Chapter 51: Envoys from the Enemy Country Come to Beijing to Pay Tribute
The chill of late autumn deepened in the capital, but the palace's celebration hall was warm and brightly lit with candlelight. The hall was filled with delicious food, the aroma of wine and spices mingling. Officials, dressed in court robes, sat at their tables, their expressions mostly reserved. Today was a welcoming banquet for an envoy from an enemy nation, and the envoy was notoriously violent and lustful, so no one dared to cross him.
Prime Minister Shen sat to one side of the main seat, dressed in purple official robes and holding a jade ruyi. A gentle smile graced his face, but his eyes were secretly observing the movements within the hall. With Xiao Jin still at the border, he was temporarily in charge of court affairs. This reception of the enemy envoy was a perfect opportunity for him to consolidate his power.
"Your Excellency, please try this 'Dragon and Phoenix Bring Good Fortune' dish, specially prepared for you by the Imperial Kitchen," Prime Minister Shen said, raising his wine glass and smiling at the envoy from the enemy nation. "Although Daqi and your country have had some friction in the past, the envoys have come from afar, demonstrating your sincerity. Why not take this opportunity to resolve past grievances and work together for peace?"
The messenger's name was Batu. He was a burly figure with a full beard, and he wore an exotic-style brocade robe with ferocious wolf heads embroidered on the cuffs. Upon hearing this, he sneered and, instead of raising his cup, grabbed the dancer's wrist and pulled her onto his lap. The wine spilled onto the dancer's skirt, soaking a large area of the fabric.
"Peace?" Batu spoke in a rude, heavily accented Chinese. "This envoy doesn't want peace, he wants benefits! If you, Daqi, are sensible, you should send us more gold, silver, jewelry, beauties, and delicacies. Otherwise, the war between our two countries will continue!"
The dancer was trembling with fear, but dared not resist. She could only hold back her tears and let Batu flirt with her. The officials in the palace were pale, but no one dared to speak. Batu was not only an envoy, but also a general of the enemy country, commanding a large army. No one wanted to offend this evil god for a dancer.
Prime Minister Shen's smile remained unchanged, as if he hadn't seen what had happened. He simply said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Daqi will certainly not treat your country unfairly. The gold, silver, and jewelry have already been prepared. As for the beauties..." He changed the subject and glanced at the women in the hall, "If Your Excellency is pleased with her, Daqi is willing to help her."
Batu's eyes lit up, and he released the dancer. His gaze swept greedily over the dancers and officials' families in the palace. The dancers, each of them strikingly beautiful, lowered their heads in fear, not daring to meet his gaze. Batu glanced around, a look of dissatisfaction on his face. "These women are too delicate. This envoy doesn't like them. Are there any more exciting ones?"
At this moment, his eyes suddenly stopped on a figure in the corner of the hall - it was the wife of the Imperial Censor, wearing a light pink palace dress, with a pretty face and gentle temperament. She was sitting beside the Imperial Censor with her head down, her hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, obviously afraid of being noticed by Batu.
Batu narrowed his eyes, licked his lips, pointed at the censor's wife, and said to Prime Minister Shen: "That woman is good, this envoy likes her! Prime Minister Shen, why not give her to this envoy? If this envoy is satisfied, after returning, perhaps I can say a few good words for Daqi in front of the Khan."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Censor's face turned pale. He stood up abruptly and bowed to Batu, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Excellency! My wife is already married and frail. I'm afraid she can't serve you. Please choose someone else!"
"So what if I have a family? So what if I'm frail and sickly?" Batu's face darkened, and he slammed the table and roared, "There's no woman this envoy hasn't gotten what he wants! You, a mere imperial censor, dare to bargain with this envoy? Believe it or not, this envoy will order the border troops to flatten your city of Daqi!"
The Imperial Censor was so frightened that his legs gave way, and he nearly fell to his knees. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. Seeing this, Prime Minister Shen hurried forward to smooth things over: "Your Excellency, calm down. The Imperial Censor was confused for a moment and didn't mean to offend. However..." He changed the subject, a calculating look in his eyes. "This Imperial Censor's wife is indeed not suitable to serve you. After all, she is the wife of a court official. If word gets out, it might damage the reputation of the Great Qi. How about... I find another beautiful woman for you, and I guarantee that you will be satisfied?"
Batu frowned, clearly dissatisfied: "Looking for someone else? Is there anyone prettier than her? Prime Minister Shen, please don't fool this envoy!"
"I dare not deceive you, my Lord," Prime Minister Shen bowed and said, "I have in mind a woman with peerless beauty and unique temperament, who is more outstanding than the dancers and other female relatives in the palace. However... her status is special, so I need to make careful arrangements before I can send her to the envoy."
"Special identity?" Batu leaned forward, showing interest. "Who is he? This envoy wants to see how outstanding he is!"
Prime Minister Shen smiled slightly, but did not answer directly. He just said: "Please be patient, envoy. I will give you a surprise in three days. Today is the welcoming banquet, so please enjoy the wine and food. Don't let this little thing affect your mood."
Although Batu was still somewhat dissatisfied, seeing Prime Minister Shen's respectful attitude and his promise of a surprise in three days, he temporarily suppressed his anger and grabbed the dancer beside him again, wantonly flirting with her. The atmosphere in the hall became even more depressing. The officials lowered their heads, and no one dared to say another word. Only Batu's laughter and the dancer's sobs echoed in the hall.
Prime Minister Shen returned to his seat, picked up his wine glass, and looked at the chaotic scene in the hall with a sinister glint in his eyes. He was thinking of Yun Zhi, the concubine of Prince Duan who looked like Shen Qingyue but was the daughter of a traitor.
There are three benefits to giving Yun Zhi to Batu: first, it can please Batu, consolidate the "peace" between the two countries, and give him more say in front of the emperor; second, it can use Batu's hand to get rid of Yun Zhi, the hidden danger - if she falls into Batu's hands, she will surely live a life worse than death and will never be a threat to Shen Qingyue again; third, it can alienate the relationship between Xiao Jin and Yun Zhi. Even if Xiao Jin comes back and sees his aunt being given to the envoy of the enemy country, he will be furious. He may even vent his anger on the Yun family and hate Yun Zhi even more. In this way, his plan will be more secure.
"Yun Zhi..." Prime Minister Shen murmured in a low voice, a calculating smile on his lips, "Your father ruined my good deeds back then, now, I will use you to pay it back."
Outside the palace, a chill wind howled, stirring up fallen leaves, as if playing the prelude to an impending conspiracy. Yet, Yun Zhi, far away in her villa outside the capital, was unaware that a new plot against her was quietly brewing within the palace's Qinggong Hall. She was holding the torn letter sent by Liu Zhong, repeatedly studying its words, trying to find more clues about Zhao Feng, unaware that she was about to become Prime Minister Shen's "gift" to curry favor with the enemy's envoys.
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