"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Han and Princess Han." Old Master Ouyang said respectfully with his grandson Ouyang Shang, who had almost recovered. They had stayed at Prince Han's residence for many days, and now that Ouyang Shang had taken the healing pills given by Yan Wan, he was almost fully recovered. The grandfather and grandson were preparing to take their leave and return to Jinyang.
Seeing that the sickly young man was much better than when she had visited him the previous two times, Yan Wan said, "Mr. Ouyang, please don't stand on ceremony. Please sit down, and Ah Shang, please sit down too."
Ji Mohan also tried to persuade him to stay, saying, "Mr. Ouyang, please stay a little longer. It's not too late to leave after your grandson has fully recovered."
Yan Wan nodded vigorously. After this period of getting to know each other, Yan Wan, Jing Mo, and Ouyang Shang had become good friends. Yan Wan was a child at heart, and Jing Mo and Ouyang Shang were younger. Before long, the three of them often played wildly in the Prince's mansion. When they suddenly left, Jing Mo and Yan Wan were quite reluctant to part with them.
Ouyang De said with a smile, "Ever since Shang'er was poisoned, I have been taking him out to seek medical treatment. It has been three years since we left Jinyang. The Ouyang family is not as prosperous as it used to be. I need to go back and reorganize it. Your Highness, Your Highness, and young friend Jingmo are welcome to visit Jinyang when you have time. I will treat you to the best wine and food."
Ouyang Shang looked at Jing Mo and Yan Wan with hopeful eyes, hoping they would accept his grandfather's invitation. They were the only friends he had ever had since childhood who were willing to play with him.
“Alright, if I have time, I’ll take the Prince and Jingmo to Jinyang for a visit,” Yan Wan said casually. Jingmo and Ouyang Shang nodded with smiles.
Ouyang De continued, "Shang'er was able to escape danger and be cured of the poison thanks to the intervention of the Prince and Princess. The Ouyang family will forever remember the great kindness of the Prince and Princess." After Ouyang De finished speaking, he prepared to pull Ouyang Shang to kneel down, but Ji Mohan quickly helped him up.
“Mr. Ouyang, there’s no need for such formalities. It was just a small favor,” Ji Mohan said coldly.
Yan Wan chimed in, "That's right, Mr. Ouyang, there's no need for such formalities. It was just a small favor."
Ouyang De, however, said with a serious expression, "I know that the Ouyang family is now at the bottom of the four great families. If Your Highness and Your Highness need anything, the Ouyang family will definitely lend you a hand."
The Ouyang family's ancestral precept forbids descendants from interfering in royal affairs. For many years, the Ouyang family has lacked support in the court and has been squeezed out by the other three great families, which is why they have declined so quickly. Ouyang De absolutely cannot allow the Ouyang family to be destroyed in his hands.
It's unclear whether his risky move was right or wrong. Interfering in royal affairs could lead to complete failure with a single misstep. Whether the Ouyang family prospers or is destroyed depends on one man.
Ouyang De looked up at Ji Mohan, hoping he wouldn't disappoint him.
Yan Wan nodded in satisfaction. Now, the Jin Yang Ouyang family and the Northwest Li family, two of the four great families, support Ji Mohan, while the other two great families support the Crown Prince's faction. Now, they can finally compete with the Crown Prince for the supreme position.
The Shangguan family of Lingnan is also a contender. The Ye family of Donghai is the Empress's maternal family and the Crown Prince's maternal grandfather's family. They will surely be loyal and supportive of the Crown Prince, making them a great asset to him.
"Thank you for your support, Elder Mr. Ouyang. I will give it serious consideration," Ji Mohan said solemnly.
In truth, he hadn't yet decided what path to take in the future, or whether he should embark on that path to supreme power paved with blood.
After bowing respectfully once again, Ouyang De and Ouyang Shang left. Yan Wan and the others escorted the grandfather and grandson to the gate of the Han Prince's Mansion and watched them depart.
It seems the Ouyang family is about to undergo another major reshuffle from top to bottom. The eldest grandson was poisoned and attempted assassination. It seems the Ouyang family is not to be underestimated.
After Ji Mohan and Yan Wan returned to the manor, Yan Wan took Jing Mo to play in the back garden, while Ji Mohan went to the study alone. A little while later, Li Shang also arrived at the Han Prince's manor and entered the study.
"Your Highness, what should we do next?" Li Shang asked.
"Continue investigating the cause of Mother's death and find a way to get Fang to talk," Ji Mohan said coldly. Although they had been investigating for so long, the truth about Mother's death had not yet come to light. It seemed that he would have to go to the palace to ask that person again.
"Yes, I understand. I will have them intensify their efforts," Li Shang said excitedly.
"Has the Crown Prince left the capital for the Northwest?" Ji Mohan asked, based on a message he received from his informant yesterday.
"Yes, I heard that it hasn't rained in the Northwest for a long time, and there have been some riots. The Crown Prince went there to suppress them," Li Shang said with a look of anticipation.
“Hmm,” Ji Mohan said coldly.
"Your Highness, should we..." Li Shang made a throat-slitting gesture, the meaning of which was quite clear.
Ji Mohan pondered for a moment and said in a cold voice, "We should not act rashly. The Northwest is close to the Mongol Kingdom. If the Crown Prince goes to the Northwest, the spies there will definitely act faster than us."
"Your Highness is wise," Li Shang said with a cold smile.
"Jiang Yan has come to the capital. Have you gone to see him?" Ji Mohan asked Li Shang expressionlessly.
“I already knew, but I haven’t formally paid him a visit yet. However, it seems that the old man is doing business with my sister-in-law. Your Highness, you are with the Princess Consort every day, do you know what kind of business she is doing with that old man Jiang Yan lately?” Li Shang said with interest.
"I don't know," Ji Mohan said coldly. Apart from having someone investigate Yan Wan at the beginning, he hadn't sent anyone to keep an eye on her since then. After all, it was better for the couple to have some private space.
"Tsk." Li Shang looked at Ji Mohan with a bored expression. It's true that getting married has almost made him lose all his vigilance.
"You can ask me if you want to know!" Yan Wan's voice came from the window. Li Shang looked up and saw Yan Wan leaning on the windowsill, her eyes blinking as she looked at them.
Li Shang glared at Ji Mo Han, thinking, "That guy who forgets his friends for the sake of a pretty face, he probably already knew the princess was outside and was just saying that on purpose!"
"Hehe, sister-in-law, don't misunderstand. I didn't mean that. I just have some old grudges with that old man Jiang Yan. I absolutely didn't mean to doubt you," Li Shang hurriedly explained.
Yan Wan had only led Jing Mo halfway when she remembered that she had forgotten to tell Ji Mohan about the severe drought in the Northwest. She hadn't expected that the Crown Prince had already gone to the Northwest. So, it was time for them to set off as well.
As soon as she entered the study, she heard Li Shang's words. She openly climbed through the window to listen, and Ji Mohan did not stop her even though he saw her. After Li Shang finished speaking, Yan Wan spoke, which startled Li Shang.
Parting Sorrow: Damn, this twisted sense of humor.
"I know what you mean. Don't be nervous. I came to the study to talk about this too." Yan Wan pushed open the door and walked in.
Yan Wan said with a serious expression, "A severe drought is coming to the Northwest. Nothing will grow, and the people will suffer. At that time, there may be a large influx of refugees into the capital."
"What?"
"What?"
Ji Mohan also stood up from his chair. The two exclaimed in surprise that their informant had not yet sent this news, and the officials in the Northwest had not submitted any official documents.
“It’s true. I’m sure you’ve already found out that Yan’s Hot Pot isn’t run by me alone. It’s a joint venture between me and Jing Xi. The business with Jiang Bai’s father was also to buy grain from Jiangnan and transport it to the Northwest,” Yan Wan said with a serious expression.
"Yan Wan, is what you're saying true?" Ji Mohan asked again, though he already knew the answer in his heart.
Yan Wan looked into Ji Mohan's eyes and said, "It's absolutely true."
Ji Mohan quickly stood up, with Li Shang following behind him. Ji Mohan said to Yan Wan, "I have to go to the palace to report. You don't need to wait for me to come back for dinner this afternoon."
After saying this, the two of them quickly left. They both knew that if there was an uprising in the northwest, the Meng Kingdom would take the opportunity to attack the Yin Kingdom. Beset by internal and external troubles, the Yin Kingdom could be devoured by the other two kingdoms if it was not careful.
——
Royal Palace
"Your Majesty, I have important matters to report."
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