Chapter 542: Hoping the Mo Family Can Return to the Court to Share My Burden

Chapter 542: Hoping the Mo Family Can Return to the Court to Share My Burden

"Minister He, Nan Yu is well aware of what you're saying, but the court is in dire need of talent. I just want to try one more time."

After a moment of thought, he added, "I believe Minister He has also noticed that my father has delayed conferring a princely title on me, intending to directly make me the crown prince once the situation stabilizes."

He phrased it more subtly, but in truth, Emperor Shunwu had told him that once the situation stabilized, he would pass the throne to him.

With the future of Great Shun's throne in his hands, how could he bear to lose Mo Jiuya and the Mo family's brave and loyal generals?

Minister He knew that saying these things would have little effect, as Nan Yu was determined to meet with Mo Jiuya.

As for what Mo Jiuya would decide, that was beyond his control.

As they arrived at the Minister Mansion, the two continued their conversation.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Nan Yu eagerly pulled Mo Jiuya into Minister He's study.

Mo Jiuya knew that Nan Yu's urgency had to do with court affairs.

Whether big or small, he had grown accustomed to not keeping anything from He Zhiran. Since she was also present, Mo Jiuya didn't hesitate to bring her into the study, paying no mind to Nan Yu's thoughts.

Nan Yu, aware of the relationship between Mo Jiuya and his wife, was not surprised by this.

Having He Zhiran present could even be beneficial. If Mo Jiuya was unwilling, perhaps his wife could persuade him, giving the matter some momentum.

Given the urgency, Nan Yu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

He first bowed respectfully to Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran.

"Ninth Master, Ninth Madam, Nan Yu hopes that the Mo family can return to the court to help share my burden."

He said "my burden" rather than the nation or Emperor Shunwu, hoping that Mo Jiuya would consider their friendship and help him out.

Mo Jiuya thought his stance was clear to Nan Yu and believed that Nan Yu understood him.

Now, faced with this request, Mo Jiuya's first thought was to refuse.

However, He Zhiran, listening nearby, had a different thought.

Before Mo Jiuya could voice his refusal, He Zhiran tugged at his sleeve and signaled with her eyes for him to stay silent.

Mo Jiuya swallowed his words and looked at He Zhiran, puzzled.

Though He Zhiran had her own thoughts, she didn't plan to speak them without Mo Jiuya's consent.

"Third Prince, you know of the Mo family's suffering and the injustices we've endured.

Now that the Mo family has finally settled in the Northwest, we have never thought of wading back into the murky waters of the court."

Logically, if He Zhiran wanted to refuse Nan Yu, she should have directly said that they would no longer involve themselves in court affairs.

However, she said "never considered," leaving room for interpretation.

To someone who listened carefully, it suggested that the matter wasn't entirely closed.

Nan Yu, being astute, naturally picked up on the implication in He Zhiran's words.

"In that case, Ninth Master and Ninth Madam, it wouldn't hurt to reconsider. I promise today that if the Mo family is willing to return to the court, I will petition my father to confer a princely title upon you. How does that sound?"

"Of course, I also know that the Mo family has no interest in such matters anymore, but shouldn’t you also consider the future of the Mo family?"

In fact, He Zhiran had said that not out of any desire for a title, nor had she considered the future of their descendants.

The Mo family now lives in the Northwest, and while their life is comfortable, they are still ordinary people at heart.

After settling affairs in the Imperial City, she plans to return to the Northwest and focus on developing the family's businesses.

Every venture she undertakes is unparalleled in this era.

Though their businesses are run in partnership with Tang Mingrui, they avoid taking the public spotlight, but secrets have a way of getting out.

If someone with ill intentions takes notice, they’ll inevitably trace the origin of these goods. What if they run into someone like Mr. Jin, who’d do anything for profit? Wouldn’t that spell trouble for the family again?

Mr. Jin isn’t a major player and poses no real threat to the Mo family.

But Tang Mingrui’s business is bound to expand, reaching across the Great Shun Dynasty and into neighboring states.

As a result, those eyeing the Mo family’s resources won’t just be small-time merchants like Mr. Jin but could attract the attention of powerful figures or factions.

With their private army, the Mo family needn’t fear anyone coveting them, but who wouldn’t prefer a peaceful life?

In short, the best way to avoid future trouble is to hold some measure of power.

To put it bluntly, even if you covet me, you wouldn’t dare act—you’d just be left fuming.

This is precisely the outcome He Zhiran desires.

Of course, she personally does not like the Mo family to be involved in these court affairs again. Although the future world will be Nan Yu's, he is a diligent and people-loving good emperor. As long as the people prosper, the Mo family sees little appeal in returning to court.

He Zhiran envisions the Mo family having their own domain, nominally under Great Shun’s rule but truly their own.

She harbors no rebellious intent, only aiming to build a prosperous and advanced region through her own efforts.

Much like in modern times, when the Great Xia nation allowed certain regions to prosper first, she aims to create a similar model here.

Just now, Nan Yu proactively proposed to enfeoff the Mo family as kings. He Zhiran surmised that Nan Yu must have sought Emperor Shunwu’s approval beforehand; otherwise, given his cautious nature, he wouldn’t have made such claims.

Therefore, she can be sure that as long as the Mo family agrees to return to the court, obtaining this kingship is inevitable.

She is also clear that, on the surface, being enfeoffed as a king, many kings with different surnames in history were just empty titles, with no actual power.

To put it bluntly, it is the emperor's way of rewarding some meritorious officials.

Once the Mo family is enfeoffed as kings, like many powerless kings in history, they will be given a mansion to enjoy in the Imperial City, but in reality, they will not have as much power as an ordinary official.

This effect is not what He Zhiran wants. She doesn’t want the Mo family to return to court without gaining more. This kingship must come with additional benefits—that’s the real reason she left Nan Yu a sliver of hope.

Nan Yu is eager for Mo Jiuya to return to the court. Seeing that there is hope, he is not in a hurry to leave the Minister Mansion, but follows Minister He to discuss the situation in the court, hoping that today's trip will get a satisfactory answer from Mo Jiuya and his wife.