Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 991: Chapter 82: Father’s Cunning Scheme

Not long after arriving at Swamp Prefecture last year, Zhao Yao had his Personal Guard set up a football field. When they were weary from training on a daily basis, they could play football to relax. However, the Personal Guard’s football field was not to be used for matches with others. If others were to play, they would discover that the number of Personal Guards exceeded the usual limit.

In fact, Zhao Yao felt that the issue of his Personal Guard seriously exceeding the quota had long been noticed by others. With so many people, it’s hard to hide it. Spies only needed to do a little probing to find out.

Suddenly, Zhao Yao thought of something and let out a snort of laughter.

Tong Xi, standing beside him, heard Zhao Yao’s mocking laugh and felt a jolt in his heart. He mustered up the courage to ask, "Your Highness, what’s the matter with you?"

Zhao Yao, with a faint smile, replied, "I was thinking that even if I raised 200,000 private soldiers, my father wouldn’t blame me."

"Ah, 200,000 private soldiers?" Tong Xi was shocked by this number, "Your Highness, do you still want to raise 200,000 private soldiers?! If they find out in the capital, they’ll definitely think you’re planning a rebellion."

"Rebellion?" Zhao Yao let out a laugh with undefined meaning, "Tong Xi, do you believe that even if I really wanted to rebel, my father wouldn’t blame me? Instead, he would be very happy, wishing I succeed in rebellion, become emperor, allowing him to retire as Supreme Emperor, and enjoy traveling around with my consort." The emperor’s thoughts were accurately captured by Zhao Yao.

"Impossible." Tong Xi said in disbelief, "No matter how much the emperor favors you, he wouldn’t agree to you rebelling." Did His Highness become arrogant from being spoiled, thinking that because the emperor is fond of him, he can do as he pleases?

Zhao Yao narrowed his eyes slightly, with a smile that was difficult to interpret on his face.

"Your Highness, the emperor does cherish you, but the person he values most is Lord Chu, you mustn’t forget." Influenced by Zhao Yao, Tong Xi had never thought that his master would one day become emperor.

"I do hope Father really values Fourth Brother." When mentioning this, Zhao Yao furrowed his brow slightly, "Only Fourth Brother can sit on the throne." Even if Father wishes to put him on the throne, it’s up to him whether he is willing or not.

"Your Highness, who else but Prince Chu could it be? Didn’t you say before that the only one who can ultimately sit on the throne is Lord Chu?" Tong Xi recalled Zhao Yao’s earlier words and exclaimed in shock, "Your Highness, you don’t intend to compete for the throne, do you?"

Zhao Yao glared at the horrified Tong Xi and said irritably, "Which eye of yours saw that I want to compete for the throne? Am I that idle?"

Hearing Zhao Yao say this, Tong Xi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. He raised his hand to pat his chest, "Your Highness, your words just scared me to death. I really thought you wanted to compete with Lord Chu and the others for the throne."

"If I really competed, do you think I would lose to Fourth Brother and them?" He had no interest in the throne nor disdain to compete. However, if he really wanted to compete, with his abilities, he would surely be able to seize it.

Tong Xi answered without hesitation, "Your Highness, you would definitely lose to Lord Chu." In Tong Xi’s heart, Prince Chu was more formidable than his master.

Zhao Yao was amused by Tong Xi’s response, leaning his hand against his forehead, and laughed heartily.

Tong Xi, puzzled by Zhao Yao’s laughter, asked anxiously, "Your Highness, did I say something wrong?"

Zhao Yao waved his hand, eyes filled with mirth as he said, "No, you’re absolutely right, I am not as good as Fourth Brother."

Tong Xi looked at Zhao Yao in confusion, "Then, Your Highness, why are you laughing?"

"Nothing." Zhao Yao’s smile froze on his face, then a heavy expression appeared, "Fourth Brother, no matter what, in the end, I will lend him a hand to help him ascend the throne."

"Your Highness, didn’t you say you wouldn’t interfere between Lord Chu and Lord Wei’s competition?"

"I will not meddle in the affairs between Fourth Brother and Eighth Brother, but when the end comes..." Even if Fourth Brother ultimately defeats everyone, including Eighth Brother, he might still not be able to ascend the throne. Fourth Brother’s real adversary in the end is not Eighth Brother, but Father. Then, I will assist Fourth Brother in ascending the throne. "Father truly keeps everyone swirling around." Father, oh Father, at the end, you too shall taste what it’s like to be spun around aimlessly.

The more Tong Xi heard, the more muddled he became, "Your Highness, what are you saying? I don’t understand a word?"

Zhao Yao did not answer Tong Xi’s question, but instead asked him, "Tong Xi, do you wish me to compete for the throne?"

"Ah?" Tong Xi was stunned by Zhao Yao’s question. Seeing his Highness’s very serious expression, his heart trembled, then his expression became solemn, "Your Highness, if you want to compete for the throne, I will definitely support you, but if you don’t want to, then I prefer you not to."