Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1035: Chapter 102: Prince Chu’s Suspicions (Part 2)

"Your Highness, I’m afraid Prince Chu isn’t that easy to kill." Yang Qi remembered a matter from many years ago, which caused his expression to become worried.

Seeing Yang Qi’s worried expression and hearing what he said, Prince Han asked in confusion, "Sir, what do you mean by this?"

"Your Highness, do you remember when Prince Chu was ordered to go to Peng City to investigate the missing copper case?"

Prince Han didn’t understand why Yang Qi brought up this matter, but he remembered it deeply, after all, the Crown Prince’s demotion was because of it.

"I remember."

"Then do you remember Prince Chu being pursued by the deposed Crown Prince, the deposed Duke Zhen, and Prince Dai, yet Prince Chu returned to the capital safely and revealed that the deposed Crown Prince was stealing copper to forge weapons?"

Upon hearing Yang Qi say this, Prince Han recalled the incident. Back then, they all thought Prince Chu wouldn’t make it back to the capital alive, but unexpectedly, he returned safely and brought evidence of the deposed Crown Prince’s weapon forging, which shocked them.

"I heard that Prince Chu was ruthlessly pursued back then, wave after wave, and almost all his people were killed." Yang Qi said, "I fear Prince Chu might use the same trick again, making it impossible for us to kill him. Moreover, given Prince Chu’s intelligence, he should have already guessed that we wouldn’t let him go, and has likely prepared for it."

"If one wave isn’t enough, then ten waves. If ten waves aren’t enough, then a hundred waves. I don’t believe that he’ll escape every time." Prince Han felt his men were stronger than the deposed Crown Prince’s lackeys, that they couldn’t possibly fail to kill Prince Chu. "The northern border is far from the capital; there will be plenty of opportunities to kill Prince Chu. If not successful the first time, certainly by the tenth."

Yang Qi felt Prince Han made sense, "Your Highness is right."

"I initially wanted to spare Prince Chu, let him deal with Prince Dai, but since he’s sending himself to the gallows, I’ll oblige him." Prince Chu was destined to die sooner or later, and his early death wouldn’t affect his plan. "Once Prince Dai returns to the capital, Princes Seven and Eight won’t spare him." When Prince Dai and the others fight to mutual destruction, he’ll intervene, and the throne will be his.

Yang Qi spoke with Prince Han for a while longer before leaving to arrange the assassination of Prince Chu.

Meanwhile, Yang Ling was discussing with Prince Chu about returning to the capital.

"Your Highness, I think Prince Han should already know that you’re investigating the relationship between him and the Princess Three. He’ll certainly not let you return to the capital alive." Yang Ling said with a stern expression, "I’m afraid Prince Han has already arranged assassins; your way back to the capital will be fraught with danger."

Prince Chu was not surprised by this.

"Your Highness, the trick you used when escaping in Jiangnan will likely be ineffective this time." Yang Ling said heavily, "We need to plan your return to the capital carefully, or else it will truly be dangerous."

Prince Chu listened and smiled lightly: "Sir, rest assured, Tenth Brother has arranged my return to the capital."

"Prince Han?" Yang Ling asked in astonishment, "Your Highness, why would Prince Han arrange your return to the capital?"

"Sir, it was Tenth Brother who informed me of Prince Han’s relations with Princess Three of the new Modu Chanyu."

Yang Ling was shocked and shouted, "What..." Realizing his loss of composure, he quickly lowered his voice, "Are you sure about this, Your Highness?"

"Certainly, it’s Tenth Brother who wrote to inform me, though he only suspects Prince Han’s relations with Princess Three, there’s no evidence." Zhao Yao’s exact words were that Prince Han was having an affair with Princess Three.

Yang Ling was alarmed, "Why would Prince Han suspect Prince Han has relations with Princess Three of the new Modu Chanyu?" Not even he had considered this possibility.

"Tenth Brother said that although Princess Three is a woman, she survived in the Xiongnu Grassland and won favor, which is not something an ordinary woman could do..." Prince Chu detailed Zhao Yao’s suspicions to Yang Ling.

Yang Ling listened with an astonished expression.

Prince Chu knew what Yang Ling was astonished about and didn’t say much more.

"Your Highness, Prince Han..." Yang Ling began but was interrupted by Prince Chu raising his hand, "Sir, I know what you’re going to say, there’s no need to say it. I’m still saying the same thing: I trust Tenth Brother."

Hearing Prince Chu say this, Yang Ling had no choice but to swallow his words.

"Tenth Brother mentioned in his letter that as soon as I start investigating Prince Han and Princess Three, Prince Han will surely notice and try every means to kill me, not allowing me to return to the capital alive. Therefore, he has arranged my return."

"How does Prince Han ensure Your Highness’s safe return to the capital?"

"In a couple of days, I will leave the north with the convoy that Tenth Brother arranged, heading to the Western Regions. Once there, I’ll return to the capital." Prince Chu continued, "Tenth Brother will arrange for someone to impersonate me and stay in the north for a few days. After a few days, this person will continue impersonating me on the road back to the capital."

Yang Ling reminded Prince Chu, "Your Highness, before you leave, Prince Han is sure to see you off, and then he’ll discover that person isn’t you."

"Tenth Brother mentioned someone in Lingnan proficient in disguise, so Prince Han won’t find out."

"Disguise?" Yang Ling was doubtful, "Is there truly a disguise technique in this world?"

"Sir, you’ll know the day after tomorrow." Prince Chu trusted Zhao Yao’s words.

"Your Highness, about Prince Han’s strategies..." Yang Ling couldn’t help but warn Prince Chu but was again interrupted by him.

"Sir, I believe Tenth Brother wouldn’t harm me."

Seeing Prince Chu’s trust in Prince Han, Yang Ling felt both angry and helpless.

"Your Highness, if this time Prince Han is against you, please don’t trust him in the future."

"Alright." Prince Chu agreed readily, "Sir, if Tenth Brother doesn’t harm me this time and helps me return safely to the capital, please don’t doubt him anymore."

"Okay." If Prince Han refrains from acting against Prince Chu, it indicates he genuinely isn’t interested in vying for the throne and bears no malice toward Prince Chu.

Prince Chu did not mention it further, and the topic switched back to Prince Han’s dealings with Princess Three.

"Right now, we’ve found that Prince Han is colluding with Princess Three of the new Modu Chanyu, but we have no evidence. Your Highness, after returning to the capital to report this to His Majesty, he may not believe it." Yang Ling continued, "Our people sent to the grassland have been discovered. Sending more people there to gather evidence is not feasible." They were already alerting the snakes, both Prince Han and Princess Three are wary of them, preventing their people from approaching the grassland.

Seeing Yang Ling, Prince Chu calmly said, "Sir, don’t underestimate the emperor’s skepticism."

Yang Ling immediately understood Prince Chu’s meaning and showed a sudden smile.

Far away in the capital, the Emperor suddenly sneezed.

"That rascal Ten must be cursing me."

Sun Kui: Your Majesty, really have a knack for self-awareness.

The Emperor tossed aside the approved memorial and stretched, making an unseemly sound of comfort.

"Your Majesty, you’re tired. Let your servant massage your shoulders for you." Sun Kui walked behind the Emperor and skillfully began massaging his shoulders.

Just then, the Hidden Guard arrived. Sun Kui hurried over, took the confidential report from him, and respectfully handed it to the Emperor.

The Emperor read the report and laughed heartily: "Hahaha, that rascal Ten did not disappoint me."

Seeing the Emperor so pleased, Sun Kui bravely asked, "Your Majesty, what has Prince Han done to make you so happy?"

"That rascal noticed that Prince Han is having an affair with Princess Three of Modu Chanyu and informed Prince Chu." The Emperor laughed, "I thought it would take him longer to discover, but he found out so quickly." Excellent, the rascal did not disappoint him.

Sun Kui was astonished: What, Prince Han is having an affair with Princess Three?!

Wait, the Emperor already knows!