"Why are you looking for me at this time? What if someone sees you?"
Jiang Qingyue frowned as she stared at the person in front of her, her tone not very pleasant.
Tang Xu smiled grimly: "You really are ruthless, so eager to sever ties with me so quickly?"
Jiang Qingyue said sarcastically, "Don't talk like I've wronged you. We were originally allies, but now that the Third Prince is dead, there's no need to maintain this alliance."
The death of the Third Prince also had a significant impact on her. Originally, she had allied with Tang Xu in the hope that he would help her marry the Third Prince. However, before the prince's selection banquet for his concubines even arrived, the Third Prince died!
She was both relieved and regretful. She was relieved that she hadn't had time to marry the Third Prince and wouldn't be implicated by him, but she regretted that all her efforts had been in vain and she would have to find someone else again.
Tang Xu narrowed his eyes, inwardly mocking her. This woman was truly opportunistic. However, dealing with such a person was simple; as long as he offered her something, he wasn't afraid she wouldn't be tempted.
"Even if the deal falls through, our friendship remains. We can engage in other transactions. If you wish to marry another prince, don't you need any assistance?"
Jiang Qingyue's eyes flickered; these words truly struck a chord with her.
She calmly retorted, "You can barely take care of yourself, how can you be so sure you can help me?"
His original advantage was that he could speak to the Third Prince, but now that the Third Prince is dead, what leverage does he have left?
Tang Xu twitched the corner of his mouth, his tone ambiguous: "Although His Highness is gone, the power he has built up over many years has not yet collapsed. They all want to avenge His Highness. What makes you think I have any confidence?"
Surprised by his abilities, Jiang Qingyue's eyes flickered. Cautious, she asked, "Are you sure they'll listen to you?"
"Of course." A hint of impatience flashed in Tang Xu's eyes, which he quickly concealed. "Not only that, I also know that your next target is the Crown Prince."
Given Jiang Qingyue's ambition, the Fourth Prince would not be her first choice. He was born with a weak constitution and was destined to die young, so he could not give her the power she wanted.
Therefore, her only target could be the crown prince.
Jiang Qingyue's eyes darkened slightly, clearly his words had struck a chord with her.
She frankly admitted, "So what if it is? I have no chance of becoming the Crown Princess, so I can only dream of becoming a concubine."
As expected, Gu Qingxu was the designated Crown Princess. In terms of family background, she was no match for her, not to mention that the Empress was particularly fond of Gu Qingxu.
She could compete for the position of concubine, but she wasn't really confident, since her family background was only barely acceptable, and there were many people better off than her.
Tang Xu saw through her ambition and raised an eyebrow: "So, how about forming an alliance?"
After a moment's thought, Jiang Qing slowly smiled and said, "Then, shall we cooperate happily?"
——
"The concubine selection banquet?" Shen Tangning suddenly remembered when Chi Yan mentioned it. "I almost forgot about it."
Chi Yan turned her head, her eyes filled with curiosity: "Are you planning to join in the fun?"
Her eyes flickered, and she nodded: "Go, why wouldn't I go?"
The selection banquet for imperial concubines, to put it bluntly, was a gathering of eligible young men and women in the capital to hold a flower-viewing banquet, but in reality, it was a chance for the princes and princesses to meet.
Of course, to avoid embarrassment for the ladies, the ladies of high society may also go along.
In her previous life, Shen Tangning didn't go, and Shen Ci had an accident. Although Wei Yun had been dealt with in advance, she still planned to go as a precaution.
Chi Yan nodded: "It would be nice to go and have some fun. I heard His Majesty's intention to choose a consort for Princess Yun'an. My colleague has been quite uneasy lately."
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