Sima Hao looked at Yizixie in shock, finding it hard to believe what he had just heard. For a fleeting moment, he thought he was hallucinating. But seeing the furious Sima Zhu beside him, Sima Hao knew it was real. What puzzled him most was that, after knowing Yizixie for so many years, he never thought Yizixie would be such a person. If he truly desired the throne, why would he wait until today?
Sima Zhu, however, did not share Sima Hao's contemplation or surprise. He felt as though someone was challenging his imperial dignity right in front of him. "Yizixie, I address you as Grand Tutor out of respect, but you must not think too highly of yourself. You should know that for your words just now, I could have you thrown into prison, and your family would be implicated as well."
Yizixie remained unfazed, smiling serenely. "Since Your Majesty is so confident, then please try. I will wait here for Your Majesty to bring forth my relatives and friends."
Sima Zhu faltered at these words. Was this another threat?
Seeing this, Sima Hao quickly intervened, "Grand Tutor, please do not be angry. His Majesty is young and impetuous. His words just now were spoken without much thought, and he has offended you. I beg your pardon." Sima Hao did not hesitate to praise Yizixie. After all, he was now a man without any real power. To put it mildly, he was the Grand Emperor; to put it bluntly, he was a relic of the past. In such a situation, what was there that he could not say?
Sima Hao's words made Sima Zhu roll his eyes in anger. Yizixie, however, shook his head at this moment. "No, I have nothing to be angry about. I am an old man; I would not get angry with a child."
Sima Han:! Child! Sima Zhu was his elder brother. If Yizixie called Sima Zhu a child, wouldn't that make him even more of a child? Yizixie then seemed to realize he had forgotten Sima Han and added, "Ah Han and I are friends despite the age difference, hehe."
Heh, I'll heh your face. Sima Han grumbled inwardly, but his expression remained impassive, as if the previous events had nothing to do with him.
Sima Zhu, on the other hand, took several deep breaths before speaking to Yizixie, "Grand Tutor, I respect you as the Grand Tutor, but you cannot push your luck."
Yizixie innocently spread his hands. "I am not pushing my luck; I am seeking an equivalent exchange."
Sima Zhu was startled. "What did you say? What equivalent exchange?" Knowing that Sima Zhu had never heard this term, Yizixie kindly explained, "What I mean is, we exchange things of equal value. You use your most precious possession to exchange with me."
Sima Zhu glared at Yizixie. He had expected Yizixie to offer some explanation, but it all came down to this. What was his most precious possession other than the throne?
Seeing Sima Zhu staring at him without speaking for a long time, Yizixie did not get annoyed. He smiled again and said, "It seems Your Majesty is unwilling. It's fine if you are unwilling. After all, the throne is not something one can simply give up. I can understand your reluctance."
Sima Zhu's heart leaped with joy. Understand? Did that mean he didn't have to exchange the throne?
Yizixie continued, "Since Your Majesty is unwilling to exchange, I shall take my leave." With that, Yizixie made a move to stand up.
Sima Hao, forgetting his role as an observer, quickly said, "Grand Tutor, please wait."
Yizixie looked up at Sima Hao. "Does the Grand Emperor still have the authority to make decisions on this matter?" The sarcasm in his words was palpable, making Sima Zhu blush. Despite his extreme embarrassment, he felt he had to explain. Thus, Sima Hao said, "I cannot make decisions, but since the holy water is for Your Majesty's health, then let me exchange it with the position of Grand Emperor."
These words were spoken with great righteousness. If this were to happen, when people spoke of this matter in the future, they would surely say that the Grand Emperor loved his people and, with his own efforts, gave up his wealth and status to obtain the holy water for His Majesty, thus saving His Majesty and, consequently, the Great Chu. It was easy to imagine how transcendent Sima Hao's status in the Great Chu would be if that were to happen. And as for His Majesty, Sima Zhu, his role in this play with Sima Hao would appear selfish.
This was all within Sima Zhu's calculations, which was why he spoke these words without hesitation. As for whether Sima Zhu would understand the key points and refuse, he was indifferent. If it succeeded, he would benefit greatly. If it failed, Sima Zhu would have no right to blame him. After all, these words were spoken directly to Sima Zhu, and all decisions rested with him.
Unfortunately, before Sima Zhu could even respond, Yizixie had already waved his hand. "No, I have no interest in being a father. How can I suddenly become the Grand Emperor?"
Upon hearing Yizixie's words, Sima Zhu instinctively breathed a sigh of relief, while Sima Hao's eyes flashed with disappointment. Why didn't he agree? Suppressing his disappointment, Sima Hao said, "The Grand Tutor is indeed wise and understands righteousness. You were testing us just now, weren't you? Hahaha..."
Yizixie looked at Sima Hao strangely. "What are you talking about?" Seeing Yizixie's bewildered expression, as if he had no idea what Sima Hao was referring to, Sima Hao felt a sense of defeat for no reason.
"Why would the Grand Tutor want the throne? I remember you are not fond of fame and fortune, nor do you enjoy extravagant pleasures," Sima Hao sighed.
Yizixie couldn't help but applaud Sima Hao inwardly. He was truly an old fox who had lived his life by his wits. With a single sentence, he had managed to implicate both himself and Sima Zhu. However, since they had seen through his intentions, why should he be allowed to continue?
"I don't like being emperor, but some people do," Yizixie said, seemingly with emotion.
"Who?" The matter of the throne was something Sima Zhu took very seriously. As soon as Yizixie finished speaking, he immediately asked.
Yizixie smiled meaningfully. "Naturally, it is..." He stopped mid-sentence, a mysterious smile on his lips, and looked at the tense Sima Zhu and Sima Hao, leaving them hanging. They waited for a long time, but Yizixie did not continue. Anxious, they asked, "For whom? Have you been threatened by someone? Otherwise, how could the naturally indifferent Grand Tutor suddenly say such things? If that is the case, you can tell us, and we can discuss countermeasures together."
Yizixie looked at the two of them speechlessly. Their imagination was indeed vivid.
Sima Han thought to himself, "This is not vivid; it's outrageously vivid."
"No one. Your Majesty, you should make a decision quickly. Time is passing rapidly, and Ah Han and I will be leaving the palace soon."
"Without my permission, who dares to stop you from leaving the Forbidden City?" Upon hearing Yizixie say he was leaving, Sima Zhu instinctively roared. After roaring, he belatedly realized that everyone present was staring at him motionlessly. Sima Zhu was somewhat stunned. What had happened to him just now? Although he found his sudden outburst strange, he had never been one to lose control of his temper. However, now was not the time to dwell on such matters.
Yizixie raised his eyebrows and looked at him, his tone full of mockery. "What? Does Your Majesty think he can keep me here?"
Sima Zhu's expression turned grim. He knew Yizixie's capabilities. Knowing that he could not deal with Yizixie, Sima Zhu simply did not reply and turned to Sima Han. "Ah Han, it was not easy for you to return from those remote villages. You wouldn't want to go back, would you?"
Sima Han felt frustrated. His Majesty was clearly displaying his tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong. But how could Sima Zhu be so sure that he was so easily bullied? "Is Your Majesty threatening me?" Sima Han retorted.
Sima Zhu shook his head. "No, Ah Han is my good fifth brother. How could I give myself the opportunity to threaten you? You agree, don't you?"
Sima Han feigned ignorance. "Since it's not a threat, what did Your Majesty mean just now?" Sima Zhu then smiled. "I knew Ah Han was a good brother. I was too anxious just now and said something inappropriate, which has offended the Grand Tutor. I ask Ah Han to talk to the Grand Tutor properly."
Sima Han waved his hand. "So that's what it is. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry at all. The Grand Tutor just said he doesn't argue with children." Sima Han's words successfully infuriated Sima Zhu. However, he had no grounds to refute, as these were indeed Yizixie's words from earlier.
"If that's the case, then that's for the best. However, I still hope Ah Han can speak with the Grand Tutor properly. If there is holy water, please be generous and provide it. After all, it is for the good of the Great Chu." "Although the Grand Tutor is detached from worldly affairs, he is still a subject of the Great Chu. It is only fitting that he contributes something to the Great Chu, don't you think?" Sima Zhu's words were spoken with great righteousness.
Yizixie and Sima Han silently praised Sima Zhu in their hearts. He wasn't entirely foolish; he actually knew how to pull a fast one. But... "Your Majesty, I cannot agree to this so casually. The condition for exchanging holy water was already stated by the Grand Tutor. If you can give up the throne, I believe the Grand Tutor will readily offer the holy water."
"Give up the throne? To whom? To you? Sima Han, you are dreaming. Don't think that because the Grand Tutor supports you now, you can disregard me."
Sima Han shook his head. "I have never disregarded Your Majesty."
"You..." Sima Zhu's eyes widened in anger at Sima Han's words, rendering him speechless for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Sima Han then smiled and continued, "I have always kept Your Majesty in my heart." Sima Zhu rolled his eyes dramatically. Would he believe that? Sima Han, however, didn't care whether he believed it or not. He said, "Your Majesty, I have said all I needed to say. If you have any other thoughts, you can discuss them directly with the Grand Tutor, as he is here."
Sima Zhu looked at Yizixie and saw him sitting there calmly. After watching Yizixie for a while, Sima Zhu suddenly burst into laughter. "You think that's all I can do?"
Sima Han and Yizixie felt a sense of unease. They couldn't be sure what Sima Zhu meant by his words, so they could only look at Sima Zhu, waiting for him to continue.