Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 709: Chapter 347: Hoping He Hasn’t Misunderstood the Emperor’s Intention

That night, after meeting Zhao Yao, Prince Chu left Jinling immediately. As he left, he created several decoys to make it difficult for anyone to discern which one was him.

Before coming to Jinling, he specifically arranged for someone to impersonate him and stay in Peng City, to make the Crown Prince and his followers believe that he hadn’t left. As of now, only Prince Wei and Zhao Yao know that Prince Chu has left Peng City; everyone else is completely unaware, thinking he is still in Peng City investigating the copper theft.

The Crown Prince, Duke Zhen, and their men have almost dug up Peng City without finding Prince Chu. The continued failure to find him worries the Crown Prince, who then instructs Prince Wei to personally visit Peng City to uncover Prince Chu’s hiding place.

The main purpose of Prince Wei’s journey to Jiangnan this time is to secretly infiltrate Peng City, hinder Prince Chu’s investigation into the copper theft, and of course, kill Prince Chu.

"I hope the eighth brother, after arriving in Peng City, can find and kill the fourth brother." The Crown Prince said this with a very sinister expression, lacking his usual affability.

Lv Cong said, "Your Highness, aren’t you confident in Lord Wei’s abilities? Has he ever failed to accomplish what you’ve entrusted him with?"

The Crown Prince pondered and realized it was true. No matter what he asked of his eighth brother, the eighth brother would find a way to complete it, never disappointing him.

"I do trust the eighth brother, but I’m worried the eighth brother might not be a match for the fourth brother, as the fourth brother is too insidious and cunning."

"Your Highness, Lord Wei will certainly find a way to stop Prince Chu."

"Hopefully." The Crown Prince placed his hopes on Prince Wei, "We absolutely cannot let the fourth brother return alive to the capital."

The Prince Chu, who the Crown Prince wished to kill so eagerly, had already quietly gone to an important place.

In a residence somewhere in Jinling City, Prince Wei and Zhao Yao were playing chess.

At that moment, Yu Hai walked in, respectfully greeting both lords first, then took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Yao—it was a letter from Lady Liang.

Upon hearing it was a letter from his mother, Zhao Yao eagerly put down the chess piece in his hand and took the letter from Yu Hai, impatiently opening it.

Lady Liang knew that letters between her and her son were exchanged through Prince Wei, so she only wrote words of concern for Zhao Yao, refraining from writing about other matters.

Prince Wei, seeing Zhao Yao’s vivid expressions while reading the letter—sometimes happy, sometimes frowning, sometimes puffing his cheeks—curiously and concernedly asked, "What did Lady Liang write? Is there something happening in the palace?"

Zhao Yao handed the letter to Prince Wei, sighing softly, "Mother is fine, and there’s nothing wrong in the palace; it’s just that Mother is worried about me, and also concerned about you."

Prince Wei glanced at the letter and saw that Lady Liang indeed expressed concern for his safety, feeling a warm sensation in his heart.

"Missing Lady Liang?"

Zhao Yao nodded and said, "I do miss Mother, but I can’t go back yet since I haven’t seen my maternal grandfather and them."

"When I return, I’ll take you to Yangzhou, but you cannot stay in Yangzhou for long."

Upon hearing this from Prince Wei, Zhao Yao was first startled, then puzzled, "Eighth brother, why can’t I stay long in Yangzhou?"

"You need to return to the capital with me. I don’t feel comfortable with you returning alone."

"Eighth brother, I’ve finally left the palace to see my maternal grandfather and them, I definitely want to stay for a few months." Zhao Yao didn’t want to return to the capital with Prince Wei, "Eighth brother, to be honest, I’m not planning to return to the capital this year."

Just as Prince Wei lifted his teacup, he paused his action upon hearing this, surprised, and looked at Zhao Yao: "What did you say?"

Zhao Yao earnestly told Prince Wei, "Eighth brother, I’m not planning to return to the capital this year."

Prince Wei was bewildered, "Are you planning to stay in Yangzhou for half a year?"

"If possible, I want to stay in Yangzhou until I’m crowned a prince when I come of age." This was Zhao Yao’s plan.

"What did you say, you want to stay until you’re crowned?" Prince Wei thought Zhao Yao was crazy, "Do you think that’s possible?"

Zhao Yao sagged his shoulders, looking dejected, "It’s not possible."

"Then why are you thinking this way?" Prince Wei said amusedly, "Father might not even agree for you to stay in Yangzhou for half a year."

"Eighth brother, you said it’s possible Father won’t agree for me to stay for a few years, but he will definitely agree for me to stay in Yangzhou for half a year." Upon saying this, Zhao Yao felt he had misspoken and quickly corrected himself, "Father doesn’t even care about my life or death; why would he care how long I stay in Yangzhou? Maybe he’s already forgotten about me."

Prince Wei felt a deep sense of heartache upon seeing Zhao Yao’s indifferent expression as he spoke. He furrowed his brows slightly and said, "You are Father’s son, it’s not possible for him to..."