"Someone! Bring the map of the country and the treaty of friendship to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wu Chang bowed and handed the parchment scroll and papers from the little eunuch's hands to Emperor Yu Ming.
Emperor Yuming ordered a new treaty to be drafted, changing the original five cities to seven and increasing the amount of other tributes to thirteen percent. He then checked it with satisfaction and signed it together with Shangguan Jingci.
After receiving a treaty belonging to the Kingdom of Qing, Shangguan Jingci put it in his pocket, circled seven neighboring cities on the parchment scroll, including them within the territory of the Kingdom of Yu, and then spoke with a calm expression: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities." Emperor Yuming smiled slyly, his mood extremely excited, truly a case of getting the better deal while feigning innocence.
Taking a deep breath, Shangguan Jingci said, "I beg Your Majesty to issue a decree to grant us the marriage. I will be returning to my country in a few days."
"Won't the Crown Prince stay a few more days?" Emperor Yuming asked, seemingly very fond of his guest.
Shangguan Jingci shook her head and said, "My father has assigned me a position, and there are still some political affairs in the Kingdom of Qing waiting for me to handle."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuming was slightly disappointed.
His informant in the Kingdom of Qing reported that Emperor Qing'an rarely interfered in politics these days, entrusting all matters, large and small, to Shangguan Jingci, presumably due to health problems. He was initially somewhat pleased, but judging from Shangguan Jingci's tone... it seemed that wasn't the case?
"How are you doing lately, my dear brother Qing'an? Are you still as spirited as you were back then?" he asked cautiously, referring to the days when the two of them faced each other on the battlefield.
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jingci's eyes widened, and an excited expression appeared on her face. She bowed deeply to him, "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. My father is in good health, eats and sleeps well, and occasionally runs around the palace a few times in the early morning. Although he is older and has faded a little compared to his younger days, he is still very strong. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's concern."
Emperor Yuming choked, his expression somewhat complicated.
I really don't know if Shangguan Jingci is really stupid or pretending. He was clearly testing Emperor Qing'an's physical condition, but Shangguan Jingci thought he was concerned about his father?
Does calling someone "brother" mean they are truly brothers from different fathers and mothers?
Ha, that's ridiculous.
Feeling somewhat disheartened by his reply, Emperor Yuming waved his hand to indicate that he understood, and Shangguan Jingci tactfully led his envoys to take their leave.
"Impermanence." Emperor Yuming sat back on the dragon throne, his hands resting on the armrests on either side.
"Your servant is here."
"Draft the imperial edict."
"Yes, sir."
As Shangguan Jingci stepped out of the Dragon Soaring Palace, a cold smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes were filled with undisguised mockery.
...
...
When Qin Qi and Lu Huai arrived at the Shu residence, Master Shu and Madam Shu looked at them as if they had seen a savior, and begged her to comfort Shu Hua.
Lu Huai went to find Shu Zhan, and Qin Qi frowned as she arrived at Shu Hua's courtyard. "Zi Hui, what happened?"
Shu Hua glanced over instinctively, her eyes darting around in confusion, seemingly not recognizing her for a moment. After a while, she managed a weak smile, "It's Yizhi."
Qin Qi frowned even more deeply and couldn't help but grasp her hand. "What's wrong?"
When she asked Master Shu in the front hall, they refused to answer, only shaking their heads with red eyes and saying, "What a tragic fate... what a tragic fate."
Shu Hua's face was pale, and she forced a weak smile. "I'm fine."
She licked her dry lips, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept well or hadn't slept all night.
Qin Xi couldn't help but pour her a glass of water. Shu Hua forced a smile and sipped it slowly. After finishing the glass, her lips finally regained a slight rosy hue. Just as she was about to say something, a servant came to report.
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