Chapter 1523-1522: The Grand Finale (Twenty-Five) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
For some reason, Tan Qu felt like sighing right now.
Fortunately, there were no unexpected problems for the rest of the journey.
Despite their personal conflict, Qi Shan and Yu Hai maintained that official business was business, and they did not neglect the overall situation. Qi Shan ordered that the envoys from Qu State be properly settled. Yu Hai, as the Prime Minister of Qu State, had his own camp, while the others were nearby. When the officials from Kang State tried to lead Tan Qu away, he raised his hand to stop them: "No need, he will come with me."
The Qu Kingdom delegation was not surprised by this.
They had noticed on their way here that Prime Minister Yu had an extraordinary relationship with this mysterious young man, and he didn't like others interacting with him, making him seem quite enigmatic. The others weren't close to Yu Hai and didn't want to be gossipy like some long-tongued person.
Formal negotiations took place the following day.
Tan Qu stayed up all night to organize the complicated documents for Yu Hai. When Yu Hai said he would take him along, he said, "Isn't this inappropriate?"
That wasn't the place for him.
"What's wrong with that? We're already here."
Tan Qu hesitated, "But—"
Yu Hai understood his concerns: "I have already informed Qi Yuanliang in advance that you are afraid of light and have contracted a strange disease, so you have to wear a veil. Although he is a heartless man, he is not a mean or unreasonable person and will not make things difficult for you. If he insists on making things difficult for you, he will be ashamed to death."
Tan Qu's lips twitched slightly.
A hint of hesitation and confusion flashed across the boy's face.
Gui Long's ability to judge character was reliable; he himself said that Qi Zhongshu was not a mean or unreasonable person, indicating that the latter's character was decent. If so, why would he have a blood feud with him? There must be some misunderstanding. Tan Qu had only caught a glimpse of Qi Shan yesterday and felt that he was both endearing and pitiful, developing an intuitive fondness for him. That natural affinity even surpassed his initial impression of Gui Long.
Tan Qu said, "Okay, I agree."
The location was not in the camp but in the open air.
The atmosphere during the initial negotiations...
This fully demonstrates that both Qu and Kang have a bold and unrestrained spirit.
Civil officials argued and military officers cursed each other, their faces red and necks thick with arguing, and their voices hoarse after a round. Tan Qu finally understood why the location was outdoors rather than in a tent; in a tent, there wouldn't be enough air, and the space wouldn't be enough for them to maneuver.
Tan Qu was the only person present who sat upright and did not utter a word, and he had to dodge the spittle that floated over his head from time to time.
His expression was somewhat numb.
Despite his incomplete memory, he still harbored illusions about the royal court.
I always felt that these high-ranking officials and dignitaries, who determine the future of a country, should be the epitome of elegance and refinement, maintaining perfect poise and manners at all times, speaking with reason and persuasion. Instead, they seem utterly lacking in decorum, as if they want to poke the other person's face with their fingers, or as if they want to take off their shoes that have been worn for ten or fifteen days and stuff them into the other person's mouth. Isn't something wrong with that?
This scene was even noisier than haggling in the marketplace.
Tan Qu wanted to take a sip of tea.
However, his eyesight was too good; he clearly saw a large amount of saliva, shimmering with golden light under the sunlight, drifting into the teacup. He withdrew his outstretched fingers and had to fumble at his waist to untie the water pouch he always carried. This pouch was specially made; it didn't contain water, but rather a special kind of meat jelly. It would come in handy when he was hungry or thirsty.
I had just finished drinking when someone's shoe flew over my head.
The wooden clogs rolled several times after landing.
The noise was as if some magical switch had been flipped.
The previously restrained situation instantly spiraled out of control.
Tearing clothes, pulling hair, slapping one's own face and mocking the other side—the discussion escalated from personal character to family values, from folk customs to national conditions. Civil officials despised military generals for being rude and barbaric, while military generals mocked civil officials for reaping the benefits without working. One side launched a sweeping attack, mocking the northern barbarians for being uncivilized, mean, stingy, and only knowing how to haggle. The other side retaliated by cursing the southern barbarians for being unintelligent, demanding exorbitant prices, and shameless.
The initial negotiations lasted two hours.
They argued for an hour and a half.
Fortunately, no one was killed.
Tan Qu completely dispelled the mystique surrounding the officials of the royal court.
The scene was a mess, and some people had suspicious scratches on their faces, and their eye sockets were swollen and black, making them look quite disheveled.
Unfortunately, it had to continue even after noon.
Tan Qu said, "Guilong, I think I won't go this afternoon."
Yu Hai frowned as he reviewed the morning's earnings, inwardly cursing Qi Yuanliang for being a master of falsifying accounts and embezzling funds; his bargaining skills were truly exceptional. If Qi Shan refused to concede, the Qu Kingdom wouldn't have much room for negotiation. Qi Shan was also adept at spreading rumors and flattery; what if he whispered something in Shen Youli's ear…
"Why won't you go?"
"It's a bit noisy."
That is, Tan Qu was in a later position and was therefore not implicated.
If I had been seated closer to the front, I wouldn't have been able to avoid this brawl.
Yu Hai was unsurprised: "That's how it is."
He thought that only the Qu Kingdom's court assemblies were prone to violent clashes every now and then, but he didn't expect the Kang Kingdom to be just as experienced. The two sides were evenly matched and fought fiercely. The difference was that if the court assembly went too far, Zhai Le or Shen Youli would step in to deter the officials and prevent the war from escalating. But the negotiations were led by him and Qi Shan, who already had a personal grudge against each other.
The fight will only get more intense.
Tan Qu said quietly, "I don't think it should be like this."
Yu Hai chuckled: "What do you think it should be like? Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, and the eunuchs announced, 'If you have something to say, speak up; if not, the court is adjourned.' Then the civil and military officials below would be all polite and orderly. You would step forward and speak, and then I would speak, and then he would speak. Even if the two sides had different opinions, they would not interrupt each other and would calmly and rationally discuss things?"
Tan Qu was slightly embarrassed: "Shouldn't this be?"
Yu Hai: "Guess why the scepter is made of so many different materials?"
Of course, it wasn't just for recording cheat sheets; it was also the only legal and compliant weapon with lethal force when unarmed.
When he got really angry, he swung his scepter and slapped people across the face.
Tan Qu: "..."
Yu Hai laughed and said, "Let alone fighting in court, it's common for people to lie in wait and beat up their colleagues after court if they can't calm down."
Officials could even fight on the palace road.
Tan Qu: "..."
I inexplicably feel that entering officialdom is not necessarily a good thing.
Although he was able to bring benefits to the people, he was not skilled in martial arts.
Seeing his reaction, Yu Hai didn't press him further: "If you don't want to go, then don't. What did you think of Qi Yuanliang after meeting him today?"
Tan Qu said, "That's very frank."
Yu Hai recalled Qi Shan's sharp and sarcastic mouth, and really didn't know where his "frankness" came from: "Le Zheng, once this matter is over, I will find a doctor to examine your eye disease."
He went blind at a young age.
Tan Qu: "..."
Yu Hai was full of energy in no time.
Just by looking at their backs, you can tell that a tough battle is ahead.
Tan Qu patiently read through several difficult and rare books. By then, the sun had already set, and Yu Hai and the others showed no sign of returning. He thought about the morning's events, got up to prepare medicine for his injuries and honeysuckle honey water to soothe his throat, and followed the directions to the Kang Kingdom's wounded soldiers' camp. Before the negotiations, the conflict between the two countries was only localized and small-scale; the camp was empty of wounded soldiers and quite quiet at the moment.
Upon hearing Tan Qu's request for medicine to reduce swelling and bruises, the medic did not make things difficult for her. He simply asked Tan Qu to come in and wait while he went to prepare the medicine.
Tan Qu cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you."
The medic asked curiously, "Why are you dressed like this, young master?"
Tan Qu: "He suffers from a strange disease called photophobia."
The sun had already dipped below the horizon. Yu Hai hadn't mentioned that Tan Qu couldn't show his true face, and Qi Shan wasn't there either, so he felt relieved and removed his veil, explaining, "The skin must not be exposed to sunlight, otherwise it will turn red and develop rashes all over, and in severe cases, it may even ulcerate..."
"Have you seen any physicians for this strange illness? I've heard that the physicians at the medical office love these kinds of difficult and complicated cases. If your illness is strange enough, they might even pay you to see one." The medic had thought he looked strange and frightening, but he was surprised to find a handsome man under his veil. Upon closer inspection, the medic hesitated.
"Did you frighten the Queen?"
The medic said, "Young master, you have a very kind face."
Tan Qu's heart skipped a beat: "Does he look familiar?"
Based on the timeline, he and Qi Shan had a blood feud that began more than twenty years ago. It's highly unlikely that this Qi Zhongshu would still be circulating his portrait throughout the military camp more than twenty years later, making people wary of his face.
What kind of deep-seated hatred must there be?
Fortunately, the medic's next words dispelled his worries.
"The young man looks remarkably like the doctor in the Qi team."
They look so alike that even the parents of the medical team couldn't have given birth to someone so similar.
"Qi...the medical team?"
Who is this person?
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
The medic's eyes lit up, and he waved to Tan Qu from behind, stopping Qi Miao who was passing by. She thought it was her fellow disciple who wanted to ask her some questions, but the medic just laughed heartily and said, "Come and take a look."
Qi Miao asked, puzzled, "What are you looking at?"
She had just finished speaking when she saw the young man who had been facing away from her turn around.
A face remarkably similar to Qi Miao's was revealed, though the boy's features were slightly childish, while Qi Miao's, being a woman, had softer features. From certain angles, an unsuspecting person might mistake them for twins. Qi Miao was taken aback, and Tan Qu also looked surprised.
"My name is Qi Miao, courtesy name Junqiao. May I ask your name, sir?"
Tan Qu, courtesy name Lezheng.
Qi Miao's eyelids twitched when she heard the name.
Apart from a few close confidants of the ruler, only Qi Miao knew Qi Shan's true identity in Kang Kingdom. Tan Qu, Tan Lezheng—this identity clearly belonged to her father, Qi Shan, so how did it become the identity of the boy before her? Looking at the boy's appearance and age, Qi Miao became even more confused.
This can't just be a coincidence of people having the same name, can it?
Qi Miao chose to remain inactive.
They subtly inquired about Tan Qu's background.
Tan Qu didn't hide anything, simply stating that he was a guest of Prime Minister Yu Hai of the Qu Kingdom, and that he had come with the Qu Kingdom delegation at the invitation of his master to broaden his horizons. This answer was impeccable.
Qi Miao asked, "You've seen the world? How did you feel?"
Tan Qu: "Gentlemen, you are all bold and spirited."
Qi Miao knew the chaotic scene without even thinking, and couldn't help but smile: "You don't need to cover for them. It was as chaotic as a vegetable market, right? The first time I was qualified to meet the Emperor, I encountered them... I was really scared at that time, and I thought I was still dreaming."
The Kangguo court assembly was filled with martial prowess.
He attacked his colleagues, cursing and swearing.
Qi Miao's kindness put Tan Qu at ease.
The two quickly discovered that not only did they look alike, but they also shared similar tastes, especially in their values of good and evil—they were practically mirror images of each other. This tacit understanding rapidly bridged the gap between them, even causing Tan Qu to forget the purpose of his visit. It wasn't until Qi Miao invited him to dine at the military mess hall that he suddenly snapped out of his daze and tried to politely decline. Unfortunately, the medic was too talkative and revealed that he suffered from a strange illness.
Qi Miao said enthusiastically, "The best physician in Kangguo is my mentor. I can introduce him to Le Zheng."
Tan Qu sighed, "This strange illness is incurable."
How can you know it's incurable if you don't try to treat it?
Tan Qu had never seen a place like the Kangguo army camp canteen before. When he discovered that there was pig's blood on the menu today, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
One dish and one soup are enough.
Qi Miao, however, felt that he ate too little.
There's a saying that a half-grown boy can eat his father out of house and home, and Tan Qu's appetite was barely enough to fill her teeth. But seeing Tan Qu's expression, Qi Miao guessed that the northern cuisine didn't suit his taste, so she didn't insist.
They arrived rather late; the cafeteria was already packed.
Qi Miao thought she would have to sit on the ground again, but then she spotted an empty seat in the corner and squeezed in with Tan Qu.
"Could we share a table?"
The two, one big and one small, looked up at the same time.
The two faces startled Qi Miao so much that she almost dropped her plate.
"Lord, Lord..."
Shen Tang glanced at Qi Miao and Tan Qu, her expression subtly shifting for a moment: "Sit down, there's still room here, don't be shy."
Thank you.
Qi Miao did not reveal Shen Tang's identity.
She learned from her father that the Lord had returned, but she never expected their first meeting to be in the army camp mess hall. The Lord impatiently shoved food into Her Highness's mouth, his actions hardly gentle.
Even Tan Qu, who had remained silent the whole time, couldn't stand it anymore.
“The child is too young, Your Majesty is feeding him too hastily.”
People always wait until they've chewed a few more times before taking the next bite.
Shen Tang's eyes swept over.
He said in a lukewarm tone, "Or you can feed me?"
Tan Qu sighed and asked the chubby girl for her opinion.
Fortunately, the little girl did not resist him.
He was indeed more patient than Shen Tang, and his movements were meticulous and gentle.
Shen Tang suddenly asked, "Did you see Qi Yuanliang?"
Tan Qu was so shocked he almost broke out in a cold sweat: "Hmm..."
Good heavens, is his blood feud with Qi Zhongshu really an open secret? Just how much does this enemy hate him that even the King of Kang knows about him? Otherwise, she wouldn't have asked such a question.
What did he say?
Tan Qu said, "Qi Jun didn't say anything."
"No reaction at all?"
Shen Tang stopped eating.
Tan Qu pondered for a moment and said, "No, I suppose it's because...time has passed, and your wisdom is now greater than before, allowing you to see through and understand..."
So many things, past and present, are now just fodder for laughter.
What grudges and affections can't be taken lightly and let go of?
Shen Tang carefully pondered Tan Qu's words, blinking blankly. She had no idea that Yuan Liang had suddenly realized something. When did this happen? Could it be that her repairing of the Four Pillars of Destiny half a year ago had provoked him? Thinking about it carefully, this guess was not impossible.
She sighed, "So that's how it is. Perhaps it's a good thing."
Being too obsessed can easily lead to demonic possession.
To put it more concretely, it means the mental illness is worsening.
Qi Shan's ailment has two parts: one is her, and the other is "Qi Shan." Now that he has returned, "Qi Shan" has also appeared before him in a special form. He can calmly deal with both of these things, which shows that his mental illness is close to being cured.
Tan Qu nodded in agreement.
Yes, that's exactly the point!
(σ)σ:*☆
I've been trying to resist the urge to buy things, and I can't afford to buy anything more during the 618 shopping festival. I can't buy more than 49 keyboards, but on the last day of the event, I somehow ended up with an extra order in the system.
Sorrow, sighs, helplessness.
(End of this chapter)
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