Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 888: Chapter 31: What If Prince Han Is Playing Dumb to Outsmart Lao Hu?

Capital City, in the study of Prince Chu Mansion.

Prince Chu wore a cold expression, taking the letter he had just read and burning it over the candle flame.

Sitting opposite Prince Chu was a middle-aged man with a goatee, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, exuding an aura of celestial detachment. His name was Yang Ling, a strategist for Prince Chu. He was also a classmate of Zheng Xilin, having studied together in the past. His intelligence and strategies were in no way inferior to Zheng Xilin. Prince Chu’s maternal grandfather, Minister Li, had once favored him, which led him to assist Prince Chu. Additionally, Prince Chu himself was very outstanding, with ambitions for the realm, which appealed to Yang Ling.

"Your Highness, He Lianfang is not trustworthy and has always harbored rebellious thoughts. His presence beside Prince Han is not beneficial." Yang Ling had once met He Lianfang and knew of his past deeds. "In Lingnan, the mountains are high and the emperor is far; He Lianfang can do many things."

The letter Prince Chu had just burned concerned He Lianfang, "Are you suggesting He Lianfang might incite the Tenth Brother to rebel?"

Yang Ling nodded and replied, "Exactly, Prince Han is the best candidate for He Lianfang’s rebellion."

Until today, Prince Chu had never heard of He Lianfang. It was only earlier that he learned from Yang Ling who He Lianfang was, what he had done, and the grievances between him and the emperor.

Prince Chu’s face remained emotionless, saying nothing.

"Your Highness, He Lianfang has previously been under house arrest by the emperor, but now follows Prince Han to Lingnan. Isn’t that strange?" Yang Ling saw Prince Chu remaining silent and subtly reminded him.

Prince Chu raised his eyes to look at Yang Ling and asked indifferently, "Sir, what are you trying to say?"

"Your Highness, you are a wise man. You should be able to guess the purpose of the emperor placing He Lianfang by Prince Han’s side."

Prince Chu pretended to be unaware: "Sir, why do you think Father would do this?"

Seeing Prince Chu feigning ignorance, Yang Ling had to speak more openly.

"No one understands what kind of person He Lianfang is better than the emperor, especially when it comes to He Lianfang’s military skills." Yang Ling’s expression was very serious, his tone solemn, "Your Highness, it’s no exaggeration to say that there’s no one in the entire Great Zhou who matches He Lianfang in warfare. For years, the emperor kept He Lianfang under house arrest, allowing no one near him, fearing his rebellion. But now the emperor lets him be by Prince Han’s side, there must be a deeper meaning."

He continued, "Firstly, the emperor places He Lianfang by Prince Han’s side to incite Prince Han towards rebellion, allowing the emperor to rightfully remove both He Lianfang and Prince Han."

This speculation chilled Prince Chu’s expression even further.

"Secondly, the emperor actually values Prince Han highly, deliberately placing He Lianfang with Prince Han to strategize for him. When Your Highness and other princes are worn out from infighting, Prince Han, with He Lianfang’s support, could return to the capital and seize the throne."

Prince Chu replied coldly, "Impossible, the Tenth Brother wouldn’t."

Yang Ling understood the close relationship between Prince Chu and Prince Han, and knew Prince Chu couldn’t accept the second claim.

"Even if Prince Han has no intention of vying for the throne, what about He Lianfang? He definitely harbors such desires," Yang Ling stated firmly, "He Lianfang will absolutely rebel against the emperor."

Prince Chu also spoke resolutely, "The Tenth Brother won’t fall for He Lianfang’s schemes."

"Your Highness, He Lianfang not only possesses unmatched military talent but also a deep and inscrutable mind. He holds enmity against the emperor and will surely seek revenge by inciting the emperor’s own son to rebel." Yang Ling spoke gravely, "Though the Tenth Prince is capable, he is no match for the cunning and ruthless He Lianfang."

Prince Chu frowned, his expression displeased, "So, sir, you lean towards the second scenario?"

Yang Ling nodded slightly, "Yes. If the emperor merely wished to remove He Lianfang, there wouldn’t be such a meticulous plan. Furthermore, I’m sure the emperor is aware of the consequences of releasing a tiger back into the mountains."

"Father values the Tenth Brother?" Prince Chu asked with skepticism, "I haven’t seen that."

"Your Highness, what if the emperor intentionally disregards Prince Han?" Yang Ling understood Prince Chu’s disbelief, "Your Highness, why not consider that the emperor’s indifference towards Prince Han is actually a form of protection for him?"

"Protect the Tenth Brother?" Prince Chu recalled the assassination attempt on Zhao Yao in Jinling years ago. "Sir, years ago, the Tenth Brother was ordered to visit Mr. Meng in Jinling, only to be kidnapped by the prestigious families there, while Father turned a blind eye. If it weren’t for the Tenth Brother’s quick thinking and escape, he would have perished in Jinling." If the emperor indeed valued the Tenth Brother, he would not be indifferent to the danger he faced in Jinling.

"Your Highness, why don’t you see this as a test by the emperor for Prince Han?" Yang Ling asked again, "What if the emperor secretly sent Hidden Guards to protect the Tenth Prince?"

"Hidden Guards protecting the Tenth Brother?" Prince Chu smirked coldly, "If Father had indeed sent guards, the Tenth Brother wouldn’t have been harassed in Jinling."

"Your Highness, I understand your deep bond with Prince Han, but you mustn’t let brotherly affection blind you." Yang Ling felt confident in his deductions, "Think carefully about whether my words hold truth."

"Even if Father values the Tenth Brother as you suggest, that doesn’t mean the Tenth Brother desires the throne." Prince Chu spoke solemnly, "Though I may not fully understand Father, I know the Tenth Brother well."

Yang Ling thought for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, what if Prince Han is pretending to be harmless?"

Eyes sharpening, Prince Chu responded, "Sir, are you insinuating the Tenth Brother has been deceiving me all this time?"

Yang Ling saw Prince Chu’s anger but fearlessly continued, "It’s not impossible."

"Sir!" Prince Chu called out harshly.

Yang Ling knew Prince Chu was furious, but still had words to say.

"Your Highness, those born into the imperial family cannot be entirely guileless; Prince Han is certainly not a simple person."

Prince Chu’s tone was icy, "Sir, are you suggesting my Tenth Brother is conniving?"

Yang Ling didn’t directly answer but instead asked, "Your Highness, do you believe someone capable of creating glass is truly without guile?"

"The Tenth Brother’s talent for invention is remarkable. Sir, you know he created new paper and printing technology at a young age; it’s not surprising he would make glass." Prince Chu disagreed with Yang Ling’s earlier statement, "The Tenth Brother also possesses remarkable business acumen but that doesn’t equate to deep-seated cunning."

"Your Highness..."

Prince Chu interrupted Yang Ling, "If the Tenth Brother truly sought the throne, he wouldn’t have partnered with me in business ventures."

"Your Highness, what if that’s Prince Han’s method, intended only to lull you into complacency?"

"Sir, you misunderstand the Tenth Brother." Prince Chu was certain Zhao Yao wasn’t the schemer Yang Ling believed him to be, "The Tenth Brother may be concealing things from me, but he would never act against me. Moreover, he absolutely has no desire for the throne."

"Your Highness, why are you so sure?" Yang Ling speculated that emotions clouded Prince Chu’s judgment, "With He Lianfang beside Prince Han, one cannot be too cautious."

Prince Chu acknowledged Yang Ling’s intentions were for his benefit, thus didn’t blame him for suspecting Zhao Yao.

"Sir, the Tenth Brother will never be my adversary."

Yang Ling gazed at Prince Chu, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "Your Highness, why not conduct a test to see if Prince Han truly harbors ambitions for the throne?"

Prince Chu replied, "There’s no need, I trust the Tenth Brother."

"Your Highness, this test won’t harm Prince Han, so you needn’t worry." As Yang Ling spoke earlier, he realized Zhao Yao’s standing in Prince Chu’s heart was even higher than he’d thought, "It would simply reveal whether Prince Han secretly desires the throne."

Prince Chu spoke with displeasure, "Sir..."

"Your Highness, if you’re so confident in Prince Han, why not let me test him?"

Though aware of Yang Ling’s provocations, Prince Chu was still swayed. Willingly he accepted, if not to prove Zhao Yao’s loyalty.

"Do not harm the Tenth Brother."

Seeing Prince Chu agree, Yang Ling smiled slightly, "I will never harm Prince Han."