Before proposing to Jun Anche to renovate Consort Wen's palace, Qian Xingzhi first placated the Third Prince. These days, he had been surprisingly indulging in romantic pursuits, seemingly forgetting all about serious matters. Qian Xingzhi was actually glad to see him neglecting his duties, as it saved her from being dragged into any trouble he might cause.
"Your Highness, there have been rumors of discord between the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince recently. A few days ago, His Majesty wished to renovate Consort Wen's palace, but the Empress suppressed the matter. In my humble opinion, if we can push this forward, it will surely widen the rift between the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince. Your Highness only needs to wait for the right moment."
The Third Prince put down his wine cup and leaned in to scrutinize Qian Xingzhi. "Lord Qian has quite a knack for manipulating people. I have been indulging in pleasure to lie low for a while. Once the Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince create a big stir, it will be my turn to co-manage the autumn hunt in September."
So he really was biding his time—at least he had some brains. Qian Xingzhi breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Third Prince didn't jump in to cause trouble, the rest would be much easier.
Having been classified as part of the Third Prince's faction for so long, perhaps she should find a chance to attach herself to another faction. Otherwise, how could she kill the Third Prince? She couldn't just suddenly betray her master while still in his faction—that would lack credibility as a token of allegiance.
Which prince should she side with? Should she side with the Seventh Prince, like Lu Yu?
"Your Highness's foresight is profound. I will follow your instructions." Qian Xingzhi did not wish to waste words with him.
As she was about to take her leave, the Third Prince called her back. "I acquired a fine jug of wine today. Please, Lord Qian, sample it."
"Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, but I have a low tolerance for alcohol. Moreover, I still need to see His Majesty..."
What a joke! Drinking with the Third Prince was practically suicide. Qian Xingzhi had not let her guard down that much.
The Third Prince pretended not to hear. He filled Qian Xingzhi's cup and raised an eyebrow. "I wonder how Lord Qian gets along with his wife? I've heard that the Liang family's daughters are arrogant and look down on others. Lord Qian can only kowtow to the Liang family and wait on her. You must be quite distressed—why not drown your sorrows in wine?"
That look gave Qian Xingzhi goosebumps. She couldn't even muster a fake smile. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My wife and I have a very good relationship."
The Third Prince raised his hand and offered the cup to Qian Xingzhi. "Lord Qian wouldn't dare refuse me, would he?"
Qian Xingzhi considered the feasibility of taking it and pouring it into her sleeve.
Just then, a guard of the Third Prince entered and whispered something in his ear. The Third Prince immediately sat up straight. "Is that so?"
Then he completely forgot about forcing wine on Qian Xingzhi.
"I have urgent matters. We'll drink this wine another time. Lord Qian, remember that."
The timing of that guard's arrival was too coincidental. Qian Xingzhi recalled that Lu Yu had promised to have someone watch her when she met with the Third Prince. Could this guard be Lu Yu's man?
It was useless to dwell on this now. Qian Xingzhi put on her fake smile again. "I remember, Your Highness."
The Third Prince hurried away, and Qian Xingzhi prepared to go to the palace to see His Majesty.
As she passed by him, only one thought crossed Qian Xingzhi's mind.
Your Highness, the first cup of wine we share will be the one I offer at your grave.
*
Inside the imperial study, Consort Wen was again attending to the emperor.
Qian Xingzhi wondered whether Consort Wen had been concealing her methods of winning the emperor's favor all these years, or whether she had regained his favor simply because Jun Anche wanted to promote the Seventh Prince.
"Your Majesty, your servant has observed that the stars of the inner palace and the kitchen have been bright and aligned recently, which is favorable for construction. Additionally, does any consort in the palace have a birthday in the sixth or ninth month?"
Jun Anche thought for a moment. "The sixth month... the eighteenth day of the sixth month is Consort Wen's birthday. Is there something wrong?"
Qian Xingzhi had long mastered the art of flattering Jun Anche. "A good thing, Your Majesty. Consort Wen's birthday in the sixth and ninth months aligns with Your Majesty, which actually benefits Your Majesty's health."
Jun Anche always lit up when Qian Xingzhi flattered him, but his mouth still interrogated her. "You cunning Qian Xingzhi, you're just saying what I want to hear."
"Your servant wouldn't dare. Everything is backed by celestial signs. It is truly because our Nansheng Kingdom's fortune is prosperous. Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, so of course everything should favor Your Majesty."
Jun Anche laughed. "In that case, renovating Spring Fragrance Hall as Consort Wen's birthday gift is a double blessing."
Consort Wen repeatedly expressed gratitude, and amid her modest refusals, she praised Qian Xingzhi. "This Lord Qian is indeed extraordinary. I have heard Fuying mention him many times."
Jun Fuying? That must be the Seventh Prince's given name.
After a few pleasantries, Jun Anche dismissed Consort Wen and summoned Qian Xingzhi to speak.
"You have many crafty ideas," he said, his tone revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure. "First you plead for the Crown Prince, then you speak for the Seventh Prince. Playing both sides like that—be careful you don't get burned."
How to answer? She couldn't show loyalty to any one prince, nor could she completely deny all connections.
Qian Xingzhi ground the ink for Jun Anche. Though her heart was anxious, she kept a smile on her face. "Everything your servant has is bestowed by Your Majesty. Though I am fortunate to be appreciated by a few princes, I am a court official and only know to be loyal to Your Majesty."
Jun Anche pointed a finger in Qian Xingzhi's direction. "Never mind. You're the only one willing to please me like this. Oh, and you're newly married—no need to rush into official duties. Go home and rest."
"Your Majesty's favor is immense. The Liang family is a prestigious clan; your servant will naturally work diligently and never disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."
Qian Xingzhi was almost sick of all the pleasantries. Finally, even Jun Anche had had enough and told her to 'get lost' back to her mansion early.
After leaving the palace gates, Qian Xingzhi suddenly thought of Yin Tan. She wondered how he was doing at the private school south of the city. As she was about to set off and instructed Yuan Mo to change course, she was stopped by someone.
The person who came was actually the Seventh Prince's personal attendant.
"His Highness has long admired Lord Qian and specially invites you to the prince's mansion for a chat."
Jun Fuying? Qian Xingzhi had a bad feeling about this, but she felt she had no choice but to go.
She had never met privately with this Seventh Prince. If Lu Yu truly was siding with him, Qian Xingzhi could consider pledging allegiance.
After all, Lu Yu had bet on him, and no matter how she looked at it, the odds were better.
The Seventh Prince's mansion was more impressive than Qian Xingzhi had imagined. She had thought that the residence of a prince whose mother was of low rank and who had been neglected for years would be more modest, but it was actually more spacious than the Third Prince's mansion—quite surprising.
Seeing Jun Fuying again, Qian Xingzhi gradually became more familiar with his appearance. The truth was, there was nothing striking about him at all—his looks and personality were exceptionally bland, making it genuinely difficult to remember him at a glance.
"I heard that Lord Qian entered the palace and petitioned His Majesty to renovate my mother's palace," Jun Fuying said, inviting Qian Xingzhi to take a seat. "I must properly thank you, my lord."
How was his intelligence so timely? Qian Xingzhi was certain that Lu Yu had discussed this with him beforehand. But what was the meaning of inviting her here? To recruit her? To probe her?