He Fu left the Shouning Palace with a gloomy expression.
The Empress of Great Qi remained seated in her place, silent for a long time.
This palace was vast, and cold.
She had heard about He Fu's involvement in some commerce association matter before, but she hadn't paid much attention at the time. Hearing it was one thing, and forgetting it was another.
Now that the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association matter had been making waves everywhere, she finally realized that He Fu was involved in precisely this association.
He Fu kept claiming that he had worked so hard to secure an Honorary Elder position in the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association for his subordinate, yet he never stopped to think—why was Su She willing to accept his people? The Four Seas Trade Alliance maintained closer ties with the imperial family, and behind the Nine Honorary Stewards lay, to varying degrees, the shadows of the imperial clan. Such exchanges of interests were not uncommon, and as long as things didn't go too far, the Imperial Clan Court would simply turn a blind eye and let it pass.
Su She was willing to hand over heaps of silver to He Fu not because he had any remarkable ability, but because he was the blood uncle of the Crown Prince of Great Qi. It was this identity that could serve as a slight counterweight to the Four Seas Trade Alliance.
And yet, this very association had somehow become entangled in the matter of the deposed Crown Prince!
The Empress had actually been quite furious at first. But later, when she recalled how He Fu and his son had kept to themselves and behaved properly all these years, her anger gradually subsided with each passing thought.
After all, he was her only family left.
She understood her brother well—he had no great ability, nor any ambition. His early fantasies had long since been worn away by time. The idea that he could be involved in a plot related to the deposed Crown Prince was simply impossible.
An investigation would certainly clear him, no matter how thorough.
She also knew that the Emperor might not truly have any intentions toward the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association. No matter how deeply he hated the deposed Crown Prince, so many years had passed, and he was unlikely to pursue widespread reprisals anymore.
It was just that...
She could not afford even the slightest risk. Her son, Jiang Wuhua, could not afford even the slightest risk to his position as Crown Prince.
So no matter how wronged her brother He Fu might feel, he would have to bear that wrong.
As long as Jiang Wuhua had not yet ascended to the throne, even she, noble as the Empress though she was, still had to endure whatever indignities came her way.
After thinking quietly for a while, the Empress gave her instruction: "You will accompany the National Uncle to his residence and have a look around. If he... then step forward and issue a mild warning."
She did not specify what condition the National Uncle might meet, nor did she elaborate on what kind of "warning" should be delivered. There was no need for details—this court lady knew exactly where the boundaries lay.
The attendant who had been waiting nearby bowed respectfully, then turned and departed.
...
...
In recent days, the most eye-catching event in Linzi City had been Cao Xing's withdrawal from the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association.
Even the National Uncle's people no longer dared to associate with the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association!
Though it was merely the Empress's own cautious choice, in practice many with keen eyes interpreted it as the Emperor's stance.
This was almost a sign that the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association was collapsing, and many took it as a clear signal of its imminent downfall.
If Xu Fang's kneeling outside the Qingshi Palace had only crippled the association's legs—leaving them unable to flee far or resist—then this artificially manufactured "consensus" had almost entirely torn away the association's protective umbrella.
Instead, the previous attack on the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association had merely been a rehearsal. This time, it truly surged to its peak.
Everyone felt that the Treasure Gathering Commerce Association was finished, and no one held back any longer.
All of Linzi City was in turmoil, with every sort of monster and demon stepping onto the stage...
But none of this concerned Jiang Wang for the time being.
Because he was already preparing to set out and participate in this meeting at the Seven Stars Tower.
In Linzi City, there was not much he could do at the moment—Shisi could handle nearly everything.
To put it bluntly, when it came to strategic thinking and planning, Chongxuan Sheng hardly needed his opinion.
And in terms of martial strength, he had no confidence in facing Wang Yiwu just yet.
He knew very well that within the Soaring Dragon Realm, he was far from reaching his limits.
He needed to restore his lifespan and make up for his regrets before he would have the qualifications to face Wang Yiwu—this man who was known as the strongest within their realm—head-on.
Therefore, the Seven Stars Tower was a journey he had to undertake.
...
Despite being swamped with work, Chongxuan Sheng still made time to arrange a farewell gathering.
Of course, it was a small-scale affair. He had only invited four people: Xu Xiangqian, Li Longchuan, Yan Fu, and Gao Zhe—all acquaintances of Jiang Wang. At the very least, they could call each other drinking companions.
Gathering them together served two purposes: first, to bid farewell to Jiang Wang.
Second, in the preceding period, Jiang Wang had been acting as Chongxuan Sheng's representative in social engagements. Now that he was leaving Linzi City, it was natural to hand off those cultivated relationships—a sort of "transfer"—to help Chongxuan Sheng consolidate those connections. In truth, it was better than nothing.
Everyone understood the unspoken arrangement, and they smoothly grew more familiar with one another.
Jiang Wang was really not a natural socialite. Chongxuan Sheng had been enjoying such prominence recently that had someone more adept at socializing been the representative, this gathering would at least have been lively—if not packed with distinguished guests.
But as it was, it was a sparse gathering of a few attendees.
Among them, Xu Xiangqian was someone Jiang Wang had met back in the state of You. Li Longchuan had been arranged by Chongxuan Sheng to deliver the Qiushan Bow. Yan Fu had prior contact with Chongxuan Sheng.
As for Gao Zhe—the Chongxuan Family and the Gao Family had been engaged in numerous collaborations lately, and Gao Shaoling was currently serving as the Protector-General of Chiwei Commandery. Relations between the two families were at their tightest.
The results of Jiang Wang's "social engagements" were practically zero...
Fortunately, Chongxuan Sheng himself had never harbored much expectation in that regard. Having Jiang Wang socialize on his behalf was mainly to boost Chongxuan Sheng's own visibility. Everything else was just a shot in the dark—worth trying regardless of outcome.
It was not advisable to drink before a long journey, so they simply sat together, drank some tea, ate some pastries, and exchanged idle conversation.
Midway through their chat, a servant suddenly came to report that a Steward from the Four Seas Trade Alliance had arrived.
Given the cooperative relationship between the two sides at present, Chongxuan Sheng certainly would not be remiss in hospitality.
He therefore had the messenger admitted.
The moment the man entered, he bowed to everyone present: "A Third-Class Steward of the Four Seas Trade Alliance pays his respects to you all. My surname is Yang—Yang as in 'wood' and 'easy'."
He probably knew that even if he gave his full name, it wouldn't be remembered, so he only offered his surname.
He was a smooth operator. Before Chongxuan Sheng or the others could even ask, he went straight to the point and addressed Jiang Wang directly: "Our Alliance Master has always held the Lord of Qingshan Town in high regard and has personally remarked that you are a rare talent among the younger generation of Great Qi. Upon hearing that Young Master Jiang intends to participate in this meeting at the Seven Stars Tower, the Alliance Master was most concerned and has specially dispatched this humble one to deliver some medicines, in hopes of offering whatever modest assistance we can."
Since Steward Yang was able to appear here representing Qing Xi, every word he spoke must have been endorsed by Qing Xi himself.
One should not underestimate the weight of these words.
Qing Xi, as the Alliance Master of the Trade Alliance, had personally praised Jiang Wang as "a rare talent among the younger generation of Great Qi." Such a remark was not something one could simply hear and forget—it could significantly help Jiang Wang gain recognition among the people of Qi. Gaining acceptance from Qi, from top to bottom, as one of their own... that was immensely important for anyone wishing to thrive in the state of Qi.
In truth, Chongxuan Sheng's earlier decision to have Jiang Wang serve as his representative in social engagements had also been driven by this consideration.
Qing Xi was indeed showing great sincerity. Before this, Jiang Wang had had no real contact with him—they had only met once at the Xiashan Villa.
Steward Yang produced a jade box and gently lifted its lid. Inside were neatly arranged small compartments, each containing various jade vials.
"Within these are the Flesh-Rebuilding Powder, the Blood-Restoring Pill..."
The Flesh-Rebuilding Powder was for treating external wounds, while the Blood-Restoring Pill replenished one's vital energy and blood. The medicines Qing Xi had sent were all of exquisite quality—first-rate combat supplies.
Steward Yang introduced each one in turn.
Given Chongxuan Sheng's current cooperative relationship with the Four Seas Trade Alliance—they had even jointly established a new trading house—Qing Xi's generous gesture was not something Jiang Wang could possibly decline.
"Please convey my deepest gratitude to the esteemed Elder Qing. Upon my return to the city, I shall certainly pay a visit to offer my thanks." Jiang Wang accepted the jade box with both hands.
"Rest assured, I will convey your words." Steward Yang then produced a small booklet: "Additionally, here is a dossier on the Seven Stars Tower, containing records of past meetings and the experiences of previous participants. It may prove of some assistance to Young Master Jiang. This, too, was prepared at the Alliance Master's instruction."
Jiang Wang exchanged a glance with Chongxuan Sheng. For someone of his generation, Qing Xi's attentiveness could certainly be seen as a mark of esteem, yet it was perhaps a touch too enthusiastic.
Despite his inner doubts, he kept his composure and merely offered his thanks, saying he would be sure to study the material carefully.
"Then I wish the Lord of Qingshan Town success upon arrival. Please continue your conversation—I shall take my leave."
As the saying goes, when someone showers you with gifts, they surely want something in return. Everyone was waiting for Qing Xi's next move, but to their surprise, Steward Yang simply clasped his hands in a cupped-fist salute and excused himself on his own.
It almost seemed as though it were truly nothing more than an elder's appreciation for a younger generation.