Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1145: Chapter 154: Father and Son Heart-to-Heart (2)

The Emperor asked in return, "What do you think?"

Zhao Yao stared at the Emperor, noticing his calm expression, as if entirely unsurprised, and raised an eyebrow, asking, "Stinky old man, did you know all along?"

The Emperor smiled mysteriously and then lowered his head to eat.

Seeing the Emperor’s demeanor, Zhao Yao realized he had guessed correctly.

"You know the Eighth Brother poisoned you, so why haven’t you ordered to capture him?"

"He is still useful."

The Emperor’s tone was very calm, but Zhao Yao felt that beneath the calm there was a great surge.

"What are you using the Eighth Brother for, father?"

The Emperor playfully replied, "Guess."

"I’m not guessing." Zhao Yao almost couldn’t help but utter profanity, thinking, what’s the point of guessing?

"You’ll know in time."

"Old man, did you know about the Eighth Brother’s dealings with the Southern Wei people all along?"

"Stinky brat, how am I old? I’m not even fifty, I’m in my prime." Hearing his youngest son call him "old man," the Emperor felt displeased, thinking himself aged by the nickname.

"You already have white hair, yet you claim to be in your prime," Zhao Yao mocked ruthlessly, "Look in the mirror."

The Emperor, angrily at the remark, picked up a leftover bone and threw it at Zhao Yao, but his nimble son dodged it.

"Old man, one must admit one’s age."

"I am not old, I won’t admit it." The Emperor, feeling better after taking the antidote, was nonetheless agitated by his youngest son’s words.

Zhao Yao asked again, "Did you know beforehand?"

"I’m not an idiot."

"You’re using the Eighth Brother to gather the Southern Wei people, then using him against them?"

The Emperor offered Zhao Yao a piece of meat, "Pretty much."

"The Southern Wei people mustn’t be spared." Zhao Yao thought about how when Prince Wei was about to succeed, the Emperor intervened against him and the Southern Wei, thwarting his plans completely, which he found extremely cruel. "Father, the Eighth Brother is still your son; isn’t this a bit too harsh on him?"

"What, feeling sorry for the Eighth brother, pitying him?"

Zhao Yao faced the Emperor’s amused look and admitted, "Yes, although Eighth Brother has half Southern Wei blood, he is still your own son."

"Stinky boy, if it were the Second or Seventh Brother, would you speak for them?"

"No. I don’t get along with them; why would I plead for them?"

The Emperor originally thought Zhao Yao would say "yes," but he said "no," which came as a surprise.

Seeing the Emperor’s astonished expression, Zhao Yao smiled, "You expected me to speak for them, so you could scold me for being too merciful. Disappointed then, I’m not that kind-hearted."

The Emperor burst out laughing loudly.

"Hahahahaha..."

Zhao Yao couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to the hysterically laughing Emperor and continued eating his food.

The Emperor laughed for a while before stopping, "Stinky boy, you didn’t disappoint me." If Zhao Yao had really spoken for Prince Dai and Prince Jing, that would have disappointed the Emperor.

"I should have said yes." Not having disappointed the Emperor, Zhao Yao regretted it.

"The Eighth Brother..." The Emperor said meaningfully, "is even more cunning than you imagine. Instead of worrying about him, you should worry about yourself."

"What do I have to worry about?" Zhao Yao was currently unsure of what the Emperor was planning. He spoke very earnestly, "No matter what, the Eighth Brother is your son; in the end, spare his life."

The Emperor gazed deeply at Zhao Yao, "Okay."

Upon hearing the Emperor’s agreement, Zhao Yao felt a bit of relief and then gave the Emperor a bright smile.

He didn’t express words of gratitude.

"You haven’t told me, why did the Eighth Brother poison you?"

"Didn’t I tell you to guess?"

"Say it if you want."

"Then I won’t say it."

Zhao Yao: "..." Stinky old man is terribly provoking.

Seeing his youngest son’s deflated expression, the Emperor felt very pleased, rewarding himself with a piece of meat.

"Did the Fifth Brother’s rebellion, besides our instigation, also have the Eighth Brother’s involvement?" Zhao Yao continued, "The Eighth Brother poisoned you to make you truly sick; is he hoping to plot while the mantis stalks the cicada unaware of the oriole behind?" Certainly not. The Eighth Brother doesn’t have to take such a risk. Neither the Second Brother nor the Fourth Brother is his match. The final winner will definitely be the Eighth Brother.

The Emperor remained silent, letting Zhao Yao speculate.

"Did I guess correctly?"

The Emperor said, "How should I know if you guessed right?"

Zhao Yao glared at the Emperor irritably, "Forget it, I can’t be bothered to care."

"Just eat your meal properly." The Emperor picked up a piece of meat and fed it directly into his youngest son’s mouth.

Following this, Zhao Yao refrained from discussing Prince Wei’s affairs, dining seriously with the Emperor.

After finishing the meal, the palace gates were closed, making it impossible for Zhao Yao to return to Prince Han Mansion, so he had to stay and sleep with the Emperor. He didn’t sleep on the Dragon Bed but settled on the couch.

The Emperor patted the bed, "Stinky brat, come up and sleep with me."

"No way." Sleeping together with another man felt gross.

"Stinky boy, you can sleep with the Fourth Brother and the Eighth Brother but can’t sleep with me?" The Emperor hadn’t slept with his youngest son before; today’s unique opportunity he didn’t want to miss. "Do you really disdain me?"

Zhao Yao didn’t expect the Emperor to be jealous, finding it amusing internally.

"Fine, considering you’re old, I’ll keep you company."

"There are countless people wishing to sleep with me, but I’m not willing; sleeping with me is your fortune."

"I’m so fortunate." Zhao Yao climbed onto the Dragon Bed, nudging the Emperor inward. The father and son lay side by side.

"Stinky son..."

The Emperor began to speak but Zhao Yao interrupted, "I need to perform rites to heaven and earth early tomorrow, no time to chat, I’m going to sleep." Saying that, he closed his eyes.

The Emperor, about to discuss matters, showed a hint of helplessness, muttering softly, "Stinky boy, you pretend while knowing everything."

Zhao Yao pretended as if he hadn’t heard anything.

The Emperor reached out to pull the blanket over his youngest son and then closed his eyes to sleep.

After a while, Zhao Yao turned around, also reaching out to pull the blanket over the Emperor. When he turned back, the corners of the Emperor’s mouth slightly lifted.

Moments later, Sun Kui walked in quietly, seeing the father and son lying together on the Dragon Bed, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.