Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 62: First and Foremost, Survive Well in the Palace

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: First and Foremost, Survive Well in the Palace

After lunch, Yu Meiren and Pan Cairen returned to their rooms to rest. Tonight, a celebration banquet was to be held for Prince Dai, and a dinner was also scheduled in the harem. They needed a good rest in the afternoon to have the energy to deal with the intrigue of the evening banquet.

Zhao Yao didn’t go to Wende Hall to study chess. This afternoon’s course was chess. In addition to reading books, the princes usually learned horseback riding, archery, and cultivated their skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Since there was a celebration banquet for Prince Dai in the evening, the afternoon chess lesson was canceled.

"The horses Zhao Yao and the others were riding in the dream had stirrups." In the dream, Zhao Yao and the others would sometimes go on missions on horseback, and there were stirrups on the horses.

Liang Zhaoyi guessed it was so, "Though small, a stirrup is very significant; it’s a good invention."

"If it weren’t for nearly falling off Hei Yu yesterday while picking up second brother, I wouldn’t have remembered the stirrups." Zhao Yao’s dream world contained many things missing in Great Zhou, stirrups included. But after recovering from his illness, he forgot many things from his dream, which is why he didn’t think of the stirrups in time. "Mother, should we tell Father Emperor about the stirrups?" Putting everything else aside, with stirrups, Great Zhou’s soldiers would find riding much easier in the future, simplifying combat as well.

"You should tell your Father Emperor," Liang Zhaoyi, after thoughtful consideration, advised. "Stirrups are beneficial both to the nation and the people, not something to be concealed. Besides, true peace does not prevail across the land, and many places still have rebels. Stirrups improve the cavalry combat abilities of Great Zhou’s soldiers, tipping the scales in their favor in battles against rebels."

Zhao Yao also wanted to inform the Emperor, "Should I go and tell Father now?"

"Mention it to your Father Emperor a few days later," said Liang Zhaoyi. "Prince Dai has just returned to the capital, his success is prominent, we shouldn’t overshadow him at this moment."

Zhao Yao nodded after listening, saying, "Indeed, I’ll wait a few days to talk to Father Emperor." His second brother had just returned and was thriving; bringing up the stirrup issue now would surely overshadow him, and second brother might resent him for it. Once the excitement over his brother’s return subsided, he could then speak to Father Emperor.

"Mother, if I tell Father about the stirrups, I’ll become well-known." He feigned dullness over books precisely to avoid standing out and attracting attention. As soon as the stirrup information is out, he could be thrust into the limelight, drawing the attention of the court ministers.

Understanding Zhao Yao’s concerns, Liang Zhaoyi reassured him with a smile, "It’s alright. The ministers won’t change their minds and support you over this matter." With no power from the Liang family and herself not being favored, the court ministers wouldn’t regard them or their child highly, despite the stirrup issue. "Creating the stirrup shows your Father you are not useless, which is favorable to you."

Zhao Yao grasped Liang Zhaoyi’s point, "Letting my Father know that his foolish son has some usefulness in other areas, will perhaps curb his tendency to punish me by making me copy books."

"What your Mother means is that in the future, when you create other useful items, neither the Emperor nor others will find it strange." Liang Zhaoyi knew her son had dreamt of things that didn’t exist in Great Zhou but were beneficial to the nation and people. She wanted her son to develop these dream concepts cautiously, aware they could stir significant turmoil. Upon reflection, potential danger wasn’t the only outcome.

Creating stirrups had four advantages: Firstly, it showed the Emperor and ministers Yao Yao wasn’t a useless fool. Secondly, if Yao Yao developed more innovations, the Emperor and ministers wouldn’t find it unexpected. Thirdly, soldiers would favor stirrups, sparking goodwill towards her son—albeit not enough for their support, but perhaps helpful during distress. Fourthly, improving their lives in the palace.

Liang Zhaoyi had no grievances about their current lives. Though many in the palace looked down on them, they dared not openly bully them. She was content with her and her son’s circumstances. Still, should life improve, she wouldn’t oppose it.

As a mother, Liang Zhaoyi hoped Zhao Yao could grow up safely in the perilous palace, then smoothly become a titled prince with land. Thus, she advised her son to act foolishly to remain unnoticed. This protected him, but she felt inwardly it was unfair for him and held some resentment.

Her son was indeed intelligent and capable, no less than other princes. Yet, without a powerful maternal family, he must disguise himself. Born in a regular family, his wit and knowledge of the dreamed world’s advances would undoubtedly lead to accomplishments.

Actually, Liang Zhaoyi had considered vying for favor. With her intelligence and means, she could achieve it, and her favor wouldn’t be any less than that of Noble Princess Consort Rong. Should her favor equal hers, their position would become exceptionally hazardous.

The palace bred too many plots and schemes that couldn’t always be predicted, hence unsafe. Without caution, both she and Yao Yao could face dire consequences.

Favor came with risks that couldn’t be warded off; they’d live under continuous treachery. Were her family powerful in the court, the Emperor might shield them. Alas, the Liang family wielded no power.

If favored, she would place the Liang family in Yangzhou at risk. For powerful ministers, dealing with the Liang family was effortless.

She couldn’t imperil her family. Besides, she didn’t wish to live amid intrigues. After weighing the pros and cons, she decided to forgo competing for favor and maintain a peaceful life.

"Ah? Mother, you want me to create more things?" Zhao Yao said, astonished.

"Your Mother isn’t compelling you to do so," smiled Liang Zhaoyi gently. "Like the stirrup, if it suddenly comes to mind, you can create it then."

"Mother, what if what I create in the future is more impressive than stirrups?" Initially, Zhao Yao planned to replicate the useful things from his dream world when he was grown and had his own lands.

"That would be great," Liang Zhaoyi smiled, "if it’s more impressive than stirrups, it will surely be even more beneficial to the nation and people."

"I might become renowned then, aren’t you worried..." Though ministers wouldn’t change their support because of these creations, brothers might try to win him over, and he’d have to decide which brother to back.

"If you wish to develop something, speak to Mother first. If it’s too remarkable, refrain from making it for now," Liang Zhaoyi advised earnestly.

Zhao Yao obediently replied, "Alright." He added, "Mother, presently, I haven’t thought of anything else." The stirrups came to him spontaneously.

"Mother said you needn’t replicate everything from your dreamed world immediately. Mention it when it comes to you."

"I understand."

"The topic of stirrups is not ours to discuss."

"Mother, if neither of us is to mention it, who will relay it to Father?"

"In a few days, when you practice riding at the stables, attach the stirrups to Hei Yu. That way, others will report it to your Father," Liang Zhaoyi suggested. "Your Father will then inquire personally about the stirrups, and you can explain in detail."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao immediately understood her intentions, "Mother certainly considers everything." Should they inform the Emperor directly, it might seem too deliberate and raise suspicion about their motives. However, if others reported it, suspicions would fade.

"Let’s set aside this matter for a few days," Liang Zhaoyi said, having reminded Yu Meiren and the others not to disclose the stirrup topic.

"Alright," Zhao Yao yawned, "Mother, I’m sleepy."

"Go get some sleep."

"Then I’ll go rest." Zhao Yao hopped off the bed, bowed to Liang Zhaoyi, and headed to his room with Tong Xi.

Liang Zhaoyi remained on the bed, her brow slightly furrowed in deep thought.

Gui Xing brought a cup of tea, asking concernedly, "Madam, what troubles you?"

Liang Zhaoyi came to herself, sighing softly, "I sometimes wonder if I’m being too unfair to Yao Yao."

"Madam, survival comes first in the palace," Gui Xing understood Liang Zhaoyi’s thoughts and comforted her, "You have not erred, Madam. In the palace, nothing is more crucial than living well. As long as His Highness lives well, he can pursue what he desires in the future."

"Moreover, the Prince understands your intentions, which is why he willingly disguises himself, so please, do not blame yourself."