Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1147: Chapter 156: Is Prince Yue Going to Backstab Prince Dai?

Because Prince Han colluded with the Xiongnu to rebel, the gravely ill Emperor had to attend court earlier than planned. Originally, the court was supposed to reconvene after the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month, but due to this incident, it was resumed on the eighth.

The common people need not attend court, but the officials do. They were supposed to rest until the fifteenth day, but because of Prince Han’s treason, they had to start attending court from the eighth. The officials were furious and all cursed Prince Han.

Prince Han’s rebellion did not surprise the officials. In any dynasty, it’s not unheard of for a Prince to rebel, but could Prince Han not have chosen another time for his rebellion? Why did he have to choose the New Year period, causing everyone to ruin their holiday?

For the civil and military officials, after a year of hard work, the New Year period was a rare opportunity to rest, to be filial to their parents, to spend time with their wives and children, or to play with their grandchildren, but now all that was lost.

These past few days in court, the officials have been brimming with resentment. The "sickly" Emperor was even more furious.

Perhaps because it’s the New Year, many officials and soldiers in various prefectures became lazy and negligent, unable to resist the traitor soldiers of Prince Han and the Xiongnu.

Numerous reports of defeat came from various regions, casting a shadow over the entire court, making the civil and military officials uneasy. The citizens of the capital were also anxious and uneasy.

However, with Song Weikang and Zhang Gong in the capital, there was no need to worry about the ragtag coalition of Prince Han and the Xiongnu.

The "ailing" Emperor today once again flew into a rage in court, almost fainting from anger.

Standing below, Zhao Yao marveled in his heart: Father’s acting is truly exquisite. With such acting skills, he would certainly win an Oscar in that other world Zhao Yao dreams of.

The Emperor, still unwell and very weak, after scolding Prince Han for a while, could no longer sustain himself and hurriedly left the court.

As soon as the court adjourned, Sun Kui urgently called for the Imperial Physician.

Seeing how severe the Emperor’s illness was, the officials were filled with worry. If not for Prince Han’s rebellion and the Emperor’s illness, they wouldn’t be so concerned. But now as Prince Han’s rebel forces advanced with unstoppable momentum, soon to reach the capital, yet the Emperor was in poor health, how could the officials not be worried?

Even with Song Weikang and Zhang Gong, the three Great Generals, in the capital, the Emperor’s health remained a matter of concern to all officials.

The civil and military officials were deeply worried, and the citizens were anxious, with an oppressive atmosphere enveloping the entire capital.

After the court session, Zhao Yao went along with his royal brothers to visit the Emperor.

Sun Kui said the Emperor needed to rest in peace and was not seeing anyone for the time being, and asked the Princes to return.

After repeatedly instructing Sun Kui to take good care of the Emperor, Prince Dai and the others finally left.

Zhao Yao was at the rear, not speaking to Prince Chu or chatting with Prince Wei. When they reached the palace gates, each got into their own carriage to return home.

Returning to Prince Han Mansion, Zhao Yao’s serious expression was instantly replaced by a smile.

Tong Xi brought a cup of tea and some plates of snacks, seeing Zhao Yao lying on the couch with a somewhat indecent smile on his face, slightly disdainfully said, "Your Highness, you look like a rogue."

Zhao Yao glanced at Tong Xi, sat up, and picked up a piece of snack saying, "Being a rogue is quite good."

"Your Highness, did you not fall asleep in court today?" While others in court were trembling with fear or nervousness, only his Highness Zhao Yao slept in peace. "Were you not caught?"

"With Prince Han’s rebellion now, if I were to sleep in court, how foolish would I be," Zhao Yao said, picking up a snack to eat. The Prince Han Mansion received daily deliveries of snacks, mostly coming from Prince Chu Mansion and Prince Wei Mansion. The snack he was eating now was from Prince Wei Mansion.

"Your Highness, this servant was just worried you’d slip up."

"Though my acting isn’t as good as Father’s, it’s not so bad as to be seen through," Zhao Yao thought of the Emperor’s acting today, smacking his lips, "You didn’t see Father’s performance today..." He then vividly recounted to Tong Xi the Emperor’s performance in court earlier.

Tong Xi listened, astonished and speechless. After a while, he sighed, "Truly worthy of being the Emperor."

In the midst of speaking, a Hidden Guard suddenly appeared, and Tong Xi tactfully withdrew.

Zhao Yao accepted the secret message given by the Hidden Guard. He was biting a piece of snack, holding the secret message with both hands as he read. After finishing, his gaze became sharp, "Did Prince Yue contact Prince Dai?"

The Hidden Guard respectfully replied, "No."

"Interesting." Zhao Yao’s lips curved into a playful smile, "Did Prince Yue agree to it?"