The second prince of Tuotuo was stunned for a moment, unsure of what to say.
"Your Majesty is right, but that's all in the past. Now that we're trying to mend things, we can't dwell on the bad things," the Third Prince said with a smile.
"Shouldn't we remember? That won't do. You Tuotuo people aren't good at recording things, and I've heard that most ordinary people on the grasslands are illiterate." Yan Nangui said, then stepped down and smiled, "Envoys, please don't misunderstand. I don't mean to look down on you. I'm just saying that the Dayan Dynasty is different from yours. We are best at recording. So, even if you don't remember, we must. It's naturally a good thing to be able to make peace with Tuotuo, and it's excellent that the people of both countries will no longer suffer from the ravages of war. However, there's no need to mention the marriage proposal."
"Does Your Majesty intend to act on behalf of Your Majesty?" a Tuotuo warrior asked unhappily.
These words may seem like angry words, but their provocative intent is quite clear.
Yan Nangui smiled calmly: "As expected, you Tuotuo people still don't quite understand the rules of our Dayan. Although the imperial decree for the marriage was issued by His Majesty, in our Dayan, we have to consider the marriage of men and women. Whose daughter they marry as a daughter-in-law, whose son-in-law they marry, and whose stepmother they marry. His Majesty is naturally the one who makes the final decision. But as the Empress, I cannot remain indifferent to this matter."
"The Empress's will is naturally my will. It's a good thing that Tuotuo wants to make peace with Dayan, and it's also a good thing that they can trade. However, there's no need to arrange a marriage right now. Let's wait a few years. If things look good in a few years, then it won't be too late to propose marriage." Shu Chengfeng smiled.
The samurai, presumably working for the second prince, said with discontent, "Marry our second prince as his concubine, and you'll become the Grand Consort!"
The Grand Consort was the Empress of Tuotuo, but the Empress of Tuotuo was far less powerful than the Empress of Dayan.
Furthermore, if the Khan of Tuotuo wants to replace you, it won't take much effort.
Sometimes, the Khan could have several queens, depending on his preference.
Yan Nangui snorted: "Then let's talk about it when your second prince becomes Khan."
That's quite an interesting point.
Although the second prince is now considered to have the highest birth, so what?
The Tuotuo people have always valued ability over birth, just like in the Gangong Kingdom. If you can kill someone more powerful than you, you become the Khan.
"Alright! You've come here to discuss trade and improve relations. There's no need to talk about anything else. As for trade, that needs to be discussed with the Ministry of Revenue and your subordinates. I won't interfere." Shu Chengfeng raised his cup: "Come, please drink this cup to the brim. It's New Year's Eve today, so let's talk about something lighthearted."
His Majesty's words were quite authoritative: If you want to fix it, then behave yourselves. Don't think about anything else.
With His Majesty's words, everyone in the harem felt relieved.
The main reason was the strength of the Dayan Dynasty.
With a pillar of strength like Yan Lingyun in charge, they really have nothing to fear from the Tuotuo people.
They weren't there to cause trouble, so they didn't bring it up.
However, his eyes inevitably kept glancing at the princesses sitting together.
It must be said that although they believed women should be stronger to work, after all, on the grasslands, both men and women had to work.
But one must admit that the princesses of the Dayan Dynasty were all incredibly beautiful.
It wasn't exactly lecherous; it was more like appreciating beautiful things.
Before the banquet had even ended, it started snowing again outside. A courtier raised his cup and said, "A timely snow promises a bountiful year. It seems next year will be a good one. I wish Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, and Your Majesty the Empress Dowager all the best in the new year. May our Great Yan Dynasty prosper and flourish."
"Very well, come, my esteemed ministers and envoys, let's drink a toast together," Shu Chengfeng said with a smile.
Everyone stood up and drank another cup together.
After this drink, the end of the gathering won't be far off.
Sure enough, it was time to disperse after another half hour.
Because of the Lunar New Year, fireworks were set off outside, and the white snow and fireworks made a beautiful contrast.
The seventh princess was the first to rush out to see.
After all, no other prince or princess was as bold as her.
The Empress Dowager drank a few cups of wine and watched the Seventh Princess run out like that. She thought to herself that even during the late Emperor's time, none of his princes or princesses had ever received such treatment.
Even the late emperor's most favored concubine, with her son and daughter, wouldn't dare to do that.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but go to see the Empress.
Yan remained dignified.
Where did she get her confidence from? The Empress Dowager couldn't figure it out.
So he asked someone to pour him another glass of wine, which he then drank.
She thought, the Empress is always so calm and composed. Whether she's at home or in the palace.
Perhaps this is something that others cannot match.
Perhaps that's what the emperor liked about her.
When the banquet ended, Ding Min and Yan Nanxu escorted the delegation to the post station.
After everyone dispersed, His Majesty and the Empress escorted the slightly tipsy Empress Dowager back to the palace.
The Empress Dowager went back to sleep, but before falling asleep, she pulled Hongguo aside and asked, "I don't remember at all. When I first married the late Emperor, was he this good to me?"
Hongguo couldn't answer. By the time she followed the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager had already been in the palace for many years.
In Zhaochun Palace, the Seventh Princess, who had been jumping around excitedly just moments before, collapsed after washing her face. Her wet nurse carried her back to bed.
Yan Nangui removed all her hairpins and jewelry, and took off her heavy formal attire.
Although the investiture ceremony has not yet been held, the empress's dress has been made for several years.
So she's already recovered, and it's impossible for her to be wearing only this one outfit.
Speaking of this, Prefect Song was the first to side with the Empress, following the princes.
He had no reason to hesitate, after all, he knew best when the Empress's formal attire would begin to be made.
The snow was quite heavy outside, and everyone was tired, so they all slept very well.
Nothing was said that night.
Starting from the first day of the Lunar New Year, there were banquets of all sizes every day.
The Tuotuo people didn't go to the palace every day.
However, even if they didn't go to the palace, the princes would occasionally go to the post station.
By the tenth day of the month, everyone had basically finished meeting with everyone.
Then you can finally catch your breath.
I don't know if it's because of the heavy rain this Lunar New Year, but the snow fell all night on New Year's Eve and then again on the afternoon of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
It started raining in the middle of the night today, the tenth of the lunar month.
Inside Zhaochun Palace, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The table was laden with various dishes, a family banquet for His Majesty, the Empress, and the Seventh Princess.
The seventh princess was pouting and saying, "Father, Father, does it mean I can't cling to you anymore once I'm a year older?"
"Of course you can. Did your mother scold you?" Shu Chengfeng said, glancing at Yan Nangui.
It carries a hint of condemnation no matter how you look at it.
Seeing that Yan Nangui didn't react, he said, "How old are you!"
"No! It wasn't Mother who said it, it was Grandmother! She said I'm all grown up now and can't cling to Father anymore. I need to be sensible and well-behaved." The Seventh Princess pouted.
"...Uh, you don't need to take what your grandmother said too seriously. Just agree with her. In your father's heart, you will always be his little darling."
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