Although these words were spoken to Zhao Shu, they were actually meant for Qiu Tong. However, Qiu Tong couldn't very well express her gratitude, otherwise she would appear unvirtuous and lacking in gentleness.

“Foreign women are skilled in sorcery, so it’s best not to go. Your Majesty’s mother is right, and I believe Your Majesty also thinks it should be returned.” Zhao Shu spoke for Qiu Tong, and after thinking for a moment, she added, “There are too many people in the palace. A-Jun didn’t dare to come anymore. With so many people, we have to give a lot of gifts, and we can’t afford it.”

"I'll see who dares to ask you for a gift. If they do, I'll teach them a lesson!" The Empress Dowager immediately retorted, avoiding the implication in Zhao Shu's words.

It's true that becoming a mother-in-law changes everything; she wishes her son could sleep with a thousand men every day.

"It's almost time, let's go." The Empress Dowager seemed a little listless. Since Huo Baichuan fell into a coma, she and Zhao Yi had been exceptionally busy, often discussing state affairs until late at night.

She had barely finished speaking when Zhao Yi arrived, beaming. "Greetings to the Empress Dowager, greetings to the Empress Mother." After bowing, he immediately looked at Zhao Shu, "Has A-Jun met Augustus?"

Why ask this as soon as we meet? Zhao Shu nodded, "I've met you. What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Zhao Yi smiled helplessly, "Don't you know? Nowadays, many foreign princes want to marry noble ladies of our dynasty. You are a popular choice. So many people want to marry you." He teased.

The Empress Dowager glanced at him and replied coolly, "Anyone can marry your sister, how can you be so heartless? I think none of these princes are as good as the heroes of this dynasty, and it's only because you still care about them."

Zhao Yi immediately agreed, showing great obedience, and remained silent, but still looked at Zhao Shu and mouthed, "You can choose a husband now."

His original intention was to let Zhao Shu have some fun, not to let Zhao Shu really choose. In his heart, Zhao Shu really couldn't marry into a foreign country. Putting aside political factors, he didn't want Zhao Shu to marry far away just from a personal point of view.

Zhao Shu understood his meaning. She recalled Princess Shanyin, who had dozens of male favorites. She had once said to the emperor, "You are the emperor with three thousand beauties and seventy-two concubines. We are both members of the royal family, so why can I only have one husband?"

So the emperor at the time gave her a dozen male concubines...

Thinking of this, Zhao Shu was stunned.

Wei Tingsi took her to see Augustus, not for a blind date, right? He wouldn't be so unprincipled.

"Let's go, don't keep them waiting," the Empress Dowager said, and with the help of Ji Yun and others, she walked ahead and left Cining Palace.

Along the way, concubines arrived one after another, bowed, and followed behind, all heading to the Ganlu Palace together.

Upon arriving at Ganlu Hall, the court officials and their families were already there. Xiao Fuzi shouted, "The Emperor has arrived! The Empress Dowager has arrived!" After everyone was called, Zhao Shu and the others took their seats amidst a chorus of homage.

This time, she sat next to the Empress Dowager, and no one competed for her seat, nor was she specially arranged to sit next to the Empress Dowager to elevate the status of any noble lady.

After everyone was seated, officials from the Ministry of Rites led the foreign guests in. Most of those present were princes or dukes.

No one wanted to kill one of their princes in the capital of Dayong just to fight a war with Dayong, because they knew perfectly well that even in war, their spears were no match for their muskets.

Therefore, the atmosphere was relatively peaceful, and the princes who came were all powerful, as they were all there for the muskets, and the marriage alliance was just a secondary matter.

Their attire was different from that of Dayong, creating a stark contrast upon their arrival. After paying their respects to Zhao Yi and the Empress Dowager, the Dayong courtiers exchanged greetings with them... The elaborate etiquette was quite tedious, but Zhao Shu found it rather annoying, thanks to their patience.

However, this is also a symbol of a powerful nation. If a nation is weak, how could the princes of other countries possibly adapt to local customs?

Two quarters of an hour later, all the formalities were completed, and the guests and hosts took their seats. The palace maids brought over the food gracefully. After a few rounds of drinks, some of the princes couldn't resist and stood up to imitate the etiquette of Dayong, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty the Emperor of Dayong, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager of Dayong, my country of Urac wishes to marry a princess of your esteemed country as your queen. We humbly request Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress Dowager of Dayong to agree."

After saying that, he glanced at Zhao Shu.

Others, fearing that Zhao Shu would be taken away, also hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty the Emperor of Dayong, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager of Dayong, our country also wishes to marry a daughter of your royal family as our queen. Our country is willing to maintain friendly relations with your country forever and never declare war."

The words were very straightforward; they directly referred to her as a daughter of the imperial family, making the meaning quite clear.

Some were explicit, while others were even more explicit. As soon as the words fell, someone else stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Emperor of Dayong, we have heard that your princess has come of age and is not yet married. Our country wishes to marry your princess as our empress, and we are willing to offer our most precious national treasure as a betrothal gift."

"I am also..." He had just learned Chinese, but he spoke it quite well, probably because he had practiced his marriage proposal many times.

Zhao Shu was somewhat embarrassed because so many people wanted to marry her, and they all wanted to make her the first empress. She really didn't expect that one day she would be so sought after... Although marrying her might just be a means rather than an end, as a woman, her vanity was still greatly satisfied.

There were also more open-minded princes who openly declared that they were head over heels in love with her and that they would lose their appetite and sleep if they could not marry her.

With so many people making requests, Zhao Yi seemed to deliberately delay replying, instead turning to Zhao Shu and asking, "Ah Jun, do you see any of the princes you like?"

Oh my god... Zhao Shu couldn't help but laugh out loud. Zhao Yi is so mischievous.

However, she didn't laugh. Instead, she acted shy, quickly glanced at the princes, and then shook her head to indicate that she didn't think much of them.

Zhao Yi was overjoyed. What he hated most was marriage alliances. The country and its people were men's affairs. Using his own daughter for a marriage alliance was like pushing someone into a fire pit. During his reign as emperor, he would never allow the idea of ​​marriage alliances!

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