As the sun rose and set, more than a month had passed since the Nine Nether King entered seclusion.
Over the past month, visits from imperial relatives and nobles had come in an endless stream. Within the King's Estate, gifts had piled up like mountains, with countless rare treasures beyond reckoning.
Shi Yu and Shi Qing had become the busiest people in the estate, sorting through all manner of strange gifts every day. Anything that could not be used for the time being was piled into the storerooms.
As the newest favorite of the royal family, Ning Chen had met nearly half the imperial relatives and nobles of the Three Imperial Cities in just one month. Had his memory not far surpassed that of ordinary people, he would likely have long forgotten whom he had received during those days.
The busy days passed one by one. The assassination attempt from several days earlier had ultimately been allowed to fade away under the deliberate arrangements of those with ulterior motives. The three princes were playing a game against one another, and without absolute certainty, none dared act rashly. As for whom their struggle might implicate, the three princes did not care in the slightest.
When one general's achievement was made, ten thousand bones withered. The struggle for imperial power had always been cruel, allowing no mercy whatsoever.
Over the past month, aside from First Prince Xuan Zhen, Third Prince Xuan Qing and Seventh Prince Xuan Ling had both sent their people more than once to probe Ning Chen's stance. Because of the Nine Nether King's existence, they were unwilling to give up such a crucial ally.
However, despite their repeated hints, Ning Chen had clearly refused each time, plainly expressing his unwillingness to involve himself in the struggle for imperial power.