"Father, I always feel that this surname Han is a bit strange. This kid seems to always have a sinister aura about him. No matter what he gets involved in, it seems to immediately turn a bit wrong!"
Although he was already in his thirties, when he faced Cai Jing, even Cai Tao, who usually prided himself on his talent, could only shamelessly ask questions.
"If it weren't for the fact that this kid is truly too young, I would really suspect that all of this was orchestrated by him! And that broker you mentioned, I also feel a sense of familiarity..."
After hearing Cai Tao's words, Cai Jing, after a long silence, slowly spoke again.
"Him? You've met him, Father?"
After Cai Jing finished speaking, Cai Tao became somewhat curious.
Looking at Yuan Xingchi's appearance, he seemed to be only in his thirties or forties, but in terms of intellect and methods, he was definitely not an unknown figure!
If such a person had ever interacted with Cai Jing, how could he not have any impression?
"I haven't met him, and I'm not entirely sure now. It's just that based on your descriptions, it feels somewhat familiar..."
"Then, Father, do you remember his name?"
Upon hearing Cai Jing's words, Cai Tao quickly stepped forward and pressed.
"The time is too distant, and besides, if he dares to appear here, wouldn't he change his name and surname?"
Cai Jing took a deep breath, shook his head with a wry smile, and lost the interest to continue speaking.
After all, if the person behind him was capable of influencing the Prime Minister's position, wouldn't they also have the ability to help him change his name and surname?
Furthermore, even if something had happened in the past, in the face of such immense benefits, what would it even matter?
Although he didn't know who was orchestrating this behind the scenes, how could someone capable of setting up such a shocking scheme ruin the situation they had painstakingly built for themselves over some past petty matters?
"Then, how about we make peace with the Pu family?"
After a moment of hesitation, Cai Tao suddenly spoke.
"Once the arrow is loosed from the bow, can it be recalled? I am old, and at most I can only hold on for a few more years. But your path is still long. If we can enter the capital this time, this will be the Cai family's last opportunity..."
As Cai Jing spoke, he slowly stood up again, disregarding the cold wind blowing outside the window, and directly pushed open the window in front of him.
It was already November, and the weather in Luoyang had begun to turn cold, with everything withering and yellow leaves filling the air.
Even though his garden was planted with exotic flowers and plants collected from all over, at this time, only a pile of withered branches remained.
"Father, why must you be so pessimistic? Our Cai family is now flourishing, unlike what you say, as if we are on the verge of ruin!"
Sensing the profound sense of sorrow emanating from Cai Jing, Cai Tao quickly spoke.
"The Cai family, in my generation, has reached its peak, enjoying immense wealth and prosperity. Having ascended to the Prime Minister's position three times and held office for over a decade, with nine scholars in the family, do you truly believe such days can last forever?"
Listening to his son's dismissive words, Cai Jing let out a cold laugh and then spoke again.
"But, you are the Prime Minister after all. Could it be that the Emperor would let you meet a bad end?"
Upon hearing his son's words, Cai Jing's face was filled with only a bitter smile. In the end, this matter was his own fault.
When Cai Tao started to remember things, Cai Jing had already begun his meteoric rise. By the time he was older, seeing the Emperor had become as natural as eating and drinking.
The Emperor's favor towards Cai Jing was so excessive that even his sons had lost their sense of awe towards the Emperor.
Having seen the Emperor's gracious side too often, they had forgotten the Emperor's ruthlessness.
The imperial family is the most heartless. For power, for schemes, for their own purposes, they can abandon their parents, wives, and children. How much less would they care about an unrelated minister?
"If you hold such a belief, I fear that after I close my eyes, you will all be joining me before long!"
After taking a deep breath, Cai Jing spoke again.
"Father, why are you speaking so despondently today?"
Seeing that Cai Jing was speaking increasingly discouragingly, Cai Tao frowned and interrupted him.
"Believe it or not, but always remember this: you can never truly believe what the Emperor says! If you take it seriously, then you truly deserve to die without a burial place."
Leaving a cold remark, Cai Jing lost all interest in speaking and turned his gaze to the scenery outside the window.
The cold wind howled, all things withered, winter was approaching, and he wondered how long the old crooked-neck tree in the garden could hold on...
"Son, I take my leave!"
Seeing that Cai Jing had once again fallen into a reverie, the indifferent Cai Tao turned and exited the room.
***
"My Lord, you haven't eaten anything all day. This is chicken soup specially prepared by the cook for you by Madam. Please eat some..."
In Bianliang City, Li Bangyan, who had claimed illness, sat alone in his study, looking dazed and lost in thought.
"Leave it there..."
Seeing that his position as Prime Minister was about to become a pipe dream, Li Bangyan had no appetite for food at this moment.
He still couldn't figure out why Xu Churen would make a move against him at this time.
Although he and Xu Churen didn't have many interactions, they shouldn't have had any enmity. Moreover, from the previous incident, he still owed Prince Xin a favor. No matter how one calculated it, Xu Churen shouldn't have dealt him such a heavy blow.
"My Lord, this..."
"Get out!"
"But..."
"I said, get out!"
Seeing Li Bangyan's ashen face, the old butler could only brace himself, place the chicken soup on his desk, and then turn and walk out of the room.
Li Bangyan was unhappy, and all the servants in the Li residence were treading on eggshells.
Especially when passing by the study, they even tiptoed while walking, afraid of making the slightest sound that might displease Li Bangyan.
Li Bangyan's life was not easy, but Lin Ling su's life didn't seem to be much better.
The Emperor hadn't summoned him to the palace for a long time, which filled Lin Ling su with dread.
Unlike the court officials, his power completely came from the Emperor.