrow.

"Miss Gui Xing, pray tell, how fares my mother?" Prince Chu, confined within the grim confines of death row, remained oblivious to the events transpiring beyond its walls. He was still unaware that his wife and children were no longer among the living.

"Be at ease; under Lady Liang's watchful care, Princess Li is most certainly well." Following Prince Chu's downfall, Princess Li had succumbed to illness. With no one in the palace daring to attend to her, Lady Liang had taken it upon herself to move her to Kunde Hall for care. Lord Wei had offered no objection to this arrangement, seemingly giving his tacit approval. "Princess Li holds you in her highest regard; therefore, it is imperative that you diligently take your medicine and partake in your meals."

"I shall heed Lady Liang's counsel." Prince Chu's thoughts turned to his maternal grandfather, and he urgently inquired, "And what of my maternal grandfather and his kin?"

"Mr. Li and the others are currently detained in the central prison." Gui Xing sought to reassure Prince Chu. "Rest assured, Prince Han will undoubtedly return to secure your release and that of Mr. Li." Her Ladyship had expressed that only His Highness possessed the capacity to liberate Prince Chu and the Li family.

Upon hearing this, Prince Chu's spirits lifted slightly. He then inquired further, "How is Father Emperor faring?"

The Emperor remains speechless following his stroke, unable to utter words or move. "Rest assured, Lady Liang is diligently attending to His Majesty," a comforting voice assures him. "We are grateful for Lady Liang's tireless efforts." Lady Liang shoulders the weighty responsibility of caring for both the ailing Emperor and the gravely ill Princess Li. After administering Prince Chu's calming herbal medicine, Gui Xing guides him to his meal. Prince Chu's physical frailty necessitates a diet of nourishing foods and calming herbs. Once he has eaten, Gui Xing assists him into bed. Returning to Kunde Hall, Gui Xing provides Lady Liang with a detailed account of Prince Chu's condition. Upon hearing the report, Lady Liang's eyes mist over slightly. "It is a relief that he is willing to take his medicine and eat," she murmurs, her greatest fear being that Prince Chu would succumb to despair and cease to eat, drink, or take his medicine, effectively seeking death. "Your Ladyship, I took the liberty of informing His Highness that he will return to rescue both you and the Li Family," Gui Xing confides, then tentatively asks, "Your Ladyship, will His Highness indeed return?" "Regardless of whether Lord Wei permits Yao Yao's return, Yao Yao will come back," Lady Liang asserts with conviction. "Yao Yao cannot stand by while Lord Wei annihilates the entire Li Family." Gui Xing expresses hope, stating, "It will be wonderful when His Highness returns." "Yao Yao is aware of the capital's unfolding events, and I fear..." Lady Liang trails off, worried that Yao Yao will blame himself upon learning of Princess Consort Chu's and others' deaths. A mother's understanding of her son runs deep. Indeed, Zhao Yao felt responsible for the demise of Princess Consort Chu and the others. After weeping profusely in Xiao Siyun's embrace, he regained his composure. He resolved to return to the capital, not only to save his Fourth Brother and the Li Family but also for the sake of his Eighth Brother. The Li Family is indispensable. They hold a revered position in the hearts of scholars throughout the land. Should Eighth Brother eradicate the Li Family entirely, the global scholarly community would surely protest. Furthermore, the Li Family symbolizes academic pursuits; their destruction would extinguish the motivation for countless students. As for Father Emperor, Zhao Yao found it inconceivable that he would suffer a sudden stroke. Father Emperor had always been robust, his only ailments being residual injuries from his youth, which were never severe enough to cause such a debilitating paralysis. He suspected that his Eighth Brother was behind Father Emperor's stroke. While Eighth Brother would not resort to patricide, he would incapacitate Father Emperor, rendering him speechless and unable to govern, thus allowing him to seize control of the state affairs legitimately. He cannot leave his Fourth Brother in the capital; he must bring Fourth Brother back to Lingnan. Lingnan is known for its abundant witch doctors and miraculous remedies, which surely can cure Fourth Brother. If Eighth Brother remains unyielding in his pursuit against the Li Family and refuses to permit him to take Fourth Brother away, then he will have no other choice but...