Chapter 189: Buy and Sell
The next morning, when Qi Wuhan came with the black-armored cavalry, King Rui was already waiting outside the city gate, followed by Huo Chen and the black-armored soldiers.
Qi Wuhan asked the black-armored cavalry to stay where they were, and walked over alone to sit down opposite King Rui.
"Your Highness is truly courageous," Prince Rui glanced at the mask on his face. "Since you are so courageous, why don't you show your true face?"
Qi Wuhan said in a cold voice, "I have a business deal. I wonder if the Third Prince is interested?"
"Business?" King Rui chuckled. "Tell me about it."
Qi Wuhan said, "The Northern Desert is rich in iron ore, but medicinal herbs are scarce. If we exchange iron ore for medicinal herbs, would this be a good deal?"
"That sounds like a good deal." King Rui sneered. "But do you think I'm a fool? Even a three-year-old child wouldn't trust iron ore for medicinal herbs."
"Perhaps in the eyes of the Third Prince, iron ore is much more valuable than medicinal herbs, but in my eyes, it's just a matter of casting a few fewer weapons," Qi Wuhan said in a deep voice, "Weapons are used to kill, while medicinal herbs are used to save people."
Prince Rui raised the corners of his lips in a sinister manner and said sarcastically, "I didn't expect His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to have such a kind heart." He raised his eyes and stared at the indifferent peach blossom eyes behind the mask. "I may consider it. It depends on your sincerity."
"One pound of iron ore for one pound of medicinal materials, is that enough sincerity?" Qi Wuhan asked.
Prince Rui sneered, "If you don't even dare to show your true face, how can you talk about sincerity?"
"Since the Third Prince feels that my sincerity is not enough, please convey my sincerity to His Majesty." Qi Wuhan said.
Prince Rui stared at the indifferent eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly curled his lips into a smile, "Then why don't you return to the capital with me and tell my father your sincerity in person? I'll see if you have the courage to do so."
"When does the third prince plan to set off back?" Qi Wuhan asked.
Prince Rui let out a sinister laugh, "You kidnapped my princess, how can I leave?"
Hearing the word "Princess," Qi Wuhan's eyes darkened, and a hint of chilliness appeared in his indifferent tone. "I heard that the Third Prince's wife passed away many years ago. Could it be that she is back to life?"
Prince Rui's expression darkened, a hint of a sinister smile playing at the corner of his lips. "That's my newly chosen princess. I was previously framed and imprisoned, but thanks to her, she stayed by my side day and night, never leaving me. Everyone in the palace knows about this. Now that she's pregnant with my child, I naturally have to give her a legitimate status."
Qi Wuhan gradually clenched his fists, and his eyes became colder and colder, like a bottomless ice cave, deep and dark.
Prince Rui glanced at him, a hint of satisfaction flashing across his eyes, "What's wrong with your Highness the Crown Prince? Are you angry?"
Qi Wuhan relaxed his clenched fists, a smile twitching at the corner of his eyes. "When has my great prince ever kidnapped anyone? The Third Prince might have remembered it wrongly. Perhaps the girl didn't want to be the princess and ran away quietly. A forced melon is not sweet. The Third Prince should not be too wishful."
Prince Rui sneered, "Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't even have this much sincerity, I don't think there's anything left to discuss in this deal."
"Whether we can talk or not, I'm afraid the Third Prince's opinion alone won't count. It all depends on the Emperor's opinion." Qi Wuhan stood up and walked away. He took two steps and then stopped and sighed, "It's a pity that your brother, the Crown Prince, can't come. If he could come and talk to me, his horizons would surely be broader."
"Okay." King Rui stood up and said, "I will make this deal with you."
Qi Wuhan turned around and asked, "Can you make the decision?"
"I can help you connect, but ultimately, I still need the emperor's approval." Prince Rui curled his lips and said, "But do you dare to return to the capital with me?"
"Why not?" Qi Wuhan said, "Even two countries at war don't kill envoys, let alone the deal I'm discussing is so profitable, why should I be afraid?"
"How about we set off tomorrow?" King Rui asked tentatively.
"Very good." Qi Wuhan turned around and said.
Prince Rui hooked his finger, and Huo Chen walked over. He stared at the figure in front of him and said, "You should be able to recognize your brother's voice, right?"
Huo Chen frowned coldly and replied, "Although the voice is similar, the Marquis cannot be the Crown Prince of Beimo."
Prince Rui snorted and laughed. "Why is this impossible? The Emperor of Beimo came to the capital as a hostage before. When he lived in the palace, he had a personal relationship with my aunt, Princess Zhaoyang. Soon after my father ascended the throne, he announced that the princess had passed away. After that, a baby boy of unknown origin appeared in the Qi Mansion. I'm afraid even General Qi doesn't know the true identity of this adopted son, but my father must know. Otherwise, with his military achievements, he wouldn't be charged with treason as soon as he disappeared, and the mansion was also sealed. My father didn't even want to give him a chance to explain. That's because..."
At this point, Prince Rui's lips curled up, "Father has always been wary of him."
"After raising the wolf cub, I always worry that one day it will bite me back." King Rui patted Huo Chen's shoulder and left with a smile.
Huo Chen's expression was grim, his brows twisted like iron chains. He kept staring at the black-armored cavalry in front of him as they left. He only led the black-armored army back to the city after the distance was far enough.
…
When Qi Wuhan returned to the main tent, he saw Jiang Lan push aside the curtain and stick half of her head out to take a look. After seeing him, she retracted her head, as if she was afraid of being seen.
When he pushed aside the curtain and came in, he saw Jiang Lan sitting obediently on a stool with a mischievous smile on her lips. "Why did you hide when you saw me just now?" As he spoke, he walked in front of her, then squatted down, resting his head lightly on her belly, listening attentively, and gently admonished her, "Be good and obedient, and don't kick your mother in the belly."
Jiang Lan was a little embarrassed and asked about the business, "How did the talk go?"
"Why did you hide when you saw me just now?" Qi Wuhan brought up the "old story" again.
Jiang Lan repeated his previous instructions, "Didn't you tell me to have a good rest and not run around? I'm just listening to you."
"From now on, you must listen to daddy like mommy does, okay~" Qi Wuhan coaxed her stomach gently, and asked Jiang Lan if she was hungry. He would have someone prepare whatever she wanted to eat.
"Eat, eat, eat! You only know how to make me eat. Just stuff me to death." Jiang Lan suddenly felt a little annoyed for some reason and couldn't bear to hear the word "eat". Qi Wuhan coaxed her, "Okay, if you don't want to eat, then I'll take you out for a walk?"
"No." Jiang Lan calmed down her sudden emotions and asked calmly, "How did the talk go? Tell me quickly~"
Qi Wuhan negotiated gently, "I'll arrange for someone to take you to a safe place, and I'll pick you up after this is over, okay?"
Jiang Lan stared at his gentle face for a few seconds and asked, "Where are you going?"
Qi Wuhan delayed for just a second, and she became a little annoyed again, her brows furrowed with anger. He gently stroked her face and soothed her, "Don't be angry. I'm going to the capital tomorrow, and I'll arrange for someone to take you there tonight."
"You're going to the capital?" Jiang Lan was surprised and anxious. "Are you going alone?"
Qi Wuhan comforted him, "Don't worry, I will act carefully. There are people in the capital to help me, so nothing will happen."
Jiang Lan pursed her lips tightly and said nothing. After thinking for a while, she made a decision, "Then I'll go with you."
"No." She was interrupted before she could finish her words. Qi Wuhan said seriously, "You are pregnant now. You can't have the slightest mistake."
"I have a way to make His Majesty the Third Prince trust me,"
"no!"
Qi Wuhan's tone became much heavier, as if he was angry. He stood up and turned his back to her, as if he didn't want her to see him lose his temper.
Jiang Lan reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve, saying in a coquettish tone, "Don't be angry."
Qi Wuhan adjusted his mood, turned around and squatted in front of her, and said gently, "I know you are worried about your elder brother. I promise that I will not let anything happen to your elder brother. Just listen to me, okay? I will definitely come to pick you up."
Jiang Lan nodded and asked in a negotiating tone, "Can I leave tomorrow?" Before he could answer, she leaned into his arms. Qi Wuhan wavered for a moment and coaxed her, "It's more discreet to leave at night and it's less likely to be discovered."
......
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