Ji Yunhuan lowered his head, hiding the deep disappointment in his eyes.
How can such an emperor, who is selfish, cowardly and irresponsible, gain the respect of all officials and intimidate the ferocious enemies in the north?
The State of Xiao wasted ten years in vain, but the Chiyou tribe continued to grow and develop, suppressing other tribes and establishing the Great Khanate, which is now even more difficult to shake.
Xiao Yan was right. He must ascend the throne within a year, otherwise it would be too late when the Xiao Kingdom was eroded and swallowed up!
Ji Yunhuan took a deep breath, knelt on the ground and said, "I am terrified. Xiao State is my father's Xiao State. Your Majesty can do whatever he wants with it. It is not your turn to make any comments."
The emperor did not expect Xiao Yan to have such an attitude. In the past, whenever matters concerning the northern border were mentioned, his eldest son would always quarrel with him and did not take him seriously at all.
Now he has changed and knows how to respect his king and father.
"Just tell me what you want, I will forgive you."
Ji Yunhuan kowtowed to the emperor and said insincerely, "I was wrong before. No matter what happens in the Northern Frontier, your father is the Son of Heaven and the ruler of the Xiao Kingdom. Everything should be decided by your father."
"I was young and reckless, and I made many mistakes that hurt my father. I have reflected on these past three years, but I was afraid that my father would not forgive me, so I stayed indoors."
"Today, I learned of your father's loving heart. I am deeply moved. I will be filial to you in the future and never disobey you again."
Ji Yunhuan's shoulders were shaking, and she was crying very sincerely. Whenever she thought of her deceased parents and relatives, her tears flowed out like water, and she couldn't stop them at all.
The emperor was also in tears, and the father and son hugged each other and cried bitterly. It was really a wonderful show of fatherly love and filial piety.
Liu Xi, standing by, offered some words of advice before the emperor wiped his tears and returned to the main topic. "So, A Yan also thinks that negotiating peace is a good thing?"
Ji Yunhuan said, "What the emperor decides is naturally a good thing."
The emperor became more and more satisfied with Xiao Yan. Even his eldest son, who had always been rebellious, supported peace talks. No one in the court dared to question his decision anymore.
"Since that is the case, please allow the envoy to rest for a while. Once I have ascertained the truth, we will then discuss peace and establish a lasting friendship between our two countries."
Ji Yunhuan knew that this matter would definitely come to nothing. Her reaction was faster than Concubine Wu's, and she took the lead in praising the merits:
"Your Majesty is wise! For the sake of peace between our two countries, Your Majesty has risked his own life to facilitate peace talks. This is truly a blessing for the people. On behalf of the people of the world, I, your son, thank you very much!"
The emperor's smile widened, and he personally helped "Xiao Yan" up, sighing, "A Yan has really grown up and can understand my painstaking efforts. I am so relieved."
Amidst the sounds of praise, Gulisi and the delegation swaggered out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The emperor finally remembered to care about the eldest prince, "Ayan, are you okay with your injury? Do you want to find another imperial physician to take a closer look?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. These are just superficial injuries. Your Majesty is a noble person. If your body were injured, it would be a major event that would shake the foundation of the country. Fortunately, Your Majesty is fine. Even if I die, I will be willing."
Ji Yunhuan looked respectful, and his legs shook involuntarily, as if he was about to fall down at any moment.
The emperor finally felt guilty, and thinking about how his eldest son had just risked his life to save him, he felt some real fatherly love in his heart.
"Come, give the eldest prince a seat! Since he is not in good health, there is no need to travel back and forth. Just serve me by my side."
"Thank you so much, father! I only regret that I cannot serve you every day." Ji Yunhuan acted as if he was extremely moved.
The emperor laughed heartily. "It's good that you have this intention, Ah Yan. You should come out more often in the future. You are still my eldest prince. I will give you all the honor and dignity you deserve."
The father and son on the stage were having a pleasant conversation, but the old ministers below were sighing.
"I thought His Highness was different, but it turns out he's just like this!"
"The eldest prince has been trapped in the Eastern Palace for three years. Three years is enough to change a person. Who wants to keep fighting against the emperor and live a miserable life worse than death when they can live a good life?"
"I thought that since His Highness had stood up, we still had some hope. But now it seems that the Xiao Kingdom is finished! It's all over~"
Only Elder Tian stroked his beard and laughed out loud, "You guys still can't see clearly. Our Highness has grown up. He used to be a fierce spear that would rather break than bend, but now he is a bow, restraining his edge and biding his time."
"Just wait and see. When the sharp arrow is shot out, there will naturally be a chance for us old guys to show our remaining energy."
Concubine Wu was accompanying the emperor on his left, while "Xiao Yan" was on his right. The emperor was in high spirits and was so coaxed by "Xiao Yan" that he couldn't stop smiling.
At this point, Concubine Wu still had nothing to understand. She was deceived by Xiaoyun!
Xiao Yan had not taken the poison at all. All his previous behaviors were just a show for her!
A criminal slave actually dared to tease her. Concubine Wu gave the nanny beside her a look. The nanny understood and immediately arranged for someone to kill Xiaoyun!
Not long after, the nanny came back and shook her head slightly at Concubine Wu.
Concubine Wu was shocked that her people could not find a criminal slave. Only then did Concubine Wu realize that the fifth prince was also missing.
She had a bad feeling in her heart and asked anxiously, "Where's Peng'er? He was here just now, how come he disappeared in the blink of an eye?"
Ji Yunhuan looked at the panicked Concubine Wu and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. It seemed that Xiao Yan had succeeded and the show was about to begin.
"Your Highness, the palace is bustling with people today. Many people from outside the palace have come, and there are even assassins sneaking in. Will Fifth Brother be in any danger?"
Concubine Wu was completely confused. From the moment "Xiao Yan" stood up, it seemed as if everything was out of control.
"Shut up! If anything really happens to Peng'er, I want you to be buried with him! It must be you who did it, and you arranged the assassin. What on earth do you want to do?"
Ji Yunhuan looked innocent. "What are you talking about, Your Majesty? It was you and General Wu who arranged for the delegation to come to the capital. I even saw you flirting with each other just now."
"And I'm just a cripple. I only stood up today in a hurry to save my father, and my legs are still aching. How can I arrange an assassin? To be disrespectful, if something happens to my father, what good will a paralyzed person like me do?"
For the first time, the emperor looked at Concubine Wu with suspicion.
He tacitly agreed to the Wu family arranging the delegation to come to Beijing, but if the Wu family had rebellious intentions and really colluded with the delegation to assassinate him, if they succeeded, who would ascend the throne?
What was the Fifth Prince doing after leaving the banquet?
Concubine Wu was terrified and fell to her knees, crying, "I have served Your Majesty for many years. Even if I have not made any contributions, it is still hard work. Peng'er has always been filial. How can a few provocative words erase his loyalty?"
"Peng'er's whereabouts are unknown. I am just a woman, and the only one I can rely on is Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to send someone to find Peng'er. If Peng'er is in trouble, I don't want to live anymore..."
The emperor summoned the commander of the imperial guards and ordered him coldly, "Find him for me! Even if you have to turn the entire palace upside down, you must find the fifth prince for me!"
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