Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 953: Chapter 63: The Audacious Wang Family (Part 2)

"Third Brother, you are different from Eldest Brother and Second Brother; you never belittle us illegitimate sons, treating us as brothers."

"We are true brothers by blood," Wang Siyao said, a mocking smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "In the eyes of Eldest Brother and Second Brother, I’m no different from you all."

"Father is truly biased and ruthless, calculating against not only you, Third Brother, but also Prince Zheng." Wang Siqi heard the eerie laughter of Prince Zheng from another room and whispered to Wang Siyao, "Third Brother, does Prince Zheng know he has been deliberately misled by the Wang Family?"

Wang Siyao shook his head and said, "He doesn’t know, I haven’t told him."

"Third Brother, why not tell Prince Zheng?" Wang Siqi’s eyes flickered. "If Prince Zheng finds out the truth, he’d definitely hate Father and them to death."

"Prince Zheng, already reduced to a useless state, even if he knew he was raised to be useless on purpose, what can he do? Do you think he can battle against Father and them?" Wang Siyao had considered telling Prince Zheng about this matter, but what would that accomplish? Prince Zheng is just a waste, completely reliant on the Wang Family. Without the support of the Duke Anyang Mansion, Prince Zheng is nothing."

Wang Siqi understood, slumping his shoulders. "He can’t fight them."

"Besides, we mustn’t alert them now," Wang Siyao said thoughtfully, tapping the wine cup lightly with chopsticks in his hand. "We will tell him at the critical moment; for now, let him continue his madness."

"Third Brother, you are wise," Wang Siping flattered Wang Siyao, then proceeded to pour a cup of wine personally for his Third Brother.

"We can only endure for now." Wang Siyao understood Wang Siqi’s impatience and comforted him. "When the time comes, we will certainly make Father and Eldest Brother pay."

"I’ll listen to Third Brother; I’ll endure awhile more."

"I’m getting a headache from the noise; I’ll return to the Prince Mansion first. You watch over Prince Zheng tonight," Wang Siyao stood up and instructed Wang Siqi. "Wake Prince Zheng at dawn and send him to court."

"Alright, Third Brother, you head back; I’ll stay and accompany Prince Zheng."

Wang Siyao nodded, then led his people away. He had to return quickly, or he wouldn’t make it home before curfew.

Listening to the noise from the other room, Wang Siqi felt deeply resentful.

A moment later, an eunuch by Prince Zheng’s side came over, requesting aphrodisiac from Wang Siqi.

Wang Siqi handed over the remaining bottle entirely to the eunuch with Prince Zheng.

After the eunuch left, a guard beside Wang Siqi said, "Young Master, you’ve given Prince Zheng an entire bottle of aphrodisiac; with his reckless nature, he’ll definitely take it all. By dawn, he surely won’t be able to wake up; even if he’s up, he’ll look like a ghost—how can he attend court?"

Wang Siqi chuckled lightly, "My duty is to ensure he enjoys himself thoroughly; then wake him in the early morning for court. The consequences of attending court are not my concern."

"Young Master, go get some sleep; I’ll watch for you."

"Fine, you all watch well." Wang Siqi yawned, turned, and went to rest in another room.

The next day, at dawn, Wang Siqi was awakened by the guards.

"Last night, when did Prince Zheng finally sleep?"

"Only a quarter hour ago," the guard said, recalling the midnight scene and revealing a look of horror, "Young Master, last night Prince Zheng played until five people died."

After hearing this, Wang Siqi frowned. "Have the bodies been dealt with?"

"Handled."

"Go wake His Highness."

When Wang Siqi went to rouse Prince Zheng, Prince Zheng had barely fallen asleep. Perhaps because he had enjoyed himself thoroughly last night, upon being awakened, Prince Zheng did not show a trace of anger but rather asked Wang Siqi with a grin what was up.

"Your Highness, it’s time to go to court."

"Court?" Prince Zheng sobered up a bit, but his body was worn out, lacking any strength or stamina, "Not going. I just want to sleep now."

"Your Highness, if you don’t attend court, the Emperor will be angry."

Prince Zheng waved dismissively, saying, "Even if the Jade Emperor himself came, I would still sleep." Saying this, he closed his eyes and began snoring again.

"Young Master, what should we do?"

Wang Siqi had anticipated this outcome long ago, "Just send him back to Prince Zheng Mansion."

By the time Wang Siqi sent Prince Zheng back to Prince Zheng Mansion, Duke Anyang and others had already gone to the palace to prepare for court.

Duke Anyang noticed Prince Zheng was absent and knew something was wrong. He couldn’t very well request the Emperor for leave, citing Prince Zheng’s poor health. If he were to tell the Emperor that Prince Zheng was unwell and couldn’t attend court today, the Emperor would immediately assign an Imperial Physician to examine Prince Zheng. If it was discovered Prince Zheng was not ill, both he and Prince Zheng would be guilty of deceiving the sovereign.

Letting Prince Zheng endure the Emperor’s reprimand was better than being guilty of deceiving the sovereign. In his heart, Duke Anyang fiercely cursed Prince Zheng.

Shortly after, the morning court session began.

The Emperor appeared, ministers all paid their respects.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Emperor scanned the hall, noticing Prince Zheng’s absence and asked Duke Anyang, "Duke Anyang, where is Prince Zheng?"

Duke Anyang stepped forth and pleaded for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, forgive me; I am unaware."

"It seems daily court sessions have drained Prince Zheng."

The Emperor’s tone was indifferent, but it made Duke Anyang’s scalp tingle.

"Your Majesty, forgive me, Prince Zheng might have some..."

Prince Dai suddenly interrupted Duke Anyang, "Father, perhaps Third Brother is ill. Why not send an Imperial Physician to check on him?"

Prince Jing echoed, "Father, Third Brother has been staying in Jiaozhou, and the climate there differs from the capital; perhaps Third Brother is having trouble acclimating. I’ve noticed Third Brother hasn’t looked well recently; we should have an Imperial Physician examine him."

Duke Anyang wanted to help Prince Zheng refuse the goodwill of Prince Dai and Prince Jing, but he couldn’t find the words.

"In that case, Sun Kui, call the Imperial Physician to Prince Zheng Mansion and have a thorough examination."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In his heart, Duke Anyang felt both anger and helplessness. This time, it would serve as a lesson for Prince Zheng.

No significant matters were discussed during the morning court, ending in half an hour. Once the Emperor left, the Imperial Physician, sent to Prince Zheng Mansion, returned.

The Imperial Physician reported to the Emperor that Prince Zheng was not sick, merely having taken aphrodisiac, overindulging himself, leading to physical exhaustion.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious and criticized Prince Zheng harshly.