Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 601: Chapter 305: The Biggest Difference Between Prince Chu and Zhao Yao

Prince Chen’s death was a devastating blow to Marquis Jingyang’s Mansion, even more so than the death of his two legitimate sons.

The death of two legitimate heirs, who had been raised with countless effort, was already a significant blow to Marquis Jingyang. However, the mansion still had other sons who could be carefully nurtured. But with Prince Chen gone, there was no way for the mansion to produce another Prince Chen.

First: Princess Consort Liang was not young, making it difficult for her to conceive again. Even if she was lucky enough to become pregnant again, there was no guarantee she would give birth to a prince.

Secondly: Princess Consort Liang was not deeply favored. Even if she wished to bear another prince, it wouldn’t be possible without the Emperor’s cooperation.

Lastly: Even if the Emperor allowed Princess Consort Liang to bear another prince, by the time the prince grew up, the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, or Prince Chu might have already seized the throne. By then, there would be no throne left for Princess Consort Liang’s son to claim, and his life might even be at risk.

Ever since Prince Chen was born, Marquis Jingyang had placed all his hopes on him, going to great lengths for him. Now, with Prince Chen assassinated, all that Marquis Jingyang had worked for over the years was in vain. Their decades-long plans had come to nothing, which was a devastating blow to them.

The death of two legitimate sons made the Marquis fall ill, but it didn’t leave him in despair. Yet, the death of Prince Chen brought him to despair. In recent days, he had finally been looking slightly better, but with Prince Chen’s death, his condition worsened, leaving him in a coma.

The Marquis Mansion was already in chaos over the two sons’ deaths, and now the news of Prince Chen’s demise completely broke the household.

How could the Eighth Prince miss such a good opportunity? He took advantage of the chaos at the Marquis Mansion to carry out many actions.

Other noble families, seeing the downfall of the Marquis Mansion, certainly didn’t sympathize. They seized the opportunity to take over the Yuan Family’s businesses and power.

The plan to recover the Shu land did not stop because of Prince Chen’s death. The Emperor instructed Zhang Gong to proceed to Shu as planned and ordered Prince Chu to hurry to Shu to meet Zhang Gong.

Of course, the Emperor ordered a thorough investigation into Prince Chen’s assassination.

After hearing of her son’s assassination, Princess Consort Liang fell ill. In recent days, the concubines in the harem frequently visited her. Most of the concubines didn’t dislike Princess Consort Liang, nor were they jealous of her. Now, seeing her fall ill, most of them felt deep sympathy for her. If it were them, losing a son would be unbearable as well.

Lady Liang, along with Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen, went to visit Princess Consort Liang but were stopped at the door. After falling ill, Princess Consort Liang refused to see guests, allowing no one in except the Emperor.

Upon learning of her illness, the Emperor was the first to visit her, offering comfort and promising to find the murderer and avenge Prince Chen.

The Emperor’s promise did nothing to ease Princess Consort Liang’s grief. The pain of losing a child cannot be soothed with a few words.

Even Princess Consort De and Princess Consort Shu, who often "bullied" Princess Consort Liang, felt compassion for her. After hearing of Prince Chen’s death, they quickly wrote secret letters to their sons, urging them to be cautious while away. They were not young and could not bear the pain of losing a child.

Lady Liang and Yu Meiren offered words of consolation to the chief palace maid beside Princess Consort Liang before turning to leave.

Back at Kunde Hall, Pan Cairen couldn’t hold back and asked Lady Liang, "Sister, did Prince Chen really die at the hands of rebels?"

It was said that Prince Chen and his entourage encountered rebels. Initially intending to rob them, upon learning it was Prince Chen, the rebels cruelly killed him and left him unrecognizable.

Almost all the attendants accompanying Prince Chen to the capital were killed, with only one severely injured person surviving long enough to say that rebels were the murderers.

Few believed that the rebels were the culprits because it seemed too coincidental. Many suspected someone had disguised themselves as rebels, but it was unclear who.

Yu Meiren followed up, "Could someone have disguised themselves as rebels?"

Lady Liang shook her head and said, "Who knows?"

"Sister, what do you think?" Lady Liang was the smartest among the three, and Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen greatly trusted her.

Lady Liang pondered for a moment before saying, "I think it’s possible it really was the rebels."