Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1226: Chapter 191: Emperor Yong’an’s Purpose (Part 3)

Zhao Yao said with a helpless expression, “Eighth Brother, you know I don’t care about these things.” He sighed deeply and added, “I never thought of becoming an emperor, yet here I am, forced to become one.” If it weren’t for Fourth Brother’s poor health, he would have let Fourth Brother ascend to the throne. Unfortunately, Fourth Brother’s health was poor.

“Tenth Brother, it’s your responsibility, you can’t escape it.”

Zhao Yao looked directly at Emperor Yong’an, “Eighth Brother, did you know you were unwell long ago, so after ascending the throne, you were eager to eliminate the aristocratic families and disobedient officials?”

Having been guessed by Zhao Yao, Emperor Yong’an was not surprised at all. He did not deny it: “Yes, I knew I wouldn’t live for many years.”

“No wonder you were so anxious after ascending the throne, you…” Zhao Yao understood that everything Emperor Yong’an did over the years was for him, and he felt both moved and guilty.

Emperor Yong’an said calmly, “Tenth Brother, I took your throne, so I have to do something for you.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s eyes widened suddenly, a look of disbelief on his face. After a long while, he chuckled bitterly, “Eighth Brother, did you read the secret decree?”

“I didn’t read it; the secret decree is still intact behind the plaque.” Emperor Yong’an indeed hadn’t opened that secret decree.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao asked in astonishment, “Then how did you know?”

Emperor Yong’an smiled, “Naturally, I figured it out.”

Zhao Yao thought that Emperor Yong’an might have had a deal with the Supreme Emperor, so he hurriedly asked, “Eighth Brother, what did you trade with Father?”

“Indeed, you figured it out.” Emperor Yong’an was somewhat surprised that Zhao Yao knew about his deal with the Supreme Emperor, but it was also within expectations. “Father promised to let me be emperor.”

“And the condition?”

“The condition was that once I ascended to the throne, I would eliminate all the aristocratic families.”

Zhao Yao frowned slightly and asked, “Does that include the Li Family?”

Emperor Yong’an shook his head and said, “Father didn’t ask me to eliminate the Li Family; it was my decision to remove the Li Family.”

“Eighth Brother, you removed the Li Family not because they were Fourth Brother’s maternal family, nor as a warning to others, but for my sake, right?”

Emperor Yong’an denied, “Not entirely for you, also for myself.”

Zhao Yao naturally did not believe Emperor Yong’an’s words, “Eighth Brother, with your abilities, you didn’t need to make a deal with Father and become a tool in his hands.” During these days, Zhao Yao had thought through many things. He knew that everything Emperor Yong’an did after ascending the throne was to clear obstacles for him.

“Tenth Brother, what I did after ascending to the throne, I would have done even if Father hadn’t said so.” Emperor Yong’an said with a serious face, “I did it not only for you but also for myself.”

“Eldest Brother and Second Brother…”

Emperor Yong’an openly acknowledged, “It was all my doing.”

“Eighth Brother, you really didn’t need to let Father use you.” At this moment, Zhao Yao felt a deep ache for Emperor Yong’an and harbored resentment towards the Supreme Emperor.

“Tenth Brother, if I hadn’t made a deal with Father, he wouldn’t have let me take your throne.” Emperor Yong’an added, “You know, my lifelong dream was to become an emperor.”

“With your abilities…”

“Tenth Brother, you underestimate Father; my abilities are substantial, but still lacking compared to Father.” Emperor Yong’an sighed, “The older, the wiser.” If Emperor Yong’an had not agreed to the deal with the Supreme Emperor, he would have died long ago and wouldn’t have lived until now.

“It’s too unfair to you.” Zhao Yao felt a sense of injustice for Emperor Yong’an.

“There’s no such thing as fairness in this world.” Emperor Yong’an didn’t care how the Supreme Emperor treated him, “For me, as long as I can become emperor, I’ll do anything. Besides, Father wasn’t as cruel to me as you think.”

“Even at times like this, you’re still speaking for him.”

“Tenth Brother, you should understand that Father is first the Emperor of Great Zhou, then our father.” Emperor Yong’an did not resent the Supreme Emperor; if he were the Supreme Emperor, he would have done the same. “Father’s first consideration was the Great Zhou and its people, before thinking about other matters. He chose you to be emperor not because you were his favorite son, but because he saw your ability. Only by placing Great Zhou in your hands could the people have better lives.”

“If Father were truly emotional, he wouldn’t have let you be emperor. But as the emperor, he had to be responsible for the people under heaven, so even knowing you didn’t want to be emperor, he was forced to make you do it.”

Zhao Yao chuckled self-deprecatingly, “You both believe I’m suited to be emperor, that I can bring a prosperous era to Great Zhou; where did you both get such confidence?”