20demayo Chapter 481 Brothers United
Chapter 481 Brothers United
"Fifth Brother? What are you doing here?"
"Third Brother, I've come to welcome you. You've been away from the capital for so long, you didn't even attend the year-end festival. What important matter has kept you away for so long?"
The Third Prince Zhao Honghao was somewhat suspicious. Why was his usually timid Fifth Prince suddenly so talkative today?
The Fifth Prince, Zhao Hongjing, seemed oblivious to his third brother's suspicion and dismounted to greet him.
"Third Brother, the capital has been quite lively while you were away."
Let your younger brother come into the city with you, and he can tell you about the interesting things happening in the capital along the way.
Zhao Honghao instinctively wanted to refuse, but then he thought that he should listen to what Lao Wu had to say.
After all, I had been away for more than three months, so many messages weren't delivered in a timely manner.
“Alright, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Fifth Brother. Let’s find a teahouse and have a good chat.”
"Haha, that's fine too. We'll listen to Third Brother. Sitting in a teahouse is better than eating dirt the whole way."
The Fifth Prince didn't bring many people with him. He rode alone, with only two personal guards. The three horses followed among the Third Prince's entourage, not showing up at all.
In particular, the Fifth Prince was dressed very modestly today; he looked more like the young master of a wealthy merchant than a prince.
This was intentional, and the Third Prince seemed not to have noticed it.
After all, the Fifth Prince had always been a nobody, and he was always timid and fearful, especially when he saw the Fourth Prince, he was like a mouse seeing a cat.
The Third Prince had not previously paid much attention to the Fifth Prince.
His attention was always on the eldest prince and the fourth prince. After the eldest prince was demoted, most of his manpower was used to keep an eye on the fourth prince.
However, after so much time had passed, he discovered that the fourth brother truly had no desire to compete.
Even if Minister Tong was unwilling and tried to push things along from behind, if the main character didn't move, no matter how hard the supporting characters tried, it would be useless.
This is why the Third Prince abandoned everything in the capital and left without hesitation.
After all, he has no rivals in the capital right now; there isn't a single person he can fight!
Why should I be confined to this place? Of course, I should take this opportunity to expand my influence in the Great Zhou and gain more support from all sides.
To pave the way for your future, solidify your foundation and ensure multiple layers of protection.
Unfortunately, the search for the great scholar Ouyang failed.
However, along the way, he discussed classics and doctrines with many other great scholars, and his reputation among literati will be even greater than before!
So this trip out of the capital wasn't entirely fruitless; at least more scholars will be inclined to side with him in the future.
The teahouse in the east of the city is the closest. Of course, the two noble princes wouldn't go to poor places like the south or north of the city.
Since the west side of the city was a bit far, the two went directly to a teahouse in the east side of the city and asked for the quietest private room on the top floor.
The private rooms on the left and right were each occupied by one of the Third Prince's guards and one of the Fifth Prince's guards, also to prevent eavesdropping.
All three adjacent private rooms were booked, and there were even people guarding the stairs on the third floor, making it seem as if no tea drinkers were allowed to go up to the third floor.
Seeing this, the teahouse owner didn't dare to say anything. The capital city has plenty of things, but it has plenty of powerful and wealthy people.
Traveling with dozens of armed guards like this is definitely not something a mere old man like him can afford to offend.
Besides, it's better to avoid trouble; I can't cause trouble for my employer.
He'd accept it even if these people didn't pay for the tea; nothing is more important than his life!
The Third Prince and the Fifth Prince settled into their private room, and tea and refreshments were quickly served.
He waved the waiter away, and the guards dutifully stood guard at the door.
Fifth Prince Zhao Hongjing first poured a cup of tea for Third Prince Zhao Honghao and said with a smile, "Third Brother, during the time you were away from the capital, Fourth Prince didn't make any big moves. On the contrary, Minister of Rites, Lord Tong, frequently interacted with some officials."
The Third Prince frowned slightly, picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Is Minister Tong still not giving up? Does he think he can stir up any trouble by instigating a few officials?"
"Ha, I don't know then. Oh right, there's one more thing. Didn't my great-uncle, Prince Xuannan, go to the capital? He's been staying in the Taiji Hall in the palace."
It seems that my father spoke to my great-uncle alone before, and my great-uncle secretly left the palace that night.
Third brother, guess where the Prince of Xuan Nan went?
Although the Third Prince was curious, he pretended to be impatient. "If you're going to say it, just say it all at once. Don't keep me in suspense. I don't have that much free time!"
"Haha, Third Brother, don't be in such a hurry~ Let me explain slowly, it's not good to be so impatient."
"How did you know that Prince Xuan Nan had secretly left the palace? Where did he go, and who did he meet? Would the whereabouts of a prince be so easily exposed to the public?"
The Third Prince Zhao Honghao, whose intelligence had been suspended, finally came back online and looked at the Fifth Prince Zhao Hongjing with a scrutinizing gaze.
Zhao Hongjing's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Third Brother, even if I'm useless, I still have one or two people who can be of use."
Prince Xuan Nan went to Scholar Jiang's house, and the two had a long private conversation. Prince Xuan Nan didn't return to the palace until just before dawn.
Zhao Honghao was startled. The Prince of Xuannan had a very high prestige in the royal family. If he had the support of his great-uncle, the Prince of Xuannan, he would definitely be able to hold that position!
But why would a prince visit the home of a mere sixth-rank official? And why would he stay for so long...?
"Why are you telling me all this?" Zhao Honghao asked coldly.
Zhao Hongjing stood up and bowed respectfully. "Third brother, I know I have no power to contend for the throne. I only want to find a stable future, to ensure my lifelong wealth and honor, and to be a rich and idle person."
Now it seems that only you, Third Brother, have the ability to stabilize the future court. I, Fifth Brother, am willing to serve you faithfully and follow your lead without question!
Zhao Honghao scrutinized Zhao Hongjing with sharp eyes. He had always thought his fifth brother was timid and cowardly, but he hadn't expected him to have his own little schemes.
Want to be rich and noble for life? It's not that hard. Just give them a wealthy fiefdom and reward them with gold, silver and land.
The prerequisite is that he must first ascend to that position before he can bestow titles and honors upon others.
The third prince pondered the truthfulness of his fifth brother's words and did not respond for a moment.
But having another person supporting him right now is certainly not a bad thing, especially since that person is a prince.
There's no need to worry about the eldest and second eldest sons, who are both good-for-nothings. The fourth son is also hopeless at the moment.
The fifth brother is now showing signs of wanting to join forces again. It seems that everything is developing in a direction that is favorable to him. Hehe, maybe he really is the chosen one and should inherit the throne!
For the smaller ones below, who haven't grown up yet, having such a boost isn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Alright, if you are truly willing to help me, I, as your older brother, will certainly not treat you unfairly in the future."
The Fifth Prince Zhao Hongjing's lips curled up slightly, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.
"Thank you for your trust, Third Brother. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"
My brother's future good days are all in your hands!