Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 622: Chapter 311: Lao Ba Really Has Not Let Me Down_4

The Emperor looked at Sun Kui and instructed, "Bring Wang Siqi here."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wang Siqi had been waiting at the palace gate for a while, and it wasn’t long before Sun Doudou brought him into the East Warm Pavilion.

Sun Kui, along with Sun Doudou, exited the East Warm Pavilion and stood guard at the door. Soon, they heard the Emperor’s roar of anger, which frightened Sun Kui and his group, causing them to immediately kneel on the ground.

It was unclear what Marquis An Yang and his son had told the Emperor, but it had clearly enraged him.

After Marquis An Yang and his son left, the Emperor called in Hidden Guard A, commanding him to investigate certain matters.

Hidden Guard A accepted the order and then left the East Warm Pavilion. As he emerged from the pavilion, Sun Doudou quietly asked his master, "Master, what exactly is this official’s identity?"

Over the years, Sun Doudou had encountered Hidden Guard A numerous times, but was never clear about his true identity, only knowing that he was a Hidden Guard. Of course, he did not know his name either.

Sun Kui glared at Sun Doudou, "Why are you asking so many questions?"

"I’m just curious."

"It’s not something you should know, so you shouldn’t ask." Sun Kui gestured toward Hidden Guard A’s departing figure, "This sir’s identity is not ordinary; it’s not something you can inquire about."

Hearing this, Sun Doudou behaved obediently, "I understand, Master."

Sun Kui said nothing more to his apprentice and hurried back into the East Warm Pavilion, finding tea cups shattered all over the floor. He quickly crouched to clean up the mess before bringing in a fresh cup of chrysanthemum tea.

"Your Majesty, please calm down and do not harm your health in anger."

"I’m not angry." The Emperor’s face, once clouded with darkness, now seemed to clear up instantly, as if the earlier fury had been only a facade. "How did I do in my performance just now?"

"Ah?" Sun Kui was stunned for a moment before reacting, his expression one of astonishment, "Your Majesty, you were acting just now."

"Indeed, did I not perform well?"

"Your Majesty, your display of fury truly scared us all." Filled with confusion, Sun Kui asked, "Why did you act?"

"Because I had already known about the matters Marquis An Yang reported." The Emperor clicked his tongue and said, "Old Eight has not disappointed me."

Prince Wei?

Wasn’t it Marquis An Yang and his son just now? How did it relate to Prince Wei? Shouldn’t it be Prince Zheng?

With his mind full of questions, Sun Kui dared not voice them.

The Emperor said no more and continued reviewing petitions.

Marquis An Yang and his son sat in a wagon on their way back to their residence. Marquis An Yang was full of joy, looking at Wang Siqi with eyes full of affection.

"This time, you have done great service for the Wang Family. His Majesty will certainly reward our Anyang Marquis Mansion greatly."

Wang Siqi obediently replied, "Father, this is what I should do."

Marquis An Yang smiled with satisfaction, "You’ve never let me down all these years, and that makes me very happy as your father."

"It’s all thanks to your trust in me, Father," Wang Siqi said, filled with joy and excitement, "and your nurturing of me."

Seeing the admiration and gratitude in his fourth son’s eyes, Marquis An Yang’s gaze grew softer.

"It’s also because you have striven for success yourself; you’ve been clever since childhood."

Wang Siqi’s eyes turned slightly red at these words. In fact, he felt a great deal of disdain in his heart.

The atmosphere inside the wagon was filled with fatherly love and filial piety. However, the mood at Anyang Marquis Mansion was not as harmonious.

Zhao Yao stayed at Prince Chu Mansion for a while, then went to Prince Wei Mansion. However, he didn’t go inside and instead asked the steward at the entrance whether anything had happened at the Wei Mansion, and if his eighth sister-in-law was well.

The steward informed Zhao Yao that everything was normal at the mansion, and nothing had happened. With this, Zhao Yao left in relief.

"Your Highness, why didn’t you go in, why inquire at the entrance of the mansion?"

"Naturally, to avoid suspicion," Zhao Yao replied, "Eighth Brother is not at home. Just Eighth Sister-in-law is there; if I, a young uncle, frequently visit, it could affect the reputation."

"Your Highness, you are still quite young."

Zhao Yao shot a glance at Tong Xi, "I’m not that young at eleven." He continued, "Mainly, I don’t know how to interact with Eighth Sister-in-law." Eighth Sister-in-law can be described nicely as gentle but bluntly as a bookworm. She is very fond of reading, no, more accurately, obsessed with books, daily engrossed in reading and losing herself in it. "Let’s go to Second Uncle’s place."

He Lianfang was playing chess with himself when he saw Zhao Yao arrive, and invited him to a game.

The teacher and student waged a fierce battle over the chessboard before stopping.

He Lianfang leaned comfortably against the couch and started chatting with Zhao Yao.

Since acquiring a couch, he spent his days sitting on it and wouldn’t even go out to bask in the sun.

Zhao Yao sat across from He Lianfang, drinking milk tea and eating snacks.

Just then, the steward, who seemed to have no sense of timing, walked in and handed a rolled paper to He Lianfang.

After reading it, He Lianfang said to Zhao Yao, whose mouth was stuffed full, "Marquis An Yang took Wang Siqi to the palace to accuse Marquis Jingyang’s Mansion of colluding with the Xiongnu."

Zhao Yao hurried to swallow the snack in his mouth, almost choking from the speed.

"Why did Marquis An Yang and his son report against Marquis Jingyang?"

"Your Eighth Brother intended to bestow great merit upon Wang Siqi, so he could be more favored in the Wang Family."

"Even if Wang Siqi becomes more favored, Marquis An Yang won’t let him replace the legitimate heir as the Princely Heir of Anyang Marquis Mansion."

He Lianfang smiled meaningfully, "I reckon it won’t be long before the Princely Heir of Anyang Marquis Mansion loses his life."

"That’s impossible; Eighth Brother and his people couldn’t possibly eliminate the Princely Heir of Anyang Marquis Mansion here in the capital." Zhao Yao felt that He Lianfang’s speculation was incorrect, "Moreover, ever since the assassination of two legitimate heirs of Marquis Jingyang Mansion in the Western Regions, other noble families haven’t dared to let their legitimate heirs leave the capital for distant travel."

"Your Eighth Brother’s capabilities are not small," He Lianfang replied, "Let’s wait and see; he will make Wang Siqi the heir of Anyang Marquis Mansion."

Zhao Yao still found it improbable.

"By the way, Meng Changce is returning to Jiangnan."

"Is he already returning to Jiangnan so soon?" Zhao Yao looked surprised, "I thought he’d go to the northern frontier."

"The harsh weather in the north is too much for Meng Changce’s health."

"That’s true."

Meng Changce had been lecturing for more than half a year and had visited many places; it was time for him to return to his homeland in Jiangnan to lecture.

"Meng Changce has been having some health issues."

Zhao Yao quickly asked, "What kind of issues?"

"He’s become frail, but it’s nothing serious. He needs to return to Jiangnan to recuperate for a period."

Hearing there was no serious issue, Zhao Yao felt relieved.

"Mr. Meng is in his eighties or nineties now, and after spending the past half-year lecturing across the north, it’s inevitable he’d face issues with the different climates, so it’s normal for his health to weaken."

"Cough, cough, cough, cough...," Mr. Meng, who Zhao Yao was worried about, was on a boat returning to Jiangnan. Wrapped in a tiger-skin cloak, he sat at a desk, focused on writing something.

"Sir, you’ve been writing for two hours; you should rest." The Attendant Student brought a cup of hot tea, "Please have some hot tea to warm yourself."

"I’ll drink once I’ve finished writing."

"Why such a hurry? You could finish writing once we’re back in Jiangnan."

Mr. Meng replied, "It’ll be too late to write after getting back to Jiangnan." Feeling his body growing weaker, he feared that once at Jiangnan, his days would be numbered.

Unable to persuade Mr. Meng, the Attendant Student could only stand aside, anxious and sighing with worry.