Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 992: Chapter 82: The Emperor’s Calculated Scheme (Part 2)

Zhao Yao supported his chin, looked at Tong Xi, and said, "If I seize the throne and eventually become the emperor, you will become the Chief Eunuch and will be very prestigious then."

"Your Highness, whether or not I am prestigious is not important; what matters is what you want." Tong Xi’s expression was unprecedentedly serious. "Your Highness, if you wish it, I will certainly support you with all my strength."

Zhao Yao was touched by Tong Xi’s words, "Tong Xi, in this world, only you allow me to act according to my own heart." His father’s calculations, his mother should also be aware of them, yet she never warned him, as if her thoughts were aligned with his father’s.

"Your Highness, isn’t that what your mother does?"

"My mother..." Zhao Yao shook his head and said, "Mother will listen to father, not necessarily to me."

Tong Xi was full of questions: "Your Highness, isn’t your mother the one who loves you the most? Whatever you want to do, she will definitely support you."

Zhao Yao suddenly asked, "What do you think of my second uncle?"

"Your Highness, why do you suddenly ask this, is there something wrong with the Second Lord?" Tong Xi still didn’t know He Lianfang’s true identity.

"Nothing." Ever since Zhao Yao knew He Lianfang’s identity, he realized that his encounter with He Lianfang was no coincidence. Even if meeting his second uncle for the first time was an accident, everything after was not accidental. If he hadn’t barged into that residence then, he would have been arranged to meet his second uncle later. "My uncle, whom I have never met, is truly remarkable."

"An uncle you never met?" Tong Xi was astonished, "Your Highness, where do you have an uncle?"

"Why wouldn’t I? The long-deceased Prince Yi Yong was my uncle."

Upon hearing this, Tong Xi recalled the existence of Prince Yi Yong.

"Yes, you have an uncle, but why are you suddenly mentioning Prince Yi Yong?"

"I just think my uncle, whom I have never met, is truly extraordinary." Prince Yi Yong had been gone for many years, yet his second uncle still remembered him. "Alas, being treated as a substitute feels quite complex."

"Being treated as a substitute?" Tong Xi became even more confused, "Your Highness, who is whose substitute?"

"No one. What I just said, keep it to yourself and don’t let anyone else know, understand?"

Tong Xi felt a little tense but quickly nodded obediently, "I understand."

"I’m thirsty. Go and get me a bowl of sweet water."

"Right away."

After Tong Xi left, Zhao Yao leaned back, rested his head on the chair’s backrest, and stared blankly at the ceiling. After a while, he let out a long sigh. "Alas, what virtue do I have to deserve this?" His second uncle valued him because of Prince Yi Yong, which he understood. But his father? Was it because he was the son of his father’s favorite woman?

Ever since he was young, his dream was to travel the world and taste all kinds of food. Although what he was doing now in Swamp Prefecture didn’t seem to relate to his dream, it actually had a lot to do with it. By allowing foreign countries to do business in Swamp Prefecture, it would attract more foreigners, and there would be people who would choose to reside in Swamp Prefecture. At that time, they would bring their country’s food, culture, and customs. This way, the people of Swamp Prefecture or other places wouldn’t have to go overseas to try foreign foods.

Once he completed the construction of Swamp Prefecture and other parts of Lingnan, he would fulfill his dream of traveling everywhere and tasting delicious foods. However, it seemed this dream would have some hurdles to overcome.

With his father’s cunning and deep strategy, there might be a big pit waiting for him. For safety’s sake, he had to prepare a second path for himself.

A short while later, Tong Xi came in carrying a bowl of sweet water.

"Your Highness, I didn’t add much sugar, so it won’t be too sweet."

"That’s good." Zhao Yao reined in his thoughts and slowly began to eat.

Tong Xi looked at Zhao Yao, hesitated in his heart, then asked, "Your Highness, did something happen?"

Zhao Yao realized it was his previous words that made Tong Xi worry, so he smiled reassuringly at him. "Nothing happened."

"Your Highness, I may be dull and unable to help you much, but if something does happen, don’t bear it alone." Tong Xi knew Zhao Yao wouldn’t say things without reason; something must have occurred. "If you don’t want to tell the Second Lord, you can talk to Mr. Chu or Mr. Zheng. They are clever and will find ways to help you."

"Tong Xi, do you think Chu Huan and the others are smarter than me?"

"No," Tong Xi replied, "but more people can come up with more ideas, so they might be able to devise a good plan for you."

"Alright, if anything really happens, I will tell them."

Hearing this, Tong Xi felt much more at ease.

"Your Highness, tomorrow is the football tournament, so think about how to win money from those people and not about anything else. Making money is more suitable for you."

Zhao Yao glanced sideways at Tong Xi, "You truly are my personal eunuch."

"I just feel doing business and dealing with things is more suited to you."

"You’re not wrong." His determination in his heart wouldn’t change. He wouldn’t let anyone change his dreams. "When we have time next year, I’ll take you abroad to Annan and Siam to wander around."

Tong Xi’s face lit up, "Really, Your Highness?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"That’s wonderful." Tong Xi suddenly realized something and quickly asked, "Your Highness, can you actually go to those foreign countries?"

Zhao Yao raised an eyebrow, "Why can’t I? You heard earlier, they invited me to visit. When there is time next year, I’ll definitely visit."

"Your Highness, will you really have time next year?" Ever since arriving at Swamp Prefecture, he had been busily going around, so it seemed likely to be the same next year. How could there be time to go abroad?

"I can spare a few days."

"Then I’m looking forward to it." Going to foreign countries, it was something he’d never imagined in his lifetime.

After finishing the sweet water, Zhao Yao waved Tong Xi away, as he had important matters to attend to.

At that moment, the Emperor in the distant capital sneezed several times in a row, frightening Sun Kui, who hurried to find an Imperial Physician to take his pulse.

"It must be that rascal Xiao Shi cursing me."

Sun Kui said with a laugh and tears, "Your Majesty, why couldn’t it be Prince Han thinking of you?"

"How could that rascal possibly think of me?" When the Emperor thought of his youngest son being close to He Lianfang and not him, his heart filled with jealousy. "Ungrateful rascal."

Sun Kui silently thought: The Emperor must actually miss Prince Han, but is too embarrassed to say it.