Only when following closely behind Zhongxuan Pang can one still see traces of the past.

This couple, having just finished the inheriting ceremony, hurriedly came to visit.

Jiang Wang stood up to welcome them but had no chance to speak. Zhongxuan Sheng already waved his hand, displaying a leadership style: "Sit down, we’ll talk sitting."

It was as if he returned home, greeting the awkward poor relatives waiting at home.

He quite naturally walked to his specially-made large chair, comfortably sat down, and complained: "I really don’t want to be this Marquis; what does hereditary entail but to have my descendants serve the Court? Saying that those capable should do more... isn’t it infuriating?"

Impatiently, he pulled the jade crown off his head and casually placed it on the table beside him: "Too cumbersome! This crown is too large; I received too many gifts, and there’s no space to put them, so I’ll leave a few here with you for a few days."

Jiang Wang silently sat down, his eyelid twitching slightly.

In the past, he hadn’t noticed, but with Zhongxuan Sheng sitting so boldly today, he realized that Zhongxuan Sheng’s seat was actually the main seat of this study.

When the Brocade Robed Marquis of Bowang sat there, the stone screen engraved with dragons and tigers on both sides seemed to come alive. Sitting at the desk over here made him look like a mere clerk!

On a normal day, he wouldn’t even bother to act agreeable.

But today, the person was here to help after all.

He thought over it several times and finally just gritted his teeth and said companionably: "I will certainly take good care of it."

Zhongxuan Sheng waved his hand: "No need to care too much, this crown, interesting just for those four words ’hereditary’, holds no real value. Be calm, Jiang, just treat it with a normal heart."

Jiang Wang acted as if he didn’t hear, merely smiling at Shisi (Fourteen): "Little sister, sit down, let’s talk sitting."

Back then, when he asked Yi Xingchen to take Shisi as an adopted daughter, one part of his argument was that he, Jiang Wang, considered Shisi a closest friend.

However, Yi Huaimin later claimed everywhere that Marquis Wu’an was Yi Shisi’s brother, his own brother — who knows how he calculated those relationships.

But Jiang Wang didn’t mind experiencing the thrill of being the elder brother before Zhongxuan Pang. Especially since both Shisi and Zhongxuan Pang were older, the pleasure of benefiting more was even greater.

After taking off her armor, Shisi was no longer as silent as before and even returned with a smile: "Alright, Brother Jiang."

"Enough with the chatter." Zhongxuan Sheng immediately turned to the main topic, seeing the situation wasn’t right. He stared at Jiang Wang with a very foul expression: "Why didn’t you tell me about Lin Youxie’s disappearance?"

Jiang Wang explained: "Thinking it’s just looking for someone, not a complicated matter..."

With Zhongxuan Sheng’s piercing small eyes fixed on him. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He could only sigh and speak honestly: "Don’t want to drag you into this."

Zhongxuan Sheng looked askance at him: "Are you so certain Lin Youxie’s disappearance is related to the Current Empress?"

Jiang Wang shook his head: "I’m not certain, but at least there is a possibility."

Zhongxuan Sheng squinted his eyes: "When I came here, I just bumped into Bao Zhongqing, who greeted me warmly... I drove him away."

Of course, Jiang Wang wouldn’t blame Zhongxuan Sheng over Bao Zhongqing, just asking: "How did you drive him away?"

"Told him to get lost." Zhongxuan Sheng said: "When my grandfather passed away, he came to the mansion to perform, and I accompanied him. If necessary, one could perform an act of reconciliation of old grievances, give him face, none are issues. But he definitely shouldn’t, absolutely shouldn’t, at such a time, still mindlessly scheme. I have no time for his intrigues, so simply chose the easiest way."

Jiang Wang thought about it, then said: "He came yesterday just to say that he wanted to use the Bao family’s force to help me find someone, and I said that if he found Lin Youxie’s traces, I would owe him a favor."

Zhongxuan Sheng sighed: "You’re actually smart, why when it comes to friends you turn muddled? I trouble you to think seriously, what clues could Bao Zhongqing give you, what would he give you?"

Jiang Wang paused in silence, then said: "I thought just to use him, so I used him. Whether the clues are true or false, I can always tell."

Zhongxuan Sheng sighed heavier this time: "I don’t know if you’re overestimating your wisdom or underestimating Bao Zhongqing’s depth. Even I dare not say I can tell the real clues from the false in his games, how dare you say that? Just as well, do true clues necessarily lead to the true truth?"

Jiang Wang frowned confusedly: "What could he gain from this matter?"

"He could gain too many things! Such a person, if you give him the chance, he surely won’t waste your value." Zhongxuan Sheng said: "You are a good piece on the board, a sharp sword, and you are unaware. Jiang Wang, have you thought about it, if Bao Zhongqing and the Bao family behind him want to bring down the Queen? If he wants to topple the current Crown Prince? Are you prepared to enter the contest over the Crown Prince?"

Jiang Wang’s eyelid twitched again: "How could I manage that?"

"You certainly can’t, but you will become a signal, a symbol, and you will die miserably as the flag of the New Qi people!" Zhongxuan Sheng’s anger was hard to suppress: "And your death itself will become an even sharper weapon! Your worth extends far beyond! Jiang Wang, Lin Youxie’s identity is so sensitive, and you dare to easily fall into someone else’s trap in such a matter, do you think you can bear all the consequences? You’re offering your head on a platter!"