Chapter 1720: The Contest for Grandson-Heir Had Long Shown Signs

Returning to the Rongguo Duke's mansion, the two brothers went straight into the study. Zhao Kuangyin was clearly somewhat weary—whether from the cold or not, his whole body was hunched and drawn in, and only after a servant brought in a brazier did he recover somewhat, warmed by the charcoal fire's heat.

"What a pity about Guo Tong!" After drinking a few mouthfuls of hot wine, Zhao Kuangyi took the initiative to sigh.

"Since he held the office, he bears the responsibility—there's nothing to pity!" Zhao Kuangyin thought for a moment, then said: "It's just that Duke Xing's departure came at the worst possible time!"

"Not necessarily the worst time!" Zhao Kuangyi shook his head: "If Duke Xing were still here, then His Majesty's severe punishment and accountability would hardly be surprising. But since Duke Xing is gone, even out of regard for his old minister's memory, His Majesty has no choice but to raise the matter high and set it down lightly. As far as I know, His Majesty originally intended to have Guo Tong and Wang Shen brought back to the capital in prisoner carts—now he's merely recalled them!"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyi speak so lightly, Zhao Kuangyin warmed his hands by the fire and pondered for a while, then took another sip of wine and said: "Although His Majesty is just now wary and suspicious, looking at recent years, he truly has become more nostalgic for old ties. This is also a good thing for our Zhao family! His Majesty, after all, is growing old."

Zhao Kuangyi nodded, somewhat in agreement, but his expression was rather deep. Clearly, some of Zhao Kuangyin's insights were not something Zhao Kuangyi could fully empathize with.

"You are now in the Hall of State Affairs, assisting the Crown Prince in governing. You must be even more cautious and careful—seek stability in all things!" Zhao Kuangyin said earnestly: "Before, when Zhao Pu was there, everyone above and below was watching him. Now, I fear a large portion of the courtiers' attention will fall on you! Compared to the Guo family, our Zhao family's future is truly uncertain fortune or calamity, vague and hard to determine!"

At this mention, Zhao Kuangyi's brow furrowed slightly. After pondering for a few moments, he said: "The Eastern Palace is indeed somewhat unusual. The Grandson-Heir has not been established, and Wen Huan's position is not stable. The Crown Prince is very fond of that Consort Xiao—we must be on guard!"

As he spoke, Zhao Kuangyi could not help but sigh: "When the Crown Princess originally wanted to adopt Wen Huan, I was very much in favor. It's just that my niece made that impulsive quarrel and cut off that path. Otherwise, with our two families joining forces, Wen Huan would have no fear of any threat—how could he be in today's awkward position!"

Hearing Zhao Kuangyi say this, Zhao Kuangyin did not rebuke him—after all, this was a private conversation between brothers. However, seeing his face full of regret, Zhao Kuangyin shook his head: "Saying all this now is already too late! Moreover, His Majesty would not necessarily agree.

His Majesty both guards against and employs us meritorious nobles and imperial relatives, and he especially likes to divide us. How could he permit the Murong and Zhao families to unite? If that happened, I fear the descent of suppression would come at any moment—the consequences would not be comparable to the Kuangmei affair!"

"Though that is so, thinking of it still feels regrettable!" Zhao Kuangyi said: "His Majesty and the Crown Prince are impartial toward the two sons, but the more impartial they are, the more unsettling it is. The Xiao clan—Khitan stock—now sits openly and brazenly in high positions, like a monkey wearing a cap and playing at being a man. Now, some people place the Xiao woman's son on the same level as Wen Huan, disregarding the difference of bloodline and ancestry—this truly warrants vigilance!"

Seeing Zhao Kuangyi speaking more and more without bounds, Zhao Kuangyin had to speak out to stop him: "Be careful with your words! Be careful with your words!"

Seeing his elder brother somewhat flustered and angry, Zhao Kuangyi hurried forward, snatched the wine flask from his hand, and reached out to gently pat his back, saying: "I understand. This kind of heart-to-heart talk can only be opened up freely in front of Second Brother."

Zhao Kuangyin calmed himself and said softly: "On the question of the successor, His Majesty has always been firm in his decisions and does not tolerate outsiders interfering. Look at those imperial princes—all extraordinary talents. Over the past years, though there has been no shortage of undercurrents, the struggle for the succession has never truly arisen. This shows how resolute His Majesty is.

The Prince of Qin, the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Zhao—which of them is not a dazzling talent? Yet he would rather place them in remote border regions than let them stir things up at court. If this is how he considers the successor of the next generation, then it is the same for the generation after.

In recent years, His Majesty has repeatedly summoned the two imperial grandsons to the palace. Besides enjoying family happiness, he likely also has assessment in mind. Since this is how he treats all the princes, in the deliberation over the Grandson-Heir, the final decision will probably rest with His Majesty's own mind.

In this matter, there is not much we can do, and you truly should not interfere too deeply. As you just said, if the Murong and Zhao families united to intervene in the establishment of the Grandson-Heir, I fear it would bring not wealth and honor, but a calamity that reaches the heavens!"

Zhao Kuangyin's analysis was already quite profound, and his reading of Emperor Liu was clear—Zhao Kuangyi acknowledged this as well. However, after pondering for a few moments, he still could not help saying: "Second Brother's considerations grasp the essential points. But the Zhao family is already in the game—how can we stand aside?"

At this, Zhao Kuangyin fell silent as well. His mind was clear, he understood the reasoning, and he knew the risks well. But circumstances being what they were, with the bonds of kinship right there, avoidance was impossible—there was simply no possibility of standing aside.

Moreover, on the question of the Grandson-Heir, how could Zhao Kuangyin possibly not support his own grandson? If it came to establishing the title, Zhao Kuangyin would absolutely not hesitate to mobilize every resource at his disposal to operate in support. On this matter, there was no reason to retreat.

Yet the clearer the understanding, the more contradictory the feelings. In this arena of power, the higher one climbs, the more there is no retreat—only advance. Even with his eminence as Duke of Rongguo, there were countless helplessnesses, and things he had no choice but to do.

Seeing his elder brother's grave expression, Zhao Kuangyi's own expression gradually relaxed. He smiled lightly and comforted him: "Of course, while His Majesty lives, no one can go against him. But His Majesty is already old, and the day of the mountain's collapse will eventually come. His Majesty's physical condition is unknown to us, but that he has visibly aged in recent years is plain for any discerning eye to see.

Even if we act, it will be in the future. The Crown Prince and His Majesty are, after all, different—ultimately, it will come down to the Crown Prince's attitude. And we, even if we do not worry about the immediate, should plan for the distant future!

As long as Wen Huan's position is established, our Zhao family can enjoy wealth and honor for fifty years—even achieve true shared destiny with the state!"

As he said this, a gleam of brightness even flashed in Zhao Kuangyi's deep eyes, and his expression grew somewhat excited. Hearing him speak so openly, Zhao Kuangyin did not immediately rebuke him either.

After a long while, as his emotions gradually settled, Zhao Kuangyin snatched back the wine flask and held it to his chest. His old face, lit by the charcoal fire, shifted between shadow and light.

The strong liquor burned his throat, seeming to sober Zhao Kuangyin somewhat. He looked up at Zhao Kuangyi: "Kuangyi, I may not live to see that day. The Zhao family's future rests on Wen Huan, but you, as his grand-uncle, must do your utmost to support him. In the days to come, the one who can bear the Zhao family's heavy burden will have to be you. I know you have always had insight and ability, but the only advice I can give you is four words: be extremely careful!"

"Rest assured, Second Brother!" Hearing Zhao Kuangyin say this, a smile appeared on Zhao Kuangyi's face, and he said confidently: "Am I a man who doesn't know his limits? On matters of the Eastern Palace, I would never dare to overstep or interfere. But on matters of the court, as my duty demands, I will naturally forge ahead with vigor."

As he said this, a dangerous glint flashed in Zhao Kuangyi's eyes. Seeing that old Khitan chieftain Xiao Siwen standing ever more firmly at court—previously he had not regarded him as a threat, but now, he had to be on guard against him.

"Second Brother, you should drink less wine!" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin lifting the flask to his mouth again, Zhao Kuangyi urged.

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and laughed freely: "If I drink, perhaps I shorten my years, but if I don't drink, I'll be tortured to death by the craving within a few days."

Of course, this was just self-mockery. Zhao Kuangyin truly loved his wine—for decades, no feast was complete without it. But as age advanced and illness repeatedly visited him, he had already restrained himself far more than in the past. Still, some habits cannot be changed. At least in the eyes of others, the Duke of Rongguo's bad habits were hard to break.