Chapter 366 Time Has Been Extraordinarily Kind
As the heir groomed by the Duke of Wei's mansion, Ning Yunchuan's trip to Lingnan was naturally well-prepared by the Duke. They thoroughly investigated the current situation in Lingnan and were aware that, besides the Lingnan Prince's Mansion, the Yu family was the largest family there.
The entanglement between the Yu family and the Lingnan Prince's Mansion was no secret, so most people who wanted to deal with the Lingnan Prince would first think of cooperating with the Yu family. However, their base was in the capital, and they couldn't contact the Yu family for the time being.
Ning Yunchuan hadn't expected Jiang Yu to possess the Yu family's token, but he wasn't particularly delighted. The Yu family had a long-standing feud with the Lingnan Prince's Mansion, yet they remained standing, which spoke volumes about their strength.
Why would such a family hand over the token without a reason? Jiang Yu must have had some kind of exchange with them. He took the jade pendant in his hand and examined it, saying, "You made a deal with them?"
"I suppose so." Jiang Yu recounted how the Yu family came to find her, and then said, "The current King of Lingnan's mother is Pei Tinglan, the Prime Minister's younger sister."
Ning Yunchuan was shocked upon hearing this news. Then he heard even more shocking news—the feud between the old Duke of Chu and Pei Tinglan. Finally, Jiang Yu said, "Pei Tinglan killed the old King of Lingnan's original queen through infighting within the household. The old King of Lingnan's queen was from the Yu family and was the eldest sister of the current head of the Yu family."
Ning Yunchuan understood, "The Yu family wants revenge."
“Yes,” Jiang Yu glanced at the jade pendant in his hand and said, “When I met with the Yu family, I mentioned that you were going to Lingnan. After you arrive in Lingnan, you should secretly contact them. Maybe that will be your trump card in the end.”
Ning Yunchuan tightened his grip on the jade pendant. "Alright."
"In a couple of days, you'll be training with Marquis Chengen's soldiers in the use of firearms. Putting aside other firearms for now, you must become proficient in using fireballs." Jiang Yu gave him a general overview of fireballs and concluded, "Those things are small and easy to carry, and they're also convenient to use. In the end, they can save your life."
Ning Yunchuan's solemn face showed gratitude. "Don't worry."
Jiang Yu smiled, "I naturally trust my cousin to do things."
The Duke of Wei's family had maintained a good relationship with the Duke of Chu's family for generations. Ning Yunchuan was the heir of the Duke of Wei's family and also her cousin. Naturally, Jiang Yu wanted to strengthen the bond between the two families. Therefore, she wanted Ning Yunchuan to have a better future and also wanted the Duke of Wei's family to become more powerful.
The cousins chatted for a while longer before Ning Yunchuan took his leave, as he had many preparations to make upon returning home. When he arrived at the Duke of Wei's residence, the Duke and his son were already waiting for him.
After sitting down in the study, Ning Yunchuan took out the token from the Yu family and recounted what Jiang Yu had told him. The Duke of Wei listened, his aged eyelids drooping, and pondered for a moment before saying:
"No wonder Pei Chengkun suffered such a big setback this time. It seems that the Emperor also knows about his relationship with the Prince of Lingnan."
“Yes,” Ning Yunchuan said to the Duke of Wei, “After I go to Lingnan, you must pay close attention to the movements in the palace.”
"I know that, don't worry." The Duke of Wei's mansion has some undercover agents in the palace and some influence in the Imperial Guard. Otherwise, no matter how outstanding Ning Yunchuan is, he wouldn't be able to become the commander of the Imperial Guard.
After thinking for a moment, the Duke of Wei said, "It seems that the feud between the Prime Minister's Mansion and the Duke of Chu's Mansion is now irreconcilable. Let me think about how to help Jiang Yu."
Ning Yunchuan was relieved to hear him say that. Like Jiang Yu, he also wanted to strengthen his relationship with the Duke of Chu's mansion.
After chatting for a while, the Duke of Wei told Ning Yunchuan to go back and rest, leaving only him and his son Ning Yanfeng in the study. After watching Ning Yunchuan's figure disappear, Ning Yanfeng said, "Yunchuan is already of marriageable age, and his marriage cannot be delayed any longer."
The Duke of Wei, holding his teacup, didn't respond. Ning Yanfeng glanced at his elderly father and continued, "Actually, Jiang Yu and Yun Chuan are about the same age..."
"clang!"
The sound of a cup hitting the table interrupted Ning Yanfeng's words, followed by the Duke of Wei's reprimand: "If you can't use your brain, then don't use it, lest you say something nonsensical."
Ning Yanfeng: "......."
He mentioned it to his wife last time, and she scolded him, but he still felt that Jiang Yu was the best match for his son. His son was so outstanding; there were few in the entire capital city more excellent than him. Jiang Yu was naturally outstanding too, so the two were the most suitable.
"Who else did you say that to?" the Duke of Wei asked.
“I told my…wife,” Ning Yanfeng said.
"You got choked back, didn't you?"
Ning Yanfeng gave an awkward laugh. The Duke of Wei scolded him for not telling anyone else, and then said, "I have already chosen the person."
"Who?" Ning Yanfeng asked.
The Duke of Wei, considering the possibility of passing the title to his grandson rather than his son, said aloud, "Grand Tutor Yan's granddaughter?"
Ning Yanfeng thought for a moment and asked, "Grand Tutor Yan's eldest granddaughter? Shouldn't she be participating in the talent show this year?"
"Yan Fengju, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Yan who entered the Imperial Workshop," said the Duke of Wei.
Ning Yanfeng thought for a moment, "Isn't Grand Tutor Yan's granddaughter a concubine's daughter?"
Duke Wei gave him a disdainful look. "That's just a status. Making her the legitimate daughter is easy enough. Alright, go back and talk to your wife about this. Tell her to inquire about Yan Fengju's situation."
Ning Yanfeng knew his father disliked him, so he rose, bowed, and left. The Duke of Wei watched his retreating figure and sighed inwardly. Although his son lacked wisdom, he wasn't as dissolute as Jiang Chengye. His plan to have his grandson inherit the title before his son seemed unlikely to succeed.
"Sigh!" he sighed again.
...........
The next day, Jiang Yu went to her post at the government office as usual. She had just sat down when a palace eunuch came and summoned her to the palace, saying the Emperor wanted to see her.
Jiang Yu had already planned to report to the Emperor today, so she took the prepared memorial and followed the eunuch into the palace. As she approached the Imperial Study, she encountered Consort Su, who was coming out from inside.
Jiang Yu quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Consort Su."
Consort Su stopped and looked down at Jiang Yu, who was bowing to her. Her scarlet official robes and her somewhat heroic face were both pleasing to the eye and irritating to the eye.
"It's been a long time since I've seen the Duke of Chu. He's grown quite handsome!" Consort Su said with a half-smile.
These words were hardly flattering to an official. But Jiang Yu remained composed, bowing slightly, and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I merely while away my days at my desk, unlike Your Majesty who lives in the palace and is treated exceptionally well by the years."
The phrase "time has been exceptionally kind" made Consort Su grit her teeth. Was Jiang Yu implying that she was getting old? Yes, men always crave novelty. Even when the emperor was most fond of her, he still favored teenage girls.
And Jiang Yu said earlier that she spent her days in front of her desk, which means she didn't need to please men or worry about the passing of time, right?
But on the surface, Jiang Yu's words were impeccable, so she could only say resentfully, "The Duke of Chu is certainly sharp-tongued."
Then he turned and strode away.
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