Chapter 571 - 278: The Princess Consort’s Confidence, Ouyang’s Reminder

Chapter 571: Chapter 278: The Princess Consort’s Confidence, Ouyang’s Reminder

"This... this is our chance!"

"The Ning’an Wang Clan and Chen Sheng are close. They have entangled interests and are also related by marriage. Perhaps we can use this as an opening to persuade Chen Sheng?"

Prince Xiang’s gaze shifted.

"What did you have in mind, my dear Princess Consort?"

A smile deepened on Yu Nanzhi’s lips.

"On this trip, if I can use the Wang Clan’s marriage ties to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Chen Sheng, lay out the stakes, and promise him great rewards, I might just be able to sway him to drop this matter."

Princess Consort Xiang’s eyes glinted, and her voice grew softer, though every word remained crystal clear.

"Better still, if I can use this opportunity to build a good relationship with him, it would be a fine thing for our Prince Xiang’s Mansion.

After all, the man has unparalleled talent and powerful backing. He is no ordinary person.

Moreover, even if his future achievements are limited, he currently controls Ning’an military and political affairs and holds sway over the local Jianghu. If we could get him to offer us some discreet assistance, it would be a great boon to the grand cause you have in mind, Your Highness."

"Befriend him..."

The rhythm of Zhao Zhen’s fingers tapping on the tabletop slowed. He was clearly being persuaded.

He was, of course, well aware of Chen Sheng’s value.

If they could turn an enemy into a friend, or even an asset, it would undoubtedly be the best possible outcome.

But the question was...

’Can the Princess Consort really sway him?’

"Your Highness."

Yu Nanzhi said with a serious expression,

"This matter concerns the very survival of our Prince’s Mansion. An ordinary person wouldn’t carry enough weight, nor could they probe his true intentions.

As your Princess Consort, my going in person will show our sincerity. Coupled with the Wang Family’s connection, it’s not as if I have no chance of success."

"How confident are you?"

Zhao Zhen stared at his Princess Consort, his expression complex.

He knew very well that his consort was no ordinary lady confined to her chambers; she had an exquisite mind and impressive methods.

But faced with a brilliant young man like Chen Sheng, with his powerful backing and inscrutable thoughts, he couldn’t help but worry.

Yu Nanzhi met his gaze and gave him a dazzling smile, one that held both mature charm and firm confidence.

"Success depends on our efforts. How will we know it’s impossible without trying? I still have some confidence in my powers of persuasion."

The tension on Prince Xiang’s face finally eased.

Indeed, the Princess Consort was sharp-tongued and incredibly quick-witted, truly extraordinary.

Perhaps she really could convince Chen Sheng to drop the matter.

"In that case... I must trouble you, my dear Princess Consort."

A smile finally appeared on Zhao Zhen’s face, tinged with emotion.

"To have a wife such as you is truly my greatest fortune. What more could a husband ask for?"

"Father, I wish to go as well!"

Zhao Chengxiang, who had been kneeling on the floor this whole time, saw his chance and hurriedly looked up to make his request.

’If this succeeds, it would be a great merit in resolving the Prince’s Mansion’s crisis,’ he calculated. ’I absolutely cannot let my stepmother take all the credit.’

’If it fails, being in Ning’an myself will allow me to adapt to the situation.’

’At the very least, I can’t let my stepmother strike some deal with Chen Sheng that’s disadvantageous to me.’

"You?"

Zhao Zhen had originally intended for his son to go and atone for his mistakes with a meritorious deed.

But after hearing his Princess Consort’s analysis, he felt it would be safer for her to go herself.

Now, he was hesitant about the Heir going along, afraid his son’s youthful aggression and recklessness would ruin things.

"Father, Mother."

Zhao Chengxiang quickly explained,

"If I go with her, firstly, I can protect Mother’s safety. Secondly, I have some rapport with Ouyang Ke, the Sect Leader of the Nanzhao Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, and I’ve heard his relationship with Chen Sheng is not a simple one.

Perhaps I can use this to establish some connection.

Then, with the Ning’an Wang Clan’s introduction, the connection through Master Ouyang, and Mother’s personal mediation—a three-pronged approach—our chances of persuading Chen Sheng will surely increase greatly.

I am wracked with guilt for the trouble I’ve caused. I implore you, Father, to give me a chance to atone for my mistake!"

Zhao Chengxiang spoke with such sincerity, prioritizing his stepmother’s safety and pointing out the potential leverage with Ouyang Ke, that Zhao Zhen began to waver.

He looked to the Princess Consort. "What are your thoughts?"

Yu Nanzhi’s gaze lingered on Zhao Chengxiang’s face for a moment, as if seeing right through to his thoughts. She pondered for a few seconds before slowly nodding.

"It’s fine for Chengxiang to come along. An extra person means extra help and support. However..."

Her tone turned serious as she looked at Zhao Chengxiang.

"Chengxiang, you must remember: Chen Sheng achieved success at a young age and is at his most arrogant. You must not get into any direct conflict with him. You must be tolerant in your words.

Prioritize the greater good. If you ruin this because of a moment’s temper, even if the Prince spares you, I will not."

"But... what if Chen Sheng is disrespectful to you, Mother?" Zhao Chengxiang couldn’t help but ask.

’Am I supposed to just bow and scrape before him?’

Hearing this, Yu Nanzhi gave a light laugh, her smile holding a mix of nonchalance and resolve.

"What does a little disrespect or offense matter? As long as I can ultimately persuade him to drop this matter and achieve our goal, what’s a little grievance to me? It’s not even worth mentioning.

Those who achieve great things don’t get bogged down by trifles."

"My lady, you understand what’s truly important. This will be difficult for you."

Hearing this, Prince Xiang Zhao Zhen felt a surge of emotion and nodded heavily. He then turned to Zhao Chengxiang, his voice stern and sharp as he warned,

"On this trip, all arrangements will be made according to the Princess Consort’s wishes. You are to speak and act with caution and defer to her judgment in all matters.

If you show the slightest defiance, when you return, you will be punished for both offenses. I will not be lenient!"

"Yes... I... obey."

Zhao Chengxiang lowered his head, hiding the complex look in his eyes, and answered in a muffled voice.

The real reason he was so eager to be involved was that this stunningly elegant Princess Consort Xiang, Yu Nanzhi, was not his birth mother.

She was a daughter of the Yu Clan whom his father had married to consolidate his power in Yunzhou.

In recent years, his younger brother, born to a consort, had grown increasingly clever and smart, winning much of their father’s affection. He, on the other hand, had made repeated mistakes and was gradually falling out of favor.

He had hoped to perform well after taking over these affairs and regain his father’s favor, but instead, he had made this blunder.

While his stepmother was usually polite and considerate toward him, Zhao Chengxiang always felt a natural distance and wariness, even a hint of indescribable, suppressed resentment.

...

After receiving Prince Xiang’s instructions, the Heir of Prince Xiang and the Princess Consort Xiang wasted no time. After quickly preparing some gifts, they set off on the road to Ning’an Prefecture.

Meanwhile, Zhao Chengxiang immediately sent someone to the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect by the fastest means possible to ask Ouyang for advice on how to get on good terms with Chen Sheng.

Although he wasn’t clear on the exact relationship between Ouyang Ke and Chen Sheng,

from his inquiries, he could tell their relationship was not a simple one.

When the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect was under siege before, Chen Sheng had even stepped in to help.

If they were merely casual acquaintances, there was no way Chen Sheng would have gotten involved.

Xiangyang Prefecture was a moderate distance from Ning’an, and actually a bit closer to Nanzhao. Therefore, just as Princess Consort Xiang’s party arrived in Ning’an, a letter had already arrived from Nanzhao Prefecture.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Chengxiang studied Ouyang Ke’s reply, his brow furrowing as he read its contents.

The letter of introduction from Ouyang Ke was fine.

’But what’s the meaning of this warning?’

In the letter, Ouyang Ke’s evaluation of Chen Sheng was very high: his strength, potential, and extraordinary nature were one thing, but his cunning surpassed all his peers. He advised Zhao Chengxiang not to make an enemy of him lightly.

Zhao Chengxiang understood and could accept this part.

’But at the end, Ouyang Ke mentioned that I should be wary of Chen Sheng having contact with my mother. What does that mean?’

’How did Ouyang Ke know Princess Consort Xiang was on this trip?’

’That shouldn’t be possible.’

He hadn’t mentioned anything about his stepmother in his previous letter to Ouyang Ke.

’Could Ouyang Ke have guessed it beforehand?’

He had dealt with Ouyang Ke before; the man didn’t have that kind of foresight.

For a moment, Zhao Chengxiang was lost in deep thought.

"Chengxiang, is that the reply from the Nanzhao Ten Thousand Poisons Sect?"

Just as Zhao Chengxiang was racking his brain, a voice reached his ears. It was the Princess Consort.

"Yes."

Zhao Chengxiang didn’t try to hide it.

"What does the letter say?" the Princess Consort pressed.

Although by her judgment, the probability of persuading Chen Sheng was quite high, any extra help was still welcome.

"Uh... Ouyang is willing to provide an introduction for us, but he won’t help persuade him, since he doesn’t know the specifics of the situation yet. But he did mention a few things about Chen Sheng in the letter," Zhao Chengxiang said in a low voice after a moment’s hesitation.

"What did he say?"

"Ouyang Ke says Chen Sheng is no ordinary man—his strength, potential, and even character are all exceptional. However, he also said the man is quite cunning and places a particular emphasis on personal gain."

As for the final warning to be careful of his mother, Zhao Chengxiang did not mention it.

’After all, if Chen Sheng were to have a falling out with the Princess Consort, it wouldn’t be an entirely bad thing for me.’

’Of course, that’s assuming I can befriend the man myself.’

"He values loyalty and personal gain?"

The Princess Consort smiled.

"For us, that might actually be a good thing."

If Chen Sheng were truly and incorruptibly upright, that would be more troublesome.

’Valuing profit is good.’

’Only if he values profit can I entice him, sway him.’

"You are right, Mother."

Zhao Chengxiang smiled, and then with a thought, destroyed Ouyang Ke’s warning letter.

———