"Since that's the case, I happen to have a few things to ask you."
"Consort Nian's visit to her family, the Seventeenth Imperial Prince coming to take up his fief in the northwest, Loulan's marriage proposal, and Princess Luan-yang's journey west-it seems far too coincidental for all these things to happen together."
"What exactly are the arrangements and inside circumstances in the Divine Capital?"
Ding Buxing seemed to have known he would ask this question. "These matters are connected, but they aren't entirely the same affair. The Eighth Prince also asked me to tell you the inside story."
"Let's begin with Consort Nian's family visit." He lightly tapped the desk, and a rough map of the Northwestern Circuit appeared.
"You've caused too much of a stir these past few months. Several capable operatives from the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Profound Mirror Sky-Hunting Bureau will accompany Consort Nian."
"The Nian Household has extremely deep roots in the northwest. Though Nian Yao relinquished the actual post of Governor-General long ago, he remains very familiar with the circumstances of every prefecture and army. You need to be careful about that."
Qing Chen's expression remained unchanged as he rapidly weighed things in his mind. "What about the Seventeenth Imperial Prince?"
Ding Buxing smiled. "The Seventeenth Imperial Prince volunteered to take up his fief, effectively withdrawing himself from the struggle for the succession. His Highness considers that a sensible recognition of the circumstances. He can do some practical work at the border while seeking an opportunity to break through to Nascent Soul. Though he had some friction with you before, the Eighth Prince hopes you'll treat him well."
Qing Chen neither agreed nor disagreed.
So he really was an unfavored prince, then. Not worth a damn.
"What's the story with Loulan's marriage proposal, then?"