Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1196 - 179: The Li Family Must Die

Within Kunde Hall, Zhao Yao's gaze fell upon the emperor, who lay paralyzed in bed subsequent to a stroke. A frown creased his brow, his complexion grave, and his heart felt heavy with burden.

"Mother, what was the Imperial Physician's diagnosis? Is there any hope for Father's recovery?" he inquired.

Lady Liang, seated beside the emperor's bed and gently tending to his hands, responded with a soft sigh, "The Imperial Physician indicated a possibility, but..." She trailed off, her unspoken words conveying the grim reality of the emperor's slim chances of regaining his health.

Zhao Yao absorbed Lady Liang's unspoken meaning. "I've brought a witch doctor from Lingnan; I shall bring them to the palace tomorrow to examine Father."

"Can this witch doctor truly cure him?" Lady Liang questioned, her awareness of the difficulty stroke victims faced in returning to normalcy evident in her tone.

Zhao Yao, though uncertain himself, stated, "We must try." He felt it was an endeavor worth pursuing, regardless of the outcome.

Lady Liang agreed, considering it a gamble worth taking. Sometimes, desperate situations called for desperate measures, and perhaps this Lingnan witch doctor held the key to his recovery.

Zhao Yao then turned his attention back to Lady Liang, his expression suddenly hardening with gravity. "Mother, how did Father suddenly suffer a stroke?" he asked. Before he had departed the capital, his father's health had been robust, showing no prior indications of such an impending calamity.

"I truly don't know," Lady Liang replied. "However, Mr. Sun mentioned that your father experienced weakness in both hands and dizziness prior to the stroke, symptoms the Imperial Physician now regards as warning signs." Sensing Zhao Yao's underlying suspicion, she added, "The emperor was not poisoned."

"Did Father truly exhibit warning signs before his stroke?" Zhao Yao asked, his skepticism apparent.

"Mr. Sun would not fabricate such details. At the time, neither he nor your father gave it much thought, attributing it to fatigue," she explained.

Despite her explanation, Zhao Yao's doubts lingered.

"Let us await the witch doctor's diagnosis tomorrow," Lady Liang suggested.

"Yao Yao, try not to overthink things," Lady Liang advised.

"Mother, with so many unexpected events occurring, it's difficult not to contemplate them," Zhao Yao admitted with a gentle sigh. "I sincerely hope I am merely overthinking."

Lady Liang softly placed a hand on Zhao Yao's shoulder. Subsequently, the mother and son departed the emperor's sleeping quarters and proceeded to another chamber to visit Princess Consort Li.

Princess Consort Li, having recently awakened, displayed a smile that had been absent for a long time upon hearing of Zhao Yao's return. Her pale face lit up with excitement as he entered her presence.

"Little Ten, you have finally returned," she exclaimed, her eyes immediately welling up with tears.

After offering his respects to Princess Consort Li, Zhao Yao sat by her bedside, allowing her to hold his hand.

"Princess Li, please do not worry. Now that I am back, I shall not stand idly by while the Li Family faces peril," he vowed.

These were the words Princess Consort Li had yearned to hear. She clutched Zhao Yao's hand tightly, tears flowing silently, and managed to whisper hoarsely, "Thank you."

"Rest assured, I will also rescue Fourth Brother," Zhao Yao declared, his grip firm on Princess Consort Li's hand. He solemnly promised, "Once Fourth Brother is rescued, I will take him back to Swamp Prefecture. There, numerous witch doctors skilled in medical arts and abundant elixirs reside; surely, they can cure Fourth Brother."

Princess Consort Li looked at him with profound gratitude. "Little Ten, thank you, thank you..."

"Princess Li, it is my duty," Zhao Yao replied. After a brief conversation, the weakened Princess Consort Li began to tire. Before departing, Zhao Yao reiterated his promise to rescue the Li Family, finally allowing her to drift into a peaceful sleep.

Leaving Princess Consort Li's chambers, Zhao Yao accompanied Lady Liang to the study.

Lady Liang began by discussing recent events with Zhao Yao. By the time he had arrived in the capital, Zhao Yao was already privy to all the developments that had transpired in the city during his absence.

"Yao Yao, when you visit Prince Chu, do not mention anything about Princess Consort Chu to him; he remains unaware," Lady Liang instructed. "Princess Consort Li also does not know. Both still believe Princess Consort Chu and the children are safe."

The mention of Princess Consort Chu and the children's demise brought a deep sadness to Zhao Yao's eyes. He confessed, his voice laced with guilt, "I should have saved them, but I..."

Lady Liang had long anticipated Zhao Yao's self-reproach regarding the deaths of Princess Consort Chu and the children. She gently consoled him, "It was not your fault; you could not have foreseen Prince Wei's actions." She herself had not harbored the slightest suspicion.

Having missed the opportunity to save Princess Consort Chu and the children, he now felt an overwhelming compulsion to save the entire Li Family from annihilation.

"No matter the cost, I must save the Li Family," he resolved.

"Perhaps your plea might reach the ears of Prince Wei." While neutral officials advocated against eradicating the Li Family, Prince Wei remained steadfast in his decision, demanding their complete annihilation.

"Let us hold onto that hope." Although Zhao Yao possessed a token granting him unfettered entry to the Imperial Palace, his time within the restricted harem was necessarily brief. Furthermore, darkness had already descended by the time of his arrival. After a short exchange with Lady Liang, he departed with haste, not even affording himself the opportunity for a meal.