[Oh my, what are you looking at? We've already got the list of people suspected of framing the Duke of Zhu, and they're still such a loser. Oh my, there's been no action so far. It seems that the villain isn't omnipotent.]
Xiao Lichen felt angry when he heard Tao Yuwei's complaints.
He already knew that the villain she was referring to was him.
If you want to bring down those people, you can't just rely on a list of names.
He has been collecting evidence of those people's illegal activities according to the list of people.
Some of the progress was smooth, while others were very unsuccessful.
No matter what, it could not stop him from clearing the injustice of his grandfather's family.
Whoever stands in his way will die!
Xiao Lichen's dangerous look startled Tao Yuwei and she looked away.
My goodness, the villain’s eyes just now were too scary. He was like a ferocious lone wolf, with murderous intent in his eyes.
And just at this moment.
Emperor Jianchang appeared together with the Empress and Empress Dowager Guo.
Everyone who was sitting in their seats stood up, walked to the open space in the center of the hall, knelt down and shouted: "Your Majesty, may you live forever!"
As for the kneeling ceremony, no slogans were shouted to the Empress Dowager and the Queen.
Among the people present, apart from Xiao Lichen who was in a wheelchair and did not need to kneel, only Tao Yuwei, who bowed and saluted, stood there conspicuously.
Empress Dowager Guo, who was standing in front, was somewhat displeased when she saw this.
Tao Yuwei didn't care. His Majesty had allowed her that she didn't have to kneel when meeting anyone.
"Everyone, please get up. Today is a happy day. Let's eat and drink well."
Emperor Jianchang was in a particularly good mood and was not affected by what happened to Concubine Huo last night.
After His Majesty and the others took their seats, everyone returned to their original seats.
First, the national music of the Great Zhou Dynasty sounded in the hall.
A group of dancers dressed in light gauze appeared and danced gracefully.
Plate after plate of royal delicacies were served at the banquet.
Tao Yuwei actually liked the style of Emperor Jianchang's banquets.
People don't waste time talking. They gather everyone together and eat and drink directly. They don't talk about business or make endless speeches.
He was a very pragmatic and genuine monarch.
There was no time to present gifts before the meal began.
Emperor Jianchang was considered the simplest monarch in the history of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
He held a birthday banquet every year and did not allow court officials to send him special gifts.
Tao Yuwei likes low-key monarchs like Emperor Jianchang.
She usually likes to eat jerky meat rice, but today, she didn't move her chopsticks much, but kept her eyes on Wu beside her.
The man's gaze before was too presumptuous, and she didn't believe that he could restrain himself.
She just waited for the other party to take action and reveal their true intentions, so that she could act accordingly.
She didn't know that apart from her silently observing the actions of the people around her, Tao Zhihong and Tao Zixing were not in the mood to eat or drink, and their gazes would sweep over her from time to time.
The two sides were separated by a certain distance, but not too far.
The dance ended and warm applause was heard from the hall.
At this moment, a report came from outside the palace, "Your Majesty, the Northern Barbarians' envoys are outside seeking an audience. They want to present gifts to Your Majesty."
Everything in the hall fell silent.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianchang's expression remained calm.
"allow!"
When everyone in the hall heard the news, they looked outside the hall curiously.
Tao Yuwei was also very curious at this time, why the northern barbarians chose to enter the palace at this time.
She didn't think the other party came specifically to celebrate her birthday.
Tao Zhihong, who was sitting in his seat, reacted differently from others.
He sat there calmly, waiting for the arrival of the Northern Barbarians' delegation.
"The Xuanbei Barbarians delegation arrives to meet you!"
Following one message after another, the Northern Barbarians delegation entered the hall under the leadership of the newly appointed Minister of Rites Chu Qiling.
Eight grassland men, with bodies as strong as iron towers, thick hair, thick earrings, short animal skins, and exposed thick arms and thighs, came into the hall with scimitars in their hands.
He stood beside an old man in the robes of the Great Zhou Dynasty, put his hands on his chest and bowed.
"The Northern Barbarian Left Prime Minister Kutu Ri leads the delegation to congratulate His Majesty the Great Zhou on his blessings and a long life."
"Oh, I wonder what kind of gifts the Northern Barbarians delegation brought me?"
Emperor Jianchang sat high on the dragon throne and asked calmly.
He was very curious. Ever since the Northern Barbarians were annihilated by the army led by Tao Zhihong five years ago near the Holy Mountain deep in the grassland, hundreds of thousands of Northern Barbarian cavalry had been wiped out. The Northern Barbarians had been obedient for several years.
This time, they were so bold as to send someone to celebrate his birthday. He wanted to see what good things the other party had brought.
"We come here on behalf of Darg Khan to bring fifty grassland sheep, thirty strong horses, and five hundred taels of gold. We also wish once again for peace and friendly exchanges between our two countries."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jianchang smiled and ordered it to be accepted.
Under the leadership of the Minister of Rites, the Northern Barbarians delegation was seated at specially prepared seats.
Good wine and delicious food were served.
Tao Zhihong looked at the Northern Barbarians delegation. He didn't believe that these Northern Barbarians would stay here obediently.
There was not a single familiar face among these people. Tao Zhihong deduced that the group of people he had fought against before must have lost their power and been replaced by the families of these people.
No matter what, in front of the northern barbarians, the only way to succeed is to show off your strong muscles and defeat them completely.
Don't be fooled by the fact that these people are now honestly expressing the friendly exchanges between the two countries.
He knows the nature of the grassland people best.
Don't talk about etiquette with these people.
In their eyes, even if a friendly agreement is signed, it may be torn up at any time.
These northern barbarians can turn against each other at any time and there is no logic to be found.
Over there, whenever they encounter a bad weather season and their cattle, sheep and horses freeze to death, they will bring people south to rob them.
This is the lesson learned from the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty to the present hundreds of years.
It's very interesting that no one knows who this newly appointed Minister of Rites belongs to.
He ignored the scimitars carried by the northern barbarians and led them into the palace without hesitation.
What a courageous guy.
Kutu Ri, the Left Prime Minister of the Northern Barbarians, stood up with a smile after noticing Tao Zhihong's scrutiny. He held a wine glass in his hand and said politely, "This must be the Great General who protects the country. He is truly a general who is beloved by all the people of the Great Zhou. His aura is truly extraordinary. On behalf of the Northern Barbarians, I toast to the General."
Tao Zhihong chuckled twice and said, "As my defeated generals, you are not worthy to drink with me."
Damn it, he immediately put him in a bad light in front of Your Majesty and many court officials, implying that he is more popular among the people of the Great Zhou than Your Majesty.
Isn't this just pointing fingers at him and telling Your Majesty that his achievements surpass yours?
Since the other party is being too arrogant, he doesn't need to be polite.
"You dare to insult the Left Prime Minister of the Northern Barbarians? You're courting death!"
One of the big men suddenly stood up and drew his sword.
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