"If a virtuous prince from the imperial clan were to preside over the incense offering at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, it would firstly comfort the spirits of our ancestors, secondly reassure the hearts of all the subjects of the realm, and thirdly share the burdens and difficulties of Your Majesty, which would be a blessing for the nation."
Qian Ning's fingers gently caressed the smooth rim of the teacup, and she nodded slightly:
"Your Highness's foresight is beyond our reach. However, this matter is of great importance, and a single move can have far-reaching consequences."
He looked up at Wang Rui, his eyes carrying a hint of discussion.
"Moreover, Prince Ning may not be the only member of the imperial clan."
In terms of kinship, Prince Ning is definitely not in the running.
If it weren't for the fact that Prince Ning was the first to respond to the public opinion that strongly advocated for Emperor Lu Xingjian to establish his birth mother as emperor, Prince Ning would not have come into the public eye.
Wang Rui's smile deepened, carrying a confident and assured air:
"Your concerns are valid. However, it is a matter of course, and it is what everyone expects."
"His Highness Prince Ning is a descendant of the founding emperor, of pure blood, and his reputation for virtue is renowned throughout the land. In Jiangxi, under His Highness's rule, no one picks up lost items on the road, and doors are left unlocked at night—this is no exaggeration. As for other matters…"
He smiled slightly, with a hint of meaning in his expression.
"As long as the commander is willing to do his utmost for Your Highness and mediate between the parties, His Highness's virtuous reputation can reach the ears of the emperor."
"Once it's done, Your Highness is not a stingy person. Jiangxi is rich in resources, including salt permits, tea permits, mines, and even the wealth and honor of generations of the Commander's family. All of this is within Your Highness's control."
As he spoke, he took out a thin gift list from his sleeve and gently pushed it onto the table in front of Qian Ning.
Qian Ning's gaze fell on the gift list.
The list of treasures, estates, and salt permits... was enough to make even a high-ranking official's heart race.
His face couldn't hide the shock and greed.
His Adam's apple seemed to move slightly.
His finger remained on the gift list, but he didn't immediately remove it.
He remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his options, before finally raising his head.
"His Highness Prince Ning is indeed very sincere. However, this matter is of utmost importance."
"It would be difficult for Qian to accomplish everything on his own. In the capital, we need the assistance of a high-ranking and influential person who can speak with His Majesty to achieve twice the result with half the effort."
Wang Rui's smile instantly became somewhat subtle. He picked up his teacup, took a sip as if to cover his true feelings, and his eyes flickered.
"There are certainly benefactors."
"But you should also know that some noble people are of such high status that it is inconvenient for them to show themselves easily."
“Everything will be done by capable people who will take charge.”
He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice even further.
"The Marquis of Shouning's residence, you must be familiar with it, sir."
Qian Ning was shocked, but remained outwardly calm:
"Marquis Shouning? Lord Zhang Heling?"
He tapped his fingers lightly on the gift list, lost in thought.
"The Marquis is the Empress Dowager's younger brother, a man of high status. If we could get a kind word from him, it would be a shortcut to success. But how could the Marquis possibly..."
It should be noted that when Prince Ning supported Lu Xingjian in recognizing his birth mother Zheng Jinlian, it was a blatant act of defiance against Empress Dowager Zhang and her family.
The two companies have actually started working together?!
Who would believe this news if they hadn't spent a lot of time and effort finding out?
"Don't worry, sir."
Wang Rui gave a knowing smile.
"Although it is inconvenient for the Marquis to personally appear, there is a capable man in the Zhang family named Cao Ding, who is the Marquis's trusted servant."
"This person is very shrewd and meticulous, and is most skilled at navigating between various parties. His Highness Prince Ning's intentions, as well as how to facilitate the 'Incense Offering' matter, are all handled by this Steward Cao, who also liaises with you, sir."
"The adults only need to contact him, and everything will fall into place naturally."
“Cao Ding…”
Qian Ning silently memorized the name and discreetly slipped the gift list from the table into her sleeve.
“Very well! With connections in the Marquis’s mansion and a capable person like Manager Wang working for Your Highness, I, Qian, am willing to do my bit for Your Highness.”
Target locked – Prince Ning of Jiangxi.
Marquis of Shouning, Zhang Heling.
The key figure who connects the dots is Cao Ding, the steward of the Marquis of Shouning's mansion.
Qian Ning immediately reported this crucial clue to Lu Xingjian.
The lights in Xiaoyuan Study stayed on until the third watch of the night.
The emperor and his minister stared intently at the map, their gazes fixed on the location of Nanchang Prefecture in Jiangxi Province.
Two years ago, bandits ravaged the land, and Jiangxi was also a severely affected area. However, Prince Zhu Chenhao of Ning always reported that the territory was peaceful and the bandits had fled far away.
Looking back now, those so-called "bandit suppression" victories probably covered up too many shady deals.
It cannot be ruled out that Prince Ning secretly harbored and mobilized bandits to enhance his own prestige.
Zhang Heling, Empress Dowager Zhang's younger brother and the emperor's nominal uncle, was also drawn into the heart of this storm of plotting to seize the throne.
Their intentions are despicable!
Lu Xingjian's voice rang out in the quiet study, cold and clear, like a sharp blade being drawn from its sheath and scraping against a stone.
"Let's go and meet that Cao Ding."
He wanted to see just how big a net they had woven, and what kind of demons and monsters were trapped inside.
We should also see how Marquis Shouning, Zhang Heling, plans to send the Prince of Ning's heir to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Qian Ning accepted the order and began a dangerous maneuver with Cao Ding.
He plays a powerful military officer who is tempted by huge profits, is greedy at heart, yet also somewhat cautious.
Through Wang Rui's introduction, Qian Ning soon "bumped into" Cao Ding in the back room of a more secluded silk shop in the capital.
Cao Ding was around fifty years old. He was well-maintained, with a fair complexion and small but shrewd eyes that revealed the cunning and shrewdness of someone who had been observing people and calculating for many years.
He was well-dressed, and his speech and manners exuded the air of a chief steward of the Marquis's mansion, while also deliberately displaying a degree of respect and tact towards the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Upon meeting, he greeted everyone with a broad smile, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and spoke with utmost tact and tact.
They made no mention of the matter between Prince Ning and Si Xiang, only saying that they admired Commander Qian's reputation and came to make his acquaintance.
Qian Ning remained calm and played along, chatting about interesting anecdotes from the capital and romantic tales.
After several chance encounters at banquets, and after Qian Ning inadvertently expressed his admiration for Prince Ning's virtue and his dissatisfaction with certain people in the court who were obstructing talented members of the imperial family, Cao Dingcai seemed to shed some of his pretense, and his words gradually revealed deeper meaning.
"Your Excellency's insight is profound. His Highness Prince Ning is indeed an outstanding member of the imperial family, but unfortunately he is far away in Jiangxi, and his reputation is difficult to reach the ears of the emperor."
"Around His Majesty, there are always some... well, short-sighted people who stubbornly stick to the old ways."
Cao Ding poured Qian Ning a full glass of fine wine and lowered his voice:
"My lord is also deeply concerned about this. The incense offering at the Imperial Ancestral Temple is related to the foundation and fortune of the nation; how can it remain vacant for long?"
“The Prince of Ning’s heir is intelligent and kind, and has the same qualities as his ancestors. If he could enter the capital to serve as the incense master, it would firstly demonstrate His Majesty’s affection for the imperial family, and secondly, it would allow the heir to receive the Emperor’s favor and learn etiquette. It would be a win-win situation.”
Qian Ning feigned interest, but then frowned and said:
"Steward Cao is quite right. However, His Majesty's mind is unpredictable, and there is also Empress Dowager Zhang in the palace..."
He paused deliberately and looked at Cao Ding.
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