Chapter 460: He’s Looking for Home

Chapter 460

The Ju Family started trying to control the Third Princess's marriage prospects after binding the Min Family, attempting to draw in allies by selecting a good husband.

The Jiang Family and Dou Family were still the best targets, but Jiang Chengyuan's life or death on the battlefield was unknown, and Jiang Chengfeng was the only remaining adult male of the Jiang Family who could stand in court, so he certainly could not marry the princess.

The Dou Family's adult males had just turned ten years old, so they were even more impossible.

With this in mind, the He Family not only had suitable adult males, but was also safely neutral, so naturally they would be targeted.

The Ju Family quietly grew stronger, secretly reaching out to the Fang Family, Zhu family, and Tao Family to get on board, and now tied up the Min Family and He Family as well. In court, they were quite capable of accomplishing things easily.

Even if the Jiang Family and the Dou Family joined forces, they still might not be able to contend with them.

No wonder the Ju Family did not care about the existence of the Fifth Prince, who was the eldest legitimate son, not even reaching out to poke holes in his excuse for being sick. It turns out they had long been prepared to control half of the country, using power to overwhelm others.

"The Eldest Prince's ambition is too obvious." Even Zheng Ruqian, who did not understand politics, was shocked. "Then what should we...what should we do next?"

What could they do?

Xu Mo smiled. Of course it was to defeat them one by one.

First of all was the He Family.

He signaled to Zheng Ruqian to continue fiddling with the lamb legs, smelling the mutton fragrance drifting through the small courtyard. In the mouth it was tender and sweet, with a slightly charred taste, the fat and lean perfectly combined. The oil was forced out by the heat while moistening the drier parts.

Jiang Sheng was already eating with oil dripping down his mouth, his little belly slightly bulging out like an unripe watermelon.

"How can you still eat..." Zheng Ruqian pouted angrily. Seeing his eldest brother safe and sound made him furious, wishing he could throw the lamb leg at his head.

But in reality, Zheng Er carefully placed the lamb leg in front of him, fawningly asking, "How’s the taste, big brother? Is it good, big brother?"

Xu Mo elegantly tore off a piece, slowly chewing it with composure. "Not bad."

"Then big brother, in Fengjing I'll open a..." He didn't get to finish speaking before the small courtyard gate was frantically pounded on.

The last time this rhythm appeared was when Qi Huai regretted pitting his father.

Zheng Ruqian slowly stood up straight, signaling to Jiang San to open the door, while holding up the fire poker as a weapon.

The person outside must have really been anxious. As soon as the door bolt fell, he rushed in impatiently, pressing his voice hoarsely, "Brother Xu, Brother Xu, save me, save me!"

Xu Mo sat unmoved, even having the leisure to turn the lamb leg over to eat the crispiest outer skin.

The Fang Family was able to, so they supported the Second Prince behind the scenes.

The He Family was also able to, so they refused to tie themselves to the Eldest Prince.

As for the other families who were desperately loyal, they probably placed their bets based on the favor the Noble Consort received, as well as the Eldest Prince's position as the eldest legitimate son.

In other words, it wasn't that the Eldest Prince was particularly outstanding, but that the others' chances were too low.

When there was no way to back out, one could still walk along the riverbank.

When there was no bet to place, even a corner was still a path.

Once the Ju Family occupied the overall situation, the Ju Noble Consort enjoyed favor for twenty years, and took the lead in giving birth to the eldest son, the imperial family's bias was already unconcealed.

Looking back through history, which prestigious family had ever let a consort give birth first?

Yet not only did the Ju Noble Consort give birth first, she also tormented the Empress to death, wantonly suppressed the other princes, and did not receive any punishment.

With such favor, whose heart wouldn't tremble?

He Yunyao was anxious. He wanted to shirk the marriage while also not offending the Ju Noble Consort and Eldest Prince.

With the He Family's capabilities, could they really not think of any way out?

Were the words he just said really what he himself thought, and not what the He Family thought?

Xu Mo took a sip of the fragrant wheat tea, inwardly becoming more and more certain. "It seems the He Family head has agreed to my proposal."

He Yunyao was dumbfounded, as if he still hadn't caught on.

The youth set the tea cup back on the table and found there was still lamb oil remaining on his fingers. Unhurriedly, he took the delicate pink handkerchief from his sister's lapel and cleanly wiped his hands. His actions were elegant with a hint of refinement, relaxed yet composed.

It vaguely resembled the ministers who made plans behind the scenes at court, but he was far, far younger than them.

He Yunyao finally regained his senses, stripping away all pretense and evasiveness. "Brother Xu's insight is penetrating. After careful consideration, the He Family would rather wade into courtly trouble than tie themselves to the Ju Family's warship.

"The He Family is willing to consent to what you proposed earlier. If Brother Xu encounters difficulties, the He Family is also willing to lend a hand, but only limited to Brother Xu alone."

The words were awkwardly phrased, but the meaning was very clear.

The He Family could cooperate with you to squeeze out the Fang Family and replace their position, or even quarrel with the Jiang Family and Dou Family.

But the He Family wasn't your subordinate. Even more wouldn't support you fighting for the crown prince position.