Chapter 1227: Chapter 191: Emperor Yong'an's Purpose (Part 4)
Chapter 1227: Chapter 191: Emperor Yong’an’s Purpose (Part 4)
“You there,” Emperor Yong’an said solemnly, “Tenth Brother, do not belittle yourself. Your talents, you know them better than us. Do not speak of yourself as worthless just because you do not wish to be Emperor. If you truly had no skill, Swamp Prefecture would not have become the most prosperous and bustling region in Great Zhou.”
Zhao Yao said nothing.
“Tenth Brother, I know you wish to live freely, but you are a Prince, not a commoner. You cannot live solely according to your own desires.”
Zhao Yao sighed deeply, “Had I known it would be like this, I should have become a true wastrel.”
“That would not be you,” Emperor Yong’an smiled and said, “You have cared for the people since you were young and have done so much for them. While the rest of us vie for power and the throne, only you genuinely care about the welfare of the people. Over the years, you have accomplished so much, all to make life better for the people, thus you are the most suited to be Emperor among us.”
Emperor Yong’an’s words left Zhao Yao at a loss for replies.
“If you do not have the people in your heart, no matter how capable you are, Father would not choose you,” Emperor Yong’an continued, “I know you always believed that Fourth Brother was suited to be Emperor, but there is something you’ve overlooked.”
Zhao Yao asked in confusion, “What have I overlooked?”
“In Fourth Brother’s heart, the people are not the priority, but learned men are,” Emperor Yong’an mentioned Prince Chu, without a hint of emotion, “If Fourth Brother were to ascend, the Li Family would be overwhelmingly powerful as an external relative, and then the scholar-officials would control the entire court, turning into aristocratic families over time, understand?”
Zhao Yao had not deeply considered this aspect.
“Both our Imperial Grandfather and Father were of peasant origin. When they established Great Zhou, besides ensuring the people lived peacefully, they wished the people wouldn’t suffer the oppression of aristocratic families and scholars,” this was why Emperor Yong’an insisted on eliminating the Li Family, “this is why Father did not choose Fourth Brother.”
“I understand now.” Father’s considerations were correct. He hadn’t thought much about this as he didn’t want to be Emperor, but wished for Fourth Brother’s ascension.
“Tenth Brother, do not blame Father for forcing you to be Emperor, he had no choice.”
“Alas…” At this point, what could Zhao Yao say? Moreover, apart from him, there was no one else suitable to be Emperor. He had to do it regardless. “Eighth Brother, since you have an agreement with Father, why would you poison him, causing his stroke and paralysis?”
Emperor Yong’an was unsurprised that Zhao Yao knew the Supreme Emperor was poisoned by him, leading to the stroke and paralysis. He said calmly, “Without Father’s stroke and paralysis, I couldn’t ascend as Emperor for now.”
“But Father promised you?”
“Father did promise me, but what if Father were to regret it later?” Emperor Yong’an did not hate the Supreme Emperor, but he did not trust him much. An Emperor’s word is indeed final, but he could turn against it at any moment. “Besides, my health cannot hold out for years, I couldn’t wait, so I poisoned Father, causing his stroke and paralysis, allowing me to ascend immediately.”
“Are you not afraid Father might be in real trouble?”
“The poison I used wouldn’t kill Father. As for whether Father recovers, it depends on his luck,” Emperor Yong’an had no expectations of the Supreme Emperor recovering. For him, long as the Supreme Emperor wasn’t dead, permanent paralysis was trivial.
Listening to Emperor Yong’an’s words, Zhao Yao knew he bore some resentment toward the Supreme Emperor.
“Did you know Father planned accordingly?”
“If not for Father’s plan, I wouldn’t have succeeded,” Emperor Yong’an was aware of the Supreme Emperor’s intentions, “Father’s plan was not to fulfill me but for you.”
Zhao Yao scoffed, “He miscalculated, underestimated the bond between you and me.”
“At least I vented some grudge, and Father suffered some hardship. When Father recovers in the future, do not hold it against him.”
After speaking with Emperor Yong’an for a while, Zhao Yao went to Cining Palace to greet the Empress Dowager and the Supreme Emperor, unexpectedly finding Princess Consort Ying there as well.
Upon seeing Zhao Yao, Princess Consort Ying stood up to take her leave.
Zhao Yao had a pile of memorials to review and did not stay long in Cining Palace. As he stepped out, he saw Princess Consort Ying at the door, seemingly waiting for him, which puzzled him.
As Zhao Yao emerged, Princess Consort Ying approached quickly, slightly bowing, “Your Highness.”
Zhao Yao swiftly returned the courtesy, “Princess Consort Ying.” He was not Emperor yet; Princess Consort Ying was his elder, he had to show respect.
“Your Highness, I have something to discuss.”
“Please go ahead, Consort.”
Princess Consort Ying stated directly, “I would like to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.”
Zhao Yao thought he must have misheard, “Consort, what did you just say?”
Princess Consort Ying solemnly saluted Zhao Yao, “Your Highness, please allow me to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.”
Zhao Yao heard it clearly this time, his face full of astonishment, “You wish to guard the Imperial Mausoleum? Why?” Had Princess Consort Ying gone mad, to voluntarily suggest guarding the Imperial Mausoleum?
Princess Consort Ying looked at Zhao Yao with pleading eyes. She wanted to say something but hesitated to voice it.
Zhao Yao instantly understood who Princess Consort Ying intended to guard the mausoleum for, his heart filled with shock.