Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 590: Chapter 302 He Can’t Meet the Fourth Brother

The news of the death of the two Yuan Family heirs had not long reached the capital when Mr. Meng decided to leave for Liangzhou for his next academic lectures.

The decision of Mr. Meng to go to Liangzhou for lectures was not good news for the Crown Prince and Prince Dai. Although thus far, they did not see Prince Chu as a mortal threat, they still harbored fears about him.

Originally, Prince Chu held significant prestige among scholars and students. Now, Mr. Meng’s lectures in Liangzhou would only elevate Prince Chu’s status in the minds of scholars.

If Mr. Meng were to meet Prince Chu in Liangzhou, Prince Chu might replace the Crown Prince as the figure most revered by scholars nationwide, which would be unfavorable for the Crown Prince. Similarly, it would not bode well for Prince Dai.

Those associated with the Crown Prince and Prince Dai did not want Mr. Meng to go to Liangzhou for lectures, lest it benefit Prince Chu. Hence, they plotted to prevent Mr. Meng from going to Liangzhou. As long as they didn’t harm his life, making him fall ill or get injured would sideline him from traveling to Liangzhou.

Just as the Crown Prince and Prince Dai were plotting to stop Mr. Meng from traveling to Liangzhou, the Emperor issued an imperial decree, ordering Shen Hu and Chu Ying to escort Mr. Meng to Liangzhou with troops.

The Emperor had long anticipated the intentions of the Crown Prince and Prince Dai. Intentionally, during the morning court, he implicitly warned those associated with the Crown Prince and Prince Dai. The gist was that if anything happened to Mr. Meng en route to Liangzhou, the perpetrators would be them.

The Emperor also cautioned them that Mr. Meng was the only great scholar of his time, and the consequences of any mishap with him were beyond what they could bear.

Though the Emperor did not explicitly state it, the meaning was clear, unsettling those associated with the Crown Prince and Prince Dai.

Though they pretended not to understand, the Crown Prince and Prince Dai were indeed uncomfortable at heart. With the Emperor’s warning, they dared not take action against Mr. Meng.

Before Mr. Meng left the capital, Zhao Yao received a letter from Prince Chu. In it, Prince Chu repeatedly apologized to Zhao Yao and extended a heartfelt invitation for Zhao Yao to visit Liangzhou.

Zhao Yao intended not to go to Liangzhou, but at his fourth brother’s humbling request, he reluctantly agreed this once to visit his fourth brother and young nephew.

"Your Highness, didn’t you say that no matter how much Prince Chu begs you, you wouldn’t go to Liangzhou?"

Zhao Yao felt a bit embarrassed by Tong Xi’s words. He rolled his eyes and said somewhat guiltily, "I’m not going to see my fourth brother; I’m going to see my little nephew. In his letter, the little nephew said he dearly wants to see his uncle, dreams about it even. How could I bear to refuse?"

Tong Xi kindly reminded Zhao Yao of something, "Your Highness, have you forgotten that the Emperor forbade you to go to Liangzhou?"

Upon hearing this from Tong Xi, Zhao Yao immediately remembered such a thing was indeed true, and the smile on his face froze instantly.

Tong Xi, stifling a laugh, said, "Your Highness, though you cannot bear to refuse the young prince’s request, the Emperor undoubtably can bear forbidding you from going to Liangzhou."

Zhao Yao: "..." How did he forget this matter?

"No, I must go plead with Father, shamelessly plead until Father agrees with me."

"Your Highness, not to discourage you, but I feel that no matter how much you plead, the Emperor will not consent," Tong Xi added, "You know well the Emperor is always stone-hearted."

Zhao Yao: "..." Tong Xi was completely right; his father always had a stone heart.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has always liked to bully you. The more you plead with the Emperor to allow you to go to Liangzhou, the more the Emperor will refuse you." Though His Majesty cherishes His Highness, he also enjoys teasing His Highness.

Zhao Yao’s face darkened instantly: "You’re absolutely right. With Father’s vile nature, the more I plead, the more he would bully me." How did he forget this?

"So, Your Highness, you can’t go to Liangzhou unless Her Majesty consents." Tong Xi suggested to Zhao Yao, "Instead of pleading with His Majesty, why not plead with Her Majesty."

Zhao Yao glanced sideways at Tong Xi and said irritably, "Do you think pleading with Mother is easier than pleading with Father?" Mother appears gentle, but she is even more stone-hearted than Father.

"Then Your Highness should just give up," offered Tong Xi.

"No, I must try." Zhao Yao suddenly thought of Mr. Meng and, with bright eyes, said, "I could go with Mr. Meng to Liangzhou. Perhaps Father and Mother would agree."