Looking across all of Emperor Qi’s sons and daughters…

Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua is naturally beyond consideration.

Over the years, no matter how the winds of change swept through Linzi City, this Crown Prince rarely showed his face.

The deposed Crown Prince, Jiang Wuliang, is imprisoned within the Azure Stone Palace, forbidden by Emperor Qi from stepping outside even once.

And Jiang Wuhua seems to have imprisoned himself as well, only appearing for necessary ancestral rites and visits to the palace. He spends most of his time in the Changle Palace, cooking, tending to flowers, reading, and painting…

Just like his name suggests, not a hint of gaudiness about him.

Unlike his younger siblings, who are running all over the land.

Those few outstanding younger siblings are building their networks everywhere, striving to seize the throne. Yet, he remains unmoved, minimizing his presence to the lowest possible level… Because he already holds the position, he is already the heir apparent of Great Qi.

If Emperor Qi were to encounter any unforeseen circumstances, he would be the undisputed successor to this vast empire.

Leaving aside the fact that Jiang Wang doesn’t know this Great Qi Crown Prince, even if he found an opportunity to meet him, Jiang Wuhua would never act on his behalf. The Crown Prince would prefer to remain hidden in the Eastern Palace, undisturbed by anyone, and would certainly not stir up trouble in the Near Sea Islands.

Moving on, among the princes and princesses qualified to represent the voice of Qi to some extent…

Third Princess, the Master of Huaying Palace, Jiang Wuyou, had made a special effort to recruit Jiang Wang after his battle with Lei Zhangan. Her attitude wasn’t particularly sincere, but it wasn’t casual either. She also specifically reminded Jiang Wang to be careful of the Azure Stone Palace.

Thinking about it now, it seems her intention was more to provoke Chong Xuansheng to continue probing the Azure Stone Palace than to actually recruit him. She can be listed for consideration, as a backup option.

Ninth Prince, Jiang Wuxie of Yangxin Palace, has expressed his intention to recruit Jiang Wang on numerous occasions since the Seven Stars Valley event, and his sincerity is abundant. Although Jiang Wang finds him a bit frivolous and impolite at times, it can also be seen as a manifestation of his true nature. And their interactions so far have been harmonious, without any conflicts. Asking him for help would have a higher chance of success.

Beyond these, there is only the Eleventh Prince, Jiang Wuqi, Master of the Changsheng Palace. This Prince resembles the current Emperor the most and has always been the most favored. He acts with grandeur and considers the world in his plans, perhaps willing to offer a good price. However, his cousin is Lei Zhangan, and no matter how impartial Jiang Wuxie is, he cannot disregard family ties. It’s impossible for him to bow his head to Lei Zhangan, and Lei Zhangan clearly wouldn’t give him a good look either. Therefore, there is no need to consider the Changsheng Palace.

Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua, Third Princess Jiang Wuyou, Ninth Prince Jiang Wuxie, and Eleventh Prince Jiang Wuqi are the four qualified to contend for the Dragon Throne of Great Qi. Among all the princes and princesses, only they possess their own palaces.

The rest of the princes and princesses have either given up early, spending their lives as wealthy idlers, or still have ambitions and are working hard, but only as futile and powerless as Jiang Wuyong.

In order to contend for the throne in such a powerful empire, mere ambition is far from enough.

Returning to the matter of leveraging power, after much deliberation, Jiang Wuxie seems to be the most suitable.

After all, the two had some camaraderie in the Floating Land World. Speaking of which, it was Jiang Wang who defeated Lei Zhangan and helped him secure a good ranking. Although Jiang Wuxie’s visit to Seven Stars Valley at the time may have had other purposes.

There is some friendship, but it can’t be considered very deep. Unlike Chong Xuansheng, with whom he can speak freely. In the end, it still depends on what he can offer in exchange.

“What would Jiang Wuxie want?” After carefully considering everything, Jiang Wang raised his head and asked.

In terms of understanding Jiang Wuxie, he is certainly not as knowledgeable as Chong Xuansheng.

He needs to know what Jiang Wuxie wants, what conditions would be needed to move him.

Going to the Near Sea Islands to help out at the Sea Sacrifice of the Fishing Sea Tower is not a simple matter. Even with Jiang Wuxie’s status and position, it wouldn’t be easy.

“You,” Chong Xuansheng said, looking at him.

Fourteen, who is usually quiet, chuckled.

The laughter escaped her mask, sounding a bit abrupt in the tea room.

Jiang Wang frowned.

But Chong Xuansheng was very serious: “As a prince of the powerful Qi, one of the most promising individuals to contend for the throne of the Great Qi Empire. One day, he may wield the greatest power in the present world, and few in the entire present world can compare to him. What does he lack? What can you offer to move him?”

“Your treasures, secret techniques, and instruments are all useless in the face of his immense wealth and power. What he wants is to turn possibility into certainty. To change from a contender for the throne to the one who sits on the dragon throne.”

“And who are you? You are the first in the Tenglong realm who defeated Wang Yiwu, a Great Qi prodigy who overcame Lei Zhangan of the Erfu realm in a single prefecture! A future full of potential, as everyone knows. As long as you don’t die, the future that people expect from Wang Yiwu will likely belong to you.”

“You have the opportunity to grow into an unparalleled powerhouse, you have the opportunity to help him.”

“For this possibility, he should be willing to pay a lot.”

After Chong Xuansheng proposed the idea of borrowing power, Jiang Wang had already anticipated it in his heart.

Not just Jiang Wuxie, but to enlist the help of these princes and princesses who can represent Qi to some extent, he will inevitably have to pay some price.

Without friendship, they can only talk about interests. Even if there is friendship, the huge interest groups surrounding these princes and princesses would not allow them to consider matters based on friendship.

And in terms of giving, the most direct and powerful point is to help them contend for that dragon throne.

But Jiang Wang also had concerns in his heart.

He looked at Chong Xuansheng and said, “If I help Jiang Wuxie contend for the throne, will it affect you?”

Chong Xuansheng smiled and shook his head, “Helping anyone will not affect me, because our Chongxuan family will never participate in the struggle for the throne. Even if we are as close as brothers, no one can impose your choices on me.”

The premise of his words is that after Jiang Wang participates in the Qi royal family’s struggle for the throne, no matter what happens, he will not drag Chong Xuansheng into the water. With the relationship between Jiang Wang and Chong Xuansheng, this is easy to do. For example, if Jiang Wang encounters some means from other princes and princesses, he could ask Chong Xuansheng to save him in his own name. As soon as Chong Xuansheng saves him, he will be dragged into the water.

But Chong Xuansheng knows what kind of person Jiang Wang is, and knows that he has his own measure. That’s why he can say so frankly that he won’t be affected.

“I understand.”

Jiang Wang said and stood up.

Admittedly, the day of the Sea Sacrifice is still far away, but it’s always better to complete preparations as early as possible.

Especially these preparations, which he isn’t even sure will be useful.

The more he understands the Fishing Sea Tower, the more he can feel the difficulty.

“Wang Ge’er leaves as soon as the business is done, without even returning to the Xiashan Manor to rest for a while.” Watching the door close, Chong Xuansheng sighed, “He bears too heavy a burden on himself.”

The hand supporting his head patted lightly.

“But precisely because of this, he is Jiang Wang. Isn’t he?”

He turned to look at Fourteen: “Why aren’t you talking?”

Fourteen slowly walked over and took his hand away, “Stop patting your head, you’ll lose your hair.”

She is familiar with Jiang Wang and their relationship is quite good.

But she can only see Chong Xuansheng in her eyes, always the little girl who hides herself in armor and wants to protect Chong Xuansheng.

Chong Xuansheng is her first sight, her first thought.

Jiang Wuxie, as the Master of Yangxin Palace, doesn’t often reside in Yangxin Palace, perhaps because he finds the Qi Royal Palace too oppressive, or because it’s not convenient for him to act.

In short, the place he stays most often is the Wenyu Water Pavilion.

The very Wenyu Water Pavilion where Xu Xiangqian often goes to “gather inspiration”, said to be very stimulating and poetic.

Last year, in order to cultivate the Taoist technique Eight-Sound Firefinch, Jiang Wang toured all four famous pavilions and tasted all the Eight-Sound teas, so he is no stranger to this place.

The reason why the Four Famous Pavilions can become the top-tier pleasure districts in the three-hundred-mile Linzi City, overshadowing all others, is that each has its own backing.

In fact, the backing behind the Wenyu Water Pavilion is Jiang Wuxie. The nominal owner of the pavilion, Qin Lian, whose beauty moves Linzi, is Jiang Wuxie’s woman.

Well, one of them.

It’s not good to hear that a prince runs a brothel, so Jiang Wuxie is basically hidden behind the scenes.

This is unknown to ordinary people, but to someone like Chong Xuansheng, it’s no secret.

Leaving the Qingxin Xiaozhu, Jiang Wang skillfully went straight to the Wenyu Water Pavilion.

Saying skillfully makes it sound like he is a head of the brothel, which doesn’t quite fit Jiang’s serious style. But in fact, he is indeed very familiar with it…

Of course. All thanks to Xu Xiangqian.

Not long after entering the door, he was recognized by a beautiful woman: “Oh, Young Master Jiang, you haven’t been here in a while, and you’re still so dashing and outstanding!”

Jiang Wang has no impression of her, but she seems to be responsible for welcoming guests at the Wenyu Water Pavilion, her voice soft and charming: “I wonder which young lady you want to see this time?”

He has come here several times, all for the Eight-Sound tea. Each time, either Xu Xiangqian invited friends, or Chong Xuansheng made a big show. Jiang Wang always tasted the tea quietly, pondering the Taoist techniques.

He didn’t expect to be noticed by this beautiful woman, and to be recognized by her after so long.

It must be said that the Wenyu Water Pavilion is worthy of being one of the Four Famous Pavilions, truly showing its brilliance everywhere.

“Oh,” Jiang Wang replied casually: “I’m looking for Miss Qin.”

The middle-aged beauty’s expression changed immediately: “Young Master, don’t joke.”

Knowing that he had been misunderstood, Jiang Wang quickly said: “No, no, I’m looking for Miss Qin, to see Miss Qin’s friend.”

Qin Lian’s friend is naturally Jiang Wuxie.

As the person responsible for welcoming guests in the Wenyu Water Pavilion, since this middle-aged beauty recognizes Jiang Wang, she can naturally understand Jiang Wang’s weight. After all, he is a Great Qi prodigy, with a title and position. He is already dazzling now, and his future is even more promising.

Otherwise, if an ordinary person had said what Jiang Wang just said, she would have had people beat him to death with sticks long ago.

“I wonder if that young master is free,” the beauty bowed softly, her body like a swaying willow, soft and supple: “May I go and ask?”

“Thank you,” Jiang Wang sensibly took out a piece of Daoyuan Stone and handed it over.

Gold and silver are probably difficult to move people in this Wenyu Water Pavilion.

“You didn’t do anything, no need to pay,” the beauty flipped her hand, gently pressing his hand back, her slender fingers brushing over the back of his hand as if they weren’t there.

She glanced at him with a thousand charms: “Unless, you want something to happen with me…”