85: Prince's wooing

Wu Guohua toyed with his teacup, his gaze resting on the tea leaves floating in the brew, smiling but remaining silent.

Behind the screen, Grandfather Wu Jiulong silently shook his head, tapping his finger three times lightly on the sword scabbard—this was their secret signal, meaning “unreliable.”

Mr. Wen seemed to sense something, his fan opening and closing: “Of course, Third Prince knows the Wu Family Army’s reputation shakes the four directions, and a mere tax is not enough to express sincerity. If the matter succeeds, the military power of the seven prefectures of Nanling…”

“Mr. Wen,” Wu Guohua finally spoke, his voice gentle yet undeniable, “Third Prince’s kindness is appreciated by Wu. However, this matter is of great importance, so allow Wu to discuss it with his clansmen before giving a reply.”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Mr. Wen’s eyes, but it was quickly masked by a smile: “Naturally, naturally. Third Prince awaits good news.”

Less than an hour after Mr. Wen left, the Crown Prince’s envoy arrived.

Unlike Mr. Wen’s elegance, this envoy brought a chilling aura as soon as he entered the door.

He was burly, with a face full of rough features, and a hideous scar extended from his right forehead all the way to his left cheek, dividing his entire face into two asymmetrical halves.

“General Lei, I’ve long admired your name.” Wu Guohua cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze lingering for a moment on the scar.

General Lei laughed heartily, his laughter shaking dust from the rafters: “Wu Marquis is straightforward! Our Your Highness appreciates straightforward people the most!”

With that, he waved his large hand, and a yellowed sheepskin deed slapped onto the table, making the tea set clatter.

“Three refined iron mines in Nanjiang, in exchange for five thousand elite soldiers from the Wu Family!” General Lei’s voice boomed like a bell, “Your Highness said, after the matter is done, two more will be added!”

Wu Guohua calmly glanced at the deed; it was stamped with the Crown Prince’s personal seal and the Grand Governor of Nanjiang’s official seal, truly authentic.

A nearly inaudible snort came from behind the screen—Grandfather Wu Jiulong seemed quite moved by this offer.

“General Lei,” Wu Guohua slowly said, “Your Highness’s generous gift, Wu is deeply grateful. However, deploying troops is no child’s play, so allow Wu a few days to consider.”

General Lei raised a thick eyebrow, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he merely grunted heavily: “Three days is the limit! Your Highness doesn’t like to wait too long!”

After seeing off General Lei, Wu Guohua stood in the courtyard, letting snowflakes land on his shoulders.

It was late, and the snow was falling heavier, accumulating a thin layer on the ground.

He had thought no one else would come today, but then he heard the urgent sound of horse hooves.

Most surprisingly, the Ninth Prince’s envoy—was a teenager of sixteen or seventeen, his green robe appearing particularly thin in the snow.

He had no retinue, walking alone, leading his horse into Wu Family Fort, a long sword strapped to his back, its scabbard covered with a thin layer of snow.

“Ye Qing, by order of Ninth Prince, pays respects to Wu Marquis.” The young man cupped his hands in a bow, his voice clear and neither humble nor arrogant.

Wu Guohua scrutinized the young man.

The young man had a refined face, but there was a maturity in his brows that did not match his age, especially his eyes, which were as black as ink and unfathomably deep.

Most striking was the sword on his back—the scabbard looked ordinary, yet it gleamed with strange dark patterns under the candlelight.

“Young Master Ye has traveled far and hard, please come in to speak.” Wu Guohua stepped aside to let him pass, his gaze never leaving the sword.

After entering the study, the young envoy did not exchange pleasantries, but went straight to the point: “My Your Highness asks, what does Wu Marquis desire?”

This direct question made Wu Guohua’s eyebrows slightly raise. He put down his teacup and finally looked directly at the visitor: “Grade One Secret Manual, do you have one?”

The young envoy’s pupils constricted slightly, his right hand unconsciously caressing the sword hilt, then quickly returned to calm: “Six months.”

These four short words stirred waves in Wu Guohua’s heart.

He stared into the young man’s eyes for a long time, then suddenly smiled: “A good six months. Young Master Ye, why not stay at my humble abode for a few days and return after the snow stops?”

The young man shook his head: “Thank you for Wu Marquis’s kindness, Your Highness is still waiting for a reply.”

After all the envoys had left, the core members of the Wu Family gathered in the secret chamber.

The candlelight flickered, casting shifting shadows on everyone’s faces. His father, Wu Wenbin, couldn’t help but be the first to ask: “Guohua, the taxes from the three prefectures and the refined iron mines from Nanjiang are all tangible benefits, why do you treat the Ninth Prince differently?”

Wu Guohua did not answer immediately, but turned to Wu Jiulong: “Grandfather, did you notice the young envoy’s sword?”

Wu Jiulong frowned in thought: “The scabbard seemed to have dark patterns…”

“The words ‘Xuantian’ are carved on the scabbard.” Wu Guohua said softly, his finger tracing the shape of these two words on the tabletop.

Wu Jiulong’s eyes widened suddenly, the scar on his face appearing even more hideous in the candlelight: “Xuantian Pavilion? Could it be…”

“Indeed,” Wu Guohua nodded, lowering his voice even further, “Behind the Ninth Prince, I’m afraid stands the Bloodcloth Tower behind Xuantian Pavilion. And the Bloodcloth Tower… is said to possess the Prior Heaven One Qi Art.”

A deep silence fell in the secret chamber, broken only by the faint crackling of the candle wick.

Wu Wenbin gasped: “That’s a legendary Grade One Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Technique!”

Wu Guohua stood up and walked to the map hanging on the wall, his finger pointing to the Central Plains: “The Third Prince is indecisive, and the Crown Prince is tyrannical by nature; neither is a suitable choice for a wise ruler. As for the Ninth Prince…”

He turned to look at everyone, “To gain the support of the Bloodcloth Tower, he must have extraordinary qualities.”

“But the Bloodcloth Tower acts secretly and has a bad reputation…” Wu Wenbin hesitated.

“The victor is king, the loser is bandit.” Wu Guohua said faintly, a hint of fervor flashing in his eyes, “As long as we can obtain the Prior Heaven One Qi Art, what’s a little risk?”

Outside the window, the snow continued to fall, covering all traces of the envoys’ arrival.

But Wu Guohua knew that after this snow, the power dynamics of the Great Zhou Dynasty would undergo earth-shattering changes.

And he had already made his choice.

Great Liang Dezheng twenty-third year, Spring Festival.

Qinglin County was adorned with lanterns and streamers, its streets crowded with market-goers, the shouts of vendors, the crackling of firecrackers, and the playful cries of children intertwining to create a lively atmosphere.

Wu Family Village was even more festive, with red silk banners hung high, brand new couplets pasted on the doors of every household, and large red lanterns suspended under the eaves, making the entire village radiate joy.

In front of the Wu Family mansion, carriages and horses came and went in an endless stream.

Various major forces from the county town sent people to pay New Year’s greetings, and carts of New Year’s goods, silks, and rare medicinal herbs were carried into the mansion, while the stewards busied themselves with registration, and servants bustled back and forth, their faces beaming with joy.

Miss Zhou Qinghan of the Zhou Family also personally came to visit. She wore a light green brocade long dress, with a snow-white fox fur cloak draped over it, making her skin appear like snow and her features as beautiful as a painting.

She was followed by several maids, who carried exquisite gift boxes in their hands, as she slowly stepped through the Wu Family’s main gate.

Wu Guohua stood at the entrance of the main hall to greet her, and seeing her arrive, he smiled slightly and cupped his hands, saying, “Miss Zhou, your personal visit brings great honor to the Wu Family.”

Zhou Qinghan smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling, and said, “Young Master Wu, you are too kind. My father specially instructed me to convey his New Year’s greetings to the Wu Family on his behalf.”

After a few pleasantries, Wu Guohua arranged for her to be seated.

However, as soon as he turned around, he was called by his Grandfather Wu Jiulong and Grandmother He Xiaoqin.