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Inside the Waterside Pavilion, Jiang Wang sat upright and proper.

Facing him were only Jiang Wuxie and two beautiful maids. The famous owner of the Waterside Pavilion, Qin Lian, was nowhere to be seen.

“Jiang Wang has come to ask for a favor from Your Highness.”

Jiang Wang looked at the Ninth Prince of Great Qi before him, his expression earnest, “It’s related to the Fishing Sea Pavilion.”

“Oh?” Jiang Wuxie revealed an expression of great interest.

Seeing that he was indeed willing to allow the two maids to listen, rather than habitually trying to win hearts, Jiang Wang then said, “I want to save someone at the Fishing Sea Pavilion’s Sea Offering on the fourth day of the fourth month.”

Jiang Wuxie paused, as if doubting whether he had heard correctly.

But Jiang Wang’s expression and demeanor showed no sign of joking.

After a moment, he shook his head and chuckled, “I knew that whatever matter could make Jiang Qingyang come seeking my help would definitely be no simple thing. But I didn’t expect it to be *this* complicated.”

Jiang Wang remained silent, waiting for his next words.

“Do you know? After learning that you were coming to visit, I was very happy. I had already prepared myself. Whatever you wanted, as long as I had it, as long as I could do it, I would satisfy you. Because I have faith in you, I have *great* faith in you!”

Jiang Wuxie’s eyes were earnest. “When you become famous, the world is full of talent scouts. But when you are unknown and insignificant, how many value you? I am different from those who come because of your reputation. In Seven Star Valley, I already knew that you would have a day when your name shook the heavens!”

Jiang Wang had no choice but to say, “I am honored by Your Highness’s favor, Jiang Wang is ashamed.”

“No, no, no, I am very cautious, very strict.” Jiang Wuxie’s androgynous and handsome face, when serious, had a particularly persuasive power that moved people’s hearts.

He said, “I have fought with Wang Yi-wu, and I have also fought with Lei Zhanqian, so I know how extraordinary it is that you defeated them with the same cultivation level.”

Saying this, he paused, then turned to ask, “What is that person’s name? What is their identity? How important are they to you?”

Jiang Wuxie might be fond of beauty and unrestrained, but he undoubtedly possessed sufficient political talent; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to have achieved his current status in the fiercely competitive Qi royal family.

He seemed like a person who acted solely on personal preferences, but a person who acted solely on personal preferences could never get close to the dragon throne of Great Qi.

Therefore, no matter how highly he regarded Jiang Wang, no matter how sincere his feelings were, he had to know clearly what he needed to pay and what he could gain.

The balance between gain and loss was the reason for his final decision.

Only such a person was worthy to compete for the dragon throne.

“Zhu Biqiong,” Jiang Wang said. “She is a disciple of the Fishing Sea Pavilion, studying under Elder Green Pearl Granny of the Fishing Sea Pavilion, and has now been expelled. As for how important… she is my friend. The reason she has fallen into her current situation is because she saved me.”

“Hai Zongming?” Jiang Wuxie raised an eyebrow in question.

Without needing to say anything else, just this name showed that he had some understanding of Jiang Wang’s killing of Hai Zongming and had already thought of the course of events.

Jiang Wang nodded, confirming Jiang Wuxie’s thoughts.

“Of the entire Fishing Sea Pavilion, the twenty-four elders with real power come and go, but their positions remain unchanged. Although Hai Zongming’s strength was at the bottom, he was, after all, the face of the Fishing Sea Pavilion. Zhu Biqiong’s insubordination and betrayal of her sect is a capital crime in any power. Moreover, her own master has already given up on her.”

Jiang Wuxie analyzed as objectively as possible, “The importance of the Sea Offering must have already been told to you by Chong Xuansheng.”

“I am very clear about how difficult this matter is. Not many people in the entire Linzi have the ability to participate.” Jiang Wang gave a small compliment: “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have needed to come to Your Highness.”

“I really want to help you, Jiang Qingyang. I really want to be friends with you,” Jiang Wuxie said sincerely. “But so many people in the Yangxin Palace rely on me for their livelihoods. Their lives are tied to me. Bearing a great burden, it is difficult to move forward. I must be cautious in making any decision.”

“I completely understand.” Jiang Wang sighed inwardly, once again realizing how difficult it was to save someone from the Fishing Sea Pavilion.

He said frankly, “If Your Highness can help me with this matter, whatever price you should pay, I will offer in full, and I will be endlessly grateful to Your Highness. If Your Highness is unwilling to help me, I can also understand and will not hold any resentment.”

Jiang Wuxie thought again, as if finally making up his mind. He looked directly into Jiang Wang’s eyes, “I can help you, but I also need you to help me, to help me wholeheartedly.”

“There are no free benefits in the world. I have the audacity to ask Your Highness for help, so naturally I have the corresponding awareness.” Jiang Wang said seriously, “As long as Your Highness helps me save Zhu Biqiong, I hereby promise that in the Great Qi succession struggle, I will always stand on Your Highness’s side and help Your Highness ascend the dragon throne!”

He remembered Chong Xuansheng’s instructions, directly mentioning the topic that could most move Jiang Wuxie’s heart.

But Jiang Wuxie shook his head.

“I have great faith in you, and I am willing to bet everything I have overseas for this. What I want is not just one thing at one particular moment.”

He said seriously, “Jiang Qing, I want your loyalty.”

“Loyalty?” Jiang Wang asked.

“The loyalty I am talking about is that even if Chong Xuansheng is standing in front of us, you must stand by my side. Of course, I respect you very much and will not let such a thing happen. Your talent and character are beyond ordinary people and are the backbone I have been looking for. So I want your loyalty, Jiang Qing.”

Jiang Wuxie said with emotion, “In return, in the Great Qi world that I will rule in the future, there will definitely be a place for you, as a duke or marquis, perhaps with hereditary succession!”

His expression was so impassioned that one could completely believe his depiction.

The scene of ascending to the supreme position and ruling the world seemed to be within reach.

His promise was also very real, and his eyes were very serious, making it difficult to doubt his sincerity.

But Jiang Wang just stood up and bowed slightly as a courtesy: “I have disturbed you.”

He turned and left.

Coming to seek Jiang Wuxie, he was not unprepared to pay the price.

This was originally a transaction.

He had his conditions, his bottom line.

If they could negotiate, he would even try his best to negotiate, but if the line was crossed, he would leave without hesitation.

Jiang Wuxie’s attitude was clear, and his attitude was also clear.

He needed Jiang Wuxie’s help and was willing to help Jiang Wuxie compete for the dragon throne.

But it was impossible to tie his entire life to Jiang Wuxie’s banner.

“Brother Qingyang!” Jiang Wuxie said from behind, “Even if the transaction fails… our friendship remains! You can remember at any time that Yangxin Palace is always willing to offer you terms.”

Jiang Wang turned back and cupped his hands in salute: “Your Highness, rest assured. Although we have no favor, we have no enmity. The scenery here is particularly beautiful. Today’s visit has been satisfying. Farewell.”

He left with a straight back and no hesitation, quickly disappearing at the end of the waterside corridor.

From beginning to end, his expression was peaceful, and there was indeed no sign of favor or enmity.

And he did not show the slightest bit of temptation towards the pie in the sky of hereditary nobility.

“It seems you don’t understand him.”

A pleasant voice came from another waterside corridor.

A woman in a snow-white Daoist robe appeared in sight.

Or rather, she had always been there, but she had concealed her presence.

The Daoist robe was loose, but it still could not completely hide her proud figure.

She spoke casually, but she still had her back to the waterside pavilion, only looking at the calm surface of the water.

“Little Si…”

Jiang Wuxie got up from the couch, walked a few steps behind the woman, gently wrapped his arms around her soft waist, and smiled broadly, “Today I finally saw Jiang Qingyang, what do you think? How is my vision?”

The owner of the Warm Jade Waterside Pavilion, Qin Lian, had the childhood name Little Si.

Not many people knew this childhood name, and only Jiang Wuxie could call her that.

(I have simultaneously added the five princes and princesses of the Qi royal family to the character cards. When I finish writing, I will see who is more popular and consider it a character development experiment.)