Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 729: Chapter 358: The Unmoved Emperor

The news of Prince Chu’s assassination and death spread wildly in the capital. From court officials to commoners, everyone was discussing who killed Prince Chu. A large number of people speculated that the Crown Prince ordered the assassination, a small number thought it was Prince Dai, and some believed it was a joint effort by the Crown Prince and Prince Dai.

Prince Dai felt terribly wronged, as he hadn’t ordered anyone to assassinate Prince Chu, so why was he being suspected? He had Marquis Xuanping secretly spread rumors that Prince Chu was silenced by the Crown Prince because he discovered the truth about the copper theft.

Regarding the copper theft, the rumors spread by Marquis Xuanping’s men were detailed and convincing, leading many in the capital to believe that it was indeed the Crown Prince who ordered Prince Chu’s assassination.

Upon learning about this, the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen swiftly punished those who spread the rumors. Meanwhile, they also circulated rumors that it was Prince Dai who had orchestrated Prince Chu’s assassination.

Lately, the people in the capital are overwhelmed with the drama. Initially, they believed it was the Crown Prince who had Prince Chu killed, but now they think it was Prince Dai.

The citizens speculated wildly about who actually killed Prince Chu. Many gambling houses even set up bets to wager on whether it was the Crown Prince or Prince Dai who was responsible.

The incident of Prince Chu’s assassination became widely known across the capital; however, the Emperor remained indifferent.

It was impossible for the Emperor not to have heard about the matter, yet he did nothing. He issued no edict for anyone to retrieve Prince Chu’s body from the Jinling River, nor did he send anyone to search for Prince Chu, leaving the ministers puzzled and bewildered.

The Emperor had previously valued Prince Chu highly, so why wasn’t there any reaction from him now that something happened to Prince Chu? Could it be that Prince Chu wasn’t actually dead?

If Prince Chu wasn’t dead, how did the news of his assassination and death emerge? Besides, when the incident happened, Prince Jing witnessed it firsthand. Prince Jing had continuously sent people to fish in the Jinling River and search the surroundings for Prince Chu.

As the saying goes, it’s important to see the person alive or to see the body if they’re dead.

Regardless of whether Prince Chu was indeed dead or not, he must be found first, but it’s strange that the Emperor hasn’t ordered any search.

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor was leisurely trimming a pine tree in a pot.

Sun Kui stood aside, occasionally handing pruning tools to the Emperor.

The Emperor was enthusiastically trimming the pine, but Sun Kui frowned as he watched.

Alas, the poor pine tree wasn’t looking good after the Emperor’s trimming. As the Tenth Prince would say, it’s unbearable to look at. No, it’s an eyesore.

The Emperor was quite pleased with his trimming, occasionally expressing contentment.

"Isn’t my trimming quite good?"

Sun Kui glanced at the pine tree hacked like it was mauled by a dog, unable to bring himself to praise the Emperor’s trimming. He smiled sycophantically at the Emperor.

Unhappy with the lack of response from Sun Kui, the Emperor cast him a sidelong glance.

"You think my trimming is bad?"

After hesitating for a moment, Sun Kui spoke: "Your Majesty, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

Upon hearing this, the Emperor knew what Sun Kui meant.

"I don’t want to hear you speak."

Sun Kui wisely shut his mouth.

Just then, Hidden Guard A entered, respectfully saluted the Emperor, and promptly took out a secret missive from his bosom.

Seeing this, Sun Kui quickly approached Hidden Guard A, received the secret letter from him, and respectfully presented it to the Emperor.

The Emperor dropped the scissors from his hands, noticed his hands were a bit muddy and wet, and wiped them on Sun Kui’s back before taking the secret letter from him.

Sun Kui dared not look at the missive and obediently stepped back a few paces.

After reading the missive, the Emperor said with a laugh, "Old Fourth did a good job."

Upon hearing this, Sun Kui’s eyes widened in surprise, silently exclaiming: Prince Chu isn’t dead?! Prince Chu really isn’t dead!

The Emperor raised his eyes to Hidden Guard A and asked, "Is Old Fourth alright?"

Hidden Guard A replied respectfully, "Prince Chu is safe and sound."

The Emperor nodded slightly, then waved Hidden Guard A off. Hidden Guard A withdrew.

Sun Kui was very curious about Prince Chu’s situation but didn’t dare to ask.

The Emperor went to the lamp in the corner and burned the secret letter in his hand.

"Go summon Mr. Song and the others."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sun Kui accepted the order and left.

A short while later, Song Weikang and the others arrived at the Imperial Study.

The Emperor glanced at Sun Kui, who promptly understood and exited the Imperial Study. After leaving, he shooed the apprentice guarding the door and the Imperial Guards away a bit, keeping them away from the entrance.

Sun Doudou and his peers were well aware that once the Emperor summoned the four Great Generals, there must be important matters to discuss, which were beyond their ears. Sun Doudou didn’t even attempt to pry with Sun Kui.

The master and apprentice didn’t talk about this matter, instead chatting about other things, like what to have for lunch today.

Typically, Sun Doudou loved to chat with his master Sun Kui about palace matters, but he never mentioned a word about the rumors circulating in the capital lately.

"By the way, Master, when will the Tenth Prince return?"

Hearing Sun Doudou’s question, Sun Kui gave him a sideways glance and said, "Why are you thinking about the Tenth Prince?"

"Honestly, Master, I kind of miss the Tenth Prince," Sun Doudou said sheepishly with a smile, "Without the Tenth Prince, the palace feels a bit lonely."

"That’s true, but the Tenth Prince won’t be returning anytime soon."

"Ah, I’ve been waiting for the Tenth Prince to bring back some delicious food from Yangzhou."

Sun Kui raised his hand and smacked Sun Doudou at the back of the head, mockingly scolding, "You really have great ambitions."

"Hehehe, I don’t have any big aspirations, I just want to eat Yangzhou’s good food." When Sun Doudou thought of the delicacies, his mouth watered, "I reckon the Tenth Prince is having a great time eating in Yangzhou."

"What’s so delicious about Yangzhou?" Sun Kui mused to himself, relieved that the Tenth Prince was in Yangzhou, not in Jinling—who knows what could’ve happened otherwise.

"I heard the Tenth Prince say there are many delicacies in Yangzhou..." Sun Doudou counted on his fingers, listing the tasty food one by one to Sun Kui.

In the Imperial Study, the Emperor propped his chin, watching the four brothers quarreling now.

Song Dekang and the others were arguing over who’d go to Mount Wuhua. None of the four would concede, each wanting to go to Mount Wuhua.

"Enough, you four stop arguing." The Emperor, seeing them argue more and more fiercely, felt a headache coming on.

Song Dekang and the others immediately shut their mouths, not daring to argue further.

"I’m not asking you four to go, so what are you arguing about?"

Song Dekang: "Wait, Boss, aren’t you sending us?"

Shen Hu: "Boss, if you’re not sending us, who are you sending?"

Chu Ying: "Boss, if you’re not sending us, why did you summon us?"

Zhang Gong: "Boss, then who are you sending?"

"You four can’t leave the capital, or the truth will come out." The Emperor rested his right hand on his face, softly tapping the imperial desk with his left, "I’m having you select someone trustworthy to represent you and go to Mount Wuhua."

When Song Dekang and the others heard this, they understood the Emperor’s plan.

"Then indeed we’re not suited to go to Mount Wuhua."

"Don’t worry, Boss, we’ll arrange it."

The Emperor instructed, "You four discuss among yourselves and send two reliable confidants to Mount Wuhua, then send another two to the Western Garrison."

At the mention of the Western Garrison, Song Dekang and the others’ faces immediately changed.

"Boss, are you worried there will be movement at the Western Garrison?"

"Boss, isn’t the Western Garrison under your control?"

"Boss, isn’t everything well within control on the Western Garrison side?"

"Boss, could it be that there’s rebellion on the Western Garrison side?"

The Emperor spoke with a half-smile, "Duke Zhen and the others have been working hard in the Western Garrison for so many years; some have indeed been bought by them. Otherwise, where would they get the guts to steal copper?"

Song Dekang’s gaze instantly became sharp, "Which bastard rebelled?"

There were quite a few soldiers in the Western Garrison who were previously under Song Dekang and the others. Now knowing there was a rebellion within the Western Garrison, the four were filled with fury.

"Once you send people to the Western Garrison, you’ll know who’s rebelled." The Emperor wasn’t as angry as Song Dekang and the others, "Oh, and have your men cooperate with the Western Garrison side to put on a show."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ying knew immediately what kind of plan the Emperor was hatching.

"Boss, you’re planning a grand production."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and smiled with deep meaning, "Indeed, I’m going to fulfill the Crown Prince and Duke Zhen."