Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

The eldest prince frowned, inwardly groaning. But the words were already out, and if he didn't agree, he would become a laughingstock. He gritted his teeth and forced a smile, saying, "What's so difficult about that? I'll find an opportunity and arrange it properly for you."

After saying that, a hint of resentment flashed in his eyes. He knew that Chu Mohan was deliberately putting him in a difficult position, but in front of everyone, he had to put on a brave face.

At this moment, the Third Prince, who had not spoken until now, coughed lightly, breaking the slightly awkward silence: "Speaking of which, I heard that Mr. Li Daru's lecture this time is novel and unique, and will surely be of great benefit to all of you students." The Third Prince's words seemed to be trying to smooth things over, but in fact, they were a subtle reminder to his elder brother.

Upon hearing the Third Prince mention Li Daru in this way, the First Prince immediately understood and put on an air of knowing the inside story, saying, "Mr. Li Daru's teaching schedule is currently very full. Teaching is his top priority. We should not disturb him easily, lest we delay the learning path of many students. It would be better to wait for a more suitable time."

"Oh?" Chu Mohan uttered a soft sound upon hearing this, his tone drawn out very slowly, as if he had expected the Crown Prince's words, or as if he was brewing something.

Then, as if dropping a bombshell, he said slowly, "However, it is quite a coincidence that Mr. Li Daru knew that I was in the capital recently and specifically told me that he would personally visit my residence tomorrow."

These words, once spoken, were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. Everyone looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief. For a moment, the hall was silent, the only sound the shock of these astonishing words lingering in the air.

Lord Xue was also quite surprised, his eyes widening in astonishment. After all, everyone knew that his son, Xue Heng, was Li Daru's prized disciple, and they all assumed that he had a close relationship with Li Daru. On ordinary days, countless high-ranking officials and nobles would openly or secretly ask him to act as a go-between, hoping that their children could receive guidance from Li Daru.

But Lord Xue had no one to confide in, and was filled with frustration. He wasn't putting on an act; he simply didn't have the ability. Xue Heng had initially gained Li Daru's favor entirely through his own talent and hard work, catching the master's eye, and certainly not because of Li Daru's connections.

Li Daru, a great Confucian scholar, held an extremely revered position in the hearts of the people. No one had ever been known to take the initiative to visit anyone, not even the current emperor; such an honor had never been bestowed upon him.

Therefore, when Chu Mohan said these words, everyone was extremely shocked. The astonishment on their faces was impossible to hide, as if they were frozen in that moment. They all wondered what kind of person this Prince Rui was that could make Mr. Li Daru look at him with such special regard.

Amidst everyone's shock, the Third Prince reacted the most strongly. He had always been wary of Chu Mohan, and this wariness had been brewing for a long time.

Chu Mohan holds military power in Mofang City, a crucial force protecting the border. Now, in the capital, a vital city, he has been entrusted by his father, the Emperor, with the important responsibility of commanding the city's defense battalion. This battalion is responsible for the safety of the capital and holds a pivotal position. The Third Prince has gone to great lengths and made numerous efforts to place his trusted confidants in this key position, but has yet to succeed.

The Third Prince had always felt that he was the most favored among his father's many sons. However, lately, he had increasingly felt a sense of being neglected. Currently, the position of Crown Prince was vacant, and various factions were vying for power. The Third Prince was secretly working tirelessly to garner more support. For a time, in private discussions, he became the most popular candidate for Crown Prince.

However, reality dealt him a heavy blow. The memorials pleading for him to be made crown prince were all suppressed by his father, disappearing without a trace, like stones sinking into the sea. Furthermore, regarding his marriage proposal to Su Lianyi, although his mother had clearly told him that his father had agreed, the imperial decree was still delayed. This placed him in an extremely awkward situation, his hopes slowly extinguished. After all, for a prince's consort, the difference between having an imperial decree and not having one was enormous.

Now, Chu Mohan is surprisingly close to the highly respected Li Daru. Li Daru enjoys immense prestige in academic circles, and his influence is not to be underestimated. Gaining his support and assistance would be a tremendous boost to one's reputation both in the court and among the common people. This situation naturally made the Third Prince wary, forcing him to further strengthen his defenses against Chu Mohan.

The Third Prince's efforts to win over Shangguan Yu stemmed from the immense benefits he represented. Shangguan Yu, a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, was undeniably talented, but more importantly, he came from a humble background. In the prevailing political climate and social circumstances of the time, this social standing was extremely valuable.

The Third Prince, aspiring to the position of Crown Prince, knew that winning the support of various factions was crucial in the court's power struggles. Scholars from humble backgrounds were a force to be reckoned with in court, yearning to one day distinguish themselves and change their families' fates. The Third Prince's move to court Shangguan Yu undoubtedly sent a signal to scholars from impoverished backgrounds—he valued those from humble origins and was willing to provide them with opportunities to showcase their talents.

By establishing a close relationship with Shangguan Yu, the Third Prince could leverage Shangguan Yu's influence among scholars from humble backgrounds to cultivate an image of respecting and appointing talented individuals, thereby gaining widespread praise and support among the student body. This would both expand his sphere of influence and provide him with stronger leverage in his bid for the crown prince position.

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Since leaving Princess Rui, Madam Xue's heart had been in turmoil, unable to find peace. She couldn't help but confide in the old nanny beside her, "Tell me, was my conversation with Princess Rui just now appropriate?"

Madam Xue knew very well that Zhou Qi was as important as family to Princess Rui, holding a high position and enjoying her deep trust and affection.

Looking at Zhou Qi herself, as a general, she exudes extraordinary heroism and has none of those affected or deliberately seductive mannerisms. She doesn't seem like someone with ulterior motives at all. Moreover, it's her own son who likes Zhou Qi, and it was her son who took the initiative to confess his feelings and plunged headlong into it.

The old woman quickly comforted her softly, "Madam, you're thinking about the Second Young Master's future. Besides, Princess Rui is always magnanimous; she's not the kind of person who's petty or unreasonable. Don't you know that?"

Despite the old woman's words of comfort, Madam Xue's mind remained in turmoil. Today's banquet was packed with guests, and numerous matters, both large and small, awaited her attention.

Left with no other choice, Madam Xue temporarily suppressed these turbulent thoughts and turned to her son, so she called out, "Someone come here."