Read Novel Full Chapter 1202 - 181: Meeting Prime Minister He (Part 2)
Chapter 1202 - 181: Meeting Prime Minister He (Part 2)
"Your Highness, I have been helping the Li Family plead for mercy, but Lord Wei has turned a blind eye." Prime Minister He sighed, "Every time I want to speak on behalf of the Li Family, Lord Wei interrupts me so that I cannot speak for them. I write petitions for the Li Family, but Lord Wei simply ignores them."
Prime Minister He wasn’t lying to Zhao Yao. These days, he and Grandmaster Liu have been pleading for the Li Family, but unfortunately, they have been directly ignored by Prince Wei.
Zhao Yao frowned and asked, "What if the ministers plead for the Li Family together?"
"It’s useless, the ministers have knelt before Zichen Hall, and even the Imperial College students have knelt at the palace gate for the Li Family, yet Lord Wei still ignored them." Prime Minister He smiled bitterly, "Lord Wei is as stubborn as a mule."
Zhao Yao didn’t expect Prince Wei to be so stubborn. It seemed that his brother was truly determined to eradicate the Li Family completely.
"Your Highness, you have a good relationship with Lord Wei, why not try to persuade him?"
"I tried, but he wouldn’t listen, otherwise I wouldn’t be bothering you." Zhao Yao asked with some distress, "Prime Minister He, is there really no way?"
"If even your persuasion did not work on Lord Wei, then there truly is no way."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s brows furrowed tightly, his expression was somber.
"Your Highness, why don’t you try persuading Lord Wei again?"
Zhao Yao nodded, "I will." Now, his brother was hell-bent on wiping out the Li Family, no matter how much he persuades, it’s no use. Later, he will try to persuade his brother again, if he still won’t listen, then he will argue with him at court every day. If it’s still ineffective, he can only use that treasure to exchange for the lives of the Li Family.
"By the way, Prime Minister He, is everything fine in court? Is everything normal?" Zhao Yao asked again, "Has my brother misbehaved during the regency?"
Prime Minister He did not expect Zhao Yao to be concerned about court matters, feeling somewhat surprised yet relieved.
"Aside from the Li Family matter, Lord Wei has not misbehaved in other aspects. Everything in court is going well." Prince Han actively caring about court matters was a good sign. The Emperor indeed foresaw correctly, Prince Han could not possibly be indifferent to court affairs.
"That’s good." Zhao Yao felt much more at ease, "Prime Minister He, my brother is still young, if there are any shortcomings while he regents, you must advise him, do not allow him to act recklessly." Though his brother is very clever and capable, sometimes he acts too extreme. He truly worries his brother might rend the court apart.
Prime Minister He did not expect Zhao Yao to say such words, making him very astonished.
"If Lord Wei does something detrimental to the court, we ministers will do our utmost to dissuade him." It seems Prince Han is not at ease with Prince Wei regenting.
Zhao Yao spoke no more of court matters but rather inquired concernedly about Prime Minister He’s health, and then left.
Prime Minister He personally saw Zhao Yao out, only after Zhao Yao boarded the carriage and left did he return. Upon entering his study, he saw Grandmaster Liu drinking tea.
Seeing He return, Grandmaster Liu put down the teacup and asked, "What did Prince Han say?"
Just now, Zhao Yao spoke with Prime Minister He in the living room, not having entered his study.
"He said some unexpected words." Prime Minister He recounted Zhao Yao’s words to Grandmaster Liu without missing a beat.
Grandmaster Liu listened, indeed feeling as surprised as Prime Minister He.
"This is certainly unexpected."
"The Emperor proved correct, Prince Han is not indifferent to court affairs."
Grandmaster Liu stated succinctly, "Like father like son."
"It truly is." Prime Minister He asked with a smile, "What do you think Prince Han will do next?"
Grandmaster Liu pondered, "Tomorrow, Prince Han will definitely attend morning court, therein plead for the Li Family. If Lord Wei does not agree, Prince Han should engage in a dispute with him."
"You think Prince Han will argue with Prince Wei?"
"Prince Han always had a good relationship with Prince Wei, this is known throughout the land, everyone fears Prince Wei, except Prince Han." Grandmaster Liu said, "For the sake of the Li Family, Prince Han will argue with Prince Wei."
Prime Minister He found Grandmaster Liu’s words reasonable and said with a smile, "Then tomorrow morning court should be entertaining."
Grandmaster Liu suddenly said, "Today Prince Han brought a witch doctor into the palace to check the Emperor’s pulse and diagnose his illness. Do you think the witch doctor from Lingnan can diagnose if the Emperor’s stroke was caused by poisoning?"
"I’ve heard the witch doctors from Lingnan are quite mysterious, perhaps they can diagnose it."
"If the witch doctor does diagnose the reason for the Emperor’s stroke, then Prince Han should suspect that it was Prince Wei who poisoned him." Grandmaster Liu smiled mysteriously, "Who do you think Prince Han values more, Prince Wei or the Emperor?"
Prime Minister He chuckled and said, "I hope it’s Prince Wei."
Grandmaster Liu said meaningfully, "Great minds think alike."
The Emperor, already paralyzed from a stroke, thought to himself: "..."
Prime Minister He asked, "Do you think Prince Han will act as the Emperor anticipated?"
Grandmaster Liu sneered, "I think he might overplay his hand."
On the other side, in the East Warm Pavilion inside Zichen Hall, Prince Wei was reviewing petitions.
Since Prince Wei regented, he would read petitions or meet ministers in the East Warm Pavilion of Zichen Hall every day. By evening, he’d leave the Imperial Palace to return to his Prince Wei Mansion. He never stayed overnight in the palace nor disrupted its regulations.
Sun Doudou came in with a cup of tea, followed by Yu Hai.
"Your Highness, Prince Han has just left Prime Minister He’s residence and is on his way to the palace."
Prince Wei was not surprised that Zhao Yao went to see Prime Minister He, he looked at Sun Doudou and instructed, "Prepare Prince Han’s favorite tea and snacks."
"Yes, Your Highness." Sun Doudou obediently stepped out.
A moment later, Zhao Yao appeared in the East Warm Pavilion. He didn’t rush into arguing with Prince Wei, instead, he drank tea and ate a few snacks.
Just as he was about to speak, Prince Wei interrupted him, "Whatever you say, I will not agree to spare the Li Family. This matter does not require further discussion."
Zhao Yao glared angrily at Prince Wei, "Even if you won’t let me speak, I insist on speaking..."
Zhao Yao then launched into a long speech, without pausing to breathe, leaving Prince Wei unable to interrupt.
Yu Hai, waiting nearby, was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Prince Han to be so eloquent.
Even Prince Wei hadn’t expected it.
Zhao Yao’s speech, rich with citations and legal references, was irrefutable, leaving Prince Wei unable to counter.
"If you don’t release the Li Family, I will argue with you until you can’t stand it."
Prince Wei couldn’t help but laugh: "..."
Yu Hai: "..." Same old Prince Han.
Zhao Yao threw down his angry words and turned to leave the East Warm Pavilion.
Yu Hai was momentarily stunned seeing Zhao Yao leave like that. After a while, he looked towards Prince Wei, pointing at Zhao Yao who already exited the pavilion.
"Your Highness, Prince Han, he..."
"Don’t mind him." Prince Wei laughed, yet helplessly and affectionately shook his head, "Still like a child."
Yu Hai: "..." What is Prince Han up to?
Returning to the Han Prince Mansion, Zhao Yao called the witch doctor over to inquire closely about Prince Chu’s condition.
"Your Highness, Prince Chu’s condition..." The witch doctor hesitated.
"What’s wrong with my fourth brother’s health?" Zhao Yao asked anxiously.
"Your Highness, if Prince Chu takes medicine as prescribed and adjusts his regimen gradually, he can live for a few more years, and if lucky, maybe even ten more years."