Huo Baichuan disagreed with him, saying, "Teacher, you are underestimating yourself. When it comes to matters of the heart, you should pursue what you like. Life is too short, and regrets are too long. It's not worth it."

Xiao Xingyuan chuckled and shook his head. "You still don't understand. Doing what's best for her means making her happy. If you don't understand, don't change the subject. Do you really want to interfere in the Zhao family's affairs?"

“Even if we don’t intervene, we’ve already intervened. Chaos has arrived, and this is a time of great strife. Do you think the Huo family can remain unscathed? The Huo family is old, but I am not. What do you think, teacher?” He then took out a blade of dry grass and put it in his mouth. “Teacher, come down from the mountain and help me.” He spoke sincerely.

Xiao Xingyuan shook his head. "It's the world of the young. I'm too old, and a free spirit is more suitable to be a teacher."

Huo Baichuan's face fell, but only for a moment before he grinned and pulled the licorice out of his mouth. "Teacher, it's embarrassing for students to be rejected like this all the time."

“It seems you have chosen the Crown Prince. Although the Crown Prince is intelligent and reasonable, he is too sentimental and loyal, and I'm afraid he is not suitable to be a ruler in a chaotic world,” Xiao Xingyuan continued.

"If you are worried, teacher, how about I recommend you to be the Crown Prince's tutor? With your talent, you will surely be able to teach the Crown Prince to be a great ruler for all time." Huo Baichuan then indirectly answered his question. Although the Crown Prince did not personally come to recruit him, he had already chosen the Crown Prince. He was loyal and righteous, and no one wanted to serve a monarch who would discard him after he had served his purpose.

“That brat from the Wei family, ostensibly going to Liuzhou, is actually going to the fiefdom of Prince Duan. Now that Prince Duan’s sons are fighting amongst themselves, he’s just going to reap the benefits. This kid is no ordinary person. Why don’t you consider taking command of a region’s military power? In chaotic times, only those with military power have a voice.” Xiao Xingyuan looked at Huo Baichuan.

"Commanding troops? I have no such thoughts for now. One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand." He sighed. What he wanted was peace and tranquility. If sacrificing some interests could prevent war, what did it matter? "Generals die in a hundred battles, and soldiers return after ten years. I'd rather marry a beautiful wife, with her gentle fragrance and soft touch, and enjoy the company of her as we compose poems."

Xiao Xingyuan listened in silence. He knew his own student well; he wasn't the kind of person who was power-hungry.