Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1105: Chapter 134: Return to the Capital Approaching (2)

"Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned you to return to the capital before the New Year, so you’ll need to set off next month."

"What’s the rush? Leaving on the twentieth of December would still be on time." Zhao Yao had no desire to return to the capital so soon.

"Your Highness, don’t you want to go back early to see Your Highness the Empress?" Tong Xi said, "I’m sure Her Highness misses you and wants to see you sooner."

"Alright, then I’ll depart at the beginning of next month. You go ahead and make preparations." Truth be told, he missed his mother, the Noble Princess Consort as well.

"I will prepare immediately." Tong Xi completed his bow and hurried away to arrange for their return to the capital.

Zhao Yao looked thoughtfully at several plates of pastries on the table before slowly picking one up and starting to eat. These pastries were of a flavor he enjoyed.

This was someone’s heartfelt gesture, and he couldn’t just let it go to waste.

After finishing one plate of pastries, Zhao Yao went to the next courtyard to find He Lianfang.

He Lianfang had also bathed, her hair down and a book open as she lay on her couch. She didn’t get up when Zhao Yao entered.

Zhao Yao climbed onto the couch, lying down opposite He Lianfang, "Father wants me to return to the capital before the year’s end."

Upon hearing this, He Lianfang closed her book and sat up to look at Zhao Yao.

"Return to the capital before the year’s end?"

"Yes, to celebrate the New Year," Zhao Yao said casually, supporting his face with his right hand, "I’m planning to leave next month, Uncle, are you coming with me?"

"No, I’ll stay at Swamp Prefecture," He Lianfang asked, "Has the Emperor arranged your marriage yet? Which family’s daughter is it?"

"Father didn’t say in the letter."

He Lianfang suspected that Zhao Yao’s future princess might come from Prime Minister He’s family, "Once you return to the capital, it seems unlikely you’ll return quickly."

"If everything goes smoothly, I can return after getting married," Zhao Yao said, his brow furrowing, "But if things don’t go smoothly, I don’t know when I can return."

"Why, are you worried that once you return to the capital, you’ll be entangled and unable to come back to Swamp Prefecture?"

"Uncle, you understand the situation in the capital. Once I return, I’ll be caught in it," Zhao Yao didn’t want to return at this time, but he had no choice, "Besides, judging by the money I’ve made, they won’t let me go so easily. I’m like a piece of juicy meat, everyone wants a bite."

"So, what’s your plan?"

"I’ll just play it by ear."

He Lianfang pondered for a moment, then said, "I’ll go back to the capital with you."

"What? Didn’t you say earlier you wouldn’t go with me? Why change your mind?"

"Don’t you want me to go back to the capital with you?"

"Uncle, Swamp Prefecture is our main base. If I’m not around, you need to stay and watch it; otherwise, I won’t be at ease," Zhao Yao said sincerely, "If we both leave, what if someone attacks our main base?"

He Lianfang thought this over and agreed it was true.

Swamp Prefecture was vital, and if they both left, it would give others a chance to take advantage.

"I’ll stay, then."

"Uncle, my biggest worry is Prince Han. After I leave, you’ll need to be extra vigilant."

"I know what to do."

Zhao Yao sat up, crossed his legs on the couch, and said with a look of dissatisfaction, "Once I return, there’ll be a heap of troublesome matters. Uncle, tell me, is this marriage really necessary?"

"If you don’t marry, what do you plan to do?" He Lianfang said, giving Zhao Yao a strange look, "You’re not interested in romance with women, could it be...?"

Zhao Yao glared at He Lianfang, "Uncle, what are you thinking? Do I look like someone who prefers men?"

"No," this young man didn’t have men hovering around him.

"I just don’t want to return to the capital, can’t they send my future princess to me here instead?"

He Lianfang ignored Zhao Yao’s comment.

Zhao Yao continued speaking to himself, "Returning this time, my life might be at risk."

"With your intelligence, you won’t die," He Lianfang said disdainfully, glancing at Zhao Yao’s worried face, "Do you have anything else to say? If not, get out and stop bothering me while I rest." These days spent drifting on the sea, even Iron Man He Lianfang would feel exhausted. Besides, his health wasn’t great.

Seeing He Lianfang looking somewhat weary, Zhao Yao joked, "I told you not to follow me to sea; you didn’t listen, and now you’re tired."

He Lianfang couldn’t raise his foot to kick Zhao Yao, so he threw the book in his hand at him.

Zhao Yao easily caught the book heading towards his face. He jumped off the couch, spun the book in his right hand, and said with a sly grin, "Then take your rest, Uncle; I won’t join you for dinner tonight."

He continued, "In the upcoming days, I’ll be out; if you need anything, send someone to North Mountain to find me."

"What are you doing at North Mountain?"

"Having North Mountain make a batch of firearms, hand grenades, and explosives to take back to the capital." Zhao Yao grinned, "Without these treasures for protection, I’m afraid I won’t return." With that, he handed the book back to He Lianfang and skipped away.

He Lianfang placed the book over his face and closed his eyes to rest.

Zhao Yao returned to his study and found the Hidden Guard waiting. He asked, "Is the matter taken care of?"

The Hidden Guard respectfully replied, "It’s done; in a few days, Prince Han will find out."

"How is it going with Prince Dai?"

"Prince Dai is already aware."

Zhao Yao further inquired, "When Prince Dai found out, what move did he make?"

"He’s playing along."

"Hahaha!" Zhao Yao laughed heartily, "Prince Han underestimates Prince Dai, yet he never thought Prince Dai isn’t truly brainless." With that, he recalled Noble Princess Consort Rong and asked, "Is Noble Princess Consort Rong genuinely ill, or is she feigning it?"

The Hidden Guard replied obediently, "It’s a genuine illness, and it’s very serious."

"So it’s real!" Zhao Yao was slightly surprised. He had assumed Noble Princess Consort Rong was feigning illness to restore Marquis Xuanping’s noble rank. "How did Noble Princess Consort Rong fall ill? Was it the Empress’s doing?"

"It wasn’t the Empress; it was Consort Shu."

Zhao Yao appeared astounded, "Consort Shu?" He hadn’t expected this. "Why would she harm Noble Princess Consort Rong? For revenge? But it wasn’t Noble Princess Consort Rong who killed her son."

"It was to bring Prince Dai back to the capital."

"Why bring Prince Dai back to the capital?" Her son was dead, the Duke Anyang’s Mansion was gone, she had no further reason to meddle in the struggle for succession.

"I don’t know."

Zhao Yao furrowed his brows in thought, after a moment he said, "Investigate Consort Shu and see if she has dealings with Prince Han."

"Do you suspect Consort Shu is in collusion with Prince Han?"

"Yes, otherwise she wouldn’t cause Noble Princess Consort Rong to suffer serious illness for no reason." Zhao Yao’s fingers lightly tapped the table, "Also check if she is in contact with the Xiongnu’s Third Princess Consort."

"Yes, Your Highness." The Hidden Guard reported a few more matters.

After the Hidden Guard left, Zhao Yao sighed lightly, "Ugh, once I return to the capital, I’ll be embroiled in filth." He just wanted to be a carefree prince, but everyone obstructed him.

Annoying, truly annoying.