Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1140: Chapter 151: Standing in for the Emperor to Worship Heaven and Earth (Part 2)

Lady Liang held the Emperor, gently patting his back, and said warmly, "Alright, I’ll decide for you."

Zhao Yao: "..." Such an eyesore, can’t bear to look.

"Yao’er..."

Just as Lady Liang spoke, Zhao Yao interrupted, "Mother Consort, it doesn’t matter what you say, I’m not going and that’s final."

"Yao’er, none but you is suitable for this task; others won’t fit. If you go, no one will misunderstand, but if someone else goes, the whole world will misunderstand." Lady Liang spoke softly, "Prince Han is about to rebel, and if a misunderstanding arises at such a time, it could cause unnecessary trouble or even danger. But if you go, none of this will happen."

Knowing well that Mother Consort’s words were an excuse, yet her reasoning was sound, leaving him unable to argue. Still, Zhao Yao resisted.

"I am not going."

Neither the Emperor nor Lady Liang expected that after saying so much, Zhao Yao was utterly unmoved and insisted on not going.

Lady Liang received a pleading look from the Emperor, smiled reassuringly at him, then turned and spoke in a beseeching tone, "Yao’er, just consider it as Mother Consort begging you, could you?"

Zhao Yao: "..." Smelly old father, too despicable, too sinister, resorting to this trick.

"Mother Consort, you’re forcing me."

"No, Mother Consort is pleading with you."

Zhao Yao looked at Lady Liang with utmost resentment, "Mother Consort, you..."

"Could you, Yao’er?"

Zhao Yao glared angrily at the Emperor snuggling in Lady Liang’s embrace, "Old man, you’re too cunning."

"Xiao Xiao, see how he scolds me."

Enraged by the Emperor’s demeanor, Zhao Yao muttered, "Had I known, I wouldn’t have returned no matter what." He immediately prepared to head back to Swamp Prefecture. Whoever wants to attend the New Moon’s ritual, let them; he’s certainly not going.

"Yao’er..."

Zhao Yao interrupted Lady Liang again, exasperatedly saying, "Fine, fine, I’ll go, isn’t that enough?" With Mother Consort personally pleading, he had no room left to refuse.

Lady Liang smiled in relief, "Mother Consort knows Yao’er is the most filial."

Zhao Yao pursed his lips, murmuring softly, "I wish I were unfilial." He didn’t want to see that vile face of the smelly father anymore. "Mother Consort, I’m leaving." With that said, he stormed off furiously. As for the Emperor, he didn’t spare a glance, let alone offer a salute.

After Zhao Yao left, the Emperor cupped Lady Liang’s face in his hands and kissed her fiercely.

Moments later, they parted.

"I knew that brat would listen to you."

"My pleading won’t work next time," Lady Liang, understanding her son’s nature well, replied, "Yao’er is now cautious, what do you plan to do next."

The Emperor pulled Lady Liang into his embrace, "The brat figured out my intentions long ago and became wary, hence why he kept refusing."

"It’s not surprising Yao’er guessed your intentions." Lady Liang thought, it’s rather odd he couldn’t guess them, "Just like you, he dislikes the throne; the more you push him, the more he’ll resist."

"Don’t worry, I have it figured out." The Emperor said mysteriously, "I have ways to make him agree to take the throne in the end."

Lady Liang pinched the Emperor’s cheek, reminding him, "Don’t make Yao’er end up hating you."

"Alas, for the people of the realm, if he truly ends up hating me, I’ll accept it." The Emperor sighed deeply, "He’s our son, if possible, I wouldn’t want him confined to the throne like me, living a life without freedom. I also wish he could live freely, doing as he pleases, but I must be responsible to Great Zhou’s realm, and the people of the world."

"Sometimes I wish Yao’er wasn’t so clever, he might not have to bear the burden of the realm’s responsibility, and could live freely."

"Who asked you to give me such a clever, capable son." The Emperor laughed, "The brat shoulders the responsibility of a peaceful era, whether willing or not, he must take the throne."

"Actually, if it truly comes to that, Yao’er should be willing, after all, he always cares for the people in his heart." Lady Liang contemplated her son’s nature, chuckling lightly, "He won’t admit it, but his heart always places great importance on the people."

"One caught in the situation is confused, well, the brat’s denial doesn’t matter, I find him suitable, hence he is suitable." As the Emperor spoke, his expression became stern, "The brat is more capable than me, achieving what I couldn’t."

"It’s called surpassing the teacher."

"It’s all thanks to you, Xiao Xiao."

Over here, the Emperor and Lady Liang were being tender with each other. Over there, Zhao Yao, filled with rage, returned to Prince Han’s Mansion.

Prince Wei was waiting for him at Prince Han’s Mansion, upon seeing him return in fury, hurriedly asked with concern, "Tenth Brother, what’s wrong, did Father make you suffer?"

Zhao Yao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and eased his expression.

"Eighth Brother, I’m fine."

"You’re showing quite the frown, yet say you’re fine." Prince Wei personally poured Zhao Yao a cup of tea, "What happened?"

Zhao Yao felt no need to hide anything. Even if he hid it now, within a few days Prince Wei and others would come to know.

"Father wants me to substitute for him in the ritual of heaven and earth, isn’t this pushing me into a pit of fire."

Upon hearing Zhao Yao’s words, Prince Wei’s expression remained calm, seemingly unsurprised that the Emperor would arrange for Zhao Yao to perform the ritual.

"Eighth Brother, you seem unperturbed."

"I conjectured it beforehand."

"Ah, you guessed Father would arrange for me to perform the ritual?"

Prince Wei slightly nodded, "Among us, only you are suitable. You substituting Father in the ritual won’t cause speculation."

"Eighth Brother, you’re parroting Mother Consort’s words." Zhao Yao said bitterly.

"It’s merely a ritual, don’t have unnecessary thoughts," Prince Wei noticed Zhao Yao’s unease and gently comforted him, "Others won’t misunderstand nor target you."

Zhao Yao smiled wryly, "Let’s hope so."

Prince Wei gave Zhao Yao a meaningful look, speaking profoundly, "Tenth Brother, you going to perform the ritual is the best outcome."

"I don’t think so. If something unfortunate happens in Great Zhou next year, the whole world will blame me for desecrating the gods of heaven and earth."

"It won’t happen." Prince Wei raised his hand, patting Zhao Yao’s shoulder, "You’ve done so much for the people, they won’t blame you."

"Let’s hope." Zhao Yao shrugged, "Once the news spreads that I’m substituting Father for the ritual, it’ll immediately spawn rumors of my inadequacy. Eighth Brother, just you wait and see."