Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1154: Chapter 159: Prince Dai Decides to Rebel (Part 2)

"Master, let me have a sip."

Seeing his disciple eager for a drink, Sun Kui handed him the wine pouch he held.

"Don’t drink too much."

"Don’t worry, Master, I know my limits." Sun Doudou, worried his master might change his mind, quickly took a few sips. The fiery liquor immediately warmed his cold body.

Sun Kui hurriedly snatched the wine pouch back from his student’s hands and tucked it into his sleeve.

"Master, the wine brewed by Prince Han is quite potent."

"Prince Han said it’s the strongest wine, suggested drinking a few sips when it’s cold so it won’t feel cold." Sun Kui marveled, "Prince Han truly understands us."

Sun Doudou felt a bit resentful: "Prince Han gifted you wine, but he didn’t give me any."

Sun Kui, hearing this, boasted, "That’s because Prince Han values me, you’re still lacking."

"Yes, yes, how could I compare to you." Sun Doudou finished, then glanced at the tightly closed doors of the Imperial Study, lowering his voice, "Why hasn’t Lord Wei come out yet?" Lord Wei has been inside for over half an hour, a situation never before seen. "Doesn’t the Emperor dislike Lord Wei?"

Sun Kui kicked his disciple’s leg, warning him sternly, "Shut up, this is none of your business!"

Terrified by his master’s severe demeanor, Sun Doudou shrunk down, closing his mouth and daring not to say another word.

Sun Kui lifted his head to the night sky, noticing the moon obscured by clouds, allowing no light to pass through. Then, he saw a star fall across the sky.

Although ignorant of constellations, thinking about tomorrow night’s events, he guessed which star had fallen.

Sun Doudou witnessed it too, exclaiming in shock, "Master, that star just now..."

Sun Kui remained silent.

Sun Doudou whispered, "Master, does a suddenly falling star mean someone’s going to die?"

Sun Kui responded enigmatically, "Who knows."

"Hiss..." A cold breeze blew in, making Sun Doudou gasp. He swiftly hopped to warm up his body. "Master, have you noticed that ever since the year passed, it’s been getting colder?"

"It’s probably a late spring chill."

Sun Doudou shook his head, saying, "I think not, it feels like something’s wrong with the weather..." Before he could finish, he was hit hard on the head.

"Don’t say nonsense."

Sun Doudou, trying to appease, smiled at Sun Kui, "I won’t say anything; I won’t say anything at all."

Another hour passed, then finally Lord Wei emerged from the Imperial Study.

Sun Kui and Sun Doudou hurriedly saluted, "Slowly, Your Highness."

Lord Wei paused before them, seemingly casually gazing at the master and disciple.

"Mr. Sun, the Father Emperor is unwell, please pay extra attention."

Sun Kui bowed, speaking with great respect, "Yes, Your Highness."

Lord Wei continued, "Your disciple is good." With that, he strode away.

Only after Lord Wei was far off did Sun Kui and Sun Doudou rise.

Sun Doudou watched Lord Wei’s receding figure, then looked at Sun Kui, whose expression was thoughtful, asking confusedly, "Master, what did Lord Wei mean by his words? Why did he suddenly praise me?" Usually, Lord Wei doesn’t even glance in his direction.

"Isn’t being praised a good thing?"

Frightened, Sun Doudou quickly shook his head, "No, it’s not good at all. If other Lords praised me, I’d be happy, but Lord Wei scares me." Among all the lords, Lord Wei was the most handsome, always bearing a gentle smile, yet every time he saw Lord Wei, he felt intimidated. "Master, Lord Wei is terrifying."

Sun Kui replied, "You’re quite perceptive."

Sun Doudou grinned proudly, "Master, if I weren’t perceptive, how could I serve near the Emperor?" Remembering Lord Wei’s praise, his heart trembled, "Master, do you think Lord Wei plans to harm me?" He was truly scared.

"What could you have that Lord Wei would harm?" Sun Kui reassured Sun Doudou, "Perhaps Lord Wei was in a good mood, saw you, and said it casually; you actually took it to heart."

Hearing Sun Kui’s words, Sun Doudou immediately felt relieved. He raised his hand, patting his chest, exhaling deeply, "That’s good."

"That’s more like it! I’m heading inside."

"Take care, Master."

Sun Kui entered the Imperial Study; the warmth enveloping him, relaxing his entire being.

"What were you talking about outside just now?"

Sun Kui truthfully reported, "Lord Wei reminded me to take good care of you, also praised Sun Doudou; Sun Doudou was frightened."

"Frightened? Because old eighth praised him?"

"Sun Doudou always dreads Lord Wei; when Lord Wei suddenly praised him, he felt afraid." Sun Kui had comforted Sun Doudou earlier saying he was worried over nothing, yet as his master, he too suspected that Lord Wei’s unusual praise must have meaning.

"Tell your disciple to be braver; otherwise, how will he face old eighth in the future?"

The Emperor’s casual words hit Sun Kui like lightning, widening his eyes in shock, "Your Majesty, this..."

Noticing Sun Kui’s horrified look, the Emperor understood he had guessed something.

"Rest assured, your good disciple will be fine. I still need him to serve little ten in the future."

"Your Majesty, this is..." Sun Kui was overwhelmed, wondering what the Emperor truly planned.

"For now, I have no plans to abdicate." The Emperor smiled, "I’m in good health, nothing will happen for now, dispel your worries."

Sun Kui felt reassured by this.

"That’s good." The Emperor’s words earlier had truly frightened him.

"Is everything in the palace arranged?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything is arranged."

The Emperor nodded, then asked, "And Noble Princess Consort Rong?"

"Your Majesty, the noble consort knows nothing yet."

Reflecting on Noble Princess Consort Rong, the Emperor gently sighed, "She is my cousin, always cherished me; her affection is something I’ve always been aware of, yet..."

"Your Majesty, Noble Princess Consort Rong is unaware, as the saying goes, ’ignorance is innocence’..."

The Emperor interrupted Sun Kui, "Certainly, I won’t blame her, but she will blame herself."

"Then please advise the noble consort more when the time comes."

"Old second has truly disappointed me." Although the Emperor never considered Prince Dai as an heir, his former regard and affection for Prince Dai were not feigned. "What’s the virtue of being Emperor? Everyone fights to be, and rebels if denied."

"Your Majesty, only you and Prince Han deem being Emperor undesirable."

The Emperor snorted coldly, "With old second’s mind, if I gave him the throne, he’d ruin the kingdom painstakingly built by me and the late Emperor."

"Prince Dai has lost his mind."

"I want to see what chaos he’ll cause tomorrow night."