Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 811: Chapter 393: Heading to Lingnan (2)

Prince Chu had a somber expression and said nothing.

"Yao Yao being exiled to Lingnan is already tough enough, if he can marry a girl he likes, it’s a good thing for him." Princess Consort Li, seeing Prince Chu silent, continued, "When you succeed in the future, bring Yao Yao back and then arrange a good marriage for him."

Prince Chu couldn’t think of any other way, "That’s all we can do."

"I know you care for Yao Yao, but there’s nothing we can do right now. When you succeed later, make sure to compensate Yao Yao properly." Princess Consort Li stopped mentioning Zhao Yao’s marriage and asked Prince Chu about other matters, "Yao Yao is soon to go to Lingnan; he’s been neglected these years, and Lady Liang hasn’t received rewards from the Emperor. They don’t have much money; you should prepare more things for Yao Yao to take to Lingnan."

"Don’t worry, Mother, I have prepared everything for my tenth brother." Prince Chu would not let Zhao Yao lead a hard life in Lingnan.

"Tell me what you’ve prepared for Yao Yao, so I can see if anything’s missing."

The items prepared for Zhao Yao were all personally instructed by Prince Chu, so he remembered them well.

After hearing Prince Chu’s words, Princess Consort Li noticed he had prepared very thoroughly, with no omissions.

"Qiu Sang, go get my things."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After a moment, Qiu Sang brought a large brocade box. Princess Consort Li had her give it directly to Prince Chu.

When Prince Chu received the box, he found it quite heavy.

Princess Consort Li said, "These are all rewards I’ve received over the years, take them to Yao Yao."

Prince Chu opened it and saw it filled with gold and silver jewelry.

"Mother, are you really giving all this to my tenth brother?"

"Not all, I’ve kept some for myself. I haven’t given them to Lady Liang for fear she might refuse them," Princess Consort Li smiled, "Tell Yao Yao that it’s from you."

"I thank you on behalf of my tenth brother, Mother." Prince Chu accepted them for Zhao Yao.

"When Yao Yao goes to Lingnan, he’ll need money everywhere; ensure he has money on hand." Life in the palace requires money, let alone in the wilderness of Lingnan. "Remind him that if he runs out of money in Lingnan, he should tell you."

"I’ve already told him."

Princess Consort Li knew Prince Chu had always cared deeply for Zhao Yao, considering everything for him. She didn’t say more but shifted the topic to matters at court.

Although Princess Consort Li was in the harem, she understood court affairs well and could offer advice to Prince Chu.

Prince Chu couldn’t linger in the harem for long; after a while, he left. When he returned to the Prince Chu Mansion, Zhao Yao was already there.

As he returned, he saw Zhao Yao teasing his General Hu.

"Fourth brother, you’re back, can we start dinner?"

Seeing Zhao Yao carefree, Prince Chu felt more protective of him.

"Alright, let’s eat."

After the brothers finished eating, they talked about serious matters.

After discussing with Prince Chu, Zhao Yao, holding his General Hu, went to see Prince Wei.

In a few days, Zhao Yao’s coming-of-age birthday was approaching, meaning he would soon leave the capital. Before he departed, Prince Chu and Prince Wei had many matters to entrust to him.

These past few days, Zhao Yao spent one night at the Prince Chu Mansion and another at the Prince Wei Mansion.

Tonight it’s Prince Wei Mansion’s turn, Zhao Yao shamelessly slept beside Prince Wei.

Like childhood, the brothers had endless conversations. They talked about their childhood antics, laughing heartily together.

After a while, Zhao Yao sleepily drifted off.

Prince Wei watched Zhao Yao’s carefree demeanor, feeling amused, helpless, and affectionate.

Despite all his calculations, he hadn’t anticipated the Emperor would exile his tenth brother to Lingnan. If he had known earlier, he would have sent Southern Wei people to Lingnan.

Though Prince Wei had already sent some Southern Wei people to Lingnan recently, it was ultimately too late. However, having Southern Wei people there could lessen the hardships for his tenth brother in Lingnan.

Thinking of his investigation into Lingnan officials, Prince Wei felt uneasy about Zhao Yao going there alone.

Were it not for his commitments in the capital, Prince Wei would have personally escorted Zhao Yao to Lingnan.

No matter how worried and reluctant Prince Chu and Prince Wei were, Zhao Yao’s birthday eventually arrived.

On Zhao Yao’s birthday, during the morning assembly, the Emperor conferred upon him the title "Prince Han," granting Lingnan as his fiefdom.

Though it was known that the Emperor would exile the tenth Prince to Lingnan, hearing the Emperor truly make Lingnan Prince Han’s fiefdom shocked all the court’s civil and military officials. They hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so ruthless; at that moment, their hearts truly went out to Prince Han.