In He Lianfang’s residence.
Zhao Yao and He Lianfang are having lunch.
Just a while ago, the two engaged in battle over the sand table all morning. Although Zhao Yao was utterly defeated, he was not discouraged; on the contrary, he was very excited.
This morning’s defeat taught Zhao Yao many things.
During the meal, Zhao Yao kept chattering about his insights. He Lianfang wasn’t annoyed by the noise; instead, he listened intently and responded to his comments from time to time.
"Uncle, you must have been an extraordinary general in the past." Although the military strategies his uncle now taught him were very simple, being able to defeat the enemy with simple methods is not something everyone can do. He felt that his uncle had profound mastery of military strategy. Unfortunately, his uncle refused to tell him his surname; otherwise, he could definitely find out who he was.
He Lianfang humbly said, "Just average." If he were truly remarkable, he wouldn’t have lost his legs, nor would he have lost his master. "Earlier, I forgot to ask you, why do you want to cultivate your own people and spies? What’s the real purpose of thinking about these things at such a young age?"
Zhao Yao heard He Lianfang’s question, his gaze flickered, and then he responded somewhat guiltily, "I’m preparing for when I grow up."
"Oh, preparing for when you grow up?" He Lianfang, fully aware of Zhao Yao’s background, intentionally asked, "What do you want to do when you grow up?"
"Uncle, the situation in my family is a bit complicated." Zhao Yao pondered for a moment before speaking, "My family is relatively wealthy, I suppose. My father has ten sons, and I am the youngest, but this youngest son isn’t particularly favored."
Not particularly favored?
What’s this kid talking about?
He Lianfang was taken aback; Zhou Zheng clearly doted on this kid, so why would he say such a thing?
Zhao Yao didn’t notice He Lianfang’s puzzlement and continued, "We have a rule in our family: when we come of age, we have to live elsewhere, and by then, our father will give us a piece of land to manage."
He Lianfang maintained a calm demeanor as he gazed at Zhao Yao, patiently listening to his nonsense.
"My eldest brother is the legitimate son, born to my father’s first wife, so logically, he should inherit the family business. However, my second brother is particularly outstanding and resembles my father a lot, which makes him favored by my father. Plus, my second brother’s mother is also favored, so my father is considering having my second brother replace my eldest brother in inheriting the family business."
He Lianfang smirked internally, Prince Dai resembling Zhou Zheng?
Although He Lianfang detested the emperor, he acknowledged the emperor’s prowess. Claiming that Prince Dai was like the young emperor underestimated the emperor, as the emperor was far more formidable when he was young.
"My eldest and second brothers have been vying for the position of heir, but I also have a third brother and others; their maternal family is also wealthy. They, too, secretly vie for the position of the heir." My third brother and the others aren’t stirring trouble now, due to playing both sides, but soon, they’ll likely take action.
Suddenly, He Lianfang asked, "Are you doing all these things to vie for the position of heir in the future?"
"Huh?" Zhao Yao was initially startled, then hurriedly shook his head, saying, "Not at all, I have no interest in the heir position."
He Lianfang raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone full of incredulity, "No interest?"
Zhao Yao nodded and said, "Yeah, I have no interest at all in the heir position."
This response was unexpected for He Lianfang, "Why aren’t you interested, don’t you want to inherit the family business?"
"No." Zhao Yao looked resistant, "Not in the slightest."
He Lianfang could see that Zhao Yao genuinely didn’t want to inherit the family business, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Zhao Yao continued, "My mother isn’t favored, and I, as the youngest son, don’t win my father’s affection either. We’d have to have a death wish to want to vie for the heir position."
"Your mother not being favored and your maternal family lacking power are not what’s important," He Lianfang said, "Power can be cultivated, and you’re already doing well now. When you grow up, you’ll have enough strength to vie for that position."
"No, no, no." Zhao Yao frightenedly set down his bowl and chopsticks, waving his hands vigorously, "I’m only doing these things now to make life a bit easier when I grow up, not to vie for that position."
"Uncle, you don’t know, our family’s situation is not only complicated but also somewhat dangerous." Zhao Yao thought for a moment and said, "All of my brothers are quite formidable, and their mothers are also very capable. For my mother and me to live well in our family, it’s already quite challenging." Alas, for their pair to live well in the palace is truly not easy.