Wang Cai sighed, knowing that the other party was unwilling to get too deeply involved with the Yan family. This errand had ultimately failed. While the Junior Grand Secretary might not blame him, he certainly wouldn't recommend him. Taking it in stride, he chuckled:
“My Lord, my visit was truly presumptuous… I am merely a recluse from the countryside. Meeting all you heroic figures is already more than I deserve… I’ll just go home and farm! Hahaha…”
Excellent!
Several people immediately applauded, feeling that this man still possessed some scholarly grace. Failing as a persuader, he hadn't lost his composure, and his talk of farming showed a lack of pretense, suggesting a certain unusual quality about him.
Mu Chaobi nodded, agreeing:
“Zi Nan, men like us are different from others. We value camaraderie… If you think highly of me, stay in Yunnan and Guizhou for a few more days. Let us have a heart-to-heart talk! What do you say?”
Wang Cai thought: This man is far better than the Yan family. He can be called generous and forthright, and his reputation for valuing scholars is not false. After all, he is nothing like those upstart Yan family members…
He immediately bowed deeply and said:
“As you command, my Lord!”
Hahaha,
The crowd immediately resumed their feast, the atmosphere transformed.
Zhu Mo knew the time had come. He picked up the tea tray, emerged from the side chamber, walked directly beneath the portrait of Emperor Jianwen, and lamented loudly:
“Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunwen, how tragic you are! Even in death, two hundred years later, you find no peace! Alas… You were misled by villains in life, and used by villains in death, how unfortunate… Of all emperors throughout history, you are the most wretched… Now that I have seen your true likeness, I shall offer you incense!”
With that,
He lit three incense sticks from the candlelight and respectfully placed them in the censer.
At this moment,
Seeing a mere servant speak such words, the men couldn’t help but stand up in astonishment.
Yu Chaosheng, angered, demanded, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Mu Chaobi strode forward, took a closer look, and exclaimed, “Zhu Mo? You? What are you doing here?”
Zhu Mo smiled heartily, cupped his hands towards the men, and said:
“My Lords, Wang Daren, Minister Liu, everyone, forgive my intrusion… Today is the anniversary of the Emperor’s Grandson’s death, and it is also fortunate. Thinking of the late Emperor’s past, I could not help but sigh. I have disturbed you all…”
Mu Chaobi was unsure how to feel. This grand ceremony had been rudely interrupted by him. The words they had just spoken had all been overheard by this man, who was also a cabinet minister. He didn’t know what to do, so he offered a forced laugh and said:
“Zi Xuan, please sit. We haven’t seen each other for a long time, and today we are just catching up… Come, come, sit down!”
Zhu Mo immediately took his seat. After a moment of thought, he said:
“My Lords, I was just passing by and heard you all conversing so congenially. Well, I listened for a while, but I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose, mind you! Besides, in casual conversation, who doesn’t vent a little? It’s nothing! To be honest, I’d like to vent a little too! Hehehe…”
Hmph.
The men exchanged glances, all feeling uneasy.
Mu Chaobi knew that he had been listening for a long time and had heard everything. He no longer wished to hide anything and spoke frankly:
“Zi Xuan, men like us are like this! Whether the court knows or not, we must do what needs to be done… Zi Xuan, what do you think?”
Zhu Mo had already understood that Mu Chaobi was very wary of the Yan family and, in his heart, did not want to get involved with Yan Shifan. This was likely because he was a man of substance, unlike other decorated officials who were merely figureheads and didn’t need to curry favor with the Yan family.
He immediately replied:
“My Lord, as you witnessed firsthand during our southern campaigns, I, Zhu Mo, am a man who respects loyal and righteous individuals, am I not? For two hundred years, you have offered incense to Emperor Huizong; I truly admire you! As I said earlier, the Emperor’s Grandson was misled by villains! In terms of their true intentions, were they not for the sake of the realm?”
“Don’t be so pedantic. I believe the Emperor Taizu had no other intentions but to not tolerate others dictating to him! A suspicious and decisive ruler is naturally like that!”
Fu Yingfang, however, chuckled and said:
“My Lord, you’re at it again. We say these things precisely to clarify matters… With your statement, it becomes unclear again…”