From the perspective of vying for the throne, it means that despite all efforts, he still could not gain the support of the He family.
From Xu Mo's perspective, however, it would be enough to have one less enemy and to crush the Fang family at the same time.
As Chang Yan said, there aren't that many allies that can be easily won over, nor are there that many powerful families that can be completely devoted to one another.
The world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit; the world is in turmoil, all for the sake of gain.
Often, people get together simply because they can gain something from it; genuine friendship is rare.
For Xu Mo, it was already a rare achievement to avoid antagonizing the He family.
As for whether or not to fight for the throne, everyone has to bow to the prevailing trend.
He wiped his fingers clean, a gentle smile appearing on his handsome face. "Then I wish us a pleasant collaboration."
His fair, clean, and slender hands were clasped together in front of his eyes, conveying both respect and determination.
Next to her, a little girl picked up an oilcloth, her big eyes rolling upwards.
There was also a carefree and sturdy young man, who was smiling as he savored the difference between lamb leg and lamb chops.
He Yunyao was taken aback for a moment, then returned the gesture with the same firm hand salute, “Brother Xu, please rest assured, the He family will do what it has promised. However, I would appreciate your advice on how to refuse the favor of the Third Princess.”
What is this? The first test in establishing cooperation?
Xu Mo showed no fear. "Brother He, please stand up."
He Yunyao stood up straight, puzzled, and took two steps back.
Xu Mo also stood up, took the long knife from Zheng Ruqian, and, to the astonishment of everyone in the courtyard, slashed open He Yunyao's sleeve.
This...this...this...
"Brother, this is the knife I use to cut meat. I'll have to wash it later," Zheng Ruqian muttered, his face full of resentment.
"What beautiful clothes, ruined like this." Jiang Sheng said with a face full of regret.
“If the young master wants to tear his clothes, he can just call us. There’s no need for knives at all.” Jiang San and Jiang Si were eager to try.
Only He Yunyao himself was dizzy, raising his head in disbelief, "You...you...you want me to be gay?"
The term "cut sleeve" (断袖), also known as "cut sleeve" (断褏), originated from the relationship between Emperor Ai of Han and Dong Xian, and now refers to the affection and love between men.
To say that such things don't happen is utter nonsense. From the royal court to ordinary people, it has always been commonplace. There are even speculators who take in handsome young men for the powerful and wealthy to choose from.
As a scion of a prominent family, He Yunyao must have some understanding of this as well.
But while they may understand it, some people either love male homosexuality to an extreme degree or despise it to the extreme, even avoiding it like the plague.
Even if He Yunyao is not good enough, he is still a young master from a prestigious family who has received a traditional education. Although he does not have a girl he likes, he is not so much like a man who is also physically male.
"No, absolutely not." He waved his hand fiercely, "I'd rather die than do that."
"Who said you're into men?" Xu Mo chuckled. "It's just that you're using this name to avoid the Third Princess's favor."
"That won't do either." He Yunyao raised his voice. "Wouldn't my lifelong reputation be ruined? No, absolutely not."
Xu Mo slowly sat back in the rattan chair. "The Ju family has always been ruthless in their methods. You know how the Min family's daughter was betrothed. Now, Consort Ju wants to win over the He family. She's just releasing the news and waiting for your willingness."
If He Yunyao discovers that the He family is unwilling or even goes to great lengths to evade him, he will face a severe repercussions.
For example, accidentally damaging the princess's reputation, or being caught red-handed, or...
Before Xu Mo could finish speaking, He Yunyao raised his hand and said, "Stop, stop, stop."
Although I am very reluctant to ruin my reputation, this saying is true: it's not the theft itself that's scary, but the thief's eye on you. With the Min family falling first, the He family must cut off any possibility of them falling from the root.
"Brother He, don't overthink it. A bad reputation can be salvaged, but once the He family is tied to the First Prince, there's no escaping it," Xu Mo advised gently.
He Yunyao's face was full of bitterness, as if he were eating raw bitter melon.
The two continued to discuss some details, such as the argument with Minister Dou, the quarrel with Jiang Jizong, and even the glaring and shouting.
Therefore, one cannot trust anything that happens in the imperial court. Two people who seem to be arguing heatedly on the surface might be drinking and having tea together in private.
As the conversation drew to a close, Xu Mo was about to see his guests off when he caught a glimpse of Zheng Ruqian's beaming face and the words he had been forced to swallow earlier. He turned back to Zheng Ruqian and asked, "Brother He, how was the mutton?"
"Excellent, the meat is tender and firm, quite fresh and not gamey at all, a rare delicacy." He Yunyao praised generously.
“Since Brother He likes it, take some with you.” Xu Mo stood up. “If we ever open a mutton restaurant in Fengjing City, Brother He, don’t forget to come and support us.”
Zheng Ruqian, standing next to him, had already neatly wrapped the lamb leg tightly with oil paper.
He tucked the bag into his pocket and put on a hood and cloak, clearly trying his best to conceal his identity.
The carriages outside didn't even have any markings, and the drivers were wary, parked at the door, ready to slip away at any moment.
"Brother He." Just as He Yunyao was about to leave, Xu Mo finally spoke his mind, "Perhaps you could let your brother get married first, and then reveal your homosexual preferences."
At first, He Yunyao was a little confused, but after he figured it out, he broke out in a cold sweat.
He looked at Xu Mo sincerely again, his eyes filled with gratitude, astonishment, and a deep sense of admiration.
The carriage rumbled away, just as silently as it had arrived.
Jiang San and Jiang Si nimbly closed the door and went back to continue eating mutton.
Only Jiang Sheng tugged at her elder brother's sleeve in confusion, "Big brother, what did you mean by what you just said?"
It was a well-intentioned act.
It is kindness.
Xu Mo struggled for a moment. He could have avoided reminding the He family that after He Yunyao revealed his homosexuality, the Ju family might have focused their attention on the unmarried second son of the He family, using methods to harm the girls to be married, and then forcing the second son of the He family to marry the princess.
Once the He family is thoroughly angered, they will not only cooperate with the Jiang and Dou families, but will also directly get involved in the struggle for the throne, becoming an ally of the Fifth Prince.
In the end, out of kindness, he chose to warn them, which saved innocent lives but also caused him to miss the opportunity to force the He family onto the ship.
But if you ask Xu Mo if he regrets it, he will still tell you loudly, "No regrets."
Scheming and calculation are forms of self-preservation, while saving and reminding are acts of kindness; these two are not contradictory.
He gradually learned hypocrisy, pretense, and ruthlessness in officialdom, but kindness was in his flesh and blood, in his very bones. He did not want to see innocent girls sacrifice themselves, nor did he want to stand by and witness evil.
“I was willing to lend a helping hand even when I didn’t have the ability before, and now that I’m in the thick of it, I should stay true to myself.” Xu Mo took his sister’s hand. “I’ve studied hard for decades, not to climb the social ladder by any means, but to benefit the world.”
He always remembered that he wanted to be the clear sky above the people's heads.
Like bamboo, after enduring wind and rain and gaining resilience, it still stands straight and upright, with a clear conscience.
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