Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1205: Chapter 182: Choosing an Auspicious Day for the Ascension (Part 3)

Prince Wei asked, “Do you think I should ascend the throne now?”

“Eighth Brother, the nation cannot be without a leader for a day. You should ascend the throne as soon as possible, so that foreign tribes won’t hear that Great Zhou has no emperor and cause trouble.” If Eighth Brother ascends the throne, then he doesn’t have to be emperor. “Don’t drag it out, just quickly choose an auspicious day for the coronation.”

Seeing Zhao Yao’s eagerness to hurry him to ascend the throne, Prince Wei found it both amusing and exasperating.

“You really want me to ascend the throne, huh.”

“Eighth Brother, don’t you want to ascend the throne?”

Prince Wei tentatively asked, “If the ministers oppose my ascending the throne and want you to ascend, what then?”

Zhao Yao was so frightened he quickly waved his hands, every part of him screaming “no”.

“Spare me, I don’t want to ascend the throne and be emperor. If anyone suggests I be emperor, I’ll immediately return to the Swamp Prefecture, then go overseas to foreign lands and never return to Great Zhou.”

Seeing Zhao Yao’s horrified expression, Yu Hai almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Tenth Brother, why do you resist being emperor so much?”

“What’s so good about being emperor? Getting up early every day to review memorials, having to outwit ministers in court every day, and most importantly, being stuck in the Imperial Palace for life with no freedom at all. What’s the point of such a life?” Zhao Yao truly didn’t want to be emperor, “Honestly, I don’t understand why you all are so desperate to be emperor. I still think being a carefree prince is better.”

“Being emperor grants supreme power. Don’t you think that’s good?”

Zhao Yao shook his head repeatedly, “What’s the use of supreme power if you’re still stuck in the palace for life, still stuck reviewing memorials for life. Of course, if you’re a foolish emperor, you can do as you please, but you’ll be cursed by the world and remembered infamously for eternity, scorned by future generations.”

He continued, “I’d rather be a wealthy prince, able to go wherever I wish and live freely.”

Prince Wei knew that Zhao Yao meant what he said.

“Eighth Brother, once you’re emperor, I can live more freely in the future.”

“In this world, only you disdain being emperor like this.” They fight tooth and nail to be emperor, yet Tenth Brother is indifferent. That’s what makes him different from them. They battle fiercely for the throne, while Father eagerly wants to hand it to Tenth Brother, and he completely refuses it—don’t want it at all. Truly, one dies of drought, another dies of flood.

If the Eldest and Fourth Brother knew Father had long chosen Tenth Brother and written his name in a secret edict, who knows how they would feel.

“Anyway, I don’t want it.”

“You ah…” Tenth Brother, if you weren’t born into the imperial family, perhaps you could live freely at your own will. But you are a prince, the most cherished and esteemed by Father, and you cannot escape it—it’s your responsibility.

Once I ascend, I can only let you live carefree for a few more years. After a few years, you still have to be emperor and take on the heavy responsibility of the world.

“Eighth Brother, hurry and ascend. Then I’ll give you a big gift.”

Prince Wei curiously asked, “What big gift?”

“A gift that will make you happy. I hope by then you’ll grant me one wish.”

Hearing this, Prince Wei understood what Zhao Yao was planning.

“That depends on what big gift you give.”

“Don’t worry, it will definitely be a gift that makes you very satisfied.”

Seeing Zhao Yao so confident, Prince Wei became increasingly curious.

“If your gift truly satisfies me, I can grant you one wish.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yao’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, “Really?”

Prince Wei nodded slightly, “Really.”

Zhao Yao extended a hand to Prince Wei, “Eighth Brother, a deal’s a deal, no backing out.”

Prince Wei raised his hand to give Zhao Yao a high-five, smiling as he said, “I won’t back out.”

“That’s good.” Zhao Yao felt quite delighted inside.

After that, Zhao Yao cheerfully dined with Prince Wei.

After the meal, he hurried to the Zongzheng Temple’s dungeon to release Prince Chu.