Zhao Yao heard these words, and a look of astonishment mixed with confusion appeared on his face. He didn’t understand why Mr. Meng wanted to entrust him with the heavens. Although he had questions in his heart, he didn’t ask them aloud.
Mr. Meng tightly held Zhao Yao’s hand. He seemed to have more to say but hesitated to continue. His eyes intensely fixed on Zhao Yao.
Seeing that Mr. Meng seemed to want to say something but stopped, Zhao Yao hesitated and said: "Mr. Meng, if you have more to say, please go on."
"Your Highness, I hope that when it is your turn, you can think of the mon people’s well-being and take on your responsibilities." Mr. Meng knew Zhao Yao currently didn’t have the ambition to shoulder the world’s burdens, understanding he only wanted to live leisurely and happily as a Prince. "Can you do that?"
Though he didn’t understand what Mr. Meng meant, seeing the elder looking at him with such hope, he couldn’t bear to refuse.
"Rest assured, if the time es and I need to do something for the people, I certainly will not refuse."
Hearing Zhao Yao say this, Mr. Meng felt at ease. He once more held Zhao Yao’s hands tightly, with a face full of kind smiles: "I trust you can do well, Your Highness, though I regret I won’t see..." See the future prosperous era, a bit of regret lingered in Mr. Meng’s heart.
The more Zhao Yao listened, the more puzzled he became, asking in bewilderment: "What won’t you see?"
Mr. Meng amiably smiled: "It’s nothing." He patted Zhao Yao’s hand and continued, "Your Highness, I want to ask you something."
Seeing Mr. Meng’s expression suddenly turn serious, Zhao Yao’s heart tightened, and he quickly said: "Please ask."
"Your Highness, who do you think this world belongs to?"
Zhao Yao answered without thinking: "To the people."
Hearing this answer, Mr. Meng was first stunned, then a relieved smile appeared on his face. He deliberately asked: "Isn’t it the Zhao family’s world?"
"Our Zhao family only governs the world; the people are the true masters of the country," Zhao Yao said, "Without the people, there is no world."
Mr. Meng was overjoyed upon hearing this, saying three times in a row, "Good, good, good," and added, "With Your Highness valuing the people, I am pletely relieved."
Zhao Yao thought about why Mr. Meng would be relieved because he valued the people?
Mr. Meng’s expression became serious again: "Your Highness, I hope you will always remember what you just told me."
"Rest assured, I will always remember it," Zhao Yao assured Mr. Meng again, saying, "And the words you told me, I will also always remember."
Mr. Meng nodded in relief, then turned his gaze to Zheng Xilin.
"Your Highness, I have something to say to your Third Uncle."
Understanding Mr. Meng’s intention, Zhao Yao immediately stood up and exited.
Zheng Xilin sat at the bedside, speaking before Mr. Meng could.
"I know you want me to assist His Highness."
Mr. Meng smiled and said: "With your talents assisting His Highness, he will bee a better emperor than the current one."
"Although I haven’t personally assisted His Highness these past years, I have been diligently teaching him," Zheng Xilin knew Mr. Meng hoped he could return to his position as Grand mandant to assist Zhao Yao, but he thought it unnecessary. "By the time His Highness grows up, I’ll be old and without the energy to assist him in court, but my youngest son can help him."
Mr. Meng was aware of the talents of Zheng Xilin’s youngest son and didn’t say anything more.
"I worry that His Highness will face trouble in the future. If you haven’t e to see me by then, please help him smoothly ascend to that position."
Zheng Xilin was amused by Mr. Meng’s words: "Are you worried that His Highness will encounter danger and trouble when he ascends to that position in the future?"
Mr. Meng nodded slightly: "After all, His Highness doesn’t have the backing of a powerful maternal family. It’s hard for him to win over the other princes."
"You’re not just underestimating the emperor, you’re also underestimating His Highness." While Mr. Meng was wise in scholarly pursuits, he was not very astute concerning court affairs, "Do you not think the emperor won’t pave the way for His Highness?"
"What do you mean?"
"If the emperor intends for His Highness to succeed, he surely won’t do nothing," Zheng Xilin explained, "And with His Highness’s skills, if he wanted that position now, he could eliminate all the other princes."
Mr. Meng was shocked by Zheng Xilin’s final statement: "What are you saying?"
"His Highness’s schemes and tactics are deeper than you imagine. Whether it’s the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, or the currently prominent Prince Chu, none are his match," Zheng Xilin said with a smile, "The throne is as easy for him to obtain as reaching into a bag, but unfortunately, he currently has no interest in it."
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