Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1034 - 102: Prince Chu Discovers the Truth

Youzhou, within Prince Han Mansion, Prince Han reclined on the couch, sipping fine wine while enjoying the dancers’ performance. The young and beautiful maids standing by his side, some poured wine for him, some fed him fruits, some massaged his shoulders, and some fanned him.

The dancers were not from Great Zhou; they were dancers from the Western Regions, specially purchased by Prince Han. He had grown tired of the dances of Great Zhou dancers and wanted something fresh. Western dancers dressed daringly, their eyes alluring and captivating, their movements bold and fiery, possessing a unique charm.

Prince Han bent his right leg, his right hand resting on his knee, fingers lightly tapping along to the melody, his head gently swaying with the rhythm.

At that moment, the steward of Prince Han Mansion walked in. He first bowed to Prince Han, then quickly approached him and whispered into his ear. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Prince Han’s expression immediately changed, cold and solemn. He sat up and waved off the dancers and singers, who hurriedly retreated.

"Summon Mr. Yang to the study," Prince Han ordered before heading to the study.

"Yes, Prince." The steward left to find Mr. Yang.

In brief moments, Mr. Yang appeared in Prince Han’s study. Prince Han shared the news he had heard from the steward.

Mr. Yang, also known as Yang Qi, listened and slightly frowned without saying a word.

Prince Han did not urge him to speak, patiently waiting for him to consider.

After a moment, Yang Qi pondered, "Your Highness, are you sure it was Prince Chu who sent someone to investigate the Third Princess?" The Third Princess was not a concubine of Prince Han Mansion but the concubine of the new Modu Chanyu, also referred to by Zhao Yao as the Han Princess.

"Who else but him," Prince Han scoffed, "There’s no way the second one with his pig brain could think of sending people to investigate the Third Princess." To Prince Han, Prince Dai was beneath his notice. "Only the second and fourth have come to the northern frontier, while the seventh and eighth are in the capital; their reach doesn’t extend here."

"If it truly is Prince Chu who sent people to investigate the Third Princess, then his strategies are more sophisticated than we imagined," Yang Qi slightly furrowed his brows, "How did Prince Chu learn about our connection to the Third Princess?"

At the mention of this matter, Prince Han’s expression instantly became very unpleasant.

"How would I know?" Prince Han did not consider Prince Chu a true rival. In his eyes, neither Prince Chu nor Prince Jing were his opponents. "Seems I’ve underestimated the fourth." Only a few in the world knew of his involvement with the Third Princess, yet the fourth seemed to have discovered it.

"For Prince Chu to come to the northern frontier so briefly and find out about our connection with the Third Princess, his wisdom is noteworthy." Yang Qi had previously advised Prince Han never to underestimate Prince Chu.

"Impossible," Prince Han waved, "The fourth has been under strict surveillance by us; he couldn’t have discovered our connection with the Third Princess in such a short time."

"Highness, you’re suggesting that Prince Chu knew about our dealings with the Third Princess before coming to the northern frontier?"

"Very likely," Prince Han said coldly, "I always believed the northern frontier lacked the fourth’s resources, but it seems his people are deeply hidden. Now it appears there are even his people in the Xiongnu Grassland."

"If that’s the case, Prince Chu’s influence is deeper than we imagined," Yang Qi exclaimed, gently sighing, "Indeed, my brother is not to be underestimated." Mr. Yang Ling by Prince Chu’s side is Yang Qi’s cousin.

"Sir, now that the fourth has discovered our connection with the Third Princess, he must die, else I’m the one to perish," Prince Han’s eyes glimmered with cold murderous intent.

"Your Highness, Prince Chu is not easy to kill," Yang Qi reminded Prince Han, "If Prince Chu dies in the northern frontier, everyone, including the Emperor, will suspect you of having killed him. Even without evidence, the public will assume you are the murderer. Once you carry the stigma of killing your brother, the throne will forever be out of your reach."

"If the fourth does not die, our affairs will be exposed, and then I will be the one to die." Prince Han knew that suspicion would arise if Prince Chu died in the northern frontier, but being suspected is better than dying. Moreover, once he ascends to the throne, the guilt of fratricide will naturally disappear.

"Prince Chu must die, but he cannot die in the northern frontier." Yang Qi also knew Prince Chu couldn’t live, "Your Highness, wait until Prince Chu leaves the northern frontier; then kill him on his way back to the capital."

Prince Han had momentarily lost his composure, forgetting that Prince Chu would soon leave the northern frontier and return to the capital.

"Sir, arrange this matter; ensure he is killed before returning to the capital."