Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 991 - 82: Father’s Cunning Scheme

Shortly after reaching Swamp Prefecture the previous year, Zhao Yao ordered his Personal Guard to construct a football field. Once their everyday training left them exhausted, they were able to unwind by kicking around a ball. Still, the Personal Guard's football field wasn't intended for games against outsiders. Letting others participate might expose how the number of Personal Guards went well beyond the permitted limit.

Truth be told, Zhao Yao suspected that the problem of his Personal Guard vastly surpassing the allowed numbers had already caught the attention of those around. Concealing such a crowd was no easy task. Any spy performing a simple check could easily uncover the facts.

Suddenly, a thought struck Zhao Yao, prompting a derisive chuckle from him.

Tong Xi, positioned at his side, caught the mocking sound from Zhao Yao and experienced a sudden unease in his chest. Gathering his nerve, he inquired, "Your Highness, what's troubling you?"

With a subtle grin, Zhao Yao responded, "I was just considering that even if I assembled 200,000 private soldiers, my father wouldn't hold it against me."

"Eh, 200,000 private soldiers?" Tong Xi was stunned by the figure, "Your Highness, are you seriously planning to muster 200,000 private soldiers?! Should the capital learn of this, they'll undoubtedly suspect you're plotting a revolt."

"Revolt?" Zhao Yao issued a laugh laced with ambiguous intent, "Tong Xi, do you truly think that even if I intended to revolt for real, my father wouldn't reprimand me? On the contrary, he'd likely rejoice, hoping I'd triumph in the revolt, claim the emperorship, and let him step down as Supreme Emperor to leisurely tour the lands alongside my mother." Zhao Yao had pinpointed the emperor's mindset with precision.

"That's impossible." Tong Xi rejected the notion in astonishment, "Regardless of how deeply the emperor dotes on you, he couldn't possibly endorse your revolt." Had His Highness grown overconfident from indulgence, assuming the emperor's affection granted him free rein?

Zhao Yao's eyes narrowed just a touch, a cryptic smile playing across his features.

"Your Highness, the emperor does hold you dear, yet the one he prizes above all remains Lord Chu—don't ever overlook that." Swayed by Zhao Yao's influence, Tong Xi had never envisioned his lord ascending to the imperial seat one day.

"I sincerely hope Father truly esteems Fourth Brother." At this point, Zhao Yao's brow creased faintly, "None but Fourth Brother deserves the throne." Though Father might desire to place him there, it ultimately hinged on his own willingness.

"Your Highness, who besides Prince Chu could it possibly be? Haven't you mentioned earlier that the sole person fit to claim the throne in the end is Lord Chu?" Recalling Zhao Yao's prior statements, Tong Xi gasped in surprise, "Your Highness, you're not thinking of vying for the throne yourself, are you?"

Zhao Yao shot a glare at the alarmed Tong Xi, snapping in annoyance, "What makes you think with either eye that I'm aiming for the throne? Do I seem that bored?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yao's denial, Tong Xi felt a wave of relief wash over him. He lifted his hand to thump his chest, "Your Highness, you nearly frightened me out of my wits. I genuinely believed you meant to challenge Lord Chu and the rest for the throne."

"Should I actually enter the fray, do you suppose I'd fall short against Fourth Brother and the others?" He held no desire for the throne and no reluctance to forgo the contest. But if he chose to strive for it, his capabilities would undoubtedly secure victory.

Tong Xi replied without a second thought, "Your Highness, you'd surely be defeated by Lord Chu." Deep down, Tong Xi regarded Prince Chu as superior to his own master.

Zhao Yao found Tong Xi's answer entertaining, propping his hand to his brow as he burst into robust laughter.

Perplexed by Zhao Yao's amusement, Tong Xi questioned with worry, "Your Highness, have I spoken amiss?"

Zhao Yao dismissed it with a wave, his gaze brimming with amusement as he stated, "No, you're spot on—I'm no match for Fourth Brother."

Tong Xi gazed at Zhao Yao in bewilderment, "In that case, Your Highness, why the laughter?"

"It's nothing." The smile lingered on Zhao Yao's face before shifting to a somber look, "For Fourth Brother, come what may, I'll ultimately extend my aid to see him claim the throne."

"Your Highness, didn't you declare you wouldn't get involved in the rivalry between Lord Chu and Lord Wei?"

"I won't intervene in the clash between Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother, yet when the conclusion arrives..." Though Fourth Brother might prevail over all, including Eighth Brother, ascending the throne could still elude him. In truth, Fourth Brother's ultimate foe wasn't Eighth Brother, but Father. At that juncture, I'd help Fourth Brother seize the throne. "Father loves to keep everyone in a whirl." Father, dear Father, you'll soon experience the chaos of endless spinning yourself.

The further Tong Xi listened, the more bewildered he grew, "Your Highness, what exactly are you implying? I can't make sense of any of it?"

Instead of addressing Tong Xi's query, Zhao Yao turned the question back on him, "Tong Xi, would you desire for me to contend for the throne?"

"Huh?" Tong Xi froze at Zhao Yao's abrupt query. Noting the gravity in his Highness's demeanor, his pulse quickened, and his face turned earnest, "Your Highness, should you wish to vie for the throne, I'd stand by you unwaveringly, but if that's not your intent, I'd rather you steer clear."