Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1201 - 181: Meeting Prime Minister He

Zhao Yao frowned, his face turning rather cold. “Are you certain Father was poisoned?â€

“Your Highness, I would not misdiagnose. The Emperor’s ailment was indeed caused by poison,†the witch doctor stated with great confidence in his medical expertise.

“My mother consort mentioned that before Father experienced this, he felt weakness in his limbs and suffered blackouts.â€

The witch doctor responded, “Those symptoms are also a result of the poison.â€

Zhao Yao’s gaze instantly sharpened. So, Father was not merely suffering a stroke but was poisoned, and it must have been Eighth Brother who orchestrated it!

Upon hearing of the Emperor's stroke, Zhao Yao had already harbored suspicions that it wasn't a natural illness but had been inflicted by Prince Wei.

“Be truthful with me, can Father truly recover consciousness?†Zhao Yao pressed, “Do you genuinely possess a thirty percent chance?â€

“Your Highness, I would not dare to speak with arrogance. However, I do possess a thirty percent certainty that the Emperor can regain consciousness, though his legs may likely remain impaired,†the witch doctor replied.

“It is acceptable if his legs remain impaired; the most critical aspect is for Father to regain his senses and the ability to speak,†Zhao Yao stated.

Hearing this, the witch doctor conveyed with a troubled expression, “Your Highness, if you desire the Emperor to regain his speech, it will necessitate prolonged acupuncture treatment.â€

“I understand. Proceed with the acupuncture treatment for Father without hesitation,†Zhao Yao commanded.

Eighth Brother has refrained from making a fatal move against Father, which suggests he is temporarily unwilling for Father to perish. To Eighth Brother, a Father incapacitated by a stroke proves more advantageous than a deceased one.

“Yes, Your Highness.â€

Moments later, Zhao Yao escorted the witch doctor to visit Prince Chu.

After carefully examining Prince Chu’s pulse, the witch doctor informed Zhao Yao and Prince Chu that his body was excessively frail and required prolonged nurturing for recovery.

Zhao Yao understood the severity of Prince Chu’s physical condition upon hearing the witch doctor’s assessment.

Prince Chu, however, displayed little concern for his own health, urgently inquiring about Princess Consort Li’s condition.

Zhao Yao conveyed that Princess Consort Li’s constitution was also exceedingly weak and would require years of dedicated nurturing.

This news from Zhao Yao brought a sense of reassurance to Prince Chu.

Zhao Yao conversed with Prince Chu for a short period before departing with the witch doctor. He instructed Tong Xi to escort the witch doctor back to the Han Prince Mansion, while he himself proceeded to Prime Minister He’s residence.

Prime Minister He had returned to his estate after the morning court and was engrossed in reading within his study when the steward announced Zhao Yao’s arrival.

“Master, Prince Han has arrived,†the steward informed him.

Prime Minister He was not taken aback by Zhao Yao’s visit. He rose from his seat and went to meet his guest.

Zhao Yao had just settled into the reception hall and rose swiftly as he perceived Prime Minister He approaching.

Upon entering the living room, Prime Minister He offered a respectful bow to Zhao Yao, “Greetings, Prince Han.â€

Zhao Yao promptly reciprocated the gesture, “Prime Minister He.â€

“Please be seated, Your Highness,†Prime Minister He invited.

“Prime Minister He, I offer my apologies for this abrupt and unannounced visit,†Zhao Yao expressed. This was his inaugural visit to Prime Minister He’s residence. Beyond occasional visits to the estates of a few imperial siblings, he had seldom called upon other ministers. It was solely due to the Li Family that Zhao Yao found himself at Prime Minister He’s doorstep.

“Your Highness is too kind,†Prime Minister He replied. He was aware of the underlying reason for Zhao Yao’s presence but feigned ignorance, asking, “May I inquire what instructions Your Highness might have?â€

Zhao Yao recognized Prime Minister He’s pretense of unawareness. Opting for directness, he stated, “I have come to discuss the matter of the Li Family with you, Prime Minister He.â€

Prime Minister He seemed momentarily surprised by Zhao Yao’s forthright approach and inquired, “Your Highness, what precisely do you mean?â€

“Prime Minister He, Eighth Brother intends to utterly eradicate the entire Li Family. You are likely more aware of this than I am, so I shall dispense with pleasantries. The Li Family is innocent; even if they bear some guilt, they do not warrant annihilation as a clan,†Zhao Yao declared. He understood that the man before him was a shrewd and astute politician. Engaging in protracted indirect conversation would yield no results regarding the Li Family, hence his decision to address the issue head-on. “The Li Family has rendered great service to Great Zhou, diligently restoring cultural rites throughout the realm, cultivating scholars, and nurturing numerous esteemed officials. Should Eighth Brother be permitted to exterminate the Li Family entirely, it would undoubtedly demoralize scholars across the land.â€

Prime Minister He let out an internal sigh at Zhao Yao's declaration, musing that Prince Han possessed a directness the Emperor sorely lacked.

"Your Highness's words are astute, yet Lord Wei remains resolute; our hands are tied." He recalled how their pleas to Prince Wei during the Li Family's downfall had been utterly ignored. "And now, within the imperial court, Lord Wei has decreed that any intercession for the Li Family is forbidden." Previously, many officials had attempted to speak for the Li Family, only to face severe repercussions from Prince Wei, thus silencing all future advocates.

"Prime Minister He, you stand apart from these courtiers. Should you continue to champion the Li Family's cause, I doubt Eighth Brother would dare to retaliate against you." It was believed that with the influence of both Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, averting the Li Family's destruction would not have been an insurmountable task.