"No," Chang Yan unexpectedly shook his head, "still the He Family."
Only not the current He Family, but a He Family person who left three years ago and is about to return from his official post.
Compared to the hard-to-grasp current Head of He Family, He Chengzhang, whom they had dealt with several times in Anshui Prefecture, is more reassuring.
It wasn't that his moral character was high, nor that he had any dealings with his six siblings, but the righteousness in this person's bones, his compassion for the common people, his willingness to stand for the heavens, and the tranquility and peace he and Dou Wei brought to Anshui Prefecture together.
A truly good person who works for the country and the people can be persuaded.
"What if we can't persuade him? Won't he bite us back?" The guard's face was full of worry.
Chang Yan laughed and shook his head, "No."
He Chengzhang had an agreement with the Fang Family, taking harm to Fang Heng as the price, but he not only didn't harm them, but helped them leave Anshui Prefecture.
Just this friction alone makes it difficult for the two sides to become allies.
But to be specific, Xu Mo still needs to investigate personally.
Chang Yan waved his brush and wrote a letter, which circled back and fell into the small courtyard.
"He Chengzhang..." Xu Mo muttered softly, "After a three year separation, the He Prefect is coming back too."
Obviously from a top aristocratic family, the He Family, and still a brother to the current Head of He Family, yet he had to go to Anshui Prefecture to be prefect, exchanging places with the Fang Family, there must be inside story.
He remembered the hesitant Black Skin Boy, and after repeatedly thinking it over, sent a personal request for a meeting.
The current situation in Fengjing was quite chaotic.
While Xu Mo and Chang Yan were plotting against the Fang Family, they had also ruthlessly sabotaged the Second Prince.
Now with his attempt to marry Jiang Sheng exposing his ambitions, not only had it incurred the Jiang Family's wrath, but his relationship with the Fang Family was also precarious―if discovered by Ju Noble Consort, it would not be impossible for the Fang Family to completely abandon him in order to survive.
Ju Noble Consort didn't have evidence of the collusion between the Fang Family and the Second Prince, but she had become suspicious of this downtrodden prince, and was trying to find ways to suppress him.
Any noble lady the Second Prince took a liking to would be sabotaged, and any friends he was on good terms with would keep far away from him due to various external forces.
Ju Noble Consort's methods were so overbearing that people were astonished and changed color when they heard about them.
The Second Prince was devastated by the blows, now completely dispirited, holed up silently in his prince's residence, no longer caring about selecting consorts.
The scales seemed to have completely tipped towards Ju Noble Consort's side.
When the Black Skin Boy responded to the invitation, the reputation of the Eldest Prince was gradually recovering, and he was showing determination to obtain the Jiang Family girl.
Xu Mo opened the envelope, the messy ink on it revealing the sender's complicated mood, seeming to have struggled for a long time before responding, "We'll talk the day after tomorrow."
No place, no time, not even a form of address.
This headless and tailless sentence left Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian completely puzzled.
Only Xu Mo understood it and silently closed the envelope.
The day after tomorrow, coincided exactly with the day the Imperial Court claimed illness, which was the announced day for selecting consorts.
The He Family didn't want to get involved with them, preferring to chat for a bit at the banquet, rather than privately meeting.
"But what does selecting consorts have to do with Eldest Brother?" Jiang Sheng asked uncomprehendingly.
Zheng Ruqian's eyes widened, apparently realizing the key point.
Not only was this about selecting consorts, but also finding a husband for the Third Princess, so the guests invited were particularly numerous, about 30% more than the last flower viewing banquet.
"Don't tell me Eldest Brother wants to become the imperial son-in-law?" He teased with a hint of laughter, "Then you'd better be careful, contemporary imperial sons-in-law cannot take concubines, and cannot even take office."
Becoming an imperial son-in-law essentially severs a person's future, forcing them to live off the princess for the rest of their life.
Xu Mo himself had no interest in this kind of banquet, but now with the He Family's invitation beforehand, and the Eldest Prince eyeing the Jiang Family girl behind the scenes, he really couldn't avoid this palace banquet.
"You mean the Eldest Prince has his sights on little Yu?" Jiang Sheng grasped the key point and suddenly stood up, "Then isn't little Yu in great danger?"
It was well known that the Jiang Family and Dou Family girls were unwilling to marry into the imperial family.
Ju Noble Consort's methods were vicious, but she could only bully a flimsy identity like the Second Prince, and didn't dare forcibly coerce the Dou Family and Jiang Family.
But by going to the palace banquet, aristocratic families were not allowed to bring maidservants and guards, and had to be served by palace maids and eunuchs the entire time, which was tantamount to entering a tiger's den.
At that time, whether she was willing or not, Jiang Chengyu would have to go along with it.
This explosive girl from the Jiang Family could only be tied to the ships of the Eldest Prince and Ju Family.
"Can little Yu not go then?" Jiang Sheng's eyes brimmed with tears, unwilling for her only sister to suffer harm.
Xu Mo gently shook his head.
Selecting consorts were solemn words, polite refusals were possible, but unexplained absence was not.
Its solemnity was second only to the imperial examination, feigning illness to avoid it was no different than slapping the Imperial Court's face, and would provide ammunition if exposed.
Luckily Jiang Chengfeng would also be going this time, with him there, he could surely protect Jiang Chengyu's safety.
"Then, then I'll go too," Jiang Sheng suddenly remembered something, "Men and women sit separately, eldest brother will still find it hard to stay by her side."
Afraid her brothers would worry, she mocked herself, "As a Jiang Family girl raised outside, no different from a bastard in their eyes, don't worry, I'll be safe."
It sounded awful, but it was the truth.
Xu Mo sighed, "I won't stop you, go find Old Lady Jiang, as long as she agrees, that's fine."
The Jiang Family girls still needed the Jiang Family's name to enter the palace in the end.
Jiang Sheng stood up abruptly, her fiery temperament unable to hold back, and actually rushed straight to the Jiang Family.
"Eldest Brother, are you really letting her go just like that?" Zheng Ruqian muttered somewhat, "Nevermind others, I can't have anything happen to my sister."
Forget kindness, forget justice, in the face of feelings, many people only choose the one in their heart.
Jiang Sheng undoubtedly stood at the heart of her brothers' hearts.
The reason Xu Mo brought up Old Lady Jiang was also certain she would be rejected and return dejected.
Unexpectedly, Jiang San brought news that the Jiang Family had agreed.
Old Lady Jiang personally took the two Jiang Family girls into the palace, ostensibly giving the Imperial Court face, but actually to protect her granddaughters.
"Eldest Brother, there is still some time before Fang Ye's beheading, no rush to overthrow the Fang Family, protecting yourself is most important," Jiang Sheng was happy, but didn't forget to come back and exhort, "With Grandmother's protection and my company, little Yu will definitely not become some prince's consort."
Xu Mo laughed, who was in danger now still wasn't certain.
The entire Fengjing situation was a mess, those itching to act, confident of success, disguising themselves, however they pretended on normal days, their fangs were bound to be revealed at critical moments.
Who would be willing to give up such a powerful in-law family?
Not the Eldest Prince, nor the Second Prince, nor the Fourth Prince either.
As the Fengjing aristocratic families gathered, this palace banquet was destined to be very interesting.
