After the imperial edict expelling the Nanzhao Kingdom delegation from Daqian was issued, Xie Zhaozhao took Bei Chen, Yuan Yuan, and Lu Feiyan to meet with them.

They also brought Gu Zheng and Gu Zhongyu along.

Before meeting the envoy, she specifically consulted Emperor Hui.

Emperor Hui frowned upon hearing her plan and asked, "Are you confident?"

Xie Zhaozhao said, "Yes."

"Alright!" Emperor Hui ordered Leng Luo to lead a dozen or so experts from the Imperial City Guard to protect Xie Zhaozhao, and they went to the post station together.

The purpose is to see them, not to hand Xie Zhaozhao over to them.

The Nanzhao delegation was overjoyed. "Wow, the Emperor of Daqian is very sensible!"

Gu Jiaojiao, in particular, was practically wagging her tail off.

They sent Xie Zhaozhao here?! It seems a major push is no longer feasible!

Once Xie Zhaozhao is taken away, Emperor Hui and Gu Shaoyu will be disgraced. Which minister will still be loyal to the court?

Besides, who said that arresting Xie Zhaozhao would prevent us from attacking Daqian?

The delegation was excited and rubbed their hands together.

As it turned out, after Xie Zhaozhao sat down... they realized that Xie Zhaozhao had come to negotiate!

They weren't sent here for peace talks, nor were they sent to be taken away. Not only were they not sent here, but so many people were also sent to keep order for her.

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" the Crown Prince of Nanzhao asked, enraged and embarrassed.

“Dagan is a land of etiquette, so naturally we have come to see you off. Sincerity is the foundation of being a person, could you please be frank and tell us the true purpose of your mission to Dagan?” Xie Zhaozhao said.

The crown prince of Nanzhao said, "Friendly relations with neighboring countries are of paramount importance in international relations. State affairs are not something a woman in the inner quarters of the palace can arbitrarily speculate on."

"Alright, then let me ask one more question: when you return this time, do you really intend to deploy troops on the border and engage in battle with Da Gan?"

Before the Crown Prince of Nanzhao could answer, Jin Shun said with a gloomy face, "That's for sure, especially since you and Gu Shaoyu are such treacherous and vicious villains. Since the Emperor of Daqian refuses to hand you over, then the local authorities will let their iron hooves trample the land of Daqian and make sure you are torn to pieces."

"You're asking for death!" Yuan Yuan roared. "How dare you, a barbarian, slander the Grand Secretary and his wife?"

"What? I can't say anything about what you did?" Jin Shun said bluntly, twirling the dagger in his hand.

Gu Jiaojiao jumped up and said through gritted teeth, "Xie Zhaozhao, you and Gu Shaoyu killed my parents, brothers and sisters-in-law. I wish I could eat your flesh, drink your blood and devour your bones."

Xie Zhaozhao smiled faintly: "Gu Jiaojiao, as expected, having lived in a place full of poisonous insects, has become even more vicious, but she is as foolish as ever."

"Who told you that the Grand Secretary harmed your parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law? Let me think... Could it be the resurrected Aunt Yue?"

She turned to Jin Shun, who was young but had venomous eyes like a snake.

She asked, "Didn't the chieftain notice that the person you met looked familiar? Doesn't he resemble Aunt Yue, who came to your place to buy goods?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Shun suddenly realized that Princess Yu Rong's behavior and speech were indeed too similar to Guan Yingying's, which explained why he had always felt something was off.

Xie Zhaozhao touched the corner of her lips with a handkerchief and chuckled softly, "Just as I expected. She must have given you a very generous gift."

"Is the matriarch of the Grand Secretary no longer pretending to be a lady of high society, but instead resorting to sowing discord?"

"How ridiculous! I am the eldest daughter of the Xie family, a distinguished family. I would never deign to lay a hand on insignificant people like you."

"You..." Jin Shun's face darkened with anger, and he sneered, "When my Nanzhao army is at the city gates, the local officials will see how long His Majesty the Emperor of Da Gan can protect you!"

Xie Zhaozhao didn't care; she wasn't easily frightened.

"Your Highness, you mentioned deploying troops on the border so easily. It seems this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a premeditated plan?"

“If the Grand Secretary’s wife were willing to accompany the Chieftain to the Nanzhao Kingdom, the war could be avoided,” said the Crown Prince of Nanzhao. “The Chieftain has long coveted the huge market in Dagan and hopes that Furong Ointment will make a name for itself here.”

The delegation came not to negotiate, but to take advantage of the chaos.

They discussed with Emperor Hui about "fully opening up free trade to the Nanzhao Kingdom," which enraged Emperor Hui, who refused to budge an inch and expelled Daqian.

Xie Zhaozhao said to Gu Jiaojiao, "Gu Jiaojiao, I also want to tell you something—your father removed you from the family genealogy after you fell into the dark side."

Cherish the chieftain's favor towards you; after all, no one in the Great Khanate would accept a woman who has served in the underworld as their principal wife.

Even though Jin Shun loved her deeply, knowing that she had worked in the secret service still pierced his heart.

Sure enough, Jin Shun looked at Gu Jiaojiao with disbelief and anger in her eyes.

"Alright, we won't delay your journey any longer. The Imperial Guards who are expelling you have been waiting outside for quite some time. It's time for you to set off."

Having said all that she wanted to say, she led her entourage away from the post station and returned to Qingpu Garden.

"Non-smoking materials are being used?"

"Yes, everyone has been poisoned. The incubation period is one month. After one month, their whole bodies will fester and they will die if an expert in antidote cannot be found."

A month later, they all returned to the Nanzhao Kingdom.

"Jin Shun was given several kinds of poison, which will cause him to lose his legs, eyes, hands, and kidneys one after another."

Even if Jin Shun's ulceration is cured, he cannot be cured of the other types of poison.

Xie Zhaozhao was determined to kill him.

Is it ruthless?

Of course not!

Just because he's the largest producer of hibiscus ointment, and he grows it with the intention of harming people, he deserves to die.

The excuses about avenging Gu Jiaojiao are just that—pretexts. The true aim of the Nanzhao royal family and chieftains has always been to turn Daqian into their market for hibiscus ointment, where they can wantonly harm and plunder, ultimately leading to the downfall of their kingdom.

The Nanzhao Kingdom, a tiny country, only dared to cause trouble during times of great turmoil.

As for Gu Jiaojiao, without Jin Shun, she is nothing.

To kill someone, you don't need a knife; just destroy what she cares about most and what cares about her most, and wherever she is will be hell on earth.

Furthermore, she told Gu Jiaojiao, "Aunt Yue has given you a great gift," and they will think about it carefully. They believe that Princess Yu Rong must have given them the poison.

Xie Zhaozhao returned to her residence and continued copying scriptures and reciting sutras.

Yuanyuan came in and reported, "Young Master Zhou Lingyin has arrived."

Xie Zhaozhao had someone bring Zhou Lingyin to the tea room.

Zhou Lingyin looked unwell.

"Xie Zhaozhao, are you and I friends?" Zhou Lingyin immediately questioned, clearly displeased.

"Yes," Xie Zhaozhao said readily.

Zhou Lingyin was somewhat annoyed: "The four of us started an overseas business together, why did the three of you keep everything from me?"

Yin Jin'an and Li Yunmu were rarely in the capital, and no one told them where they went.

It wasn't until the Crown Prince forced the emperor to abdicate and the two of them led troops to rescue him that Zhou Lingyin realized how vast the gap was between them.

Why not take him with you? Is he afraid of dying?

Not to mention, Yin Jin'an even invented new weapons, which he knew nothing about.

Now, Yin Jin'an is the Marquis of Xiaoyao, Li Yunmu is the Earl of Annan, and Xie Zhaozhao, needless to say, has already been promoted to the rank of Super Rank Imperial Lady.

Only he was freeloading at the academy every day.