Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1195 - 178: As Expected, Tenth Brother Won’t Behave (Part 2)

Zhao Yao intended to present a valuable treasure to Prince Wei in an effort to secure the freedom of the entire Li Family. He hoped that for the sake of this significant offering, his Eighth Brother would agree to release his Fourth Brother and all of their kin. Should Prince Wei refuse, Zhao Yao was prepared to use more forceful measures.

As night fell, Zhao Yao embarked on his journey towards the capital, accompanied by his retinue.

Meanwhile, within He Lianfang’s study, he calmly continued his reading, seemingly unperturbed by Zhao Yao’s departure.

A shadowy figure, observing from the darkness, grew agitated. "It's over, Prince Han no longer trusts you," the voice whispered.

He Lianfang cast a mild glance towards the figure, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "This is a positive development," he stated.

The shadowed individual expressed confusion. "How can this be good?"

He Lianfang chose to disregard the question, returning his attention to his book.

Not long after Zhao Yao’s departure from Swamp Prefecture, Prince Wei received his dispatched letter. The correspondence revealed that the Emperor had suffered a severe stroke and was critically ill. As a son, Zhao Yao felt compelled to return to the capital to be by his father's side, and he informed Prince Wei that there was no valid reason for him to be prevented from doing so. The letter also indicated that Zhao Yao had crucial matters he wished to discuss with Prince Wei.

Upon reading Zhao Yao’s letter, Prince Wei offered a smile of helpless indulgence. "Tenth Brother is, as expected, quite insubordinate," he remarked.

"Your Highness, is Prince Han returning to the capital?" a subordinate inquired.

"He is indeed en route back to the capital," Prince Wei confirmed.

Yu Hai appeared surprised. "But didn't Yu Jiang instruct Prince Han not to return?"

Prince Wei glanced at Yu Hai. "Even if you had gone, you wouldn't have been able to stop Tenth Brother from returning," he stated.

"Then, should Your Highness dispatch someone to intercept Prince Han and prevent his entry into the capital?" Yu Hai pressed. "If Prince Han returns, he will undoubtedly move to save Prince Chu and the Li Family. We cannot allow him to enter."

"I had anticipated that he would not remain compliant in Swamp Prefecture," Prince Wei said with a knowing air. "He cannot simply stand by while I annihilate the Li Family."

"However, Prince Han's return to the capital could jeopardize your grand strategy," Yu Hai expressed his concern, worried that Zhao Yao might oppose Prince Wei due to Prince Chu.

"Tenth Brother will not derail my plans. Let him return to the capital," Prince Wei replied with a smile. "If I refuse him now, he might very well storm the capital."

"Your Highness, are you suggesting that Prince Han might lead troops to attack the capital?" Yu Hai asked, a note of disbelief and derision in his voice. "Where would Prince Han obtain troops? Are the guards at Prince Han's mansion considered an army?"

Prince Wei responded with a cold tone. "Tenth Brother possesses the Tiger Tally of the Southern Garrison."

"What?" Yu Hai’s countenance shifted dramatically upon hearing this. His eyes widened in horror. "The Tiger Tally of the Southern Garrison? How is that possible?"

"The Emperor bestowed the Tiger Tally of the Southern Garrison upon Tenth Brother before he departed for Lingnan," Prince Wei said, casting a sidelong glance at Yu Hai. "Do you have any idea how many soldiers that commands?"

Yu Hai swallowed hard, his fear palpable. "Two hundred thousand..."

"The soldiers of the Southern Garrison have long been stationed at the Southern Border. They are hardened, courageous, and exceptionally skilled in combat. Do you truly believe Tenth Brother cannot march on the capital?"

"But the Southern Garrison cannot possibly defeat the Imperial Army, can they..."

Prince Wei looked at Yu Hai with amusement. "Is the Imperial Army loyal to us?"

Yu Hai froze for a moment, then shook his head. "No." His expression grew increasingly horrified. "Your Highness, then Prince Han he..."

"You should consider yourself fortunate that Tenth Brother still regards me as his Eighth Brother and refrains from leading troops against me," Prince Wei stated. Without further discussion, he began to pen a response to Zhao Yao.

Sun Doudou, who had been waiting nearby, observed Yu Hai’s terrified reaction and a flicker of mocking amusement crossed her eyes.

Several days passed before Zhao Yao received Prince Wei’s reply. The letter simply stated that Prince Wei would await his return to the capital, making no mention of any other matters.

Upon learning that Prince Wei had agreed to his return, Zhao Yao let out a profound sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared that his Eighth Brother would adamantly forbid his return, forcing him to resort to drastic measures.

Lady Liang, situated within the palace, received news from Prince Wei regarding Zhao Yao's impending return to the capital. She too felt a wave of relief wash over her. In the current circumstances, as a woman, her capacity to influence events was limited. Only Yao Yao’s return, she believed, could truly alter the course of affairs.

Lady Liang dispatched Gui Xing that day, carrying provisions and restorative elixirs, to visit Prince Chu. Gui Xing was also to convey the news of Zhao Yao’s imminent return to the capital.

The moment Prince Chu heard of Zhao Yao’s impending arrival, his eyes brightened. He harbored the certainty that with Zhao Yao’s return, the enduring plight of the entire Li Family would be resolved.

A few days hence, Zhao Yao’s vessel docked, signifying his arrival in the capital. As the hour was late, he bypassed the Han Prince Mansion and the Prince Wei Mansion, proceeding directly to the Imperial Palace.

While the palace gates remained unlathed, the lateness of the hour meant that entry was strictly prohibited unless explicitly sanctioned by the Emperor.

The Emperor, long afflicted by a paralytic stroke rendering him speechless, was incapable of summoning Zhao Yao. Nevertheless, had Zhao Yao sought out Prince Wei and obtained his assent for entry, passage would have been granted. Yet, Zhao Yao needed no such authorization from Prince Wei; he possessed his own covert methods for entering the palace.

As Zhao Yao and Tong Xi neared the imposing palace gates, the stationed sentinels predictably halted their progress. Zhao Yao then produced a jade pendant from his robes—a token bestowed by the Emperor on his birthday. At that juncture, its precise function remained a mystery, as neither the Emperor nor Lady Liang had disclosed it to him. However, through years of contemplation, he had divined its purpose.

The sight of the jade pendant in Zhao Yao’s grasp caused the soldiers on duty to turn ashen, their prior apprehension swiftly replaced by profound deference. Without further ado, they granted Zhao Yao passage into the palace grounds.

Before proceeding, Zhao Yao cautioned the guards against divulging any information regarding the jade pendant.

The soldiers hastily affirmed their ignorance of any such revelation.

Zhao Yao then inquired about the Emperor’s current lodging, specifically asking if he still resided in the rear chambers of Zichen Hall.

The soldiers informed him that after the Emperor’s critical illness descended, he had relocated to Kunde Hall, where Lady Liang personally attended to his needs.

Armed with this intel, Zhao Yao promptly made his way toward Kunde Hall.

Scarcely had Zhao Yao gained entry to the palace when Prince Wei received word of his arrival.

“Your Highness, the guards at the palace gates, astonishingly, permitted Prince Han’s entry of their own volition.”

“Tenth Brother possesses a Token, granting him unfettered access to the Imperial Palace. Neither the gatekeepers nor the Imperial Army could have impeded him.”

Yu Hai expressed his bewilderment, “Your Highness, you yourself do not possess such a Token; how then could Prince Han hold a Token for free ingress and egress of the palace?”

“It was, without question, bestowed by the Emperor.”

“How could His Majesty bestow such…” Yu Hai’s query was interjected by Prince Wei, who commanded, “Prepare refreshments—food and wine. Await Tenth Brother’s departure from the palace.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“And ready a carriage as well.”

“Your Highness, to where shall we be traveling?”

“To the palace gates, to await Tenth Brother’s exit.”