Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1194 - 178: As Expected, the Tenth Brother Is Disobedient

Zhao Yao decided to return to the capital; it was impossible to set out without any preparation. Ever since meeting the envoy from Prince Chu, he had begun preparing for everything needed for his return to the capital.

Before returning to the capital, Zhao Yao had to arrange all the matters in the Swamp Prefecture. The big and small affairs of the Lingnan Court were still mainly handled by the cabinet. This time, Zhao Yao did not delegate the decision-making power over major matters to He Lianfang. If foreign states misbehaved and disturbed Lingnan, Chu Ying and the others were to make the decisions.

Zhao Yao’s preparations to return to the capital were not insignificant, so it was impossible for He Lianfang, who lived next door, not to notice.

Regarding the matter of Prince Chu sending people to request assistance, He Lianfang was already aware. He had initially thought Zhao Yao would come to discuss it with him, but in the past few days, Zhao Yao’s presence was nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, He Lianfang was in the study, playing chess with himself.

The hidden figure in the shadows spoke, "Now that Prince Han is going back to the capital without notifying you, how can you just remain indifferent?"

He Lianfang did not respond to the person in the shadows.

"Previously, when Prince Han left, he would leave major decisions to you, but this time he’s letting the cabinet decide everything, big or small; the military matters are entirely handed over to Chu Ying and the others, completely sidelining you." The person in the shadows spoke anxiously for He Lianfang, "It’s clear that Prince Han no longer trusts you, how can you sit still?"

He Lianfang continued to ignore the person in the shadows, calmly and leisurely continuing his chess game.

Seeing that He Lianfang was continually ignoring him, the person in the shadows angrily vanished from the dimness.

In the study of Prince Han’s mansion, Zhao Yao was speaking with the Zheng brothers.

"Will both of you accompany me to the capital to rescue your elder brother, or will one of you come with me?"

Zheng Cheng and Zheng Qian exchanged a glance, then spoke in unison, "We will both not go."

This answer greatly surprised Zhao Yao, "Neither of you will go? Won’t you save your elder brother?"

Zheng Cheng and the others replied in unison, "We won’t save him."

Zhao Yao was puzzled and asked with a face full of confusion, "Why won’t you save him?"

Zheng Cheng said, "Our elder brother doesn’t need us to save him."

Zheng Qian said, "Zheng Rang also doesn’t want us to save him."

Zhao Yao remained perplexed, "Why is that?"

"Your Highness, back when the three of us brothers came to the capital to seek our fortunes, we agreed that none of us would help or save the others, and we would not interfere with each other. In the end, whether we lived or died was our own business; no one else needed to save us." Zheng Cheng added, "Moreover, with our elder brother’s capabilities, he doesn’t need our rescue."

Zhao Yao understood, nodded, and said, "If that’s the case, then you both stay. When I reach the capital, I’ll go check on Zheng Rang for you."

Zheng Qian said, "Your Highness, you don’t need to check on him."

"Your elder brother is a trusted aide of my fourth brother. I will bring my fourth brother back to the Swamp Prefecture, and then I will bring your elder brother along, letting you brothers reunite." Zhao Yao said.

"Your Highness wants to bring elder brother to the Swamp Prefecture?" Zheng Cheng was overjoyed, "If elder brother can come to the Swamp Prefecture, that would be wonderful."

"Your elder brother is talented. It would be a pity for him to return to the old home to retire with Grand Commandant Zheng." Zhao Yao smiled, "He is devoted to my fourth brother, so if the fourth brother comes to me, he will surely come too."

Zheng Qian said expressionlessly, "Whether he comes or not is unimportant."

After giving the Zheng brothers further instructions, Zhao Yao finally let them leave.

This was when Tong Xi brought in the tea.

Zhao Yao picked up the tea cup but didn’t immediately drink it. Instead, he asked, "Any news from Second Uncle’s side?"

Tong Xi shook his head and said, "No."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao smiled meaningfully, "Second Uncle is really good at staying calm."

"Your Highness, what are you competing with Second Elder for?" Tong Xi was full of confusion, "You haven’t gone to see Second Elder in a while, did you two have a fight?"

"No fight." Zhao Yao finished his tea, put down the cup, and said indifferently, "Since Second Uncle can remain calm, let him stay that way."

Tong Xi did not understand what Zhao Yao meant by this, "Your Highness, did you really not quarrel with Second Elder?"

"No, let him be," Zhao Yao instructed, "We set off for the capital tonight, so go through everything carefully to ensure nothing is overlooked."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Tong Xi left, Zhao Yao walked over to the bookshelf. He took an inconspicuous brocade box from a drawer. Inside the box lay something everyone coveted.

A few days earlier, Zhao Yao had specifically traveled to North Mountain to dig out this treasure that had been buried underground. When he first acquired it, he considered it a hot potato and buried it. He never expected that one day he would personally dig it out.