Both Prince Jing’s faction and Prince Wei’s faction want to investigate what Prince Chu is secretly investigating in the northern territory, but none of the people they’ve sent have returned alive, increasing their concerns.
In the past two days of morning court, the ministers have been very quiet, without mutual accusations or quarrels. Naturally, Prince Chu was not ntioned either.
The Emperor naturally understands what the ministers are thinking, but he pretends not to know anything. As for Prince Chu, who hasn’t returned yet, it’s as if he’s forgotten him.
On this day after court, the Emperor, rarely in good spirits, invites Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu to go fishing with him. Seeing the Emperor in such a mood, other ministers are even more convinced that Prince Chu is fine and has completed the task the Emperor assigned him.
Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu haven’t gone fishing with the Emperor for a long ti, so this ti they did not refuse the invitation.
Seeing that Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu are also in a good mood, the Emperor teases, "Oh, what’s happened that makes you look so pleased?"
"Thanks to Your Majesty’s favor, there have been much fewer issues lately." In recent days, the ministers have been working diligently, without causing trouble, and naturally, efficiency has increased, which lets Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu make less money and worry less.
Grandmaster Liu hopes Prince Chu will take a bit longer to return so he can continue to intimidate those ministers with ulterior motives.
The Emperor, half-smiling, says, "I find it rather quiet."
Upon hearing the Emperor’s ill-intentioned words, Grandmaster Liu rudely says, "Your Majesty, you should do less, indeed." Rarely is the court peaceful, and the ministers act honestly. Once the Emperor starts to cause trouble, the court will beco chaotic once again.
The Emperor doesn’t like Liu’s words, "Lao Liu, I haven’t done anything recently; don’t slander ."
Grandmaster Liu replies grumpily, "I hope Your Majesty can continue like this."
"Then I’ll be bored."
Grandmaster Liu says, "It’s better for you to be bored."
The Emperor curls his lips into a aningful smile: "In a few days, I’ll have a good show to watch."
For an Emperor who likes to watch drama and fears peace more than chaos, Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu feel weary, wondering why they have such a troubleso Emperor.
"From Your Majesty’s words, does this an Prince Chu will be returning soon?"
Grandmaster Liu sighs internally, wishing Prince Chu would take even longer to return.
"It won’t be many days." The Emperor takes an apple and bites into it, "Thanks to that pesky little Han, or else your elder brother might not have been able to return."
Pri Minister He, intrigued, asks, "What did Prince Han do?"
"He had your elder brother disguise himself as part of my second cousin’s caravan, and your elder brother returned with the caravan." The Emperor laughed slightly smugly, "The pesky kid has so capability."
Seeing the Emperor’s proud deanor, Pri Minister He couldn’t help but tease, "Your Majesty, it seems Prince Han supports Prince Chu quite well."
Grandmaster Liu mockingly adds, "Your Majesty, the final result might not be as you wish."
"It’s good that little Han and your elder brother get along well." The Emperor glances sideways at Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu, snorting coldly, "Absolutely everything will go according to my plan; you just wait and see."
Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu exchange looks, seeing helplessness in each other’s eyes.
"Having a father like you, how unfortunate for Prince Chu and the others." Only Grandmaster Liu dares to say these words.
Currently, everything is developing according to the Emperor’s plan, which ans all things are under his control. In other words, everyone is being toyed with by the Emperor.
Upon hearing Grandmaster Liu’s words, the Emperor’s expression suddenly becos serious, his tone sowhat somber: "I am not a good person, nor a good father, because my responsibility is not to be either, but to be a good Emperor." He has always understood the weight of responsibility he carries. "So far, I think I’ve done a decent job as an Emperor; but, it’s not enough that I do well. My successors must continue to be good Emperors; otherwise, everything we’ve fought so hard for will be destroyed, and I don’t want to see the nation in chaos again."
Rembering the chaos of the past, Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu’s expressions beco somber.
"I chose Han not just because the old Taoist said Han is the chosen one who can bring a golden age to Great Zhou."
Pri Minister He, surprised, asks, "So it isn’t true?"
The Emperor looks at Pri Minister He incredulously, "Am I that shallow?"
Grandmaster Liu retorts without reservation, "Aren’t you?"
The Emperor glares at them angrily, "This is a matter of the state, concerning the wellbeing of the people; how could I possibly hand the nation to Han based solely on the old Taoist’s words?!"
Seeing the Emperor making a fuss, Pri Minister He quickly placates him, "If Your Majesty didn’t choose him for that reason, then why?"
"Naturally because that pesky little Han has the ability. If he weren’t capable, even if the old Taoist says he’s a deity, there’s no way I’d hand him the nation." The Emperor continues, "Even if I really believed the old Taoist, would you all allow to be so foolish?"
"Certainly not, I would plead to death to stop it." Just as the Emperor said, the land of Great Zhou was fought for with great effort, and they cannot stand idly by as it gets ruined. The Emperor is correct; if Prince Han lacks capability, they will not agree to such nonsense.
Although the Emperor is often unreliable, they know in their hearts that the Emperor never jokes about the state.
"Your Majesty, you intend to hand the nation to Prince Han, but does Prince Han want to accept it?" Grandmaster Liu throws cold water on the plan.
"Hmph, whether he wants it or not, he’ll have to take it." With this declaration, the Emperor suddenly gazes at Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu maliciously, "Then it will depend on your abilities."
Pri Minister He and Grandmaster Liu: "..." They knew this would eventually fall on their shoulders!
Seeing his ministers’ shocked expressions, the Emperor felt satisfied and continued to fish.
"Enjoy your fishing; in a few days, you won’t have such leisure."
At this mont, Prince Chu has entered the Yong State with Liang Chun and their group. In a couple of days, they’ll reach the capital.
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