If viewed from the perspective of competing for the position of heir, it was equivalent to still not gaining the support of the He family after making an effort.
But from Xu Mo's perspective, being able to have one less opposing force while squeezing out the Fang family was already sufficient.
Just as Chang Yan said, where could one easily draw in so many allies, and where could one find so many prestigious families willing to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly.
The world was bustling solely for profit's sake; the world was hustling and bustling solely to seek profit.
Oftentimes, people gathered together simply because they could obtain benefits. True camaraderie was pitifully scarce.
For Xu Mo, not becoming hostile with the He family was already not easy to come by.
As for competing for the position of heir or not, everyone had to bow their heads before the greater trend.
He wiped his fingers clean, and a blossoming smile hung on his refined features. "Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
His fair and clean, long and slender hands folded before his eyes, brimming with deference and determination.
Beside him was a young girl picking up an oil cloth, her large white eyeballs rolling towards the heavens.
There was also a dashing and sturdy youth, smilingly savoring the differences between lamb shanks and lamb chops.
He Yunyao was stunned for a moment, before likewise firmly returning the courtesy, "Brother Xu can rest assured that since the He family has agreed, we will certainly follow through. It's just that, regarding how to deflect the affection of the Third Princess, I still hope Brother Xu will not be miserly with his teachings."
What was this? The first trial in establishing cooperation?
Xu Mo did not have the slightest apprehension. "Brother He, please stand up."
He Yunyao did not understand but stood up straight, taking two steps back.
Xu Mo likewise rose to his feet, took the saber from Zheng Ruqian's hands, and under the shocked gazes of everyone in the small courtyard, he swiped and ripped open He Yunyao's sleeve.
This, this, this, this...
"Big brother, that's my meat cutting knife. I'll have to wash it later." Zheng Ruqian nagged incessantly, his face full of displeasure.
"What a fine piece of clothing, and it's ruined just like that." Jiang Sheng's face was full of regret.
"If big brother wants to rip his clothes, just say so. We'd be more than happy to help. No need for any knives." Jiang San and Jiang Si were raring to go.
Only He Yunyao himself was dumbfounded, unbelieving as he raised his head. "You, you, you, you... You want me to sever my sleeve?"
Severing one's sleeve, also called severing xiù, originated from Han Emperor Ai and Dong Xian. Now it refers to affection and love between men.
To say that such things didn't exist would be nonsense. From the upper echelons of the imperial household and palace to the common folk, it could be seen everywhere and was nothing new. There were also opportunists who took in handsome boys and offered them to nobles for selection.
He Yunyao, as the young master of a prestigious family, certainly understood this as well.
But understanding was one thing. Male companionship was either passionately adored to the utmost degree, or vehemently rejected and avoided like snakes and scorpions, even by those who understood it.
He Yunyao, at the very least, was the esteemed young master of a prestigious family. He had received an orthodox education. Although he didn't have a lady he admired, he also wouldn't come to like someone of the same physique.
"No, absolutely not." He waved his hand emphatically. "I'd rather die than do it."
"Who said I wanted you to enjoy male company?" Xu Mo laughed. "I just want you to put out this reputation to evade the affection of the Third Princess."
"That's still impossible." He Yunyao raised his voice. "Wouldn't my reputation be utterly ruined like that? No, absolutely not."
Xu Mo slowly sat back down in the wicker chair. "The Ju family uses any means when doing things. You're also clear about how the lady of the Min family was forced to marry. Now Concubine Ju wants to draw in the He family, and is merely putting out the message, waiting for you to volunteer."
As soon as it was discovered that the He family was unwilling, or even racking their brains to evade it, what awaited He Yunyao would be a sudden onslaught of thunder and lightning.
For instance, accidentally sullying the princess's reputation, or being caught for some wrongdoing, or even...
Before Xu Mo could finish speaking, He Yunyao raised his hand. "Stop, stop, stop."
Although very reluctant to ruin his reputation, these words made sense. There was no need to fear thieves stealing, only thieves coveting. With the example of the Min family's downfall before them, the He family had to nip the possibility in the bud.
"Brother He, don't overthink this. A tarnished reputation can be salvaged, but once the He family ties itself to the Crown Prince, it won't be able to free itself." Xu Mo gently advised.
He Yunyao's face was full of bitter misery, as if he was chewing on gentian.
The two continued to discuss some details, such as the quarrel with Minister Dou, the yelling at Jiang Jicong, even pretending to bristle up in anger. All was arranged properly.
As such, the various happenings at court simply could not be trusted. Two people who quarrelled until their faces were red and ears hot might actually be drinking tea together in private.
Finally, as Xu Mo was about to see off his guest, from the corner of his eye he glimpsed the beaming Zheng Ruqian, as well as the words he had been forced to swallow earlier. He turned his head again. "Brother He, how did you find the taste of the lamb?"
"Not bad. The meat was tender and fresh, really a rare delicacy without any gaminess." He Yunyao did not stint on his praise.
"Since Brother He likes it, please take some with you." Xu Mo stood up. "If in the future we open a lamb restaurant in the imperial capital, I hope Brother He will come and honor us with your patronage."
At his side, Zheng Ruqian had already neatly wrapped up, tightly binding the lamb shank in oil paper.
He Yunyao stowed it inside his coat. Then he put on his hood and cloak, evidently trying his utmost to conceal his identity.
The carriage outside similarly bore no markings at all. The coachman was parked vigilantly by the door, ready to slip away at any time.
"Brother He." At the moment He Yunyao was about to leave, Xu Mo still gave voice to what was on his mind. "Perhaps you could first have your elder brother get married, before putting out the reputation of enjoying male companionship."
Initially, He Yunyao was somewhat confused. When he understood the meaning, cold sweat appeared on his back.
He looked at Xu Mo sincerely once more, gratitude and astonishment in his eyes, along with a hint of meaningful admiration.
The carriage rumbled away, as silently as when it had come.
Jiang San and Jiang Si briskly shut the door and went back to continue gnawing on lamb.
Only Jiang Sheng tugged insistently at his elder brother's clothes in puzzlement. "Big brother, what was the implication behind your earlier words?"
It was good intent.
It was kindness.
Just now, Xu Mo had struggled for a moment. He could have chosen not to remind the He family that after He Yunyao revealed a preference for male companionship, the Ju family might shift their focus onto the still unmarried second son of the He family. They would use underhanded means to harm the young lady betrothed to him, then force the second son of the He family to marry the princess.
When the He family became utterly infuriated, they would not only cooperate with the Jiang and Dou families, but directly intervene in the struggle for heir and become an aide to the Fifth Prince.
In the end, he chose to give the reminder out of kindness, although it allowed him to save innocent lives, it also caused him to miss the chance to coerce the He family onto his side.
But if you asked Xu Mo whether he regretted it, he would still tell you in a loud voice, "I don't regret it."
Wrist and stratagem were for self-preservation, saving and reminding others was kindness. The two did not conflict.
He had gradually learned to be hypocritical in officialdom, to disguise himself and steel his heart. But kindness was innate, it was in his bones, his core. He did not wish to see innocent young ladies sacrificed, nor to stand idly by watching evils unfold.
"If in the past I lacked the capability yet still wished to lend a hand when able, now that I'm in the midst of it all, I must even more adhere to my original heart." Xu Mo took his sister's hand. "I bitterly studied for decades not to claw my way up without concern for the means, but rather to benefit the people."
He always kept in mind, he wanted to be the blue sky over the people's heads.
Just like bamboo, after enduring the wind and rain and gaining flexibility, it still stood straight and tall, with a clear conscience.
