Anshui Prefecture or Fengjing, their lack of power made them passive when facing danger.
Over and over again, they could only parry blows and rack their brains to turn peril into safety.
But this time, with Fufeng Store's groundwork and the momentum of public opinion, the case of fraud in the imperial examination had exploded into common knowledge, putting Fang family at the eye of the storm.
Whether it was the personal grudge of avenging his friend, or thinking about the greater cause, taking down Fang family would be the best option.
Even if the prestigious family could not be toppled, at least Fang Yuan had to be taken down.
However, bringing him down would not be easy at all.
"With Fang family's capabilities, no matter how strong the evidence of fraud is, they will try every means to reverse the situation - at best, offering up scapegoats, and at worst, putting me in mortal danger," said Xu Mo slowly, revealing his sophistication honed over years of machinations in court.
Chang Yan was startled, then quickly caught on, "Eldest brother plans to contain Fang family?"
Keeping Fang family preoccupied with other matters would naturally distract them from the fraud case, which would make it impossible for them to protect Fang Yuan.
The long-drawn case over the past two years could finally be brought to an end.
Between Xu Mo and Fang Yuan, one of them had to be ruined and discredited, one of them had to fall from the world of literature.
"I have to live up to my friend's efforts, and navigate officialdom with integrity," Xu Mo's eyes were solemn. "With the prominent families controlling court politics and the Cabinet rendered powerless, Fang family blatantly promotes the Crown Prince - if the regime changes in the future, the world will largely belong to the Fangs."
"Younger brother, how will you decide?"
As a royal, his privileges and duties had been predestined from birth.
Whether he liked it or not, whether he wanted it or not, he was surnamed Zhu.
Zhu of Zhu Changyan.
The youth gave a wry smile, his wandering gaze gradually becoming determined. "Eldest brother, I'll help you."
Not just to help you, but to help Grandfather's world, to help the common folk live in peace, to help righteous officials live long.
Ever since he met a group of brothers who cared deeply about family and country, responsibility seemed to have become his inseparable shadow.
A man's heart can be big, like eldest brother who wants to be an upright official, or third brother who wants peace in the realm.
A man's heart can also be small, like Jiang Sheng who only wishes to have food and clothing.
As for him, what he hoped for from beginning to end, was only to protect his loved ones from harm.
"It's a bit difficult to take the initiative now. Our lack of power is far from enough to confront anyone, but we can't just wait to be killed either. We have to disturb the waters even if we can't divert the stream," Chang Yan tapped the back of his right hand with his left, speaking heavily. "Perhaps... it's time to bring my imperial brother who's hidden behind the scenes out into the open."
To oppose Fang family was essentially a contest for imperial power.
Although he had isolated himself for half a year, lowering some people's guard, there would still be suspicious folk trying to probe.
Rather than endless guesswork, why not present them with clear-cut results?
And watch the battling tigers from the mountain.
"Neither the Eldest Prince nor the Fourth Prince have enough strength to compete with Noble Consort Ju," Chang Yan narrowed his eyes. "We have to create a reason that forces him to step out and seize power."
With Fang family focused on the Crown Prince, all sorts of flaws would be exposed, perhaps even throwing them into chaos.
Then Xu Mo could take the chance to take down Fang Yuan and end the fraud case once and for all.
United they stood, its might could sunder metal.
Perhaps they could not topple this court or cleanse the situation, but they could muddy the waters and strike cautiously yet proactively.
"But little brother," Xu Mo hesitated slightly. "What reason could make someone hidden for years step out and seize power?"
Although the Eldest Prince was not very astute, he had the formidable and overbearing Noble Consort Ju as his mother, making his status very secure.
As for the Prince hidden behind the scenes, he was only endowed with ability but lacked sufficient power, thus forced to keep his head down.
Only two possibilities could motivate him into action.
One, the imperial family declines, if he doesn't make a move now then it'll be too late.
Two, Noble Consort Ju loses power and can no longer pose a threat.
Not to mention the Emperor is only forty years old, in the prime of youth and vigor. It is extremely difficult for Noble Consort Ju to lose power.
Compared to Fang family and Jiang family, Ju family's status and position might be inferior, but with the deliberate promotion of Noble Consort Ju, two scions of Ju family have become Cabinet Ministers and Grand Secretaries.
Most crucially, the present Chief Grand Secretary was advanced in years, while the second-in-line was Jiang Jizong who was also up there in age. The future development of newly instated Grand Secretaries from Ju family can be easily anticipated.
"It is hard for Ju family to lose power," replied Chang Yan.
Then how was he going to hoodwink the Emperor, by poisoning?
Xu Mo's pupils suddenly enlarged, his face filled with disbelief. He tried to dissuade several times, "Little brother, you cannot be rash... something so perilous, when the current Emperor may not be an sage ruler but his merits outweigh his faults!"
Most importantly, he could not let his little brother be tainted with patricide that would berated for thousands of years.
"There was Emperor Taizong of Tang who murdered his brother and father, and has been denounced for it over the years, even though he accomplished the Golden Age of Zhenguan that is talked about to this day - yet what is still most remembered is the Xuanwu Gate Incident." Xu Mo patiently advised, "If you succeed, you'll be reviled for ten thousand years; if you fail, it would cost you your life instantly. Little brother, you must not take such risks, eldest brother cannot agree."
Seeing that he even gave up his official post, and said that he would take his siblings to live in seclusion.
Chang Yan quickly explained with laughter, "Eldest brother, wait. Who said I was going to murder the lord?"
"Then you..." Xu Moy was stunned, "just now, weren't you saying it was difficult for Ju family to lose power, so you could only make a move on the Emperor's health?"
"Making a move, but not necessarily on his body," Chang Yan lightly tapped the back of his right hand, his expression turning solemn. "You only know about my Empress Mother being of Yan family, and that Yan family has declined in strength over the years. But do you know what Yan family relied on to rise in the beginning?"
Xu Mo shook his head to indicate his ignorance.
"Medicine," replied Chang Yan seriously. "My maternal grandfather was a master physician with holy hands, known as Hua Tuo reborn or Bian Que revived. He was generous by nature and did not hoard his skills, nurturing many outstanding and remarkable disciples."
Imperial Physician Wu was one of his students.
Presently in the Imperial Hospital, more than half were Yan family's planted chess pieces.
Some were disciples' offspring, some had their names changed to conceal their Yan family identity.
"Maternal grandfather said that Yan family does not seek great power, only to protect the safety of our lineage. Inserting people into the Imperial Hospital was also hoping to safeguard my wellbeing," the corners of Chang Yan's eyes reddened as he smiled. "Last time I only used ten decoction jars to conceal my high fever, also thanks to the cover-up by the Imperial Physicians."
Without him, it would just be a normal Imperial Hospital.
With his return, the Imperial Hospital could be utilized!
This was the killing stroke Yan family left for their young grandson, the bottom card Yan Empress Dowager kept for her son.
"Although there were still some outsiders, the Emperor falling ill concerns the wellbeing of the empire, he surely would not dare to spread news of it extensively," the youth's tone was certain. "Just a few days would be enough to make the hidden Prince worried."
The Emperor was benevolent and would not implicate the Imperial Physicians over a mere misdiagnosis.
This used to be his weakness, but now seemed to verge on being a strength.
"Eldest brother, leave palace matters to me, outside matters will be handled by you," Chang Yan turned around. "The Dous are on par with Fang family as prominent households, you have to cling tightly to their support."
He had evaded spying eyes all along, entirely relying on Madam Dou and Dou Young Lady's help to cover for him.
That was sentiment, hard to deny.
Xu Mo sighed and nodded solemnly.
"I'm returning to the palace," Chang Yan looked at the darkening sky, turned back again to glance at fourth brother and little sister.
His sister was fine, after all she had been to the palace before.
But his fourth imperial brother, this was truly the first time seeing each other for a long time.
