Jing Shao was placated after hearing his Wang Fei use the word "us" so naturally, so after a couple of "hmphs," he didn't say any more.
Gu Huaiqing's expression remained unchanged, and he topped up the tea in Jing Shao's cup. "Naturally, I became sworn brothers with Jing Shao yesterday because he's clearly rich and respectable. In the future, if I don't have a place to settle down in, it's good to have someone I can seek asylum with."
This person's face was truly a lot thicker than most. Mu Hanzhang smiled helplessly, suddenly feeling that his Wang Ye probably still knew – at least a little bit – what shame meant.
It was easy to form an alliance when both parties had mutual interests. When the Huainan King asked Jing Shao about his future plans, he was surprised to hear that Jing Shao was preparing to push his brother onto the throne. This man had done so much himself, but was unexpectedly helping someone else ascend the throne? Narrowing his eyes slightly, he looked at the two people opposite him.
Jing Shao peeled a mandarin, split it, and handed half to the person next to him. Mu Hanzhang took it and deftly helped Jing Shao wipe his fingers which had gotten stained with juice.
Suddenly, the corners of Gu Huaiqing's mouth slowly lifted up, and he took a delicate sip of his tea. The bitter taste mixed with some sweetness spread from the tip of his tongue. There was truly someone in this world who did not wish for all the beauties across the rivers and mountains! All of a sudden, he admired Jing Shao very much. There were not many people in the world who could understand what they truly wanted. Royals, in particular, always demanded too much. More often than not, it was only after they lost their most precious things that they would feel useless regret. Just like the ancestors of the Huainan King...
"When you decide to forgo something, you follow through. I admire you, brother." Gu Huaiqing held up his cup of tea. "This cup is to you."
He thought they would have to battle with words for a while, yet Jing Shao spoke frankly and openly with him, telling him things as they were. The mistrustful Huainan King decided to believe him, and handed him a letter.
When Jing Shao unfolded it, he knew that only his imperial father could have written such powerful words. The letter was confusing, full of allusions and cryptic words. Just looking at it gave him a headache, so he lazily passed it to his Wang Fei.
Mu Hanzhang didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and took a look at it. He furrowed his brow slightly. "Imperial father's meaning is that two of the fiefs have been suppressed, but Huainan has always known its place, and there is an agreement between the ancestors, so he's telling the Huainan King not to think too much about it. However..."
Gu Huaiqing laughed and said, "Go on."
"It's just this sentence: 'I fear not my own disaster; rather, I am afraid of the regime being overturned.' " Mu Hanzhang paused and looked at the person opposite him. "I'm afraid there is much meaning in this."
Jing Shao scratched his head, but didn't understand. Wasn't this sentence just quoting the ancients, lamenting the disposition of an emperor, who was always fearful of the storms in court and afraid that Da Chen would be destroyed under his hands? Wasn't this to let the Huainan King know of the emperor's helplessness, and to subsequently tell him to keep his fief in check? What else could it be?
Mu Hanzhang returned the letter, turned to look at Jing Shao, and said, "What is the sentence before this one?"
"'Those lowly ones who form hidden alliances for their own personal interests may temporarily experience joy, but the future of the country will be dark and dangerous,' " Jing Shao recited. He paused for a moment, and suddenly understood what his father's implied meaning was. He was saying that the Southwest and Southeast Kings were traitors who colluded to rebel against the country, worrying and troubling the emperor, who was finally forced to send troops to quell the rebellion. He was warning the Huainan King not to follow them and take that dark, narrow road, which would result in the Huainan King digging his own grave.
