503: Chapter 503 Where Did the Clone Go?

Within the elegant small courtyard, Yun Qingqing's light laughter was delicate and charming.

"Just yesterday, some Alchemists who can only refine First-grade Medicinal Pills, and not even very well at that, went to pledge allegiance to the Third Prince.

We all know these Alchemists; they are the ones even Noble Families look down upon. Forget Noble Families, even some Alchemy shops probably wouldn't want them.

These Alchemists are quite infamous in the Imperial City. Their Alchemy skills are poor, but they once managed to refine some First-grade Medicinal Pills through certain tricks, thereby gaining recognition from the Spirit Pill Hall.

However, the quality of the First-grade pills they refine is terrible.

Moreover, they are all quite old, seemingly on the verge of passing away."

"There were also some relatively promising Alchemists who went to pledge allegiance to the Third Prince. But strangely, news spread on the streets this morning that these Alchemists had died.

The news says the Third Prince was dissatisfied with their pill-making skills, looked down on them, and secretly had them killed.

One of the Alchemists managed to escape and, at the cost of his life, made this news public.

Afterwards, that Alchemist succumbed to his severe, untreatable injuries and perished."

Yun Qingqing had spoken so much in one breath.

It tired her out, so she took another bite of pastry.

"Jiang Ning, the Third Prince is back in the spotlight again."

Jiang Ning hadn't expected the two princes to make their move like this... "That's right, those unqualified Alchemists who just make up the numbers were all found by my Eldest Imperial Brother.

If my Third Imperial Brother accepts these people, whom even Noble Families don't want, wouldn't that be like collecting trash?

It would deal a heavy blow to his prestige.

The key point is, now that he needs a good reputation, if he takes these Alchemists in, he'll have to treat them well. And the resources invested in them would be a complete waste.

If he doesn't accept them, then how will everyone view him? Although these people have a poor reputation, they are still Alchemists capable of refining First-grade Medicinal Pills.

Those who know the inside story will understand the Third Prince isn't collecting garbage, but some Alchemists unaware of the details might think my Third Imperial Brother only recruits high-level and Genius Alchemists?

So, whether he accepts them or not, it's detrimental to him personally."

"As for those dead Alchemists, it's even more direct. No need to thank me, that's all my Fourth Imperial Brother's doing.

My Fourth Imperial Brother is ruthless and cunning. Finding some decent Alchemists, seizing their weaknesses, and making them willingly go to their deaths is an easy task for him.

Then he just frames my Third Imperial Brother.

Moreover, it's these Alchemists who desperately escaped and spoke before dying. Who would think a dying person tells lies?

If my Third Imperial Brother doesn't explain, it's tantamount to admitting guilt.

If he does explain, people will link it to the previous incident with the Pill Minister, thinking my Third Imperial Brother is trying to cover things up.

Whether my Third Imperial Brother admits it or not, it doesn't matter anymore. After all, among the Cultivators and Alchemists in the Imperial City, most have already accepted this version of events."

At the Secluded Bamboo Hermitage, Zhao Mianshuang said to Jiang Ning with a smile.

After bidding farewell to Yun Qingqing at noon, Jiang Ning came to the Secluded Bamboo Hermitage in the afternoon to meet with Zhao Mianshuang.

Shen Jinhuan seemed to be on the verge of a Breakthrough recently.

She wasn't clinging to him much and didn't follow him out.

After listening, Jiang Ning sighed inwardly; truly products of the imperial palace, slick at playing tricks and scheming.

The Third Prince had created a situation for himself where he could gain no matter what.

And the other princes created a situation for the Third Prince where he would lose no matter what.

With one rising and the other falling, it was equivalent to the others winning.

Jiang Ning asked with a smile, "Miss Zhao, which parts of this are your schemes?"

Zhao Mianshuang said, "Brother Jiang, I told you, we are people of the same path, so I won't hide it from you.

My role in this was to add fuel to the fire and stir up public opinion.

After all, in the eyes of my other imperial brothers, I am just a princess, with the weakest influence. I certainly can't afford to mobilize people like this, nor can I confront the Third Imperial Brother head-on.

I can only add fuel to the fire."

Jiang Ning asked, "And in reality?"

"In reality, no matter where this turmoil leads, more or less some Alchemists will defect to my Third Imperial Brother's camp," Zhao Mianshuang analyzed.

"So I sent some Alchemists to my Third Imperial Brother."

"Moles?"

Jiang Ning was taken aback.

Planting moles at such a time would indeed catch the Third Prince off guard.

"What's a 'mole'?"

Zhao Mianshuang was puzzled.

"It's a term from my hometown for a spy."

Jiang Ning explained, and Zhao Mianshuang understood.

But then Zhao Mianshuang continued, "However, I never underestimate the methods of my Eldest and Fourth Imperial Brothers, nor do I look down on my Third Imperial Brother.

I secretly planted spies among them to benefit from it.

I believe my imperial brothers surely also have their own schemes, each trying to profit from this, and their methods are certainly more sophisticated than mine.

I just need to make them think that I can only gain benefits from my Third Imperial Brother's misfortune."

Lying low and accumulating strength was what Zhao Mianshuang needed to do now.

Concealing her true power, and when everyone underestimates and ignores her, deliver a fatal blow.

This was Zhao Mianshuang's only chance.

Jiang Ning felt that Zhao Mianshuang was neither overconfident nor arrogant.

And such qualities were rare and precious among imperial princes and princesses.

Perhaps Zhao Mianshuang didn't possess grand strategies, but with this quality alone, she already surpassed many.

After discussing this amusing affair.

Jiang Ning and Zhao Mianshuang talked about Jiang Erning.

He had obtained the Legacy of the Peerless Daoist; he had mentioned this to Zhao Mianshuang before.

Zhao Mianshuang exclaimed in shock, "Brother Jiang has already refined the Clone so quickly?

Truly skilled."

"It's merely a gift from the Peerless Daoist."

Jiang Ning was modest; he truly hadn't done much here, the Materials were all prepared.

However, perhaps due to his proficiency in purifying Heaven And Earth Materials and controlling fire as an Alchemist, refining this Clone went quite smoothly.

Zhao Mianshuang thought for a moment and said, "I can secretly arrange for someone to deliver the Clone to you.

You needn't worry about this matter.

But Brother Jiang, have you decided how this Clone will cultivate?"

"This Clone is endowed with many Heaven And Earth Materials and possesses innate talent. Originally, I planned for it to follow the Incense Dao. Now I think having it cultivate spiritual power first is also possible.

Then let it inherit the Incense Dao afterwards.

I think this would be even better."

"With a foundation like the Student Union, cultivating the Incense Dao is indeed more suitable," Zhao Mianshuang said. "The Student Union operates in the shadows and lacks open, legitimate support, and it's not convenient for me to directly support them.

How about this, I'll arrange an identity for your Clone in Yun Hai Prefecture.

Send it to Yun Hai Prefecture, to serve as an official."

"Yun Hai Prefecture is now under your control?"

Jiang Ning hadn't expected Zhao Mianshuang to directly arrange an official post for his Clone.

This way, with legitimate support on the surface, the Student Union could develop even better.

"You could say that."

Zhao Mianshuang said, "Back then, I couldn't stand Zuo Mingyu, so I dealt with him.

But I also couldn't possibly leave this territory to my imperial brothers.

So I took it over."