Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1119: Chapter 141: Mutual Deception (Part 2)

"What’s so scary about a suicide squad?" The Emperor didn’t take the suicide squad seriously at all. Back when he quelled the rebellion, he didn’t know how many times he’d been targeted by assassins. "Don’t worry, that brat will be fine."

Sun Kui felt somewhat puzzled. These were the words he should be using to comfort the Emperor, but the Emperor was comforting him instead.

"His Highness Prince Han is a blessed person; he will surely turn misfortune into fortune."

"The brat does have quite the luck," the Emperor said, then continued to look at the memorials.

Sun Kui sneaked a few glances at the Emperor, seeing that he indeed wasn’t worried about Zhao Yao’s safety. He sighed slightly in his heart: May His Highness Prince Han return safely!

"Your Majesty, the Han Prince Mansion hasn’t been tidied up yet. Should I call someone to clean it?" Ever since His Highness Prince Han went to Lingnan, the mansion had been vacant, and no one had been assigned to clean it. His Highness should be coming back soon, so the mansion should be cleaned before his return.

"Then have someone clean it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Sun Kui went out and called over his apprentice, "You personally take people to clean out the Han Prince Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Sun Doudou’s eyes lit up immediately: "Master, is His Highness Prince Han coming back?"

Sun Kui nodded lightly and said, "Yes, in just a few days."

Sun Doudou looked surprised: "How come there was no news beforehand?"

"Don’t you know now?"

Sun Doudou pulled Sun Kui aside and asked in a low voice, "Master, will everything be alright with His Highness returning to the capital?"

Sun Kui cast a glance at his anxious-looking apprentice and asked, "What do you think?"

Seeing his master’s attitude, Sun Doudou’s heart tightened, and his expression turned serious: "Master, has something happened to His Highness?" His master never mentioned anything about His Highness returning to the capital before. Now, suddenly telling him about it must mean something was up.

Seeing his apprentice so alert, Sun Kui felt quite gratified in his heart, although he didn’t show it on his face.

"His Highness Prince Han is quite well, so stop worrying about it."

Sun Doudou wasn’t fully convinced, and asked suspiciously, "Is His Highness really alright?" He thought for a moment and added, "Master, there’s no announcement in the capital or the palace about when His Highness Prince Han is coming back. If I go clean the Han Prince Mansion now, isn’t that telling everyone that His Highness is returning? Won’t that be bad for him?"

Sun Kui tapped his apprentice on the head with the horsetail whisk, soothingly saying, "If I’m asking you to clean the Han Prince Mansion, it means there’s nothing to worry about. Enough chatter, go and clean up quickly."

Hearing this from Sun Kui, Sun Doudou felt relieved: "Alright, I’ll take people to clean it now." With that, he dashed off.

Sun Kui watched his apprentice’s departing figure, a comforting smile appearing on his face.

The brat is getting sharper by the day.

Returning to the Imperial Study, Sun Kui respectfully reported to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I have ordered Sun Doudou to take people to clean the Han Prince Mansion."

Upon hearing the name "Sun Doudou," the Emperor’s hand, holding a vermillion pen, paused momentarily. He then looked at Sun Kui and asked, "How old is this apprentice of yours?"

Sun Kui was slightly taken aback by the Emperor’s sudden question, but he promptly replied respectfully, "In response to Your Majesty, Sun Doudou is twenty-three this year."

"Twenty-three, huh." The Emperor asked again, "How many years has he been in the palace?"

Sun Kui answered, "Fifteen years this year."

"How many years has he been with you?"

"Ten years."

"I recall you taking on this apprentice was thanks to that brat Xiao Shi, wasn’t it?"

Sun Kui didn’t expect the Emperor to remember such a minor detail, "Your Majesty is correct, it was thanks to His Highness Prince Han."

Ten years ago, Sun Doudou was a low-ranking eunuch in the Imperial Garden, tasked with cleaning it daily. That winter was particularly cold, and Sun Doudou, dressed inadequately, braved the chill to sweep the snow in the Imperial Garden, soon fainting from the cold. Fortunately, he encountered Zhao Yao. Zhao Yao was just about to carry him back to Kunde Hall for treatment when he met Sun Kui.

Zhao Yao entrusted the frozen Sun Doudou to Sun Kui, repeatedly emphasizing that he must be taken care of. Thus, Sun Kui saved Sun Doudou. However, Sun Kui later forgot about him.

Sun Doudou recovered from his illness and came specifically to thank Sun Kui. At that time, Sun Kui didn’t pay much attention to the young eunuch. He had saved him only because Zhao Yao had asked.

Since then, Sun Doudou would occasionally pay respects to Sun Kui. Whenever he had something delicious or good, he would present it to Sun Kui. He even washed clothes, feet, and shoes for Sun Kui, serving him like a fairy tale snail girl.