Looking at Wu Li's smiling face, King Jing shook his head and said:
"I appreciate the Barbarian King's kindness, but there are many affairs in the court. Everyone is too busy to spare any time in order to suppress the rebels. How can I stay here any longer?"
"I must return to report as soon as possible."
Wu Li raised his head and laughed, "Your Highness rarely comes here. This time you came in a hurry, and it is now the middle of the night. Can Your Highness travel back at night?"
"Actually, my barbarian tribe has always been warm and hospitable. However, Your Highness knows that my people are not very familiar with those elaborate etiquettes. Your Highness is of noble status, and they have never received such a distinguished guest before. Your Highness's sudden arrival has left them unsure of how to treat you, which is why they have not been hospitable to you."
"If Your Highness goes back like this, won't people say we are arrogant and rude? Heh heh."
Upon hearing this, Jin Ziyi nodded, his eyes even showing appreciation, and looked at King Jing.
King Jing shook his head and laughed:
"The Barbarian King is joking."
"Although I am of noble status, I am not an unreasonable person. How could I speak ill of the barbarians after returning home?"
"Do you think I lack even this much magnanimity? Besides..."
King Jing looked the house up and down, then smiled and said, "Take this house for example. It is a unique architectural style of your barbarians. Although it is very different from the houses in my Nanze, it is still a fine mansion in Guiyun City, which shows your courtesy."
"That's enough. Barbarian King, you don't need to think too much. I understand everything perfectly."
Wu Li's smile widened, and he nodded, saying, "That's good, that's good."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jin Ziyi laughed and said, "Barbarian King, I said a few inappropriate things earlier, and now I apologize to you all. Please consider it my foolishness and ignorance, and that I spoke without thinking!"
After saying this, Jin Ziyi cupped his hands in greeting to Wu Li, and then repeatedly cupped his hands to the barbarians behind Wu Li.
Wu Li quickly waved his hand, saying, "There's no need for that..."
King Jing was very satisfied with Jin Ziyi's performance, gave him an approving look, and then waved his hand, saying:
"Barbarian King, well... I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he led his men straight out, but after taking only one step, a withered hand resembling an eagle's claw landed on his forearm, gripping it tightly. Prince Jing paused, feeling as if he were being clamped down.
King Jing was taken aback and turned to look at Wu Li: "Barbarian King, what is this...?"
Wu Li shook Prince Jing's arm, leaned closer and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, can you hear the noise outside?"
King Jing was puzzled, but he could faintly hear the sound of drums, the same rhythmic drumming. Apart from the drumming, there seemed to be a commotion outside.
"What is this?" King Jing asked in confusion. Jin Ziyi, who was standing to the side, frowned and his eyes showed a hint of wariness.
But the next moment, a burst of laughter suddenly erupted.
"Hahaha."
"The reason I kept the prince here for so long was because I ordered my clansmen to prepare a banquet to welcome him back."
“When our barbarian tribe holds a banquet, we slaughter chickens and sheep, light bonfires, and roast and eat in an open space. We also dance the ‘war drum dance.’ And look, some of our tribesmen who can’t wait have already started playing the leather drum.”
"Come, Your Highness, let me show you around."
Wu Li took Prince Jing's hand and affectionately led him outside, pointing forward and smiling:
"How is it, Your Highness? You've never seen it before, have you?"
King Jing followed his gaze and saw a group of barbarian women dressed in strange clothes bustling about. Several bonfires had been lit in the open space, and whole, slaughtered and cleaned fat sheep were roasted beside the fires, sizzling and dripping with oil. It was unclear what spices were sprinkled on them, but a night breeze blew by, and the air was filled with a rich aroma.
On the other side were dozens of burly men with leather drums hanging from their waists, occasionally gently tapping the small drums. The drumbeats were not powerful or earth-shattering, but rather deep and powerful, with an indescribable sense of rhythm.
Among them, a dozen or so barbarian women, dressed in brown knee-length cotton and linen skirts, danced. Although their clothes were not gorgeous, the women were tall and healthy, with full figures. Their exposed bronze arms were smooth and long, and their legs were taut, which gave them a unique kind of beauty.
Jin Ziyi craned his neck, smelling the rich aroma of meat in the air, his mouth watering, while his eyes widened, staring intently at the tall and beautiful women.
King Jing, on the other hand, remained much calmer, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect the barbarian king to be so polite; it makes me a little..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wu Li laughed:
"Your Highness, the banquet has already been prepared, you can't leave now."
Jin Ziyi, who was standing to the side, swallowed and laughed, "Your Highness, we've never seen anything like this in Nanze before."
King Jing understood Jin Ziyi's meaning perfectly. Although he also wanted to stay, he had to prioritize the greater good. Therefore, he shook his head and smiled, saying:
"Under normal circumstances, I would have stayed here for a few days, but I cannot now."
"His Majesty is waiting for me to return and report."
But as soon as he finished speaking, a voice of dissatisfaction came from the crowd behind Wu Li: "Does Your Highness look down on the hospitality of our barbarian tribe?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Wu Li shouted, turning around.
"His Highness came here to request our troops to suppress the rebels. His words and actions were courteous; how could he possibly disrespect our barbarian tribe?" He then looked at the troubled-looking Prince Jing and stroked his beard, saying:
"Your Highness, it's dark and the road is dangerous. It's really not a good idea to travel back at night."
"As you said, Nanze is heavily guarded, and the rebel forces are not many, so what are you worried about?"
"Could it be that they are so wary of the rebels that they fear even the slightest mistake could lead to the rebels taking Nanze?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
