Times had changed.
Prince Qi made up his mind at once. He swept his gaze over everyone without a word, then discreetly clapped his hands. Two rows of graceful female performers glided in through a side door, plucking zithers, playing flutes, and singing in lilting voices.
Amid the song and dance, Prince Qi let out a long breath. Gazing at the beauties, he said, "Jiang Yu, since you proposed this, you shall take charge. You may draw on some of the residence's manpower and connections. Make certain the people at court put forward the proposal, so I can eat this peach-remember, you must tie up every loose end."
"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will see it done!" Overjoyed, Jiang Yu answered and started to withdraw.
"Wait!" Prince Qi suddenly called out.
Jiang Yu hurriedly stopped and looked at Prince Qi.
Prince Qi frowned, sensing a trace of unease. He rose and paced several circles around his seat, barely managing to suppress the feeling before issuing another order. "Contact Prince Shu. We must do this together."
If he acted alone and became embroiled in trouble, would he not leave Prince Shu to reap the fisherman's spoils? Bringing Prince Shu into it would not only divide the risk, but also prevent him from taking advantage of the opportunity to meddle.
"Then should we also notify Prince Lu-no, Prince Ninghe's people?" Jiang Yu was startled by this, then somewhat delighted. Bowing slightly, he asked again.
Though he spoke of notifying the former Prince Ninghe, what he really meant was contacting Prince Ninghe's advisers.
Prince Qi's brow furrowed even more deeply. "No. I keep feeling that something is amiss with that man."
Prince Shu's Residence
As the weather was still hot, Prince Shu wore only a thin, muted mauve robe. It looked plain and