"Can I return this?" Han Mo asked, forcing a bitter smile.
"What do you think?" Han Jiayan also let out a wry smile. He truly hadn't expected the Emperor to target him today. This was clearly a move to use Han Mo as a pawn! He genuinely regretted not realizing this the moment the Emperor entered. Although Han Mo was just an insignificant imperial student, things were different now. He had gained some literary fame and was also a son-in-law of the Zhe family. Moreover, he hailed from the Han family of Xiangzhou. Wasn't he a perfect chess piece? Whether for sacrifice or leverage, he was an excellent choice!
Anyone could see that the Emperor harbored intentions of deposing the eldest son and elevating a younger one. The Crown Prince was unwilling to submit to his fate, and Prince Yun harbored ambitions of ascending the throne. This was a time of political turmoil. The Emperor's production of the Jade Ruyi was a clear signal that he was using Han Mo to test them. The struggle for the throne, in any dynasty, had always been a life-and-death affair. To speak of distant times was unnecessary; even Zhang Dun, who held the esteemed position of Prime Minister during the current reign, fell from grace and was disgraced simply for saying, "Prince Duan is frivolous and should not be enthroned." For an imperial student like Han Mo to be entangled in such a dispute would mean only a dead end!
"What do we do now?" Zhe Ke Cun hesitated, then asked Han Jiayan.
"What else can we do? His Majesty has already made his move. Isn't it obvious that he intends to use our two families as pawns?" Han Jiayan began to ponder deeply after speaking. For Zhe Ke Cun, things were somewhat better. The situation in Liao had been deteriorating year by year. The court was constantly inundated with memorials urging the imperial court to wage war against Liao. The Zhe family, hereditary rulers of the prefectures of Lin and Feng, occupied an unassailable position in both military and political standing. As long as they committed no fundamental errors, whoever ascended to the throne would have to win them over. This was one of the advantages of a hereditary military family. However, the Han family was different. Although they were a family of officials and scholars, becoming entangled in such a dispute and backing the wrong horse would likely lead to the same fate as Zhang Dun.
"Perhaps there's no use in discussing this now," Zhe Ke Cun said after a moment's thought. "Why don't I take Mo'er back with me? After the wedding in Fuzhou, I'll grant him the position of a Recorder, and a military post would be a good choice for his future!"
"Hmph! Do you think His Majesty went to such lengths just to let you take him away?" Han Jiayan retorted with a cold laugh.
"Esteemed elders, why don't you listen to my suggestion?" Han Mo hesitated before speaking.
"Oh? Tell us," Han Jiayan didn't stop him.
"Indeed, state your thoughts!" Zhe Ke Cun, with a touch of a test in his voice, stared seriously at Han Mo.
"Actually, although this is a difficult matter, for me, isn't it also an opportunity?" Han Mo steadied himself and said.
"Plucking chestnuts from the fire is no simple task; a single misstep can lead to utter ruin!" Han Jiayan spoke first.
"Plucking chestnuts from the fire is indeed difficult, but not impossible. However, I wonder, which side do Uncle-Grandfather and Uncle-Benefactor favor more?" Han Mo smiled and looked at Han Jiayan.
"Naturally, it is His Majesty!" Han Jiayan cleverly avoided answering the question directly. Han Mo almost rolled his eyes to the heavens; wasn't this clearly reneging on the deal? Han Mo understood that this was Han Jiayan's test. If he didn't make a statement, he wouldn't get a sincere response from the old man. After all, this was a life-or-death gamble, and if handled poorly, it could affect the old man's perception of him. This had nothing to do with kinship; seated in his current position, he had to consider the family's interests. Sacrificing so many lives for the sake of Han Mo alone would not be a worthwhile endeavor.
"Why?" Han Jiayan had never considered this question. It was just a rule, wasn't it?
"It's just four words: 'legitimately and reasonably'," Han Mo said after a moment's hesitation.
"Who do you favor more..." Han Jiayan spoke as he dipped his finger in some tea and wrote the character "δΈ" on the table. Both Han Mo and Zhe Ke Cun now understood that this referred to the current Crown Prince.
"No! His Majesty is in his prime. Whoever His Majesty approves of, isn't that legitimate and reasonable?" Han Mo smiled and then looked at Han Jiayan.
"Tell me your thoughts!" A flicker of astonishment flashed in Han Jiayan's eyes. This was the correct answer to the test he had just posed. The Emperor was in his prime, and no matter who held the position of Crown Prince, as long as they hadn't ascended the throne, everything was possible. At this juncture, getting involved in the princes' dispute would be suicidal! Whether Han Mo sided with the Crown Prince or Prince Yun, the outcome would likely be unfavorable. After all, no emperor liked to see his ministers currying favor with his sons while he was still alive. Han Qi could do it back then because of his high position and power, and more importantly, the Emperor at the time was Renzong! Renzong! That posthumous title said it all; such a benevolent emperor was rare in history. The current emperor was no weakling like Renzong. If things escalated, Han Mo might not have a good end.
"His Majesty merely wants to see which of his sons is more capable of governing. Therefore, as long as I conduct myself properly and remain impartial, isn't this an opportunity for a swift rise?"
"The Third Prince has shown you much favor!" Han Jiayan said with a smile.
"Prince Yun is impatient and too utilitarian in his actions!" Han Mo stated directly. The information conveyed by this statement was substantial. How could an old fox like Han Jiayan not understand? Although Prince Yun was making waves now, his personality flaws were too significant. His schemes were too heavy-handed, and Han Mo was being polite. To put it more bluntly, he was shortsighted! How could one rule with shortsightedness?
"Excellent, excellent!" Han Jiayan's gaze towards Han Mo intensified with admiration.
"Interesting!" Zhe Ke Cun also showed more admiration in his eyes. Wasn't this exactly the kind of cunning fellow the Zhe family needed?