Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 119 - 111: Who Is It Really?_2

Chapter 119: Chapter 111: Who Is It Really?_2

The Wang Family and the Xun Family have not made any moves because they want to sit back and watch the fight between the Crown Prince’s faction and Brother Two’s faction. When they are locked in a life-and-death struggle, the Wang and Xun Families can profit from the chaos.

However, it cannot be ruled out that the Wang Family and the Xun Family might be secretly fanning the flames, adding fuel to the fire, making the conflict between the Crown Prince’s faction and Prince Dai’s faction even more intense.

Brother Three is coming of age next year and will be granted a fiefdom, but so far, not the slightest news has leaked about where his fiefdom will be, or whether he will be staying in the capital after coming of age.

The Wang Family supports the Third Prince in fighting for that position; it is impossible that they are not planning for him. Regarding the Third Prince’s fiefdom, the Wang Family must prefer a location not far from the capital. The Wang Family certainly wants to keep the Third Prince in the capital.

After a Prince comes of age and is enfeoffed, they typically go to their fiefdom. While it’s advantageous because going to the fiefdom can help cultivate and grow their power, it’s disadvantageous because it means being far from the center of power. Additionally, they will receive news about happenings in the capital later, causing delays in their actions.

The Wang Family wants to let the Third Prince stay in the capital just like Prince Dai. Moreover, staying in the capital has the advantage of gaining the Emperor’s favor.

At present, Prince Dai is in the prime of his glory, even above the Crown Prince, let alone the Wang Family and others. To deal with Prince Dai, only extreme measures can be used.

It’s also possible that the Wang Family, the Xun Family, and the Yuan Family may conspire to assassinate the Crown Prince and frame Prince Dai for it.

No matter how favored Prince Dai is, attempting an assassination on the Crown Prince is a serious crime, and the Emperor cannot be partial to him, leaving no choice but to punish by the law of the land.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that Prince Dai might have sent someone to assassinate. If the Crown Prince were assassinated, Prince Dai would be the first to be suspected because of this notion. Many would think it impossible for Prince Dai to be so foolish. Prince Dai may exploit this and proceed to assassinate the Crown Prince.

Zhao Yao silently thought in his heart that both Brother Two and Brother Three could send people to assassinate the Crown Prince.

Wait, there are two more who might send people to assassinate the Crown Prince, Empress Xie and Brother Seven.

Although Empress Xie is the younger sister of the late Empress, Empress Xie is the legitimate daughter, while the late Empress was the concubine’s daughter. Empress Xie, due to being younger, is already at a disadvantage compared to the late Empress; it is impossible for her to allow her son to be beneath the Crown Prince.

As long as the Crown Prince dies, Brother Seven will be the only legitimate son. According to the rules of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the Crown Prince must be a legitimate son. Once the Crown Prince is no more, Brother Seven will immediately be established as the heir.

Aside from Brother Four, everyone has suspicions, and they all have motives. No matter who among them it is, it would not be surprising.

Who could it be?

Zhao Yao thought for a long time and couldn’t determine who had the greatest suspicion.

Forget it, this isn’t his concern, so he decided not to trouble himself over it.

The Crown Prince was still talking to the comatose Eighth Prince, mentioning that today he had asked monks to perform rites and prayers for the Eighth Prince. Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao felt that the Crown Prince was genuinely kind to Brother Eight. Brother Eight was the Crown Prince’s savior, so it was only right for the Crown Prince to be good to him.

As Zhao Yao listened, he became drowsy and fell asleep at the foot of the bed.

Yu Hai saw Zhao Yao fall asleep, asked the Crown Prince for instructions, and then gently carried Zhao Yao to the adjacent room.

Early today, Zhao Yao heard that the Eighth Prince was seriously injured, and he hurried to Hulong Temple without even taking his morning meal. Upon arriving at Hulong Temple, he stayed by the Eighth Prince’s bedside without taking any rest.

Zhao Yao hadn’t slept long before he woke up hungry. He had skipped breakfast and hadn’t eaten much lunch, so his stomach was already growling with hunger.

Tong Xi had anticipated that Zhao Yao would wake up hungry, so he had the kitchen at Hulong Temple prepare some vegetarian meals for him.

After waking, Zhao Yao casually ate a bit, then immediately went back to guard at the Eighth Prince’s bedside.

He hoped the Emperor could find out the mastermind behind the scenes quickly, to avenge the Crown Prince and Brother Eight.

At this moment, in the Imperial Study of Chengguang Hall, the Emperor was listening to the reports from Duke Zhen and Shen Hu.

Within half a day, Duke Zhen and Chu Ying had uncovered many things. They had already found the identities and origins of the assassins. However, they had found no connections to the Wang Family, Xun Family, Yuan Family, or Yu Family.

The Emperor smirked slightly, saying, "So, you say these assassins have no backgrounds at all?"

Shen Hu said, "On the surface, that is so, but I believe these assassins are not simple. If they truly have no background, then where did their bizarre skills come from?"

Chu Ying added to Shen Hu’s words, saying, "They are clearly suicide squads that have undergone rigorous training, so they cannot possibly have no background at all."

Duke Zhen also said, "The identities and origins of these assassins were likely fabricated by someone."

The identities and origins of the assassins attempting to murder the Crown Prince matched that of ordinary citizens before they entered Hulong Temple. This was too typical. Obviously, their identities and origins were fake, fabricated by someone.

"Is this all you’ve discovered today?"

Hearing the Emperor’s calm tone, Shen Hu and Duke Zhen knew the Emperor was dissatisfied with their investigation.

"Please forgive us, Your Majesty."

The Emperor said sternly, "I will give you three days to find out who the mastermind is, or I will not show mercy!"

"As you command!"

The Emperor gave Shen Hu and the others a dismissive glance, saying, "Leave."

Shen Hu and the others dared not delay and quickly retreated respectfully.

Upon leaving the Imperial Study, Shen Hu complained to Chu Ying, "I told you, telling the emperor about this would make him unhappy, but you insisted on reporting it."

Chu Ying gave Shen Hu a sidelong look and said irritably, "Having investigated all day and not reporting a word to the emperor would make him even angrier."

Duke Zhen hurriedly advised, "This is not the time for you two generals to argue. We must think about how to proceed with the investigation."

"Duke Zhen, do you have any suggestions?"