Read Novel Full Chapter 1228: Chapter 192: Never to Meet Again
Chapter 1228: Chapter 192: Never to Meet Again
Considering the health of Emperor Eyan, the Chief Historian chose an auspicious day for next month, which was deemed a perfect day for all matters.
After selecting the auspicious day, the Ministry of Rites began preparing for Zhao Yao’s ascension. Fortunately, the Ministry of Rites had gained experience and would not be as hurried as a few years ago.
A few years ago, Emperor Eyan hastily ascended the throne, and the ascension ceremony was very simple. It was thought that after some time, Emperor Eyan would hold a grand ascension ceremony, but unexpectedly, he had no plans to hold another ceremony, leaving the Ministry of Rites with no opportunity to curry favor.
Ever since Emperor Eyan, gravely ill, called Prince Han back to the capital, the civil and military officials speculated that Emperor Eyan’s days were numbered and that Prince Han would soon ascend the throne. The Minister of Rites also guessed this and secretly prepared for Prince Han’s upcoming ascension ceremony. Now that the auspicious day for the ascension had been set, there wasn’t much time left for the Ministry of Rites, but due to prior preparation, it wouldn’t be as chaotic as a few years before.
On the eve of Zhao Yao’s ascension, Emperor Eyan issued an edict to voluntarily abdicate to Zhao Yao, restoring his identity as a prince and moving back to the Prince Wei Mansion to recuperate.
Zhao Yao felt it was unnecessary, but he insisted on doing so. His reason was that before leaving, he wanted to experience being Zhao Yao’s subject.
Seeing Prince Wei’s insistence, Zhao Yao had no choice but to comply.
At this time, in the garden of the Prince Wei Mansion, Prince Wei sat in a wheelchair, basking in the sun and talking with Prince Chu.
Prince Chu had already learned from Zhao Yao about what Prince Wei had done over the years. Towards Prince Wei, Prince Chu had both resentment and admiration, and now he felt a bit nostalgic.
“I didn’t expect you to come to see me.” Prince Wei looked at Prince Chu without the usual disdain, but still without fondness. “You have words for me.”
“You are about to die; I’m here to see you before you go.” Although Prince Chu now had no resentment towards Prince Wei, he still disliked him and had nothing pleasant to say to him. Moreover, he was speaking the truth.
Hearing such blunt words from Prince Chu, Prince Wei was not at all angry, his expression unchanged.
“You won’t live much longer either.” No one knew the state of Prince Chu’s health better than Prince Wei. Besides, the current condition of Prince Chu’s health was caused by Prince Wei.
“As long as I live longer than you.” Prince Chu knew how to provoke Prince Wei. “You can only witness our tenth brother’s ascension, while I might see the prosperous age he brings.” Indeed, he wouldn’t live long, but with proper care, he might live a few more years, potentially witnessing the prosperous era our tenth brother would create.
Prince Wei was somewhat provoked, and with a bit of a cold face, he said: “You are as detestable as ever.” He particularly loathed the guise of a gentleman portrayed by the fourth.
Prince Chu retorted: “And you are no different.”
“You still lost to me.” Prince Wei’s mouth curled into a very proud smile, “You lost utterly; you are not as good as I am.”
Prince Chu was not one to be sore about losing, “I am not as good as you.” Whether in the competition for the throne or considering for our tenth brother, he was no match for Prince Wei. “When did you know that father preferred our tenth brother?”
Prince Wei shot a scornful glance at Prince Chu, “I knew long ago.”
“In this regard, I am far inferior to you.” Prince Chu only recently discovered that the Supreme Emperor had chosen Zhao Yao, also understanding that the things Prince Wei did after ascending were to help Zhao Yao. “Did father cause your poor health?”
Prince Chu didn’t know about Prince Wei’s poisoning, but he believed there was some trick when the Supreme Emperor chose Zhao Yao yet let Prince Wei ascend before Zhao Yao; Prince Wei’s severe illness was the trick. If Prince Wei were healthy, the Supreme Emperor wouldn’t have let him be emperor.
Since childhood, Prince Wei had poor health. In Prince Chu’s memory, Prince Wei often fell ill when he was a child. It wasn’t until he grew older that he stopped falling ill so frequently.
Prince Wei didn’t directly answer Prince Chu’s question, instead he warned: “Don’t tell our tenth brother.”
Prince Chu laughed, “If I can guess, do you think our tenth brother cannot?” Thinking about Prince Wei being used by the Supreme Emperor from birth made Prince Chu couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. But he knew in his heart that Prince Wei didn’t care for his pity. “If you hadn’t fought, father might not have wanted your life.”
Upon hearing this, Prince Wei curled his lips in a mocking smile and said: “If I didn’t fight, I would have been dead long ago.” After saying this, he sighed deeply, “I am half Southern Wei by blood; my father wouldn’t let me live forever, and the Southern Wei people wouldn’t allow me not to fight.” In the second year of his reign, Prince Wei had his confidants kill off every Southern Wei person, leaving none to prevent them from causing trouble in the future.