Chapter 338: New Year Plans
The Seventh Prince did not falter in his persona of deep affection.
The princes had all had a bit too much to drink.
It must be said, the royal genes are quite excellent.
With the Seventh Prince’s looks and eloquence, his way of urging others to drink made one want to drink of their own accord.
Jiang Changtian had stated in advance that he absolutely could not drink, as one cup would knock him out.
He had brought Wei Biao along, so that if he drank one cup and collapsed, Wei Biao could carry him away.
His cousins did not insist.
In truth, they were still quite curious about Jiang the Second.
Taking advantage of the Seventh Prince’s wedding banquet, they had a serious chat with Jiang the Second.
Jiang Changtian spoke proudly of his rise to success.
First, he schemed to take down the wealthy landlord in the village, then defected to the Rebels and became a guide, followed by accepting amnesty, and then going to the Prefecture City to make money… He even mentioned how he had wiped out a nunnery while in the Prefecture City…
The whole journey had been full of ups and downs, feeling quite interesting.
Upon hearing this, the Fifth Prince felt that this cousin was so greedy for money, just like himself.
The Sixth Prince, however, felt that this Jiang the Second was opportunistic and climbing the ladder, possessing both depth and means. It was a pity he had his identity swapped; he was certainly clever, but his actions were those of a petty official. If not for his exceptionally handsome face, the things he had done would certainly not be presentable.
Seeing Jiang the Second speaking with such smug self-satisfaction, acting as if he were remarkable and eager to show off and praise himself, the 9th Prince chimed in with praise: “Good, remarkable!”
Internally, he felt that although this newly recognized cousin was a bit petty, it was due to his environment; if he himself were in that situation, he might not have been able to achieve these things.
As for the Seventh Prince, while he looked drunk, he was actually very alert inside.
Jiang the Second was truly capable of bending and stretching. No wonder he was so sycophantic in front of the Emperor; he looked exactly like a petty official from the lowest rung of society. Such people must either be used, or if they cannot be used, killed, as they are the most prone to ruining things.
As the host, the Seventh Prince, withdrew from the banquet, everyone else dispersed as well.
They even took home party favors.
The Fifth Prince did not lose out; he had only offered a golden nugget of wisdom, yet received a piece of golden fabric, said to be called Snow Brocade, which was woven with real gold and silver.
Jiang Changtian did not lose out either, receiving a piece of the smooth Snow Brocade.
The Fifth Prince patted Second Young Master Jiang on the arm, feeling that this cousin was quite good. He himself was greedy for money but did not know how to accumulate wealth, only taking in and never paying out. This cousin was greedy but also knew how to accumulate wealth; it was said that even managing such trivial matters as the recitation of legal codes and regulations upon taking office allowed him to successfully amass wealth.
The Fifth Prince said affectionately: “Cousin, next time you have something, call your Fifth Brother. Your Fifth Brother isn’t good at studying, but I can help.”
Jiang Changtian nodded repeatedly.
The carriage ride back was somewhat quiet. There was no curfew for the princes, and it was already dark.
The Seventh Princes Mansion was far from all of them, but it was okay for Jiang Changtian, as he did not live in the city center.
He closed his eyes to rest in the carriage along the way, feeling a bit tired.
Even after coming to the capital to serve as an official, he rarely went out for social engagements; this was the first time he had returned so late.
Listening to the sound of the carriage wheels along the way, Jiang Changtian carefully replayed in his mind the scenes of interacting with the several princes tonight.
The chubby Fifth Prince looked the most approachable, but his words were unpleasant, and his personality was not likable.
The Sixth Prince was very shrewd, with his shrewdness plain to see.
The 9th Prince also looked very forthright, as if he were truly forthright.
The Seventh Prince always felt very jarring.
It was as if a venomous snake were staring at him.
Jiang Changtian pondered.
Everyone knew there was a venomous snake, yet they still played along; sooner or later, they would be bitten.
If the Seventh Prince became the next Emperor, he would definitely not be able to escape.
But the Fifth Prince’s hopes of taking the throne were very slim.
The Sixth Prince felt too shrewd and was also difficult to get along with.
The 9th Prince was still playing the role of a dissolute playboy; if it came to the 9th Prince… what would have to happen for it to be the 9th Prince’s turn?
Jiang Changtian carefully thought through everything in his mind. The year was about to end. What had he done this year? He had traveled from Jingzhou to the capital, his official rank had been upgraded, he had found his biological mother, his income had increased, and his residence had become larger.
What about next year?
The capital was not like Jingzhou.
If he did not think and plan carefully, he wouldn’t even know when he might be killed by someone.
He had to be on high alert.
Jiang Changtian liked this dark environment; it was conducive to his thinking.
The Emperor was still alive; supporting any prince carried risks.
He didn’t want to support the Fifth, Sixth, or Seventh. As for the 9th, he was slightly better. He should have a good chat with his in-law, Old Meng, and his future in-law, Lord Dong, about the 9th Prince to see if he was reliable.
Next year’s plan: first, he must kill the Seventh Prince; this was the top priority.
Then he would figure out which prince to support.
He returned home.
Jiang Changtian did not go to greet the Princess; he soaked his feet in hot water.
He lay down and chatted with Xia Mei about whether anything had happened at home today.
Jiang Changtian was a person who loved to worry, worrying about every aspect.
“Nothing happened at home. Mother wanted to hear a story, but your daughter didn’t want to tell one, saying she had to wait for you to come back. Your daughter made a skateboard today, attaching two wheels under a wooden board, then stood on the wheels to run around. She fell several times, but was still especially happy. Mother even went to play with it later.”
Jiang Changtian:…
He had a face full of black lines; the thing he worried about had indeed happened.
His little daughter was truly becoming more and more like her biological mother.
She must absolutely not be like Jiang Yuluan. Today, seeing Jiang Yuluan, she also had a bit of the feeling of Princess Huiyun, which was quite scary, as she had only learned the superficialities of the Princess.
Jiang Changtian fell asleep while chatting with Xia Mei.
Early the next morning.
Someone came running to report a death.
The Fifth Prince was dead…
He was lying perfectly flat.
He died very peacefully, his hands placed on his chest; it was a peaceful corpse.
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