Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 5 Top Hat

Empress Xie's compliments were brushed off by Noble Consort Rong. She rose to her feet, a bit rattled, and replied, “Your Majesty, you praise me excessively.” With effort, she withdrew her hand from Empress Xie's hold. Then, she turned a soft gaze toward the Emperor, adding, “A dragon begets no inferior offspring. This is all thanks to Your Majesty's superb guidance.” Once done, she drew a handkerchief from her sleeve and meticulously cleaned her hands.

Witnessing Noble Consort Rong wipe her hands, Empress Xie's eyes chilled, barely holding onto her poised grin. She froze briefly before restoring her regal poise, responding, “Noble Consort Rong speaks truly—a dragon begets no inferior offspring. Prince Dai truly mirrors His Majesty in his youth.”

Having cleaned her hands, Noble Consort Rong flung the handkerchief to the attendant behind her.

“Prince Dai lags far behind His Majesty in his younger days. By Prince Dai's age, my cousin had become the General of Constant Victory.” Midway through her words, she paused as an idea struck her, then covered her mouth with a light chuckle. “Your Majesty, forgive me—I overlooked that you were merely a youth then and unaware of the Emperor's valor.”

That final remark struck at Empress Xie's vulnerability. Noble Consort Rong was fully aware of Empress Xie's weaknesses and deliberately prodded them.

At those words, a flash of ferocity appeared in Empress Xie's eyes, though she swiftly composed herself. Just as she opened her mouth to reply, the Emperor cut in.

“All of you, take your seats.”

Noble Consort Rong offered the Emperor a refined smile and gracefully returned to her position.

Empress Xie felt choked, her inner fury bottled up, straining her ability to keep smiling.

She drew a steadying breath, composed herself, and lifted her cup toward the Emperor. “Your Majesty, I toast to your triumphant success in Liangzhou.”

At this sight, the others rose successively, each raising their cups to honor the Emperor.

As a young child, Zhao Yao naturally couldn't partake in wine. He got up and added a few words of good wishes.

Ever since the report of Liangzhou's victory reached the palace, the Emperor's spirits had soared. He rose and shared three cups with his consorts and offspring.

Following Empress Xie's toast, Noble Consort Rong stood next and presented hers.

“Your Majesty, may Great Zhou flourish in peace and prosperity...” Noble Consort Rong was clever, avoiding any reference to Prince Dai's victory throughout.

After Noble Consort Rong's toast came Princess Consort De's and the rest.

The three consorts uttered various fortunate phrases, naturally including compliments on Prince Dai's skills.

Consort Li and Liang Zhaoyi echoed nearly identical sentiments.

Once the consorts had toasted, it was the princes and princesses' turn, starting with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince first extended congratulations to the Emperor, then lauded Prince Dai's prowess. He noted that across the years, Prince Dai's suppression of uprisings beyond the borders had bolstered Great Zhou's security. He called it a privilege to have such a sibling as Prince Dai, a boon to the realm. In closing, he remarked that with a War God like Prince Dai, Great Zhou and its citizens were guaranteed protection.

His remarks rang with genuine warmth, as though straight from the heart.

Hearing the Crown Prince's speech, Zhao Yao inwardly admired: Ingenious! The Crown Prince brother's words are sheer genius!

The address appeared to celebrate Prince Dai's feats yet subtly positioned him as the sole pillar of Great Zhou's order, implying that his conquests alone ensured tranquility, crediting him entirely and sidelining all else.

The flattery was handled with exquisite skill!

He had pondered how, amid Prince Dai's notable triumphs, the officials and populace hailed Prince Dai's talents, even deeming him fitter than the Crown Prince for succession. In such circumstances, he wondered how his Crown Prince brother would respond, yet from the banquet's outset, his Crown Prince brother delivered a masterful riposte.

Initially, Noble Consort Rong swelled with pride at the Crown Prince's acclaim for Prince Dai, but as she absorbed it, unease crept in. When he concluded, she hastily interjected, “Crown Prince, you overstate it—the security of Great Zhou...”

She couldn't proceed, as the Crown Prince abruptly hacked: “Cough, cough, cough...” halting her mid-sentence.

Noting how the Crown Prince's cough silenced Noble Consort Rong, Empress Xie sneered inwardly, but recalling the prior slight from Noble Consort Rong, she chose to join the Crown Prince's ploy.

“Crown Prince, are you alright? Did you get chilled in today's rain?” Empress Xie inquired, her expression laced with worry.

As his father, the Emperor couldn't ignore it and voiced concern too: “Do you feel ill?”

Princess Consort De added, “The rain poured hard today, with fierce winds. The Crown Prince's constitution has long been frail; he might have caught something from the exposure.”

Princess Consort Liang chimed in, “I sensed the chill myself today.”

With worry, Princess Consort Liang urged, “Hurry, fetch the Crown Prince some warm tea.”

Noble Consort Rong's features hardened. “Crown Prince, if you're not well, you ought to recuperate in the East Palace and skip this evening's feast.”

After his coughing fit, the Crown Prince rose, bowed remorsefully to the Emperor, and said, “Father, I'm alright—it was just from gulping the drink too fast earlier.”

Empress Xie shot the Crown Prince a stern look, pretending mild annoyance. “You alarmed your father.”

“It was my error.” The Crown Prince appeared contrite. “Punish me as you see fit, Father.”

“Provided you're well.” The Emperor waved his hand, signaling the Crown Prince to resume his seat.

No sooner had the Crown Prince settled than Noble Consort Rong geared up to resume her earlier point, but the third prince preempted her.

The third prince rose and offered a toast to the Emperor. Among the princes, he shone brightest in scholarly pursuits. His blessings brimmed with allusions to classics, culminating in a nod to Prince Dai as akin to the unbeatable Bai Qi of the Qin era.

Hearing the third prince liken her son to Bai Qi left Noble Consort Rong irked. Though Bai Qi claimed many wins, his massacre of 400,000 Zhao soldiers marked him as brutally savage.

The third prince seemed to extol Prince Dai's courage but covertly implied, much like Bai Qi, that Prince Dai was merciless and a bloodthirsty killer.

Naturally, Consort Rong wouldn't tolerate the third prince tarnishing her son; she let her composure slip, bluntly challenging his intent in equating Prince Dai with Bai Qi, alluding to savagery.

“Noble Consort, you've got it wrong—my intent wasn't that...”

Noble Consort Rong sharply cut off the third prince with icy tone. “Then what did you intend?” She let out a frosty scoff. “Third Prince, with your deep knowledge of texts, are you unaware of Bai Qi's nature? Likening Prince Dai to him—do you mean to deride Prince Dai?”

Princess Consort Liang rushed to say, “Noble Consort, the third prince truly didn't intend that...”

Noble Consort Rong lifted her hand, silencing Princess Consort Liang with evident irritation. “Stop—the third prince's point is crystal clear to me.” Then, she faced the Emperor with an aggrieved expression. “Your Majesty, Prince Dai secured a win for you, yet the third prince likens him to Bai Qi.”

Flustered, the third prince protested, “Father, I harbored no such thought...” A mere look from the Emperor quelled him, and he fell silent.

Princess Consort Liang moved to shield the third prince, but the Emperor's evident annoyance deterred her from speaking further.

At that juncture, the fourth prince stood to toast the Emperor. He began with congratulations to the Emperor, followed by acclaim for Prince Dai's victory, stressing that the success stemmed not just from Prince Dai but from the soldiers' collective toil and the Emperor's sagacious command. He ended by stating that with the Emperor, Prince Dai, and the troops, Great Zhou's firmness would grow, enhancing the populace's welfare.

In his mind, Zhao Yao wildly applauded his fourth brother.

His fourth brother's phrasing was eloquent and airtight.

The Emperor grinned at the fourth prince's words.

The fifth prince and the rest followed, drawing from the fourth prince's approach.

At last, it reached Zhao Yao, the smallest son. He didn't echo the fourth prince. “Second brother is incredible, and Father is even greater. Second brother is a hero, and Father is a mighty hero.”

His phrasing was juvenile, yet spot on. The Emperor overlooked it, aware his youngest was tongue-tied and no orator.

“Zhao Yao, is that the best you can do?” The Emperor held no grudge; it was the ninth prince who bristled. The lavish tributes to Prince Dai thrilled him. To his mind, glorifying his second brother glorified him too. Zhao Yao's plain remarks irked him. “Don't you have more to say?”

Gazing at the ninth prince, Zhao Yao answered with pure candor, “No, I don't.”