Zhao Lan glared angrily at Qin Yu's retreating figure as he walked away.
Then, she looked at her younger sister with heartache.
"Yan'er, it's all my fault, I've made you suffer!"
Without saying a word, she pulled Zhao Yan's small hand and held it tightly in her own palm.
Feeling the soft touch and seeing her lowered head, looking wronged and speechless, Zhao Lan felt extremely guilty!
She hated herself for not being able to change anything, and for having to let her younger sister take the blame and suffer in her place!
"Don't worry, Yan'er! When the time comes, I will definitely make sure you don't suffer any more grievances, and I will definitely make that tyrant pay the price he deserves! I will let you personally deal with him and take revenge!"
Despite her sister's gentle words of comfort, Zhao Yan felt even more conflicted inside.
deal with?
How should we handle this?
She hesitated, torn between whether or not she should tell the truth about her relationship with the emperor; otherwise, she couldn't continue in this awkward relationship forever.
"Actually, sister..."
Just as she was stammering to speak, Zhao Lan forcefully pulled her younger sister into her arms, stroked her little head, and interrupted her abruptly.
"Alright, Yan'er, you don't need to say anything more. I understand, I understand everything!"
"I know you suffered a great injustice. I heard that you were just recovering from a serious illness, no, you were still seriously ill when that tyrant couldn't wait to force himself on you..."
As Zhao Lan spoke, she began to choke up, tears welling in her eyes, showing that she was both heartbroken and resentful of the tyrannical emperor's lustful actions!
Speaking of her younger sister's serious illness, Zhao Lan suddenly remembered what exactly happened back then.
She paused slightly, then asked angrily.
"Yan'er! Who cast the witchcraft that caused your serious illness? How dare they harm you? I will kill their entire family to avenge you!"
The emperor is definitely not a threat right now, but Zhao Lan has the confidence to say that about others.
Breaking free from her sister's tight embrace, Zhao Yan began to explain.
"It's none other than that poisonous concubine, Sima Jing!"
"she?"
Upon hearing the name and recalling the woman's seductive gestures, Zhao Lan's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent, and she angrily cursed repeatedly!
"That slut! I will tear her to pieces sooner or later!"
Speaking of Sima Jing, Zhao Yan also harbored deep resentment towards her.
but.
What she longed to recall even more was how Qin Yu had taken such good care of her back then.
"To tell you the truth, sister, it was actually the Emperor who cured this poison."
"He saved me. When he found out I had poisoned him, he lost his appetite and even went so far as to throw the entire court into chaos..."
Listening to her sister's detailed recollection, Zhao Lan was shocked. Of course, she felt even more sorry for her sister, knowing that she had taken a knife for her.
However, at the same time, a strange feeling arose in Zhao Lan's heart.
That tyrannical emperor was indeed lecherous, but to be fair, he was very caring and attentive to Yan'er.
Zhao Lan's gaze dimmed at this moment. If it were her, the tyrannical emperor certainly wouldn't have gone to such lengths to save her.
Thinking about this, Zhao Lan felt more and more that the relationship between the three of them was somewhat abnormal.
The following morning.
Sima Lie, who had only recently risen to prominence, received some good news.
Sima Jing from the palace sent intelligence that the tyrannical emperor had finally lowered his guard and was no longer so arrogant, and had finally agreed to peace talks.
Holding the secret letter in his hand, Sima Lie was in a great mood.
The siege of Youzhou had been causing him a lot of trouble, but once it was lifted, he would be able to free himself up to confront Zhang Tang and Zhao Hu.
He can also get things done to the great extent possible with the imperial court!
As evening fell, Sima Lie was carefully studying the memorials on his desk in his study, pondering his next move. Suddenly, the steward rushed in to report, "Prime Minister, the eldest son's messenger has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Sima Lie's heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly put down the memorial in his hand and said excitedly, "Quick! Let him in!"
Before long, the two followed the butler into the study.
The man in front was dressed in armor, his mustache was neatly groomed and shiny, his eyes were sinister, and his brows exuded a fierce aura.
This man was none other than Gao Chao, the Grand General of the Tianlang Camp, and a confidant of Sima Xiong Ba.
Behind him followed a young man dressed in magnificent Xiongnu attire, exuding an air of grandeur and clearly of extraordinary status.
Sima Lie had often heard Sima Xiong Ba talk about his trusted confidant Gao Chao, and was already somewhat familiar with him, but he was puzzled when he saw the person behind him.
"General Gao, who is this gentleman?"
Gao Chao first bowed respectfully, and then began to explain.
"Your Excellency, this man is Tuofang, the prince of the Xiongnu. He has come as an envoy to discuss peace talks!"
Compared to Sima Lie, Tuo Fang was a full half head taller, with high cheekbones and small, slanted eyes that gleamed with cunning. He smiled slowly.
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
Although he was bowing, anyone could see the arrogance in his bones.
That's the condescending contempt of the victors for the losers.
Sima Lie could not possibly see through this guy's arrogance, but he didn't say anything more and instead returned the greeting.
In his view, nothing else mattered; the most important thing was to get the negotiations settled as soon as possible!
The fact that the Xiongnu sent their own prince shows that they were sincere in their intention to negotiate.
Stroking his beard and smiling, Sima Lie went straight to the point.
"Prince Tuofang, please rest assured, with me here, this peace agreement will surely be successfully signed!"
"However, since you are new to the Central Plains and have never been to the capital, let me give you a proper welcome today!"
Tuofang shook his head calmly.
"I appreciate the Prime Minister's kindness, but I am here in the capital hoping to sign a peace treaty as soon as possible. I would appreciate it if the Prime Minister could arrange an audience with His Majesty for me!"
"The Emperor?" Sima Lie's face clearly showed disdain. "His words don't count!"
"Prince Tuofang, don't be in a hurry. I will take you to see the Emperor at the morning court tomorrow. Tonight, enjoy the banquet!"
Immediately, the entire Prime Minister's residence was bustling with activity.
Sima Lie was simply afraid of slighting this person and making him unhappy, which would make the signing of the treaty difficult.
On the surface, this Xiongnu prince appeared very serious, as if he had come to the capital to do something important.
However, after spending most of the day there, his arrogance and haughtiness became apparent.
As the messenger, Gao Chao was the one who brought the people over, so he naturally had an obligation to stay with them.
Tuofang wandered around the huge mansion, his small eyes filled with greed.
Gao Chao was immediately disdainful of him for his unworldly appearance.
"Prince, may I ask how the Central Plains compare to the grasslands?"
"Great! Very good!"
Tuofang looked at all of this with a sense of novelty.
He was taken aback by the grandeur and luxury of the Prime Minister's residence as he arrived.
He has spent his entire life on horseback. The grasslands are barren; where could you find such luxurious and grand buildings?
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