Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1079 - 122: Divine Pill (Part 2)

"Your Highness, I’m afraid those coming to investigate won’t believe your explanation."

"Whether they believe it or not doesn’t matter; what’s important is that they have no evidence." Prince Han was not worried about the investigators from the capital. He had initially given those fools money and people without any record. Moreover, there was no record of what he instructed that fool to do.

When the people from the capital come to investigate, he can casually name a number to muddle through, since they cannot find the exact figures.

"Even if Father really gets angry over this, at most he’ll reprimand me a few times and deduct my salary for a few years." To him, this was inconsequential.

"Your Highness is right." Seeing Prince Han so confident, Yang Qi felt reassured. "Your Highness, perhaps there’s an opportunity with Prince Dai."

"What do you mean?"

"If it’s proven true that Prince Dai and Marquis Xuanping are recruiting troops and forging weapons in Annan, it will be a crime of treason. By then, Prince Dai will be escorted back to the capital for punishment. We can take this opportunity to persuade Prince Dai, and he should agree."

"Mr. Yang, where does this place Noble Princess Consort Rong?" Prince Han disagreed, "Marquis Xuanping’s Mansion is considered the maternal family of my father, even if Prince Dai truly rebels, Father will not kill him. Do you think Prince Dai is as foolish as those idiots?"

"The previous Prince Zheng merely committed mass murder, which isn’t a grave crime, but treason is a severe crime that warrants the extermination of nine generations. If the Emperor could execute the former Prince Zheng, why not Prince Dai?" In Yang Qi’s view, the previous Prince Zheng’s cruelty wasn’t a grave crime and didn’t warrant death. Treason, however, is a severe crime, and the Emperor should execute Prince Dai.

"Mr. Yang, can that fool be mentioned in the same breath as Prince Dai? Don’t you know the contributions Prince Dai has made over the years? Don’t you know how much Father favors him?" Prince Han thought Yang Qi underestimated Prince Dai’s significance to the Emperor. "Moreover, Prince Dai and the others are only recruiting troops and forging weapons in Annan, not doing it in Great Zhou, and they haven’t brought people or weapons back to Great Zhou, so it’s not considered rebellion."

"Your Highness, are you saying Prince Dai won’t be in trouble?" Yang Qi initially thought they could use this matter to make Prince Dai obedient, but it turned out otherwise.

"At most, Marquis Xuanping’s title will be stripped. But as long as Noble Princess Consort Rong is present, the title can be reinstated in the future." Prince Han continued, "Father also needs Prince Dai in the northern borders to resist the Xiongnu, how could he punish him at this time."

"So, Prince Dai just gives up?"

"Who said this king is giving up? Prince Dai won’t return to the capital for the time being, and the people sent from the capital are arriving. We’ll let Prince Dai go for now. Once the people from the capital depart, we’ll strike."

"Your Highness has thought it through." The people from the capital will soon reach Youzhou. For safety’s sake, it’s better not to do anything for the time being.

Just then, an official from Prince Han Mansion walked in.

"Your Highness, Mr. Wu is here."

Prince Han looked surprised, "Why is he here, did he come alone?"

"Not alone; Mr. Wu brought two beauties, saying one is presented to you, the other to Prince Dai."

Prince Han looked at Yang Qi and asked: "What is he up to?"

"Your Highness, the two beauties Mr. Wu brought are probably not simple." Yang Qi immediately thought of a beauty trap, "Your Highness, better meet him first."

"Take him to the hall; this king will go over shortly."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Mr. Wu finished a cup of tea, Prince Han brought Yang Qi before him.

Mr. Wu respectfully explained his purpose to Prince Han. The two beauties he brought were not ordinary but had been exquisitely trained. They were adept at pleasing men and seducing them. Offering one to Prince Dai would leave him utterly entranced, doing whatever is asked.

Prince Han understood that Mr. Wu was offering a beauty trap. He didn’t refuse this gesture; one beauty was sent to Prince Dai, and the remaining one stayed at Prince Han Mansion.

Previously, Prince Han had sent beauties to Prince Dai, but they were all rejected. However, the beauties sent by Mr. Wu were different. They were descendants of the Western Regions and Great Zhou, possessing the exotic sensual allure of Western women along with the gentleness of Zhou women. The combination of these qualities offered a unique charm.

As expected, Prince Dai did not send the beauty back this time.

Within days, Prince Han heard that Prince Dai was greatly enamored with the beauty he sent, spending days indulging with her and neglecting the barracks.

The beauty left at Prince Han Mansion, Prince Han didn’t touch. While he favored beauties, those who had been trained like this did not appeal to him, especially knowing this beauty had ulterior motives.

The purpose of leaving a beauty in the mansion was, naturally, to keep an eye on her.

While Prince Dai was indulging in women, the investigators sent from the capital to inspect Prince Han and the former Prince Zheng had arrived at Youzhou. As expected, they found nothing.

After investigating in Youzhou for a few days, the capital’s envoys departed. Not long after they returned to the capital, Prince Han was reprimanded and had three years’ salary deducted, everything as expected.

Once the capital’s envoys left, Mr. Wu again visited Prince Han Mansion and offered the Divine Pill to Prince Han. He claimed this pill from the Western Regions had effects of prolonging life, invigorating health, enhancing potency, and beautifying appearance.

Prince Han wasn’t interested in the Divine Pill Mr. Wu offered. He didn’t believe in these so-called divine pills. However, Mr. Wu informed him that prolonged use would make one increasingly youthful. He further stated that the two beauties presented earlier took the Divine Pill every day, which is why they remained young and beautiful.

Though he didn’t believe in the Divine Pill, Prince Han still accepted it.

"Divine Pill?" Prince Han scoffed sarcastically, "I didn’t expect Wu to learn from those alchemists to deceive people. Does he take this king for a fool?" Being young, he didn’t need any divine pill to extend life or become young.

"Your Highness, I believe Mr. Wu wouldn’t dare deceive you."

"Sir, you shouldn’t believe his words, assuming these silly pills are truly divine medicine?"

"Your Highness, of course there is no divine medicine in this world; the so-called Divine Pill is likely a tonic." Yang Qi explained, "From what I understand, there are many forbidden drugs in the Western Regions; their effects are beyond imagination, hence classified as banned."

Prince Han took a Divine Pill from the silk box and examined it with interest: "Are you saying this pill indeed has the effects Wu claimed, prolonging life, and making one youthful?"

"Your Highness, whether these are as Mr. Wu claimed, you can test it on an elder. If they eat it and truly become young, it indicates Mr. Wu hasn’t deceived you."

"Sir, your suggestion is good; then find an elder to try it." Prince Han chuckled, "If it is indeed as he said, this king will regard him highly."

Meanwhile, in the distant Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao had also heard about the Divine Pill.

Zhao Yao didn’t believe there were Divine Pills in this world. Since the pill suddenly appeared in Lingnan, he intuitively felt there was a problem. He immediately sent someone to investigate, and indeed uncovered issues.