Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1075: Chapter 120: Prince Chu Returns (Part 2)

Upon hearing Prince Chu eagerly praise his youngest son, the Emperor felt both gratified and amused.

"Father, the smooth resolution of the northern locust plague is all thanks to my tenth brother; you must properly reward him." Prince Chu believed the Emperor should not overlook Zhao Yao’s merit just because he disliked him.

Knowing the implication behind Prince Chu’s words, the Emperor replied, "I have already rewarded him."

Prince Chu did not inquire further about what the Emperor had bestowed upon Zhao Yao. "Then the tenth brother will certainly be very happy."

The Emperor remarked, "You truly show concern for him."

"As his elder brother, it is only right for me to care about him."

The Emperor glanced at Prince Chu and praised him: "You’re doing very well." Afterward, he asked, "How’s the second brother faring in the northern territories?"

"Second brother is doing well in the north..." Prince Chu spoke only of Prince Dai’s hardships and merits in resisting the Xiongnu, avoiding any negative comments.

After listening, the Emperor nodded slightly and then inquired, "What about the fifth brother?"

"Father, regarding the fifth brother, there is something I need to report."

"Speak."

Prince Chu detailed the matter of Prince Han colluding with the three Princesses around the new Modu Chanyu to the Emperor. He added that he had no evidence, but the matter was true and asked the Emperor to immediately send someone to investigate.

The Emperor listened without showing any emotion.

"It’s commendable that you detected this matter."

Prince Chu was astonished to hear this: "Father, do you know already?"

"I have some knowledge."

Prince Chu looked shocked.

"The situation with the fifth brother and the three Princesses is more complicated than you think." The Emperor cautioned Prince Chu, "Let this matter rest with you; don’t be concerned."

"Yes, Father." Since the Emperor was aware of the fifth brother’s collusion with the three Princesses, he had no worries.

The Emperor praised Prince Chu again, then urged him to go and see Princess Consort Li.

Princess Consort Li already knew that Prince Chu had returned and was waiting for her son’s visit.

Upon meeting Princess Consort Li, Prince Chu first apologized for being unfilial and causing her worry.

Princess Consort Li’s eyes reddened as she helped Prince Chu up, continuously saying that his return was all that mattered.

During this period, Princess Consort Li had been constantly worried about her son’s safety, fearing he might meet misfortune on his way back to the capital. She often dreamt of her son being pursued and killed, resulting in separation of body and soul.

Once Princess Consort Li calmed down, Prince Chu explained how Zhao Yao assisted him in a narrow escape.

Princess Consort Li sighed, "Fortunately, Prince Han helped you this time, or else..." Her son did not pamper the youngest in vain; the youngest was grateful. "Did you encounter any danger in the north?"

Prince Chu briefly recounted the occurrences in the northern territories to Princess Consort Li. He did not mention Prince Han’s collusion with the three Princesses, as it was a secret not to be casually shared.

"Prince Dai was highly meritorious in repelling the Xiongnu this time. I was previously worried that upon his return from the north, he might overshadow you. Unexpectedly, recent accusations by the Princess of Annan against Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping for recruiting soldiers and forging weapons in Annan came as a big surprise." Princess Consort Li was worried Prince Dai’s return would diminish Prince Chu’s chances, but the Princess of Annan delivered an unexpected boon. "Recruiting soldiers and forging weapons is a serious crime; Prince Dai’s achievements in the north may only serve to compensate for his crimes."

"It’s of no consequence even if he returns triumphant." Prince Chu did not fear Prince Dai’s achievements.

Princess Consort Li observed her son’s nonchalant demeanor regarding Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s deeds in Annan and asked in confusion, "Did you know of their actions beforehand?"

Prince Chu nodded slightly: "Yes, the Princess of Annan was sent by my tenth brother."

Princess Consort Li was stunned by the revelation: "What are you saying, was it Prince Han who..."

"Indeed. Back then, the Princess of Annan escaped that beast and encountered the Liang Family’s Trading Team on her journey. They secretly took her to Lingnan and then returned her to Annan."

"This... this..." Princess Consort Li was too shocked to speak.

"With a heart bent on revenge, the Princess of Annan was sent to Great Zhou by my tenth brother."

Princess Consort Li paused, amazed: "It’s unexpected that the youngest helped her."

"The tenth brother has business dealings with people from those nations at the Swamp Prefecture; his information about them is far more accurate than ours."

Upon hearing this, Princess Consort Li’s expression grew increasingly astonished: "You’re suggesting Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s actions in Annan were compiled by the youngest, who then had the Princess of Annan accuse them?"

Prince Chu nodded: "Exactly."

"This..." In Princess Consort Li’s eyes, Zhao Yao had always seemed like a child. "The youngest has become quite capable."

"The tenth brother has always been capable; Mother, do not underestimate him." Pride was evident on Prince Chu’s face when speaking of Zhao Yao.

"The youngest being capable is good, but why are you proud?" Princess Consort Li teased. "The youngest isn’t your son, this fatherly pride makes you look silly."

Prince Chu, embarrassed by the tease, replied, "Mother, the tenth brother is my sibling."

"It’s good that the youngest is capable; that way, he won’t be bullied in Lingnan." No sooner had Princess Consort Li said this than she recalled the ministers’ petition accusing Zhao Yao of executing Lingnan officials. "That child probably won’t be bullied in Lingnan."

"I was also worried that the tenth brother might be bullied in Lingnan, but now it seems he’s more likely to bully others."

"You should advise the youngest not to completely annihilate officials in Lingnan; it does little for his reputation."

"Mother, the tenth brother doesn’t care for reputation. Those Lingnan officials are guilty beyond forgiveness. They deserved death, and the tenth brother executed them according to the law, which was perfectly justified." Having learned of the Lingnan officials’ actions, Prince Chu felt Zhao Yao acted rightly.

Seeing Prince Chu’s anger, Princess Consort Li refrained from further discussing the matter of Lingnan officials and diverted the conversation to recent events.

"Prince Jing and Duke Zhen were involved in those activities in Annan as well. Once the Emperor dispatches investigators and confirms the truth, how do you think he will punish them?"

"If they haven’t transported forged weapons back to Great Zhou or brought privately trained soldiers back from Annan, then they don’t constitute treason." Prince Chu analyzed, "According to Great Zhou’s laws, they aren’t guilty of death, but will face severe punishment. However, ultimately, their fate depends on Father. If Father doesn’t pursue them, they will be spared any punishment. But if Father thoroughly investigates, their titles won’t be safe."

"In recent years, the Emperor has been dealing with aristocratic families; might he seize this opportunity to eliminate Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Duke Anyang Mansion, and Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion?" Princess Consort Li naturally hoped the Emperor would not spare Duke Zhen and others this time.

"It’s hard to say." Prince Chu was unable to decipher the Emperor’s intentions. "Regarding Duke Zhen Country Mansion, last year the elder brother’s family encountered an incident, and if Father acts against them again, it might impact his reputation adversely, making him seem ungrateful. Besides, the current state of Duke Zhen’s Mansion is no longer significant, so Father is unlikely to destroy them completely."

"What you say is true; the Emperor probably won’t spare Duke Anyang Mansion."

"Yes, concerning Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion, it’s linked to a maternal family. Father may choose leniency on account of Noble Princess Consort Rong or for the Imperial Grandmother’s sake."

Princess Consort Li sighed deeply: "Alas, expecting the Emperor to severely punish Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion through this matter seems unlikely."

Prince Chu, with a calm demeanor, responded, "There will always be another opportunity someday."