The aunt and niece whispered to each other, and every word reached Xiao Jingzhao's ears, leaving him both amused and exasperated.
Seeing that they could not get something for nothing, the Sang Kingdom envoys discussed with their companions and decided to exchange the silk they had brought for seeds.
The leading envoy rose and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, Wanling has such fine food; my Sang Kingdom is willing to pay a high price to purchase it."
The envoy paused for a moment and then said, "I came unprepared this time and am willing to exchange the hundred bolts of silk I brought with me."
The Liang envoys remained calm and composed, not because they were unmoved, but because Liang had a fruit that looked similar to a tomato, only smaller, and tasted almost the same.
Xiao Jing raised his hand. "I understand the envoy's meaning, but these seeds are not available in the palace. Someone else has the seeds."
"We are also willing to pay a hefty sum to exchange some seeds back with us."
"We need it too."
Immediately, several foreign envoys stood up and expressed their desire to purchase the seeds.
Food is the most important thing for people. Only when the people of a country live well can the country be considered prosperous and strong. Xiao Jingzhao understands everyone's feelings.
Before discussing it with Jiang Shuyue, he couldn't agree even if she ceded two cities.
The envoy on the right explained, “Please be patient, everyone. You will be staying in Wanling for some more days. We will discuss the matter of the seeds and then give you an answer.”
"Father, you can agree, Mother will agree." Sui Sui said in a low voice, and reached out to poke Xiao Jingzhao's back through the gauze curtain.
Sui Sui knew all too well how greedy her mother was; she would have been willing to sell the greenhouse for two chests of jewels.
Xiao Jingzhao covered his face with his sleeve and turned his head slightly, "Stop fooling around."
Upon receiving confirmation, the envoys all bowed and returned to their seats.
After the envoy from the northern desert took his seat, his gaze swept across the table several times.
Several more dishes appeared on the table, but the unfinished plate of tomatoes had vanished.
He looked at the tables on the left and right next to him, but there were no tomatoes to be seen.
The envoy was secretly annoyed. If he had known that the palace servants would remove the dishes after serving them, he would have finished the tomatoes before going to talk business.
The banquet was attended by ministers, but Xiao Jingzhao, being the emperor, naturally wouldn't stay until the end.
He raised his glass and drank with everyone before getting up and leaving through the side door.
A bad feeling rose in Eunuch Ma's heart, and he hurriedly followed.
“Why did you come along? Those two haven’t eaten yet. Remove the banquet from the Yangxin Hall and let Sui Sui and Chang Le go there.”
"Yes! This servant will go right away."
Seeing the Emperor's stern face, Eunuch Ma was all smiles. The Emperor didn't blame the Princess; instead, he was worried that she was going hungry.
The Emperor is all bark and no bite.
Eunuch Ma bowed to the departing figure and hurriedly went back to summon several eunuchs to remove the dishes that the Emperor had not touched.
"Young Master, Your Highness, let's go! His Majesty requests your presence at the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
"What are you going to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for?" Chang Le peeked out from beside Sui Sui and swallowed hard.
He thought to himself, "Oh no, I've been found out after all."
When she saw her brother get up, she quickly hid to avoid being discovered.
Unfortunately, Sui Sui is too small to completely conceal her figure.
Sui Sui didn't take it seriously and pulled Chang Le's hand as they went out the side door.
Outside the door, Jing'er huddled like a quail under a tree in the distance.
Upon seeing Chang Le emerge, he hurried forward, "Your Highness, has the Emperor discovered you?"
"Hehe, I think I've found out, but it's alright, my brother has invited me to a banquet."
As Chang Le spoke, she took Sui Sui's hand and was about to take a step.
Jing'er sighed and said, "Your Highness, are we going to get a scolding after this meal? We shouldn't have come today."
“Sister Jing’er, what are you saying? Our Emperor is not that kind of person. This servant has seen the Emperor reprimand his ministers, but I have never seen the Emperor reprimand His Highness.” Fu Gui, who had followed, couldn’t help but speak up.
In his eyes, the emperor was the most benevolent and wise ruler, and he would not tolerate any questioning from others.
"I didn't mean to say anything bad about His Majesty. I just think we made a mistake today."
"Alright, stop arguing. We definitely can't have this meal. My elder sister is waiting for me to eat. Sui Sui, why don't you go with Fu Gui and come to Chang Le Palace after you finish eating?"
Chang Le rubbed Sui Sui's head, looking like she had something urgent to attend to.
Before Eunuch Ma and Fugui could react, Chang Le had already strode away.
Sui Sui touched her ruffled hair and said, "My aunt comes and goes like the wind and rain, she really works hard."
Grandpa Ma smiled without saying a word, while Fugui bowed and grunted in agreement, suppressing a laugh as his shoulders trembled like a leaf.
...
A moment later, inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Xiao Jingzhao personally fed his son.
After burping, Sui Sui shook her head. "Daddy, Sui Sui can't eat anymore. Mommy said that boys who get too fat won't grow tall."
What is a "chaser"?
Xiao Jingzhao was completely bewildered by Sui Sui's words.
Her son has the same handsome features as her, and judging from his physique, he will be quite tall in the future.
It would be bad if the problem was in other areas.
For some reason, Xiao Jingzhao did not question Jiang Shuyue's words at all.
He quickly put down his chopsticks and stared intently at Sui Sui.
“Father, don’t ask anymore. I’ve already asked Mother. She said I’ll naturally understand what ‘chasing’ means when I’m fifteen or sixteen.”
The eunuch Ma, who was serving nearby, turned his head away, his expression indescribable.
Xiao Jingzhao's temple twitched.
What kind of indecent things is this woman saying to the child?
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little awkward, and Xiao Jingzhao coughed to change the subject.
"You poked your father just now, trying to get him to agree to those people's demands. Do you know if your mother would be willing to sell the seeds?"
"Yes, I will. Mother loves making money."
When it comes to making money, Sui Sui's eyes light up.
Xiao Jingzhao: "..."
"This isn't something you can decide; you have to ask your mother."
"Lord Lin requests an audience!"
As the father and son were talking, Fugui reported.
Xiao Jingzhao looked up at Eunuch Ma, "Please come in quickly."
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"I've met Sui Sui."
"Your Majesty, the envoy from Sang Kingdom has ill intentions; we must be on guard."
Before I, Xiao Jingzhao, could say "no need for formalities," Lin Xiangzhi bowed and hurriedly got down to business.
Xiao Jingzhao raised his hand. "Sit down and talk. Did you hear what they were saying?"
Xiao Jingzhao secretly thought that he was lucky to have invited Lin Xiangzhi to the banquet today, otherwise he would not have known that the other party was talking about the plan to attack Wanling in front of him in dialect.
Xiao Jingzhao stepped forward, patted Sui Sui's head, and then sat down.
Sui Sui: "..." This hairstyle won't last a day.
"Your Majesty, I did not hear what they were talking about, but I saw the envoy from Sang Kingdom trying to steal the tomatoes from the plate."
"Cough cough..."
"Xiangzhi, are you sure you're not mistaken? You're all grown men, how could you do such a despicable thing?"
Xiao Jingzhao nearly choked and immediately rejected Lin Xiangzhi's guess.
"Your Majesty, it's true. I didn't see wrong. In order to prevent them from succeeding, we must think of a way."
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