He slightly raised his eyes, a hint of imperceptible authority flashing in them. His voice flowed like a clear, cool spring, carrying an undeniable aura.
"Didn't I already make it clear before? The reason Princess Yongning is able to understand the Japanese language is entirely because of her father, who is stationed on the border. Now, Minister Yang dares to ask such questions. Is he questioning Princess Yongning, or is he doubting me?"
After he finished speaking, a faint hint of anger appeared on his originally calm face, as if he were silently warning those who dared to question him.
It was as if an invisible declaration was made, in a very subtle and indirect way, clearly and solemnly announcing to everyone present that Gu Lili was being protected by Yin Jiuchen with all his might!
Upon hearing this, Minister Yang's face immediately showed a look of fear. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying he dared not, and then awkwardly shut his mouth.
Before this, Yin Jiuchen had already explained the reasons and background to everyone, but unfortunately, Minister Yang was usually a bit sharp-tongued and couldn't control his mouth, often saying inappropriate things.
However, when Yin Jiuchen resolutely said that he would protect Gu Lili, Gu Lili, who had been silently watching everything, keenly noticed that Liu Qionghua's originally beautiful face was now turning slightly pale, like a petal falling in autumn.
You should know that in everyone's eyes, Liu Qionghua was the woman destined to become Yin Jiuchen's future Crown Princess, and she should have enjoyed unparalleled favor and respect.
But now, Yin Jiuchen is openly protecting another woman in front of everyone without any hesitation.
This sudden turn of events was like a sharp dagger, instantly piercing Liu Qionghua's once proud heart, leaving her feeling incredibly lost and bitter. The complex emotions surged within her like a tide, lingering for a long time.
Gu Lili stood up and bowed gracefully to Yin Jiuchen.
"Thank you very much, Your Highness, for helping me out of this predicament. I am deeply grateful."
Yin Jiuchen knew that his reaction just now was too intense, so he nodded lightly and gestured for Gu Lili to sit down.
The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance and shook their heads. Today was the time to discuss matters of state.
Let's talk about other things later.
The scene became somewhat awkward after Yin Jiuchen lost his temper.
The people in Chaoyang Palace were glancing back and forth between Gu Lili and Liu Qionghua, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.
It seems to be making a comparison.
Fortunately, the envoy from Fusang Kingdom arrived soon after.
Also entering was the Fusang prince who had been crying and making a scene earlier.
At this moment, the Prince of Fusang had regained his composure, but it was a frightening calmness, and his eyes were almost blank.
Gu Lili guessed that the child in front of her might not be the crown prince of Fusang at all.
I guess they were taken away and given some kind of sedative.
Otherwise, how could a three- or four-year-old child, who is at a mischievous age, stay obediently in the wet nurse's arms without moving?
However, it's none of their business what happens to the children of an empire.
The situation has eased somewhat.
"Your Majesty, we have reached an agreement with the Crown Prince. As the Southern Yue Kingdom has stated, our two countries will sign a twenty-year agreement. During these twenty years, the Southern Yue Kingdom and Fusang will not go to war. During these twenty years, Fusang will pay tribute every year. However, our Crown Prince has one more condition: only one hostage will be sent." The Southern Yue Kingdom envoy bowed and said.
Gu Lili translated it verbatim and gave it to the Emperor.
After hearing this, the emperor coughed several times, each violent cough seeming as if he were coughing up his lungs.
After coughing several times, his already sallow complexion became even paler, as if that pallor could penetrate directly into the hearts of those around him.
"Father, are you alright?" Yin Jiuchen asked worriedly from the side.
The other ministers also looked at the emperor at the head of the table with worried expressions.
The Emperor covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed, while waving at Yin Jiuchen.
The Empress, who was standing nearby, quickly got up, brought a cup of tea, and served it to the Emperor.
Gu Lili noticed with her sharp eyes that the handkerchief was covered in scarlet blood, and she was startled.
The Queen clearly noticed as well, her eyes turning red.
"Your Majesty, you..."
The Emperor looked firmly at the Empress, shook his head, and gestured for her to keep quiet.
The Empress closed her eyes, suppressing her emotions, and gently patted the Emperor's back.
As the tea went down his throat, the emperor's rapid breathing seemed to gradually calm down, and the pain on his face lessened slightly, allowing him to slowly regain his composure.
At this time, the emperor was extremely weak, but he still insisted on sitting at the head of the table, just so that he could handle this crucial matter.
This also indirectly tells Yin Jiuchen how an emperor should act.
“Princess Yongning, tell them that the agreement is for fifty years, the captured soldiers will remain in Nanyue Kingdom as slaves for twenty years, the hostages will remain the same, two, or we can stop talking.”
Although the emperor's voice was weak, the firmness and determination it contained were beyond question.
He knew that this decision concerned the fate of the country and that he had to be resolute and decisive, without the slightest hesitation or wavering.
Gu Lili nodded and turned to look at the Japanese envoy.
In fact, the Fusang envoy knew that there was no room for negotiation, so after hesitating for a while, he pretended to discuss it with the three-year-old Fusang prince before finally nodding in agreement.
Therefore, the two countries formally signed an agreement, and Fusang agreed that the captured Fusang soldiers would remain in Nanyue Kingdom as slaves.
They will pay another five million taels as compensation, and the hostage will be brought back by the Southern Yue Kingdom when they withdraw their troops.
After the agreement was signed, the palace banquet officially began.
The Emperor is usually busy with state affairs and is already overworked. This time, due to physical exhaustion, he is really unable to endure this long palace banquet.
His weary figure gradually faded from everyone's sight as he left his seat with the Empress, leaving behind a scene of clamor and excitement.
Yin Jiuchen was put in charge of handling the remaining complicated matters.
Currently, there are only two women in Chaoyang Palace: Gu Lili and Liu Qionghua.
One is a translator, and the other is the crown prince's fiancée; it's not surprising.
Holding her bowl and chopsticks, Gu Lili ate her meal slowly and deliberately, while accurately translating the honeyed flattery from the Japanese envoy into a language that the court officials could understand.
Her focused expression made it seem as if the whole world consisted only of translating and cooking.
After much toasting and drinking, the palace banquet finally came to an end.
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