This was not impossible. Prince Lu had long since sounded out Prince Qi and Prince Shu, but he had never truly gotten to know this nephew who had come to the capital less than two years ago.
Gathering intelligence on Prince Dai always felt like looking at flowers through mist, and now that Prince Lu had met Prince Dai face-to-face, that sense of impenetrability only grew stronger.
Prince Lu felt stifled. Just then, a shout came from nearby: "Prince Qi has arrived—"
At the cry, Prince Lu had already entered through the main gate. The guests had been exchanging greetings, but upon hearing that Prince Qi had arrived, the atmosphere visibly froze for an instant.
Why had Prince Qi come?
Who did not know that Prince Qi and Prince Dai were at odds?
Prince Lu's arrival was not particularly surprising. Even Prince Shu coming in person was nothing unusual. But once Prince Qi arrived, matters became entirely different.
Yu Qianzhi swept his gaze over the crowd and saw the people beneath the awning looking at one another. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
"Could Prince Qi have come to kick up a fuss?"
But Duke of Dai was now Prince Dai. Choosing this moment to make trouble, without a necessary reason, could easily turn into rumors of tyranny and arrogance.
If the Emperor heard of it, he might feel an additional measure of loathing.
As Yu Qianzhi thought this, he had already risen and prepared to leave. Then he saw Su Ziji rise again to greet the newcomer. Having only just reached the main gate, Prince Qi was already striding over with several guards, their blades clinking and clanging. The sight made Su Ziji furrow his brow.
Prince Qi really came looking for trouble? Su Ziji thought.