Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1153: Chapter 159: Prince Dai Decides to Rebel

After three days of careful consideration, Prince Dai still decided to take the risk. However, as this matter was of great importance, Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping needed to discuss it carefully and arrange everything properly. Furthermore, this matter could only succeed, not fail, and there was only one chance without room for any neglect.

Prince Dai sent a trusted aide to secretly travel to Bingzhou to find Prince Yue and report their plan to him, as they needed Prince Yue’s coordination from outside.

Over the years, Prince Dai’s prestige in the army had been growing stronger. Many in the army supported him, and upon learning that he was about to raise troops, they all rallied behind him.

In the past two days, Prince Dai did not personally appear, but Marquis Xuanping and the Princely Heir secretly met with the generals to discuss the arrangements for mobilizing troops.

Prince Dai also sent someone to negotiate with Prince Han. Furthermore, he continued to pretend to cooperate with Zhao Yao.

The plan between him and Marquis Xuanping ostensibly supported Prince Han in rebellion while appearing to collaborate with Zhao Yao, but in reality, they used Prince Han’s treason to achieve their own goals.

A plot within a plot within another plot!

Prince Dai believed that he and Marquis Xuanping had devised a flawless plan, but in fact, the Emperor and Zhao Yao had long anticipated it.

Tomorrow evening would be the day to raise troops. Prince Dai was too excited, nervous, apprehensive, and anxious to sleep. At this moment, he was sitting in the courtyard, drinking while appreciating the moon.

Marquis Xuanping sat opposite him. The uncle and nephew drank quietly without speaking.

Fu Zhong squatted on the ground, occasionally stirring the embers in the brazier to make the fire burn more vigorously.

Although it was already February, the capital was still cold, especially at night, with bone-chilling coldness. Yet, Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping were not afraid of the cold, sitting in the courtyard, enjoying the cold breeze and drinking.

Soon, the stone table was piled with empty wine bottles.

Prince Dai’s face was flushed red from drinking, but his eyes remained clear, without a trace of haze or confusion.

"Uncle, are we really not going to inform Mother Consort about this matter?" They had not told Noble Princess Consort Rong about their plan to raise troops.

"Your mother consort would definitely oppose it, and she might even tell the Emperor." Marquis Xuanping was a bit drunk, "In your mother consort’s heart, the Emperor is the most important; she would never allow us to betray the Emperor."

"Isn’t it inappropriate to keep such an important matter from Mother Consort?"

"There’s nothing inappropriate." Marquis Xuanping understood very well that in his sister’s heart, the Yu Family could not compare to the Emperor, not even her own son.

"I’m afraid Mother Consort will be angry, afraid that she won’t acknowledge me at that time." Prince Dai also knew of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s affection for the Emperor.

"By then, you will be the Emperor, and she will be the Empress Dowager; she will not disown you." Marquis Xuanping hiccupped, a look of excitement on his face, "Besides, we are not doing anything to harm the Emperor; the Emperor will just become the Supreme Emperor."

"I hope Mother Consort won’t be too angry then." Prince Dai had learned the consequences of Noble Princess Consort Rong’s anger.

"At that time, just say it’s my fault and let Noble Consort vent her anger on me."

"Uncle, you may get beaten by Mother Consort at that time." Noble Princess Consort Rong had a whip given to her by the Emperor, initially intended for self-defense, but later used it to whip the disobedient Prince Dai and Prince Yue. Prince Dai had been whipped quite a bit.

"Let her give me a few lashes to vent her anger."

"I’m just afraid Father will hate me." Since childhood, Prince Dai had admired and looked up to the Emperor the most. He had always regarded the Emperor as a role model. Now that he was about to embark on a path of treason, he feared that his father would be completely disappointed with him.

"Once you take that position and do better than the Emperor, he won’t hate you." Marquis Xuanping said with a smile, "I think you will do better than the Emperor."

"I will make Father proud!" Prince Dai thought, believing he was no worse than the Fourth Brother. He wanted to show his father that he was the most suitable to be the Emperor, better than the Fourth or the Seventh.

"Come, let’s drink again."

"Alright, let’s not return tonight unless we’re drunk."

The uncle and nephew braced themselves against the cold wind, drinking heartily in the courtyard. As they drank, they sang songs with expressions of carefree abandon.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, the Emperor was talking to Prince Wei.

Sun Kui was huddled with his head down, keeping guard at the entrance of the Imperial Study.

Sun Doudou had his hands tucked in his sleeves, occasionally stomping his feet.

"Master, why would Prince Wei come to the Imperial Study at this time? And the Emperor actually summoned him?" Sun Doudou’s surprise was understandable; it was rare to see the Emperor summon Prince Wei. Even when summoned, it wouldn’t be at this time. "Doesn’t the Emperor not favor Prince Wei?"

Sun Kui took a wineskin from his sleeve and drank a few sips. This was a strong liquor brewed by Zhao Yao, called Si Guo Tou, very potent. After a few sips, his body immediately felt warm.