Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1191 - 176: Prince Wei as Regent (Part 2)

The man’s eyes were red, his voice choked with emotion, "His Highness is... imprisoned in the death cell."

Death cell?!

Zhao Yao’s face was solemn as he continued to ask, "What about Fourth Brother? And Fourth Sister-in-law?" Over the past year or two, he hadn’t inquired about the happenings in the capital, so he wasn’t aware of what had transpired between his fourth brother and eighth brother.

"His Highness has no immediate threat to his life, but... he was seriously injured before and poisoned with a lethal toxin, although he survived, his Highness..." At this point, the man couldn’t hold back his tears and cried out.

Zhao Yao’s body staggered slightly, Tong Xi noticed this and immediately reached out to support him.

"What else?" Zhao Yao asked in a deep voice.

The man’s fists were clenched tightly, his expression turning angry and hateful, "The Princess and all of them are dead."

"What?" Zhao Yao exclaimed in disbelief, then he grabbed the man’s collar, "Say that again, what happened to Fourth Sister-in-law and them?"

The man’s eyes were bloodshot, full of resentment, as he spoke with hatred, "Prince Wei sent people to kill the Princess and the Princely Heir, they are all dead."

Tong Xi, standing aside, stared wide-eyed in terror.

Zhao Yao couldn’t accept it, "Impossible, Eighth Brother wouldn’t kill Fourth Sister-in-law and them."

"His Highness Prince Han, what I say is true, the Princess and all of them were killed by Prince Wei, the Li Family was also..." The man couldn’t continue.

Even the usually calm Zhao Yao couldn’t remain composed upon hearing these things. His body unexpectedly shook, and then he collapsed into a chair.

Tong Xi saw Zhao Yao’s pale face and dark expression, hurried over and called out anxiously, "Your Highness... Your Highness... Your Highness..."

The man wept and continued, "Minister Li and all of them have been arrested, and soon, the Li Family will be completely executed."

Tong Xi’s face was filled with horror.

Zhao Yao forced himself to calm down. He continued to ask, "What is the current situation?"

"His Highness Prince Han, now the entire capital is under Prince Wei’s control."

Zhao Yao suddenly thought of the Emperor, asking urgently, "What about Father?"

"His Majesty has had a stroke and is bedridden."

"What did you say?" Zhao Yao stood up, his eyes sharply fixed on the man.

"His Highness Prince Han, His Majesty has had a stroke and is bedridden. Prince Wei seized the opportunity to control the court and rule in his stead." The man’s expression twisted, "Prince Wei used his rule, framed His Highness, and..." The man couldn’t speak anymore, already in tears.

Zhao Yao took a deep breath, steadied his mind, but his face remained pale.

"Is Father in danger of losing his life?"

"His Majesty is not in danger of losing his life, but he can no longer speak."

Knowing the Emperor is not in life-threatening danger, Zhao Yao’s heart eased slightly.

"What else?"

"Prince Wei ruling in stead resorted to all means to deal with His Highness..." The man spoke intermittently.

After Prince Wei controlled the court, he targeted Prince Chu and his supporters. During this period, ministers supporting Prince Chu were executed, exiled, or imprisoned, while others were demoted or dismissed from their posts.

As the maternal family of Prince Chu, the Li Family was also framed by Prince Wei, and now all Li Family members are imprisoned. Additionally, students from the Imperial College who stood for Prince Chu and the Li Family were arrested and beaten, but fortunately, Prince Wei did not order them killed.

The Princess Consort Chu and the children were killed by bandits en route to Liangzhou. Who these bandits were or who arranged it is quite obvious.

Prince Chu’s fief Liangzhou was also controlled by Prince Wei’s people. Most ministers in Liangzhou surrendered to Prince Wei and continued their posts. A few who did not submit were brought back to the capital and are now in the death cell, awaiting execution after autumn.

Prince Wei only targeted Prince Chu and his people; neutral officials in the court were untouched. Prince Wei needed support from these neutral ministers to handle state affairs.

Aside from resorting to all means to deal with Prince Chu and his people, Prince Wei did not do anything extreme, so the court in the capital remained stable, as did the capital itself.

After the man finished speaking, Zhao Yao instructed Tong Xi to take him down to rest.

After a while, Princess Han entered, noticed Zhao Yao’s grim expression, and worriedly asked, "Your Highness, what happened?"

"I need to go to the capital." He must go to save Fourth Brother and the Li Family. He can’t let the Li Family be obliterated. Also, he needs to see his father personally.

Princess Han guessed something happened in the capital but didn’t press for details.

"I’ll prepare for you right away."

Just then, the butler rushed in to report to Zhao Yao, "Your Highness, Lord Wei has sent someone."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao showed a shocked expression, "Why would Eighth Brother send someone?"

"Your Highness, you go ahead with your matters; I’ll help you prepare." Princess Han exited.

Zhao Yao instructed the butler to bring in the person sent by Prince Wei.

The person sent by Prince Wei was someone Zhao Yao knew, Yu Jiang, Yu Hai’s disciple.

Yu Jiang respectfully greeted Zhao Yao and then explained the purpose of his visit to the Swamp Prefecture.

"His Highness Prince Han, Lord Wei instructed you not to return to the capital."

Zhao Yao listened, his eyes widening in astonishment, "What did you say?"

"His Highness Prince Han, Lord Wei instructed you not to return to the capital." Yu Jiang continued, "Lord Wei promises that he will fulfill his commitment to you."

After hearing this, Zhao Yao was filled with anger and surprise, "He promised not to kill Fourth Brother but yet killed Fourth Sister-in-law and all of them."

"His Highness Prince Han, Princess Consort Chu and them were killed by bandits."

"Do you think I am a fool?"

Yu Jiang remained unmoved by Zhao Yao’s anger, his expression still calm as he said, "His Highness Prince Han, if you insist on returning to the capital, then Prince Chu will die."

Zhao Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, ice cold as he spoke, "Is Eighth Brother threatening me?"

"His Highness Prince Han, remember you cannot intervene in matters between Lord Wei and Prince Chu. As things haven’t settled yet, you cannot return to the capital and interfere."

"If I insist on returning to the capital, will Eighth Brother also consider killing me?"