Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1028: Chapter 99: Things Have Gotten Complicated (2)

Zhao Yao said, "Regarding the Southern Wei people, don’t be curious and certainly do not show any interest. Just act as if nothing happened. When they come to you again, act indifferent. Warn them not to seek you further, and say you don’t believe in any Southern Wei people at all."

"The more you show disbelief in the existence of Southern Wei people, the safer you will be. As for them wanting to help you recover your memory, let them do as they wish; it’s impossible for there to be a medicine that can restore your memory."

Pei Dingyuan, always obedient to Zhao Yao, nodded docilely: "I remember Your Highness’s words; I will stay away from the Southern Wei people."

"Ah... and how did the Southern Wei people discover you?" Zhao Yao was somewhat regretful now. "Had I known, I wouldn’t have let you adopt the Pei surname back then." Zhao Yao suspected the Southern Wei people found Pei Dingyuan because of his Pei surname. Though many in Great Zhou bear the surname Pei, not many do in the capital. Given the nature of the Southern Wei people, perhaps they’ve investigated every Pei in the area as they seek the Imperial Jade Seal.

"Your Highness had me adopt the Pei surname for my benefit, to let me acknowledge my ancestors." Pei Dingyuan thought to himself, he did not care whether he had the Pei surname. More than the surname Pei, he wished His Highness would grant him a surname.

"The Pei family’s dishonor was cleansed because of the Yuan family’s incident, and the Pei family is no longer seen as traitors. Those Pei family members wronged and killed in those years can finally rest in peace." After the Yuan family’s collusion with the Xiongnu was exposed, the matter of the Yuan family framing the Pei family also came to light. The emperor swiftly absolved the Pei family’s grievances. However, the court ministers held little regard for the Pei family, for although the Pei family did not collude with foreign tribes back then, they were incredibly arrogant and domineering during their peak, leaving a poor reputation in both historical records and among the populace. This is why the former emperor, upon ascending, redressed many injustices but never cleared the Pei family’s name.

"However, there’s always been a rumor of the Pei family having treasure, so I never let you openly honor them. Besides, if people knew you were a Pei descendant, you would be mired in endless trouble and danger." Zhao Yao now more than ever felt letting Ding Yuan carry the Pei surname was indeed too perilous. "Luckily you are in Lingnan now; no one will link you to the Pei family." His concern was the Southern Wei people would not easily let go of Ding Yuan, as he was their sole hope of finding the Imperial Jade Seal. Alas, Ding Yuan being a Pei descendant – this fact couldn’t be hidden for too long.

What Zhao Yao considered, Pei Dingyuan also pondered.

"Your Highness, how about granting me a surname now, so no one will suspect I could be a Pei descendant?"

This request left Zhao Yao quite astonished.

"You want to change your surname?"

"Your Highness, to be honest, I don’t care if I’m a Pei or not, nor do I mind being a Pei descendant." Pei Dingyuan said earnestly, "Years ago, it was Your Highness who saved me and gave me a new life."

"If you don’t mind, I’ll grant you a surname."

"I don’t mind; being granted a surname by Your Highness is my honor."

Seeing Pei Dingyuan’s radiant expression, Zhao Yao couldn’t help but laugh: "If so, I’ll give you a name." He thought briefly, "Your surname will be Liang then." Naming him Zhao was unsuitable, as it was the imperial surname.

Pei Dingyuan did not expect Zhao Yao would bestow the surname Liang upon him; it was an immeasurable honor.

"Thank you, Your Highness. From now on, I shall be called Liang Dingyuan."

Zhao Yao did not expect that granting Ding Yuan the surname Liang would bring him such joy.

"I hope your ancestors won’t blame me."

"Your Highness does this for my good; they would hardly have time to thank you." Turning into Liang Dingyuan, he suddenly felt a sense of lightness. His previous apprehension and unease toward the Southern Wei people vanished as well.

"Ding Yuan, is it really alright if you don’t bear the Pei surname?"

"It is alright." Liang Dingyuan recalled the Southern Wei people’s apparent obsession with that item and hesitantly asked, "Your Highness, should the Southern Wei people restore their nation, would it not be detrimental to Great Zhou?"

"Certainly it would." The Southern Wei people’s ambition is not merely to restore their nation, but to control Great Zhou, to make Great Zhou their own possession.

Liang Dingyuan’s expression immediately turned tense, "Your Highness, since the Southern Wei people pose a threat to Great Zhou, we cannot sit idle."

"The matter of the Southern Wei people is beyond our capacity; it’s better not to worry." Zhao Yao continued, "The capital is aware of the Southern Wei people’s existence, and they haven’t taken action precisely because they don’t want to alert them."

Hearing Zhao Yao say this, Liang Dingyuan felt reassured.

Zhao Yao gave Liang Dingyuan some final instructions, then had Tong Xi escort him back.

Once Liang Dingyuan left, Zhao Yao sighed deeply, "Ah... the Southern Wei people truly linger relentlessly."

Zhao Yao gently tapped the table, his expression thoughtful. A method must be devised to make the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture disappear. Still, this isn’t a definitive solution.

Is the number of Southern Wei people who know Ding Yuan’s background large, or have only those in Swamp Prefecture discovered Ding Yuan’s origin? If it’s merely that, then eliminating the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture would suffice. However, if Southern Wei people outside Swamp Prefecture know of Ding Yuan’s background, there’s no way around it.

Zhao Yao summoned Hidden Guard Alpha and instructed them to investigate the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture and to find out whether they’ve spread Ding Yuan’s story elsewhere.

Sigh, hopefully, the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture haven’t disseminated Ding Yuan’s background.

Since the Southern Wei people have uncovered Ding Yuan’s origin, they likely know it was him who saved Ding Yuan in those days. The Southern Wei people must now be aware he knows of their existence, which isn’t a favorable situation. Let’s hope the Southern Wei people in Swamp Prefecture haven’t shared this matter.

Zhao Yao squeezed his brow and said, rather distressed, "The situation is difficult." Anyway, eliminate the Southern Wei people hidden in Swamp Prefecture first.