Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1074: Chapter 120: Prince Chu Returns

Just as many ministers in the court were worried about their careers and lives, Prince Chu returned to the capital with great fanfare.

Recently, due to the accusation from Annan, the civil and military officials have been anxious and concerned, leaving no room to pay attention to Prince Chu. It wasn’t until Prince Chu returned to the capital that they remembered Prince Chu had specific intentions for going to the Northern border. Just thinking that Prince Chu’s return might bring turmoil to the court again made the ministers anxious. For a while, many were on edge.

Prince Chu returned to the capital without hurrying to enter the palace; instead, he first returned to his mansion to bathe and change. He had traveled a long dusty journey, looking disheveled. To appear before the emperor in such a state would be too disrespectful.

Minister Li and the ministers who supported Prince Chu were all very excited upon learning of his return. If not for knowing that Prince Chu was going to enter the palace to meet the emperor, they would have rushed to Prince Chu Mansion in a swarm.

After bathing, Prince Chu hurriedly entered the palace.

The emperor was already aware that Prince Chu was back in the capital and was waiting for him to enter the palace. Upon learning he had entered, he sent Sun Kui to personally welcome him.

As Prince Chu stepped off the carriage, he saw Sun Kui at the palace gate. Just as he was about to speak, Sun Kui approached him.

Sun Kui first respectfully saluted Prince Chu and then said, "Your Highness, the emperor has sent me to receive you."

"Thank you, Mr. Sun."

"No need to be so polite, Your Highness." Sun Kui asked with concern, "Your Highness, did you encounter any trouble along the way?"

"Thanks for your concern, Mr. Sun. My journey was smooth without any issues." This was all thanks to the help of his tenth brother, allowing him to return to the capital safely.

"You wouldn’t believe how worried the emperor was for you, not to mention Princess Li’s deep concern." Sun Kui’s words were half true. Princess Li was genuinely worried, but the emperor wasn’t concerned at all. "Princess Li will be overjoyed to know you’ve returned."

Upon hearing that Princess Li was worried about him, Prince Chu felt deeply guilty: "Mr. Sun, how has my mother been these days?" Fearing detection by Prince Han’s men, he dared neither to write letters nor send messages. His mother and others must have been restless not seeing him return.

"Princess Li has lost weight, saying it’s due to the summer heat, but I think it’s because she’s worried about you."

"I am unfilial." Prince Chu decided that after reporting to the emperor, he would visit Princess Li. "By the way, how is Lady Liang?"

"Lady Liang is also worried about you," Sun Kui thought to himself how well Lady Liang was doing. "She’s fine, you needn’t worry."

"That’s good." Since Zhao Yao went to Lingnan, Prince Chu had regarded Lady Liang as his own mother.

Sun Kui then shared some recent court happenings with Prince Chu. Although Prince Chu hadn’t been back in the capital, he had heard about the Annan Princess accusing many ministers. Of course, he also knew about former Prince Zheng being demoted to a commoner and facing execution.

"Your Highness, the emperor has instructed that you may go in directly without announcing your arrival."

"Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Sun."

"You honor me too much, Your Highness. This is my duty." Sun Kui did not accompany him into the Imperial Study but stayed at the door.

Seeing his master standing at the door, Sun Doudou curiously asked, "Master, why aren’t you going in to attend?"

"The emperor has important matters to discuss with Prince Chu, so I’m not going in," Sun Kui had the tact, "I’ll wait for the emperor to call me."

Sun Doudou sneaked a glance into the Imperial Study, then whispered to Sun Kui, "Master, Prince Chu has returned. Does this mean there’s going to be trouble, maybe even major trouble?"

Sun Kui glared at Sun Doudou, "Is it your place to be concerned with court affairs?" He warned, "Don’t ask what you shouldn’t."

Sun Doudou smiled ingratiatingly at Sun Kui: "I was just startled." So many things had happened recently. Not only were the ministers trembling with fear, but those who served were also anxious, afraid of getting in the emperor’s way.

"What are you afraid of? These matters have nothing to do with you." After speaking, Sun Kui leaned against the pillar, closing his eyes for a nap.

Sun Doudou dared not speak further, quietly standing by his master’s side.

Inside the Imperial Study, the emperor listened intently to Prince Chu’s report.

Prince Chu reported everything he saw and heard on his way to the Northern border, including the events that transpired after his arrival, in full detail to the emperor.

The emperor listened while occasionally praising Prince Chu for his accomplishments.

When Prince Chu reported on the disaster relief, he slipped in a little personal praise, lavishly commending Zhao Yao for quickly delivering food to the Northern border and praising Zhao Yao’s idea of eating locusts as excellent. Nowadays, the people of the Northern border no longer feared locusts but regarded them as the "God of Wealth."