Chapter 230 Only for You

Chunzhi was pondering her next move when she heard Huo Zheng ask this question. She couldn't help but look up at him, "You want me to return to Beijing with Huo Yan?"

Huo Zheng stood up and walked behind Chunzhi. He raised his hand to stroke her hair, then leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Of course I don't want you to leave, but Xinghui is still young, and you've been in Xizhou for so long. You must miss your child terribly. I can't be so selfish as to let you abandon your child for me."

Xiaoxing needs his mother's company the most right now.

Chunzhi can manage not to think about her children when she is busy during the day, but when she lies alone on the couch at night, her longing reaches its peak.

These days, she often wondered if Xiaoxing had forgotten that she was her mother after not seeing her for so long.

If we count the days, he might have already started to speak and call daddy and mommy.

But on such an important day, neither she nor Huo Zheng was with the child.

It would be a lie to say I have no regrets.

However, Xizhou and the capital were too far apart. Huo Zheng had been leading troops in battle at the front lines. Chunzhi, like the wives of other generals, was worried about her husbands away at the battlefield and had never thought of returning to the capital early.

Now that the border is stable, the emperor has sent Prime Minister Ji and others to negotiate with Xiling, and also sent someone to bring Huo Yan back to the capital. It would be much safer for Chunzhi to go back with him than to go alone.

Besides, she had indeed been in Xizhou long enough.

Chunzhi leaned back into Huo Zheng's arms, feeling the warmth of his embrace, and whispered, "I really miss my child. Then... I'll go back to Beijing with Huo Yan."

Huo Zheng smiled and said, "Don't you hesitate?"

Haruji looked up at him, "What are you hesitating about?"

Huo Zheng raised his hand and touched her earlobe, "For example... act like you can't bear to leave me?"

"You were the one who asked me if I wanted to return to the capital, and now you want to see that I can't bear to leave you." Chunzhi chuckled, "You are so difficult to please, Prince Chang'an."

Huo Zheng really liked Chunzhi's directness and frankness, and whispered to her, "When I've been with you, I've always been the one serving you. When did I ever ask you to serve me?"

"Go away." Chunzhi pushed Huo Zheng. "You are not ashamed to say such things in broad daylight!"

Huo Zheng smiled and said, "Why should I be embarrassed when I'm talking to my princess about personal matters?"

Chunzhi stood up and said, "You really should let your subordinates see what their respected Prince Chang'an is like in private!"

Huo Zheng chuckled and said, "I only show you this look."

When the two were alone, the maids and servants stayed away from them and didn't know what they were talking about.

All I know is that the prince and princess were playing chess, but suddenly stopped and came closer to talk.

Huo Zheng was actually reluctant to let Chunzhi leave, but staying in Xizhou was too hard and tiring, and he didn't want Chunzhi to stay here and suffer with him.

The two talked for a while, and then a servant came in to report that Prime Minister Ji and Prince Xiling had entered the city.

Huo Zheng then straightened his clothes and prepared to go out.

After Chunzhi sent him to the courtyard, she went back to the house to pack her things.

Huo Zheng received the Prince of Xiling and a group of envoys in the hall. After arranging for them to stay in the inn, he asked someone to invite Prime Minister Ji and the officials from the capital to the hall.

The two groups passed each other at the door, both very dissatisfied with each other.

The middle-aged official following closely behind Prime Minister Ji Jun entered the hall. Upon seeing Prince Chang'an, he expressed discontent, "We have come to Xizhou on the orders of the Emperor to negotiate peace. How could Prince Chang'an meet with the Xiling envoy first and leave us hanging?"

The man who spoke was named Liang, and he was Ji Jun's disciple.

Huo Zheng sat upright in his high seat, his expression calm as he asked, "When did I ever leave Lord Liang alone?"

Lord Liang said: "Just now——"

"When Lord Liang arrived at the Jiedushi Mansion, the Xiling envoys were already in the hall." Gu Yuanjia was responsible for picking up Prime Minister Ji and his entourage, and he knew the matter best.

He didn't wait for Lord Liang to say anything more and interrupted, "Could it be that Lord Liang wants the prince to drive the Xiling envoy out and meet you first?"

Lord Liang immediately said, "I didn't say that."

Gu Yuanjia said, "I think this is what Lord Liang meant."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Lord Liang said, "What I'm saying is that we came to Xizhou with the Prime Minister. Since the King of Chang'an knew that we arrived in Xizhou City on the same day as the Xiling envoys, he should have met our own people from Daxing first, not the Xiling people."

Huo Zheng said slowly, "Master Liang, are you saying that I've acted inappropriately?"

Lord Liang was about to say, "Your Highness, it is indeed inappropriate for you to act this way," but when he met Huo Zheng's gaze, he was suddenly startled and didn't dare to say such a thing.

It is clear that when he was in the capital, the Prince of Chang'an had always been low-key and introverted. But now, after staying in Xizhou for a few months, his majesty is now no less than that of the emperor, and people dare not look directly at his face.

Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Ji smiled and said, "Your Highness is naturally acting with the utmost caution. Lord Liang only feels that Your Highness is being too lenient by meeting with the Xiling people before meeting with us, as they have invaded our Daxing territory."

Huo Zheng said: "First come, first served, nothing to say."

Prime Minister Ji hurriedly said, "Yes, Your Highness is the Prince of Daxing. How could he possibly be biased towards Xiling?"

There's nothing wrong with this at first glance, but it's a bit harsh.

Huo Zheng didn't find fault with Ji Jun. He just said to them, "You gentlemen have come a long way and must have worked hard. You can rest for a day and discuss the peace talks tomorrow."

The officials hurriedly bowed and saluted, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your consideration."

Huo Zheng said: "Yuan Jia, please arrange accommodation for the gentlemen."

"Yes, Your Highness." Gu Yuanjia did as he was told.

All the officials followed Master Gu out of the hall, leaving only Prime Minister Ji Jun standing in front of Huo Zheng.

Huo Zheng called out to Ji Jun, "Prime Minister Ji, please sit down and talk."

Ji Jun took two steps forward and sat next to Huo Zheng, then took out a memorial from his sleeve. "This is the peace terms that have already been reviewed by the Emperor. Prince Chang'an, please review them."

Huo Zheng reached out to take it, opened the letter and took a closer look.

There were thirty-three conditions for the peace talks, ranging from asking Xiling to cede cities and land to presenting horses and beauties, each one more infuriating than the last.

If the peace terms are like this, Xiling will definitely give up the peace talks and start the war again.

But Ji Jun said that his father had already reviewed it.

This means that this is the emperor's intention.

Huo Zheng's face was expressionless. "I am young, so I will have to rely on Prime Minister Ji for the next peace talks."

"I don't deserve it." Ji Jun tried to read something from Prince Chang'an's face, but he was so expressionless that it was impossible to tell. He could only humbly say, "Your Highness is in charge of Xizhou now. We are here to negotiate peace, so we will follow Your Highness's instructions."

Huo Zheng closed the memorial, looked up and asked Ji Jun, "Prime Minister Ji, what you mean is that when you were in the capital, you listened to the emperor, but now that you're in Xizhou, you listen to me. Why? In your eyes, aren't I and the emperor of the same mind?"