Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 3: A Change in Weather

At midday, as soon as the lessons ended, Zhao Yao dashed out like a whirlwind. He tripped a bit while hurrying down the stairs and nearly tumbled, but Tong Xi grabbed him right in time.

"Your Highness, you..."

Zhao Yao gripped Tong Xi's neck firmly and urged him in a rush, "Quick! Quick!"

Hearing that, Tong Xi began sprinting fast, carrying Zhao Yao along.

Don't let Tong Xi's slender build deceive you; he's surprisingly robust. He carried the six-year-old Zhao Yao with ease, moving rapidly without strain.

[Yao Yao!] Lai Qian arrived with its siblings to greet him after classes.

"Lai Qian, we must make haste."

Lai Qian and its siblings swiftly trailed behind Zhao Yao and his group, soaring after them.

They dashed without pause toward the area near Kunde Hall, and only when Zhao Yao was sure the Ninth Prince wasn't following, did he tell Tong Xi to halt.

Tong Xi set Zhao Yao down, breathing a little heavily as he inquired, "Your Highness, why the rush?"

"Scared the Ninth Brother might catch up." Zhao Yao's expression showed clear contempt, "You see, Ninth Brother won't stop blabbing about Second Brother's brave exploits. If I don't speed away and he gets me, he'll keep yapping, and I just can't take it."

Lai Qian landed on Zhao Yao's shoulder, giving his small cheek a soft peck.

[Yao Yao, my siblings and I crave some apples.]

Zhao Yao nodded eagerly, "Sure thing, when we get back to the palace, I'll slice some apples for you all."

Lai Qian and its siblings cheered Zhao Yao right away: [Yao Yao, you're the greatest in the whole world!]

Delighted by the compliments, Zhao Yao grinned widely and headed toward Kunde Hall with glee.

Lai Qian and its family fluttered beside Zhao Yao, guarding him like loyal escorts.

Tong Xi trailed behind, watching the sight, and couldn't suppress a chuckle. It wasn't just the sparrows; cats and dogs adored His Highness too, always clustering around him.

Before arriving at Kunde Hall, Lai Fu and Lai Cai bounded over to Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao knelt down and scooped up the pair, planting kisses and strokes with fondness.

Each noon and afternoon, Lai Fu and Lai Cai would emerge to welcome Zhao Yao. Without his refusal, they'd even venture to Wende Hall to pick him up.

The Ninth Prince was a real pest, delighting in pursuing cats and dogs, even hurling rocks at them. Lai Fu and Lai Cai had suffered from the Ninth Prince's bullying in the past. Ever since, Zhao Yao had ordered his pets to avoid him.

"Mother Concubine, Second Mother Concubine, Third Mother Concubine, Fifth Sister, I'm home." Zhao Yao shouted as he dashed into Kunde Hall.

The Second Mother Concubine he meant was Yu Meiren residing in Kunde Hall, the Third Mother Concubine was Pan Cairen, and the Fifth Sister was the Fifth Princess, Yu Meiren's child.

The Fifth Princess rushed out first, "Tenth Brother, you're here. Did the teacher reprimand you this morning? Did he smack your hand?"

"Fifth Sister, I'm such a good boy. Why would the teacher scold or strike me?" Zhao Yao shot the Fifth Princess a glare, lips pursed in annoyance, "Fifth Sister, why does it seem like you wanted me to get in trouble with the teacher?"

"I was concerned for you. Study diligently, and you won't face punishment." The Fifth Princess grasped Zhao Yao's hand and guided him to the dining area, "This morning, Mother Concubine and I baked pastries. After your meal, you can have two more pieces."

Hearing about pastries lit up Zhao Yao's eyes, and he beamed, "Thanks, Fifth Sister." Fifth Sister excelled at baking treats, even better than the Imperial Kitchen's versions.

"What lessons did the teacher cover today?" the Fifth Princess wondered as they strolled.

"Today I studied..." Zhao Yao described in full what he'd learned that morning to the Fifth Princess, then shared the tale of the Ninth Prince's endless boasting. "Fifth Sister, you can't imagine how irritating Ninth Brother is, prattling on forever."

"Just act like you didn't catch his words."

"But he whispers straight into my ear."

The brother and sister entered the dining hall and paid respects to the three Mother Concubines.

Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen tenderly caressed and kissed Zhao Yao's cute face.

Gui Xing fetched a basin of warm water so Zhao Yao could clean his hands.

As he washed, Zhao Yao still grumbled about the Ninth Prince's tales of Prince Dai's triumphs.

"The whole palace is buzzing about Prince Dai's success now." Yu Meiren ladled a bowl of soup for Zhao Yao herself, "Yao Yao, sip some soup first." Then she offered a spoonful to his lips.

Pan Cairen remarked, "Word is spreading that the Emperor might remove the Crown Prince and name Prince Dai instead."

"Same old story." Whenever news of Second Brother's wins arrived, talks of dethroning the Crown Prince flared up fast. This had dragged on for years; the gossips never wearied of it, but he was fed up listening.

"The gossip is everywhere." Yu Meiren softly dabbed Zhao Yao's mouth edge with a cloth.

"Each time Prince Dai claims victory, they claim he'll be the next Crown Prince," Pan Cairen jabbed keenly, "They've chanted it for years, but Prince Dai still isn't."

"Third Mother Concubine, that's what they call shaping public opinion. Repeat it often enough, and folks will buy it." Zhao Yao clarified, "Plus, it rattles the Crown Prince."

Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed outside, booming fiercely.

Yu Meiren wrinkled her forehead and noted, "Thunderstorm again."

Pan Cairen chimed in, "Rain coming soon?"

Thunder rumbled once more, followed by a lightning streak.

The heavens grew dim swiftly, with bolts of lightning slashing across the sky in competition.

Before long, downpours hammered relentlessly.

Liang Zhaoyi gazed at the deluge beyond the window and stated evenly, "The climate's shifting!"

Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen agreed, nodding, "It surely is."

The day before had been clear skies, yet now a storm raged in March. It mirrored how Prince Dai's victory news disrupted the seeming calm in palace and court.

Afterward, Liang Zhaoyi and the rest dropped the topic of Prince Dai and the Crown Prince, since it barely touched their lives. Besides, too much talk invited risks.

After morning studies, Zhao Yao's stomach grumbled a bit. During lunch, his tiny mouth chomped away steadily.

Watching Zhao Yao devour his food so eagerly, Liang Zhaoyi and others found themselves adding half a bowl more rice.

Post-meal, Zhao Yao savored the Fifth Princess's pastries, utterly content. Nothing beat the joy of tasty bites in life.

As the rain intensified outside, such a storm in March felt downright odd.

Observing the fierce rain, Zhao Yao giggled, "This downpour means no afternoon lessons for sure. Nap time it is." His last life had been exhausting, but now he craved laziness as a prince, relishing meals and repose.

Seeing Zhao Yao so thrilled at skipping study, Liang Zhaoyi and the group felt both exasperated and entertained.

"Off to feed Lai Fu and the rest." With that, he scurried to the adjacent room to nourish Lai Fu and others, and handed apples to Lai Qian and its flock.

In Zhao Yang Palace, the Empress and Seventh Prince had wrapped up lunch too.

Now, they savored tea while viewing the storm through the entrance.

The Seventh Prince queried, "Mother, this torrent—do we still head to Qionglin Garden tonight?"

Qionglin Garden served as the harem's spot for lavish gatherings.

"That hinges on your father's call." Empress Xie set her cup aside and smirked, "I'd prefer the feast proceeds tonight."

The Seventh Prince grasped her aim and snickered slyly, "Me too, for the spectacle."

A thought struck her, turning Empress Xie's face to scorn as she said, "Noble Princess Consort Rong will strut again." Lately, the Emperor revisited Yongxin Palace often. "This morning, he showered her with presents, and when Jiang Chuan brought my gifts, Yongxin Palace preened like proud birds."

Whenever the Emperor gifted a consort or prince, Empress Xie customarily sent her own tokens.

"Arrogance precedes downfall; let them gloat," the Seventh Prince soothed Empress Xie, "Mother, no need for our concern—let the Crown Prince fret."

"Word is the Crown Prince raged in the Eastern Palace."

"Second Brother's latest triumph is huge, so the Crown Prince squirms."

Empress Xie chuckled, "May the Crown Prince and Prince Dai clash hard; the more intense, the better for us."

"Mother's wise."

"This storm likely cancels Wende Hall classes this afternoon. Rest up."

"Mother, I'll peruse books a bit first."

Empress Xie beamed at her son's studiousness, saying softly, "Nap if you weary."

"Yes." The Seventh Prince saluted Empress Xie and headed to his study.

Empress Xie rose and approached the pane. Staring at the raging rain, she twisted her lips in a cunning grin, "Noble Princess Consort Rong, Prince Dai, don't let me down now."

She summoned, "Nanny Sun."

Nanny Sun, poised nearby, advanced deferentially, "Yes, milady."

"Tell them to assist Marquis Xuanping and allies at tomorrow's court session." Undoubtedly, at dawn's assembly, Marquis Xuanping's faction would push again for ousting the Crown Prince in favor of Prince Dai. She'd gladly lend support. "Also, circulate Prince Dai's victory news across the capital, so the masses learn his splendor."