Chapter 1220: Chapter 188: The Eighth Brother Seems to Be in a Hurry (2)
Chapter 1220: Chapter 188: The Eighth Brother Seems to Be in a Hurry (2)
“And there’s the matter of eradicating the noble families. When Father was dealing with them, he laid a plan over more than a decade, gradually removing them. But eighth brother, with thunderous means, swiftly disposes of the noble families.” Zhao Yao recalled what Prince Chu told him before arriving at Swamp Prefecture, and now it seems Prince Chu was right. “Eighth brother seems very urgent, as if he wants to eliminate all hidden dangers within a year or two.”
“Your Highness, perhaps this is the Emperor’s way of establishing authority.”
“Even if he’s trying to establish authority, there’s no rush for it now. He’s just ascended to the throne, and he’s done so many harsh things, which will make the ministers uneasy and the people afraid.” Zhao Yao frowned, his expression serious, “You know, the people in the capital privately call him a tyrant, worried that he’ll bring chaos to the court and disaster to the world.”
“The Emperor is merely using aggressive methods to deal with the noble families, he hasn’t troubled the people. How can he be called a tyrant?”
“For now, eighth brother hasn’t troubled the people, but in their hearts, they’ll eventually feel harmed by him.” Zhao Yao couldn’t understand why Emperor Yong’an was so anxious. He had just ascended the throne, and he had plenty of time to do what he wanted.
“Your Highness, if you’re worried about the Emperor, just try to advise him more.”
“I’m afraid my words won’t be listened to by eighth brother.” After taking the throne, eighth brother seems like a completely different person, no longer having the wisdom and tact he once did. “Besides, I don’t want to interfere in court matters.”
“Your Highness, if the Emperor’s actions become increasingly extreme, will you really not intervene?”
Zhao Yao was silent. After a moment, he sighed, “He’s my eighth brother, I can’t just ignore it. I can’t watch as he stirs chaos in the world.” Alas, he thought that once eighth brother ascended the throne, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Imperial Court’s matters. But now, it seems he has a lot to be concerned with. “The world has finally become peaceful, and the people are finally living stable lives, so we absolutely can’t let eighth brother cause turmoil.”
Xiao Siyun smiled and said, “Since Your Highness has made up his mind, don’t be sad anymore.”
“I’m saddened for fourth brother and also for eighth brother’s ruthless methods.”
“Your Highness, the victor becomes royalty, the defeated becomes bandits.”
Zhao Yao understood Xiao Siyun’s words, gave a bitter smile and said, “They are the ones I care about the most, which is why… but never mind, talking more is useless.” With that, he threw down the wine jug in his hand, stood up and said, “I need to go and write a memorial. Princess, please go back to your room and rest.”
Seeing Zhao Yao pull himself together, Xiao Siyun was reassured.
Zhao Yao went to the study and wrote a memorial to Emperor Yong’an. In the memorial, he very directly advised Emperor Yong’an to not act too hastily and extremely.
After finishing the memorial, Zhao Yao had it sent to the capital. Then, he continued to closely monitor the developments in the capital.
When the Supreme Emperor was in power, he seldom concerned himself with the matters of the capital, but now he has to be constantly aware of what’s happening in the court.
Some days later, Emperor Yong’an received Zhao Yao’s memorial advising him. He smiled wryly: the tenth brother is indeed sharp, noticing my impatience in handling affairs.
“Cough, cough, cough, cough…” Emperor Yong’an quickly took out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.
Sun Doudou, who was waiting nearby, hurriedly brought a cup of hot tea.
Looking at the bright red blood on the handkerchief, Emperor Yong’an internally mocked himself: tenth brother, I have no choice but to hurry.
“Your Majesty, please have some ginseng tea.”
Emperor Yong’an took the tea cup and sipped a few mouthfuls, then continued to review the memorials.
The obstacles and hidden dangers in the capital have been resolved, but those in the provinces have not. He must resolve them quickly.
Not long after, Emperor Yong’an began coughing again.
Yu Hai was worried, “Your Majesty, you’ve been coughing frequently these past two days, it’s better to call the Imperial Physician to check your pulse.”
“No need, I’m fine.” Emperor Yong’an calmly wiped the blood off the corner of his mouth and continued to review memorials.
Just then, Gui Xing from Cining Palace requested an audience. She carried a food box, filled with wontons made by the Empress Dowager herself.
Every evening, the Empress Dowager would have someone send supper to Emperor Yong’an.
The food sent by the Empress is seldom eaten by Emperor Yong’an, but the items sent by the Empress Dowager are promptly eaten.
After finishing a bowl of wontons, Emperor Yong’an felt much better and had the energy to continue looking at memorials.
Every evening, Emperor Yong’an would review memorials until midnight or early hours of the morning before stopping. Rising early at dawn, only sleeping for three hours each day, his body grew increasingly frail, which made Yu Hai very worried. No matter how he advised, Emperor Yong’an simply wouldn’t listen.
Yu Hai could only talk to the Empress Dowager, who scolded Emperor Yong’an, urging him to eat well, rest well, and take care of his body. Emperor Yong’an listened, eating three meals a day properly, having supper at night, and resting well, but his physical condition did not improve, remaining thin.
By midnight, Sun Doudou reluctantly reminded Emperor Yong’an that he should go rest. Emperor Yong’an finally stopped, turned, and went back to the palace quarters to rest.
Tonight Yu Hai was on night watch, so Sun Doudou went back to rest. He was surprised to see the lights in the room lit, hurried inside, and saw his master Sun Kui hadn’t slept and was drinking.
“Master, why aren’t you sleeping?”
“I’ll go to sleep after I finish drinking.” Sun Kui and Sun Doudou lived in the same courtyard.
Sun Doudou sat across from Sun Kui and poured himself a cup of wine.
“Master, is the Supreme Emperor better today?”
“Better, his toes can move.” Sun Kui asked, “How is the Emperor?”
“Recently, the Emperor often coughs.” Sun Doudou put down the wine cup, leaned closer to Sun Kui with a tense expression, lowered his voice and said, “Master, I saw the Emperor coughing blood.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Kui’s eyes sharpened, his expression turned solemn, he quietly asked, “You didn’t see incorrectly?”
“I shouldn’t have seen it wrong, the Emperor seems to be hiding it.”
Sun Kui looked at Sun Doudou sternly, “I didn’t hear anything just now, and you didn’t see anything, understand?”
Seeing Sun Kui’s serious expression, Sun Doudou’s heart tightened, he quickly nodded repeatedly: “I understand, Master.”