Chapter 572 - 279: Chen Sheng’s Weakness

Chapter 572: Chapter 279: Chen Sheng’s Weakness

Upon arriving in Ning’an, Princess Consort Xiang, Yu Nanzhi, and Crown Prince Zhao Chengxiang did not rush to the Initial Saint Sect to meet Chen Sheng. Instead, they first went to the Ning’an Wang Clan to gather information.

They breathed a sigh of relief after learning that the Government Office had not yet made the events of Chen County public.

After all, as long as the matter hadn’t been leaked, it meant there was room for negotiation and still some leeway.

However, the Wang Family also revealed something.

Although the Government Office had not yet reported the matter upward, they had already begun a massive search in Chen County, seemingly to find sufficient evidence. Even the Wang Family itself was now under the Government Office’s scrutiny.

If not for the Wang Family’s connection to Chen Sheng, their home would have been searched directly.

"Then does Chen Sheng know that this matter is related to the Prince’s Mansion?"

Princess Consort Xiang’s brow furrowed slightly.

The relief she had just felt vanished, and she grew tense once more.

’I thought this matter had room for negotiation.’

’But now it seems very likely that Chen Sheng is hunting for conclusive evidence.’

"That... I truly do not know."

Wangqingshan shook his head.

"Doesn’t your Wang Family have deep roots in Ning’an? How could you not know?"

"To be honest with you, Princess Consort, that was indeed the case before. But ever since Chen Sheng came to power, he began a massive purge. It wasn’t just our Wang Family; the spies planted within the Government Office by all the other factions have also been dealt with.

They’ve either been eliminated or demoted to insignificant positions."

"So, you’re saying this Chen Sheng is very power-hungry?"

Princess Consort Xiang narrowed her eyes and continued to press.

Wangqingshan hesitated for a moment, then gave a slight nod:

"After Chen Sheng took power, he gained an iron grip on both the Government Office and the Jianghu. Any person or faction that opposed him has now been utterly destroyed."

"Then, what does this man like?"

Princess Consort Xiang leaned forward slightly, her expression grave.

Her knowledge of Chen Sheng was mostly based on hearsay, along with the information she had just gathered.

She only knew that Chen Sheng was highly talented, had a profound background, and possessed extraordinary methods.

But as for his specific weaknesses, no one knew.

But the problem was...

Only by finding Chen Sheng’s weakness could she tailor a solution to the problem.

It was the only way to help the Prince’s Mansion overcome this crisis.

"I truly do not know. This Lord Chen lacks neither Elemental Crystals nor resources. What he truly desires... I really dare not say, lest I cause the Princess Consort to misjudge."

Wangqingshan’s words had, in fact, been carefully considered.

He had understood Chen Sheng’s hint from that day.

That was why he had immediately passed the news to Prince Xiang’s Mansion.

But the other party had not been explicit, so Wangqingshan didn’t know what goal Chen Sheng hoped to achieve through this incident. These were matters that the people from Prince Xiang’s Mansion needed to discuss for themselves.

"You don’t know anything. What good are you?"

Crown Prince Zhao Chengxiang, who was standing to the side, snorted coldly and rebuked him without reservation.

The Ning’an Wang Clan was a vassal of the Princess Consort, not of him, so of course he wouldn’t show them any courtesy.

Wangqingshan’s expression stiffened, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

Princess Consort Xiang, who had been observing from the side, saw the atmosphere grow tense and finally spoke to smooth things over:

"Chengxiang, do not be rude. Clan Leader Wang has his own difficulties."

"Thank you for your understanding, Princess Consort."

Wangqingshan sighed.

"Regarding the matter with Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple, Clan Leader Wang, please don’t hold it against us. At the time, it was truly difficult for the Prince’s Mansion to offer support. I even asked the Prince for his assistance at the mansion.

But... you know the standing of Celestial Dragon Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain, so..."

"I understand. The Princess Consort need not worry about it."

Though Wangqingshan said he understood,

inwardly, he was sneering with contempt.

Year after year, the Wang Family had made offerings to Prince Xiang’s Mansion in exchange for protection. But when real trouble came, their patron didn’t lift a finger. This had long left him feeling bitterly disappointed.

Danxia Sect and the Iron Sword Sect also felt similarly let down by their respective backers.

Back then, if Chen Sheng hadn’t single-handedly turned the tide, their three families would have truly faced the danger of collapse.

It was precisely because of this that their families were now so subservient to Chen Sheng.

Of course, this was also because Chen Sheng’s current status was truly extraordinary.

He had even become powerful enough to be a patron himself.

Princess Consort Xiang, however, didn’t care about Wangqingshan’s thoughts. The Wang Family was merely a vassal; even if they had grievances, they could only keep them bottled up inside.

After all, neither Princess Consort Xiang nor the Yu Clan were people they could afford to offend.

Her words were merely a superficial comfort, spoken with the intention of getting the Wang Family to help with a small matter. Soon enough, she revealed her true purpose:

"Do not leak the news of my visit to Ning’an. Also, Clan Leader Wang, please arrange a meeting for me with this Lord Chen."

’The private purchase of military equipment is a violation of the court’s laws, so we naturally can’t make a big show of it. In fact, both Zhao Chengxiang and I have concealed our identities for this trip.’

’And now that I’m still unsure of Chen Sheng’s attitude, I must meet with him as soon as possible.’

’If he can be... persuaded... in bed, that would be for the best.’

’If not, Prince Xiang’s Mansion must prepare its response in advance.’

"Yes, I will obey."

Wangqingshan bowed immediately.

Only after Wangqingshan had taken his leave and departed did Princess Consort Xiang close her eyes to focus her thoughts.

"Mother, then... may I take my leave as well?"

Zhao Chengxiang asked with a bow.

"Go on."

Princess Consort Xiang nodded slightly, a thoughtful expression on her face.

Once Zhao Chengxiang’s figure had completely disappeared into the distance, Princess Consort Xiang paused in thought for a moment. Then, she suddenly took out a Sound Transmission Magical Artifact branded with a tiger mark and began to contact a secret operative from the White Tiger Hall.

The White Tiger Hall didn’t just deal in the business of assassination.

It was also the largest native intelligence network in Yunzhou.

From matters of all walks of life to the deepest secrets of the world, as long as the price was right, the White Tiger Hall could handle it.

Of course, to be worthy of the White Tiger Hall proactively bestowing a Sound Transmission Magical Artifact upon you...

...one had to be at least a Golden Core expert.