Seeing Old Fang deep in thought, Qin Shangzhi added: “Old Fang is utterly loyal to the Crown Prince, willing to sacrifice brain and liver without hesitation, but others may not be able to achieve the same level of devotion to His Highness as Old Fang! Please consider carefully whether this reasoning makes sense!”
Ren Shijie raised his eyebrows and looked toward Qin Shangzhi. Qin Shangzhi had always been of noble character, typically disdaining Old Fang’s petty ways, yet today he was speaking well of Old Fang.
Being flattered so extensively by Qin Shangzhi put Old Fang in an excellent mood. He raised his hand to stroke his goatee: “Master Qin speaks truly. When the time comes, if Princess Zhenguo learns of this matter, I, Old Fang, will naturally step forward and admit that this was entirely my doing alone… His Highness the Crown Prince knew nothing of it! I, Old Fang, would brave fire and water for His Highness the Crown Prince without hesitation!”
Qin Shangzhi gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he desperately searched for the right words: “But His Highness the Crown Prince cannot do without Old Fang by his side!”
Old Fang narrowed his eyes as he looked at Qin Shangzhi, also sensing something amiss. It seemed Qin Shangzhi was trying to protect Princess Gaoyi.
As if suddenly understanding something, Old Fang looked down at Qin Shangzhi from his superior position: “Master Qin’s obstruction… could it be that you have feelings for Princess Gaoyi?”
Qin Shangzhi couldn’t restrain himself from spitting in Old Fang’s face. Did this old man’s mind contain nothing but such filthy thoughts? Qin Shangzhi was nearly old enough to be Bai Jinzhi’s father – having romantic feelings for a child?!
“Old Fang misunderstands! The reason I object… is because this matter brings no benefit to the Crown Prince’s residence!”
“His Highness the Crown Prince has already agreed, so Master Qin need not obstruct further!” Old Fang’s mind was made up. He brought up the Crown Prince, sneering coldly: “Master Qin must not forget that you are a strategist of the Crown Prince’s residence. Don’t go tipping anyone off, otherwise… this old man will certainly report it to the Crown Prince!”
Qin Shangzhi’s fists at his sides were clenched tightly. Suddenly remembering Old Fang’s earlier mention that Prince Liang had already begun privately courting Prince Xian, he hurriedly said: “Old Fang, the reason I prevent you from involving Princess Gaoyi is because I have a better candidate!”
Old Fang picked up his teacup, speaking carelessly: “Master Qin, please elaborate!”
“Princess Nanduojun, Liu Ruofu!” Qin Shangzhi stepped forward and bent down to stand beside Old Fang. “Princess Gaoyi holds no military power, but Prince Xian of Nandu certainly does! Moreover, Prince Xian of Nandu has only one daughter, Princess Nandujun. If Prince Liang intends to ruin Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu’s reputation and then seeks to marry a Dong family daughter, how would His Majesty view this? Old Fang once said… His Majesty’s opinion is what matters most!”
Old Fang thought about it and realized this reasoning was indeed sound. If they truly opposed Bai Qingyan, while the Crown Prince’s residence wouldn’t fear having such an enemy disliked by the Emperor, it would still be troublesome.
“But if… If Princess Nandujun truly marries Prince Liang, wouldn’t Prince Liang gain Prince Xian’s support? Prince Xian truly holds military power!” Old Fang had considered Liu Ruofu before, but feared that if Liu Ruofu truly became Princess Liang’s consort, it would be difficult to handle.
“Then let Prince Liang intend to ruin Princess Nandujun’s reputation, but don’t let Prince Liang succeed! Let His Majesty and the Dong family know of this matter, but don’t spread it widely! After all… Princess Nandujun is already engaged to Great Liang, and His Majesty wouldn’t want such a scandal to emerge just as peace negotiations with Great Liang are beginning, so he certainly won’t allow Princess Nandujun to marry Prince Liang!”
Standing beside Old Fang, Qin Shangzhi continued while thinking: “Furthermore… Princess Nandujun is proud and arrogant – how could she possibly fancy Prince Liang? If Prince Xian learns that Prince Liang intended to destroy his daughter’s reputation, wouldn’t Prince Xian become angry with Prince Liang? Moreover, Old Fang, consider this: Princess Gaoyi has been to battle and is skilled in martial arts. Taking action in Princess Zhenguo’s residence, if we alarm Princess Zhenguo… with Princess Zhenguo’s archery skills, our people would likely go and never return! But Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu has always been pampered and spoiled – she’s much easier to deal with than Princess Gaoyi!”
After thinking it over, Ren Shijie said: “From this perspective, choosing Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu… would be far more advantageous for the Crown Prince’s residence than choosing Princess Gaoyi. What does Old Fang think?”
Old Fang’s fist tightened. According to Qin Shangzhi’s words, choosing Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu was indeed more suitable than choosing Princess Gaoyi.
However, Old Fang’s instigation for the Crown Prince to choose Princess Gaoyi this time, besides genuinely strategizing for the Crown Prince, was more importantly to create distance between Bai Qingyan and the Crown Prince after they became estranged, so the Crown Prince would obey him completely!
Seeing Old Fang still hesitating, Qin Shangzhi added: “If Old Fang is uncertain and fears the Crown Prince will blame you for changing your mind, then I’ll go find the Crown Prince and tell him that we three sat together and carefully considered it, deciding that switching to Princess Nandujun Liu Ruofu would be more appropriate. Of course, if Old Fang is willing to make the trip to His Highness the Crown Prince personally, that would naturally be best!”
Qin Shangzhi’s meaning was already very clear. If Old Fang feared taking responsibility, then he would go and say it was the result of all three men’s deliberation. If Old Fang thought switching to Liu Ruofu was good, then all the credit would be Old Fang’s, and Old Fang could go to His Highness the Crown Prince himself.
Old Fang looked at Qin Shangzhi, who had been unwilling to advise the Crown Prince for a very long time. Hearing the guard enter to report that the death warriors had been brought, Old Fang finally spoke quietly to Qin Shangzhi: “We three serve as strategists for the Crown Prince’s residence. If we can always work together in such unity for the Crown Prince’s affairs, only then can we truly achieve great things! Does Master Qin understand this principle?”
“Naturally! Old Fang is many years my senior. If I have offended in any way before, please forgive me, Old Fang.” Qin Shangzhi adopted an extremely humble posture, picking up the teacup from the corner of the table and placing it in Old Fang’s hands.
Old Fang smiled and nodded: “This old man will go to the Crown Prince immediately and discuss Master Qin’s method with him.”
“It was Old Fang who first proposed this method. Ren and I merely tried to think through Old Fang’s method as thoroughly as possible. How could it be called my idea alone…” Qin Shangzhi lowered his eyes, his voice extremely quiet.
Seeing how tactful Qin Shangzhi was being, Old Fang didn’t dare delay. He rose and walked quickly toward the Crown Prince’s quarters.
After Old Fang left with those six death warriors, Ren Shijie smiled at Qin Shangzhi: “This is how Master Qin should behave. Old Fang has followed His Highness the Crown Prince the longest and is the eldest, so he’s naturally somewhat proud. Since we two arrived later, showing Old Fang more respect will naturally make him more agreeable.”
Qin Shangzhi’s gaze followed Old Fang’s departing figure, his fist hidden in his sleeve, clenched tightly.
Ren Shijie had advised him with these words before, but Qin Shangzhi had been disdainful.
Today, when he came at the summons to discuss matters, he originally thought it would just be going through the motions. If not for protecting the Bai family’s Fourth Miss, Qin Shangzhi would never have been willing to bow his head to Old Fang.
What Qin Shangzhi valued most was his integrity.
In the past, he had been unwilling to compromise and bow his head to Prince Liang… and that strategist surnamed Du beside Prince Liang, so… his entire family died by unnatural causes!