Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 4 Dinner

The relentless downpour raged from midday all the way to dusk, granting Zhao Yao's heartfelt desire to avoid his lessons at Wende Hall.

By evening, the intense rain finally stopped, allowing the feast to proceed right on time.

The evening's gathering was strictly a family affair, drawing in nearly all the concubines along with the princes and princesses.

With some time left before the banquet kicked off, Liang Zhaoyi and her group felt no rush to head over to Qionglin Garden. At major events or when showing respect to Empress Xie, Liang Zhaoyi and Yu Meiren always timed their arrival in the middle—not too soon, not too late.

Zhao Yao tumbled playfully on the couch, hugging Lai Fu and Lai Cai close. “Mother Consort, can’t I just skip it this time?” Sure, a dramatic scene awaited at the banquet, but he’d rather lounge in Kunde Hall, frolicking with Lai Fu and the rest.

“Absolutely not.” Liang Zhaoyi perched beside the couch, softly squeezing her son’s plump cheek. “Time to get moving now.”

Zhao Yao plunged his face into Lai Cai’s soft belly, pretending to be lifeless.

Lai Cai lolled out its tongue and gave Zhao Yao’s head a gentle lick.

Liang Zhaoyi extended her hand to tweak Zhao Yao’s small ear, prompting an instant wail of discomfort from him.

“Are you getting up or what?”

“Yes, yes, right away!”

Only then did Liang Zhaoyi let go of her son’s ear.

Zhao Yao wasted no more time dawdling and grudgingly rose to his feet.

Once they freshened up, Yu Meiren showed up with the Fifth Princess in tow.

Pan Cairen’s rank was far too modest for her to join such a grand banquet, though truthfully, she had no desire to anyway—her shy nature left her anxious about slipping up in front of everyone.

Liang Zhaoyi clasped Zhao Yao’s hand while Yu Meiren took hold of the Fifth Princess’s, and together they made their way toward Qionglin Garden.

“This banquet tonight is bound to stir up trouble,” remarked Yu Meiren, who shared Zhao Yao’s reluctance to attend. She dreaded navigating these tense social scenes more than anything.

Liang Zhaoyi replied in a hushed tone, “We’re only there to dine; ignore the rest.”

Kunde Hall lay at a good distance from Qionglin Garden, requiring a solid quarter-hour’s walk to reach. Their timing was spot on—not too early, not too late—since key figures like Empress Xie, Noble Princess Consort Rong, and Princess Consort De hadn’t yet shown up.

Consort Li had beaten Liang Zhaoyi and the group there by a short margin, so Liang Zhaoyi guided Yu Meiren in offering their bows and respects to her.

Zhao Yao politely addressed the Fourth Prince, who sat next to Consort Li. “Fourth Brother.”

The Fifth Princess added her own cheerful greeting.

The Fourth Prince gave a subtle nod to Zhao Yao and the rest, his voice steady as he replied, “Tenth Brother, Fifth Sister.”

Zhao Yao settled in beside the Fourth Prince, with the Fifth Princess taking a seat nearby.

The Fourth Prince maintained a straight-backed posture, his face cool and somewhat distant. Yet Zhao Yao saw none of that; to him, Fourth Brother was kind-hearted, reliable, studious, and endlessly tolerant with his little siblings.

Struggling with his studies, Zhao Yao ranked as the most behind among the princes. The Fourth Prince frequently helped him review. Even when Zhao Yao played dumb on purpose, Fourth Brother never grew impatient, explaining things over and over with calm patience until it clicked.

Of all his imperial siblings, Zhao Yao admired the Fourth Prince above the others.

The Fourth Prince leaned in to ask about the morning’s lecture from the tutor and if Zhao Yao had followed along.

At the Fourth Prince’s question, Zhao Yao’s inner alarms blared, a bad feeling brewing: was Fourth Brother about to quiz him right there? Studying held zero appeal before the feast began.

He blurted out hastily, “Fourth Brother, I got it all.” Worried it wouldn’t convince him, he added firmly, “Fourth Brother, I truly understood everything.”

The Fourth Prince noticed Zhao Yao’s eager attempt to look convinced, a brief sparkle of amusement in his gaze. “If you’ve got it, then let’s see—quiz time.”

Despite the wide age difference between Zhao Yao and the Fourth Prince, the brothers all shared the same study hall. Teachers covered the older princes’ material first, then the younger ones, so the Fourth Prince knew exactly what Zhao Yao had covered that morning.

Hearing the Fourth Prince insist on testing him, Zhao Yao’s pulse raced. He flashed a fawning smile at once. “Fourth Brother, Father Emperor and everyone will be here any minute. How about we do the quiz tomorrow and let me off today?”

The Fourth Prince caught the desperation in Zhao Yao’s plea and knew his little brother hadn’t really absorbed the lesson. Still, this wasn’t the place for a proper session.

“Fine, tomorrow it is for the test.”

Relief washed over Zhao Yao’s features like a narrow escape. He beamed at the Fourth Prince, then swiftly pivoted the conversation, raving about the Fifth Princess’s tasty treats and pressing the Fourth Prince to sample one.

Recognizing Zhao Yao’s dodge from school talk, the Fourth Prince sighed inwardly with mild exasperation but played along, chatting about the Fifth Princess’s baked goods. Deep down, he didn’t relish acting as an impromptu tutor. Normally, he wouldn’t offer to explain things to brothers like the Ninth Prince when they faltered, but Zhao Yao stood apart. The Fourth Prince cherished the innocent gleam in those wide eyes.

Soon enough, Princess Consort De, Consort Shu, and Princess Consort Liang swept in, trailed by the Third Prince, Second Princess, Third Princess, Fifth Prince, Fourth Princess, and Sixth Princess.

Consort Shu served as the mother to the Third Prince and Second Princess.

Princess Consort De bore the Third Princess and Fifth Prince.

Princess Consort Liang raised the Fourth Princess and Sixth Prince.

These three women hailed from noble lineages. While the court largely backed the Crown Prince and Prince Dai, a solid faction of officials championed the Third Prince and Fifth Prince too.

Consort Li and Liang Zhaoyi stood promptly to offer their courtesies to Princess Consort De and her companions.

Princess Consort De and the others gave Consort Li and the group mere cursory nods, saying nothing.

Though Consort Li’s origins outshone Liang Zhaoyi’s, they paled beside these three highborn ladies.

The trio saw one another as rivals, yet their prime foe remained Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Why not Empress Xie?

Empress Xie came from the prestigious Xie clan and had borne the Seventh Prince, but she held the role of replacement empress.

Empress Xie enjoyed the Xie family’s support, though that clan favored the Crown Prince over the Seventh Prince.

The Crown Prince was the offspring of the previous empress, herself a Xie family daughter.

As long as the Crown Prince endured, the Seventh Prince—Empress Xie’s boy—stood no shot at ascension. Above all, Empress Xie lacked the deep imperial favor that Noble Princess Consort Rong commanded.

Noble Princess Consort Rong, the Emperor’s own cousin, had shared a childhood with him, their bond unbreakable. Absent the alliance-sealing match with the Xie family years ago, she would have claimed the empress throne.

The Emperor showered favor on Noble Princess Consort Rong like no other. For more than two decades, she dominated the palace’s affections without falter.

Even uniting with Empress Xie, the three couldn’t topple Noble Princess Consort Rong’s hold.

Beyond her favor, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s firstborn, Prince Dai, shone with rare talent, earning the Emperor’s profound love and trust.

For the sons of those three, the true barrier to the throne wasn’t the Crown Prince—it was Prince Dai.

“Prince Dai’s feats never cease; yet another grand triumph,” Princess Consort Liang commented abruptly.

Princess Consort De’s voice dripped with envy. “Noble Princess Consort Rong is truly blessed, raising a standout like Prince Dai.” She glanced at the poised and elegant Consort Shu. “Consort Shu, back when Prince Dai matched the Third Prince’s age, he already charged into battle, but your Third Prince lingers in Wende Hall with books. Measuring against such a one stirs endless frustration.”

The Third Prince cut in before Consort Shu could respond. “Consort De, war and commanding soldiers hold no appeal for me; I prefer diving into studies and art.” At just fourteen, the Third Prince excelled in painting, his works already prized and sold for fortunes. “Second Brother enlisted at twelve, and Fifth Brother turns twelve this year. He might trail Second Brother to camp for drills—perhaps earn glory just like him.”

The Fifth Prince shook his head vigorously at that. “No way; soldiering in the army isn’t for me.”

Consort Shu offered Princess Consort De a soft smile. “Consort De, looks like your hopes just crumbled.”

Princess Consort De shot a sharp look at the Fifth Prince, then at Consort Shu. “Your hopes are the ones in ruins.”

As Princess Consort De and Consort Shu teetered on the edge of a spat, Princess Consort Liang jumped in to mediate. “Sisters, let’s not bicker. This feast honors Prince Dai’s win, and the Emperor with the Empress will join us shortly.”

Mention of the Emperor’s imminent arrival silenced Princess Consort De and Consort Shu at once; they held their tongues, though their glares locked in fierce opposition.

Moments later, salutations rang out for Empress Xie and the Crown Prince from nearby.

Empress Xie entered with the Seventh Prince at her side, while the Crown Prince arrived alongside the Crown Princess Consort for the occasion.

All rose swiftly to bow to Empress Xie, who kindly bid them to sit once more. Right after, the Emperor made his entrance, accompanied by Noble Princess Consort Rong and the Ninth Prince.

“Everyone, stand.”

Though the Emperor entered with Noble Princess Consort Rong, he took his place next to Empress Xie. The sight sparked a flicker of bitterness in Noble Princess Consort Rong’s eyes.

Patience—just a bit more, and she’d claim the empress title, securing her spot beside the Emperor for good.

Noble Princess Consort Rong bowed with proper deference to Empress Xie. “I offer my respects to the Empress.” With the Emperor present, she conducted herself impeccably, but without him, her gestures grew half-hearted.

Empress Xie lifted Noble Princess Consort Rong herself. “Sister, no need to kneel.” She clasped Noble Princess Consort Rong’s hand tenderly, her smile radiant. “Sister, you’ve gifted the Emperor—and Great Zhou—a remarkable son! Without Prince Dai’s efforts, the Liangzhou uprising couldn’t have ended so fast and flawlessly!”