The night passed without incident, and before long, the next day arrived.
As expected, the news of Zhao Douan's meeting with Prince Huaian yesterday spread everywhere, attracting the attention of numerous people.
Feng Ju, nominally in charge of this "opening of the market," as Doctor Feng arrived at Zhuozheng Garden early in the morning, knowing that Zhao Douan hadn't risen, he actually led several officials who stomped their feet so hard that the Huai River trembled, all patiently waiting outside the bedroom, eagerly anticipating.
"Just be patient and don't fret."
After getting up, Zhao Douan, looking at the group of officials waiting eagerly outside the door, curled his lip and essentially communicated that he had nothing to disclose.
And over the following days, as the focal point of Hu Ting, Zhao Douan could be said to be extremely high-profile.
He had a full schedule, starting to invite one by one, or personally meeting those in Hu Ting City who were still in a "swaying" neutral position.
He was clearly making an effort to gain support.
In everyone's eyes, Zhao Douan, this Inspector, had a clear goal: to obtain as many "support votes" as possible before the "Hu Ting Meeting."
In contrast, led by Prince Jing and the "Seven Kings," pressure was applied incessantly behind the scenes.
The city was in a state of turmoil as two forces engaged in an open and secret struggle, dazzling onlookers and making the outcome of the meeting in a few days even more obscure.
In the blink of an eye, five days passed.
Inside the residence where Prince Jing was staying, a covert meeting drew to a close.
In the room with the door firmly shut, the dignified and elegantly dressed, slightly greying at the temples, Prince Jing Xu Wen held a porcelain teacup, listening to a group at the table reporting information one after another.
"Your Highness, the situation is roughly as follows now; although Zhao Douan has been actively moving about, he has not released the slightest benefit, how could those neutral families be willing to side with the court? They may say they are cooperative on the surface, but when push comes to shove, they are still resistant," a man dressed similarly to a Steward said earnestly.
The other representatives, similar in age and dress, also voiced their agreement.
Each of them represented a Prince and was also a main force in networking and obstructing the market opening.
Prince Jing sipped the hot tea, set down the cup, and lifted his stately, authoritative eyes to scan the people and said, "How about the mansion of Prince Huaian?"
They looked at each other in silence.
"Hmph!" Prince Jing snorted coldly, displeasure evident on his face, and said sternly:
"You each serve your own master, and you have exerted your efforts during this time. I should not have to supervise you directly, but the matter of Hu Ting concerns the honor of our seven families. Since your masters have elected me as the temporary Chief for Hu Ting, some things must be made clear.
The neutral parties you are striving for are indeed important, but they are not the most crucial. I have said more than once that the attitude of the mansion of Prince Huaian is what matters most!"
One hesitated before saying:
"Your Highness, we subordinates should not speculate on the Royal Family, but so many days have passed, and Prince Huaian hasn't revealed any intentions, and we all paid our visits, but none were received, except for Zhao Douan."
"Indeed, it's not that we haven't tried, but it seems that Prince Huaian..."
"Enough," Prince Jing's brow showed his irritation, and he abruptly gestured for them to leave: "You may all retire for now, I will give this careful consideration."
"... Your Highness, there are only three days left until the court-appointed opening of the market..."
"I told you to leave, are you deaf?!"
The representatives were startled, daring not to utter another word, they got up, bowed, and left one after another.
Only Prince Jing remained, seated at the head of the broad desk, his expression shifting, as if weighing his options.
The door was open, letting in sunlight that wrapped around the threshold like gold.
Footsteps approached from outside, and Xu Jinglong, dressed like a rich young master, respectfully entered and bowed:
"Father, everyone has been sent away."
Prince Jing remained silent.
The young Princely Heir hesitated for a moment, then took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it over, saying:
"This is news from Zhuozheng Garden, Zhao Douan has set his schedule. He will visit Yansuo Lake tomorrow, claiming he wants to relax before the meeting the day after."
Prince Jing murmured softly, "Tomorrow, huh."
Xu Jinglong's eyes betrayed a hint of anxiety:
"Father, with the meeting approaching and Prince Huaian still not taking a stance, what do you think this means..."
Prince Jing chuckled coldly, glancing at his son, and said indifferently:
"Xu An is telling me that what we have done so far is not enough. This old fox... wants to see blood flowing into rivers."
Xu Jinglong startled before feigning tension, "He wouldn't really side with the court, would he?"
Prince Jing stayed silent, as if he had made a certain decision, and said in a calm voice that betrayed no emotion:
"Issue the order, let's make our move tomorrow."
Xu Jinglong's eyes flashed with a well-concealed excitement as he abruptly looked up, pretending to be worried:
"Father, are you determined? To kill Zhao in Hu Ting? This... might be too... If the news gets out, the Capital surely won't let it rest..."
"If my niece wants to vent her anger, let her find the Kuangfu Society, Martial Emperor City, or... let her find trouble. It wasn't our doing; what does it have to do with me?"
Xu Jinglong, suppressing his excitement, responded, "Yes! I'll see to it!"
As he watched the Princely Heir depart quickly, sunlight spread across the furniture as if igniting Prince Jing's robes.
The Vassal King, who had secretly accumulated private military power, quietly brushed the "Peaceful Nothingness Plate" in his hand and said softly:
"Send the word, have someone go to Yansuo Lake in advance, and remember to take care of the ones below afterward."
From a corner of the room, a shadow suddenly moved, revealing a person hidden within:
After responding, the shadow moved again, slowly merging into the wall and disappearing.