Novel Full Chapter 1173 - 168: Take It Easy
Chapter 1173 - 168: Take It Easy
In the Imperial Study of Zichen Hall, Zhao Yao was playing chess with the Emperor. The father and son were evenly matched, with neither giving ground.
In this world, the only ones who can play chess with the Emperor without losing are He Lianfang and Zhao Yao.
"You brat, must you leave tomorrow?"
"What, can’t bear for me to leave?" Zhao Yao smirked, "If you beg me, I might consider staying."
The Emperor, amused by his youngest son’s cheeky words, feigned displeasure and said, "Get lost! Hurry up and leave!"
"You don’t have to push me, I’m leaving tomorrow." Zhao Yao said deliberately, "I can’t stand staying in this capital a moment longer."
"Quickly go, so you’re not in my sight." The Emperor said this, but he was reluctant in his heart.
Zhao Yao deeply regarded the Emperor’s impatient face, sighed silently in his heart, and after pondering, he said, "Take care not to cause harm to yourself."
The Emperor was surprised by these words, looking up at his son sitting opposite him.
"Be careful? Be careful of what?"
"Be cautious in your dealings with Eighth Brother." Zhao Yao hesitated a moment but decided to warn the Emperor, "Eighth Brother’s cunning and methods are on par with yours. Don’t think you have him wrapped around your finger; perhaps it’s you who is being played."
This statement caused the Emperor to crease his brow. His expression immediately grew serious, "Brat, do you know something?"
"I don’t know the details of your dealings with Eighth Brother, nor do I want to know." Zhao Yao said nonchalantly, fiddling with the chess piece in his hand, "I’m just saying don’t underestimate Eighth Brother."
"I know full well Eighth Brother’s capabilities and methods." The Emperor was most aware of Prince Wei’s talents.
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Zhao Yao realized the Emperor still underestimated Prince Wei.
"You better be sure."
Hearing his son’s tone, the Emperor reached out and tapped Zhao Yao’s head.
"Why, don’t believe your old man?"
"I’m afraid you may get burned."
"Brat, you underestimate your old man too much." The Emperor feigned dissatisfaction but was secretly pleased his son cared for him.
"Whether I underestimate you or not is irrelevant. What’s important is that you don’t underestimate Eighth Brother." After Zhao Yao made his move, his gaze sharp as he looked at the Emperor, "Is it true Eighth Brother has no heirs because of you?"
This question caught the Emperor off guard. After a moment of shock, he responded, "What did you say?"
"I said, Eighth Brother has had no heirs all these years because of you." Zhao Yao stared directly into the Emperor’s eyes, "You don’t want the Southern Wei Royal Family’s bloodline to continue."
"Did Eighth Brother tell you this?"
"Eighth Brother would never say such things to me; I don’t meddle in your affairs, so neither Eighth Brother nor Fourth Brother would tell me anything." Zhao Yao said, pointing to his head, "I have a brain; I can deduce some things."
"Then you are indeed clever, quite the genius." The Emperor spoke in a mocking tone.
"Did I guess wrong, it isn’t your doing?"
"I wouldn’t stoop so low." The Emperor replied testily, "It’s Eighth Brother himself who can’t father children."
"Really?" Zhao Yao said with disbelief, "Eighth Brother can’t father children?"
"You can ask Eighth Brother."
"Better not." If he directly asked Eighth Brother, it would certainly be awkward for him.
"The Southern Wei Royal Family originally struggled with having descendants. Back then, if it weren’t for..." As he thought of the past, the Emperor’s face plainly showed a look of distaste.
Seeing the Emperor’s disgusted expression, Zhao Yao suspected the Emperor was remembering the incident of being plotted against by Princess Wei, and he couldn’t help being curious.
"What exactly did Eighth Brother’s mother do to make you so averse to them both?" Eighth Brother was purely a victim of his mother’s schemes. "Did she use medicine on you?"
Seeing his son’s mixture of curiosity and mischievousness, the Emperor angrily glared at him.
The Emperor gave no answer, making Zhao Yao believe he had guessed correctly.
"Was it the forbidden medicine of Southern Wei, the kind with potent effects, perhaps still enabling pregnancy?"
"How do you know that?" The Emperor’s question implied Zhao Yao had hit the mark.
"Southern Wei used to be near Lingnan, where witch doctors and Miao medicine practitioners love concocting strange remedies. I’ve checked records of Southern Wei’s Imperial Physicians; most were witch doctors and Miao medicine practitioners from Lingnan." That’s why he discovered that item deep in Swamp Prefecture. "Eighth Brother’s mother used medicine to conceive Eighth Brother, no wonder he’s been in poor health since childhood."