Ba Tianshi curled his lip, a look of disdain flashing in his eyes.
"You are not a prince of Dali, so why should I mention your name to the Minister of Rites?"
Murong Fu's expression was slightly embarrassed.
Bao Butong loudly proclaimed, "Xiao Feng in the North, Murong in the South! My young master's name is far more renowned than that of the prince of Dali!"
"No, no!" Duan Yu imitated Bao Butong's tone, "In terms of reputation, among all the heroes in the world, who can compare to my elder brother Xiao Feng?"
Bao Butong was speechless.
Murong Fu had no confidence to refute it.
Xiao Feng laughed and said, "A'Zhu and I came to Lingzhou to taste fine wine and enjoy the scenery, not to apply for the position of the Prince Consort of Western Xia!"
"Fourth brother, please don't mention my name. A'Zhu and I will just pretend to be your attendants."
Li Huan said, "Brother, you've been too low-key! But yesterday you subdued the Tibetan prince on the streets of the city. This matter has probably spread throughout Lingzhou City and even reached the palace! It's no longer possible for you to remain low-key!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of musical instruments rang out again, making the atmosphere even more lively.
Li Huan said, "If I'm not mistaken, the Minister of Rites learned that the Southern King of Liao had arrived in Lingzhou, so he came to greet him personally!"
Sure enough, Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Rites and Vice Minister Tao entered the temple courtyard together.
"I was unaware that the Southern King of Liao was coming to our country. I have failed to greet you properly and hope that Your Majesty will forgive me!"
Minister Zhao and Vice Minister Tao bowed to Xiao Feng with utmost respect.
In this way, Xiao Feng's brilliance completely overshadowed Duan Yu's.
Zhu Danchen hurriedly introduced, "My lords, this young master is the prince of Dali Kingdom."
Minister Zhao looked at Duan Yu and then bowed.
"I originally thought that Prince Duan was resting in the temple, but I didn't expect that the Southern King was also here! I am deeply sorry that you two are of noble status but cannot enter the city to stay!"
Xiao Feng smiled calmly: "The city is overcrowded, but this place is quiet and suitable for resting."
Minister Zhao said, "Please invite King Xiao and Prince Duan to move to the guesthouse."
Bao Butong quickly reminded him, "Your Excellency, this is Young Master Murong from Gusu!"
Instantly, Murong Fu straightened his chest.
"I've heard so much about you!" Minister Zhao said casually, his gaze quickly sweeping over Murong Fu's face before he smiled warmly at Xiao Feng and said, "Your Majesty Xiao, please!"
Xiao Feng and Duan Yu led everyone out of the courtyard.
Murong Fu was disappointed, like a deflated balloon, his back drooping.
Bao Butong said in a low voice, "Young master, don't bother with the officials from Xixia. They are short-sighted."
Standing to the side, Li Huan deliberately spoke loudly, "Young Master Murong, please move to the hotel and enjoy VIP treatment!"
These words gave Murong Fu a jolt and boosted his confidence.
"Alliance Leader Li, please!"
Murong Fu feigned modesty, but instead strode ahead of Li Huan...
...
Arrived at the hotel.
Minister Zhao said, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival in August. His Majesty will host a banquet at Xihua Palace to entertain all the distinguished guests who have come to propose marriage. Please, Prince Xiao and Prince Duan, be sure to attend!"
Xiao Feng hurriedly explained, "Your Excellency, you misunderstand. I came to Western Xia with my wife for sightseeing, not to apply for the position of imperial son-in-law!"
Minister Zhao laughed and said, "King Xiao is so magnanimous, what harm is there in taking another beautiful wife? If King Xiao would be willing to grace Xihua Palace with his presence tomorrow, His Majesty will surely be delighted. I hope King Xiao will arrive on time!"
“This…” Xiao Feng’s thick eyebrows furrowed.
Li Huan hurriedly said, "Brother, the finest wines of the Western Xia Kingdom are all kept in the palace. Tomorrow the Emperor will host a banquet for distinguished guests, which is the perfect opportunity to taste these fine wines. You mustn't miss it."
Xiao Feng's eyes suddenly lit up, but he still hesitated.
A'Zhu said with a smile, "Young Master Xiao, please don't refuse anymore. Take me to the banquet tomorrow and enjoy the fine wine."
Seeing that A'Zhu agreed, Xiao Feng then agreed to Zhao Shangshu's request.
Immediately afterwards, Zhu Danchen brought over a bundle and handed it to Minister Zhao.
“My prince has come from afar and has not prepared any generous gifts. Please accept this small token of my appreciation, Minister.”
Minister Zhao hurriedly declined.
Instantly, a metallic clanging sound was heard from inside the bundle.
It was obvious that the bundle contained gold.
Minister Zhao, with his extensive experience, recognized it as gold, and a look of delight flashed in his eyes.
Zhu Danchen said, "Your Excellency, please don't be so polite. Your personal welcome to my Prince is merely a token of his gratitude."
Minister Zhao, going along with the flow, gestured to Vice Minister Tao beside him to accept the bundle.
Li Huan knew that the Ministry of Rites in ancient times was specifically responsible for matters such as diplomacy.
Bribing officials in the Ministry of Rites made it easier to apply for a position as a prince consort in Western Xia.
When Bao Butong saw Zhu Danchen offering tribute to the Minister of Rites, he quickly gave Deng Baichuan a wink.
Deng Baichuan then took out a bundle and handed it to the Minister of Rites.
Bao Butong said, "This is a rare treasure from the Murong family of Gusu. My young master specially presented it to the Minister!"
Upon hearing about the rare treasure, Minister Zhao's eyes lit up instantly, like a hungry cat spotting a mouse!
Li Huan deliberately said, "Since it's a rare treasure, why not open the package and let everyone feast their eyes on it!"
Bao Butong, fanning himself with a folding fan, laughed and said, "To tell you the truth, this treasure is a golden toad. In its mouth is a huge luminous pearl, and its brilliance can only be appreciated at night!"
Tao, the Vice Minister, exclaimed, "A golden toad holding a pearl—it brings wealth and treasures! What a wonderful treasure!"
Minister Zhao was overjoyed and gestured to Vice Minister Tao to accept the bundle.
"I have long admired the reputation of the Murong Clan of Gusu. It is said in the martial arts world that they are the 'Northern Xiao Feng and the Southern Murong!' They used their own methods against them! Truly admirable!"
Having received the benefits, Minister Zhao began to flatter Murong Fu.
Li Huan cursed inwardly, "Damn it, what a greedy official who's only interested in money!"
Murong Fu clasped his hands and said, "I am new to Western Xia and am unfamiliar with many etiquettes. I would appreciate your guidance, Minister."
The meaning of "指教" was actually "to tip off" or "to inform," revealing behind-the-scenes information about the application for the position of imperial son-in-law to Murong Fu.
Minister Zhao smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Young Master Murong, I will make the arrangements."
He exchanged a few more polite words and then led Vice Minister Tao to take his leave.
Duan Yu said, "Young Master Murong, you have gone too far by publicly bribing the Minister of Rites in an attempt to gain the advantage of becoming the imperial son-in-law!"
Murong Fu chuckled: "Young Master Duan, didn't you also bribe the Minister of Rites?"
Duan Yu retorted, "My gift to Minister Zhao is a matter of etiquette between the Dali Kingdom and the Western Xia Kingdom. What's wrong with that?"
Murong Fu said, "My gift to Minister Zhao is a matter of etiquette between the Murong family of Gusu and the Western Xia Kingdom. What's wrong with that?"
Duan Yu was speechless.
Li Huan sighed: "Alas... you all have valuable gifts to give to the officials of Western Xia, but my poor third brother Xuzhu is penniless and has no money to bribe the Minister of Rites!"
"No, no!" Bao Butong contradicted again, "Lingjiu Palace and Xingxiu Sect possess countless gold and silver treasures. As the master of Lingjiu Palace and the leader of Xingxiu Sect, Xuzhu is by no means poor!"
Xu Zhu snorted: "Even if I had mountains of gold and silver, I would never bribe officials of the Western Xia Kingdom to apply for the position of imperial son-in-law!"
Li Huan clapped: "Good! Win with honor, lose with dignity!"
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