However.

This was not the only such memorial.

In his rambling remarks, Shi Tianzhu, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, said, "The previous star has not yet shone, and the position of heir has been vacant for a long time. Since Your Majesty neither frequently visits the palace nor pre-selects members of the imperial clan, how can you secretly eliminate the root of the disaster?"

The implication was that he was being pressured to pre-select a member of the imperial clan to serve as the incense master at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Lu Xingjian knew all too well the intricacies of this matter.

He was the crown prince from a young age.

Every year during the ancestral worship ceremonies at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he, as the Crown Prince, was in charge of incense offerings.

Now the court officials are strongly advising him to select a prince to officiate at the incense ceremony. What is the point?

Feng Xun, a principal officer in the Ministry of Revenue, also submitted a memorial, this time stating more bluntly, "A member of the imperial clan will be chosen to act as the heir apparent."

My own son was almost burned to death in the palace, and the Qianqing Palace, where the emperor lived, was burned down.

If I agree to choose Prince Sixiang, will my whole family still be alive?

There are only those who steal for a thousand days, how can you guard against thieves for a thousand days?

The fire at the Qianqing Palace burned for two whole days and two nights before finally being extinguished amidst the ashes and the pungent smell of burning.

The magnificent palace that once symbolized the supreme power of the Liang Dynasty is now reduced to a few dark, crumbling ruins.

Inside Xiaoyuan's study, the windows were tightly closed, yet the pervasive smell of burning still seeped in.

Lu Xingjian stood with his hands behind his back by the window.

His back was ramrod straight, like a sharp sword sheathed in its sheath, its calm demeanor concealing a sharp edge that could erupt at any moment.

“Your Majesty,” a deep and respectful voice broke the silence.

Qian Ning, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, presented clues from the latest case he was investigating.

"check."

Lu Xingjian casually tossed the confidential document onto the table, making a soft sound, but it struck Qian Ning's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Find out who this member of the royal family is. Who is pulling the strings behind the scenes? Whose incense burner do they want to put this incense in?"

"yes!"

Qian Ning felt a chill run down her spine and bowed to accept the order.

"besides,"

Lu Xingjian's gaze fell on Qian Ning's face, his scrutinizing eyes seemingly able to penetrate her skin and reach her heart.

"Make an opening."

"I am worried about the foundation of the country and have been restless for days. I am not entirely unmoved by some of the advice given by the court."

"My commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is also a human being; he must also consider his future and the future of his descendants."

Qian Ning looked up abruptly, meeting the emperor's unfathomable eyes, and instantly understood the profound meaning of this "opening".

His face showed no extra expression; he simply bowed deeply again and said, "Your subject understands."

The secret network of the Embroidered Uniform Guard operated at high speed silently, like the most sophisticated machine.

Qian Ning personally selected elite guards who disguised themselves as merchants, itinerant doctors, wandering magicians, and even the most inconspicuous servants, quietly infiltrating the seemingly peaceful but actually turbulent mansions and guild halls of the capital.

The news was deliberately leaked out.

His Majesty the Emperor in the palace seemed genuinely disturbed by the great fire and the torrent of remonstrances, and showed a barely perceptible softening in his stance on the matter of "selecting the virtuous."

Qian Ning, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who held great power, also seemed to show some hesitation in the face of the balance of power, as if he were "assessing the situation".

This subtle "loosening" is like a drop of boiling oil falling into the seemingly calm bottom of a pot of boiling water.

The covert probing began to grow bolder.

A few days later, on an ordinary afternoon.

Qian Ning was handling official business in the back hall of the yamen when a trusted commander quickly entered and whispered a few words in her ear.

Qian Ning's eyes narrowed for a moment, then returned to normal, and she simply nodded.

He changed into casual clothes, took only two close attendants, and quietly disappeared into the bustling streets.

Their destination was an inconspicuous teahouse called "Juxian Teahouse" deep in Qipan Street in the south of the city.

The teahouse is located by the river, and the private rooms on the second floor offer excellent views.

Qian Ning was led to a secluded and elegant room by the river. When she opened the door, there was already someone waiting inside.

This man was around forty years old, dressed in an elegant Hangzhou silk robe, with a fair complexion and eyes that revealed the shrewdness and subtle prudence characteristic of a businessman.

Upon seeing Qian Ning enter, he immediately plastered a warm smile on his face, stood up, and clasped his hands in greeting:

"Commander Qian, your presence is an honor to our humble shop. Please take a seat! My surname is Wang, and my given name is Rui. I run a small business selling general merchandise from both the north and south."

"You're too kind, Manager Wang."

Qian Ning also put on a perfectly timed smile and sat down in the main seat.

"I have heard that the Lushan clouds and mist that you have recently arrived at your place are exceptional, so I have come here to trouble you."

"My lord is well-informed."

Wang Rui personally held the teapot and skillfully brewed tea for Qian Ning.

"This was just delivered from Jiangxi a few days ago, the first harvest before the Qingming Festival. We only got a few kilograms in total, and ordinary people can't afford to drink it."

He put down the teapot and smiled seemingly casually.

"Speaking of which, Jiangxi has been much more peaceful these past few years since Prince Ning took over. The bandits who caused such a ruckus a few years ago have all disappeared."

"Prince Ning's reputation for virtue is widespread, and his rule is peaceful and just, which has benefited us merchants and traders a lot."

Qian Ning picked up the celadon teacup, gently blew away the foam, took a sip, and praised:

"Good tea."

He put down his teacup, his tone carrying a hint of casual reminiscence:

"His Highness Prince Ning is indeed a pillar of our imperial clan."

"It's just that Your Highness rarely goes out, so we foreign officials rarely get to catch a glimpse of Your Highness's demeanor."

Wang Rui, observing Qian Ning's tone, noticed a hint of longing in her voice, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible joy flashed in his eyes.

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:

"Your Excellency is mistaken."

"Although His Highness Prince Ning is in his fiefdom, he is always concerned about important matters in the capital."

"Especially this time, the Qianqing Palace was suddenly hit by fire, and the celestial signs were a warning. His Highness was also uneasy every night after hearing about it, fearing that it would shake the foundation of the country."

He paused, observing Qian Ning's expression, and seeing that she seemed to be deep in thought, he continued:

"His Highness often says that His Majesty is in the prime of his life, but the succession is a matter of national importance and must be taken very seriously."