Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 995 - 84: Grand Commandant Zheng Disliked by His Sons

For a considerable period, Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian had resided in Swamp Prefecture. As their father, Grand Commandant Zheng naturally longed for them. It was entirely reasonable for him to wish to travel to Swamp Prefecture to catch a glimpse of his two sons.

Although Zheng Cheng rejoiced at Grand Commandant Zheng’s impending arrival, Zheng Qian felt a degree of irritation. Zheng Qian believed that his father’s motive for heading to Swamp Prefecture wasn’t simply to reunite with them but to deliberately assess the circumstances there.

Zheng Qian resisted Grand Commandant Zheng’s journey to Swamp Prefecture, yet his resistance proved futile. Grand Commandant Zheng remained resolute in his decision to reach Swamp Prefecture.

"Your Highness, my father doesn’t have good intentions. You should just shut him out." Things had been going smoothly for them in Swamp Prefecture, and they had no desire for their father’s presence to disturb their tranquil existence there. Having observed Grand Commandant Zheng’s sway from a young age, Zheng Qian worried that his father’s coming would spell trouble for Swamp Prefecture. "Your Highness, my father is trouble, and he’s a cunning old fox. It’s best not to meet him."

Zheng Cheng couldn’t believe the extent of Zheng Qian’s disdain for Grand Commandant Zheng.

"Little brother, how can you speak of Father like that?" What sort of son would label his own father as trouble and a cunning old fox?

Zheng Qian shot back coldly, "Am I wrong?"

His retort rendered Zheng Cheng unable to respond, for Zheng Qian held some truth in his words.

"Speaking of Father like that..." Father truly is a cunning old fox, yet such words shouldn’t be uttered before His Highness.

Cutting off Zheng Cheng, Zheng Qian pressed on toward Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, if word spreads that my father is heading to Swamp Prefecture, it won’t merely burden you; it could endanger you as well." Zheng Qian knew full well the Imperial Court’s efforts to sway his father. Should Prince Dai and his allies learn of the visit, they’d undoubtedly accuse Your Highness of conspiring with him and view Your Highness as a competitor.

Your Highness harbors no ambition for the throne and seeks to avoid its violent turmoil, which prompted the move to Swamp Prefecture. Should his father’s arrival draw scrutiny from the capital, those Princes would regard Your Highness as a major obstacle. Your Highness’s position would turn extremely hazardous.

Though Zheng Cheng shunned political matters, he wasn’t utterly clueless. Listening to Zheng Qian’s concerns, he swiftly grasped how their father’s trip to Swamp Prefecture might affect Zhao Yao.

Earlier, he had been thrilled by Grand Commandant Zheng’s visit, but now worry gripped him, and he hastily concurred, "Your Highness, my brother is right, my father cannot come to Swamp Prefecture." He puzzled over why this angle had escaped him previously.

As the brothers voiced their thoughts, a spark of warmth stirred in Zhao Yao’s heart.

"Grand Commandant Zheng is your father. Driven by paternal concern, he journeys to Swamp Prefecture to behold you out of profound family bonds; I lack any grounds to bar Grand Commandant Zheng." Noting the worry in their gazes, Zhao Yao offered a comforting smile, "I believe Grand Commandant Zheng will come to Swamp Prefecture not in his official capacity but as a parent. Moreover, it’s been ages since you last saw Grand Commandant Zheng. Don’t you wish to reunite?"

Zheng Qian answered promptly, "No, I don’t."

Zheng Cheng stayed silent, as inwardly, he yearned to see Grand Commandant Zheng.

"How does Grand Commandant Zheng intend to travel here? Will he sail from Quanting County?" Grand Commandant Zheng’s birthplace lies close to Quanting County, situated along the coast. With the maritime ban now lifted, Quanting County’s shores have grown lively, and seafaring routes have flourished into a convenient option. Many inland traders joining the trade conference are sailing to Swamp Prefecture from Quanting County’s ports.

With a grave expression, Zheng Qian stated, "He is already en route to Swamp Prefecture and should reach the Swamp Prefecture docks shortly after the trade conference concludes." Zheng Qian deeply resented Grand Commandant Zheng’s tendency to "act first, report later."

"That’s merely days from now. Then, you two should head to the docks to greet Grand Commandant Zheng." Zhao Yao had no intention of encountering Grand Commandant Zheng at the docks, since the man was visiting Swamp Prefecture as a father to his sons, not as an official calling on Prince Han. Furthermore, appearing at the docks to meet him would draw undue notice. He was certain that word of Grand Commandant Zheng’s trip to Swamp Prefecture would soon buzz across the capital, leaving him unable to dispel the suspicions even if the Yellow River ran clear.

"Your Highness, just send him back directly."

"Be it for official or personal reasons, I cannot turn Grand Commandant Zheng away." Zhao Yao gazed with mirth at Zheng Qian’s sullen countenance, "Once Grand Commandant Zheng arrives, you brothers ought to host him properly and guide him through Swamp Prefecture."