Chapter 182 A Difficult Negotiation
Xuanmiao ate two more bowls of porridge, her little belly round and full, and watched the commotion from inside the spiderweb pocket on Langzhi's chest.
Su Yuyao lowered her head, her face flushed, and listened obediently to Qingyue's teachings.
The wolf pack dispersed, leaving only Ruixue nervously accompanying Su Yuyao as she was scolded.
Su'e was simmering meat soup, while Baihu, Zangmao, and Fengzhan obediently assisted her.
Although the atmosphere was tense, it was still harmonious.
"Ahem!" A cautious, light cough broke the surface of tranquility.
Langzhi was taken aback, looked in the direction of the voice, and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my? Yuqing?! What brings you here?!"
Qingyue glanced at Langzhi, who was grinning from ear to ear, and her face fell.
Yu Qing, carrying the lunchbox, walked up to Qing Yue, curtsied, and said, "Yu Qing greets Your Highness! Greetings to Miss Yao'er!"
Su Yuyao was pleasantly surprised to see Yu Qing again. Yu Qing was dressed very simply now, and she no longer had the feeling of seeking support and wandering around. Instead, she gave people a sense of tranquility, comfort and composure.
Qingyue was somewhat surprised to see Yuqing like this. "Yuqing, it's been a long time. How are you?"
Yu Qing bowed and said, "Thanks to Your Highness and Miss Yao'er, this servant is doing very well!"
"Aunt Yuqing!" Su Yuyao looked at the lunchbox in Yuqing's hand and asked excitedly, "What did you bring?"
Yu Qing smiled and said, "It's pig's trotter soup! But it's already cold, so we need to heat it up!"
"Pig's trotter soup?! That's wonderful!" Su Yuyao hooked her arm around Qingyue's and said sweetly, "Mother! Quickly ask Granny Su'e to heat it up for me! I want to drink pig's trotter soup!"
Qingyue still didn't like Yuqing, but she no longer hated him. Everything Yuqing did seemed to perfectly fill the void in her own life, and she didn't know if her feelings for Yuqing were repulsion or gratitude. She only knew that when there were things she wanted to do but couldn't, Yuqing would appear…
"Your Majesty, please don't worry. I now have my own courtyard, where I grow vegetables and raise chickens and geese. I can earn some income! These pig's trotters were obtained by trading chickens with Granny Bao. They're perfectly clean!" As she spoke, Yu Qing opened the lid of the lunchbox, revealing that not a single drop of the milky white soup had spilled!
Qingyue looked at it and said, "It must have been really hard on you. You don't have much cultivation, yet you've used so much energy to protect this bowl of soup! You must have had a long and tiring journey traveling back and forth all night!"
Yu Qing smiled slightly, about to speak, when Lang Zhi raised her voice and said, "What hardship is there for her! Isn't this what she should do! Yu Qing! Let me tell you, Tuan Yue has already personally agreed to let you into the family, so from now on you must prioritize Tuan Yue and Yao'er! Do you hear me?!"
Yu Qing's emotions were quite complicated by Lang Zhi's words. At first, she was angry, then somewhat excited, and finally somewhat unwilling. She glanced unhappily at the silly Lang Zhi, then looked at Qing Yue with hope.
Qingyue rolled her eyes at Langzhi and instructed, "Su'e, heat up the pig's trotter soup! Yuqing, come in with me!"
"Go ahead! Speak properly to Tuan Yue, do you hear me!" Lang Zhi was still putting on airs, and Yu Qing only frowned at Lang Zhi before lowering her head and following Qing Yue into the house.
Su Yuyao and the children surrounded Su'e, waiting to drink soup and eat meat.
"Sister Yao'er!" the white tiger said, smacking its lips. "You have pig's trotter soup, so let us have this broth!"
"That won't do!" Su Yuyao said righteously, "Feeding the baby is hard work for me! Miao'er has a big appetite now! She didn't have enough to eat this morning! So I need to give her more!"
"Huh?" The children looked slightly disappointed.
Baihu scratched his head and said, "But Miao'er didn't drink much milk this morning either..."
"Ugh! That just won't do!" Su Yuyao said, blushing. "How about this, I'll eat first, and then you guys can eat!"
Su'e smiled as she looked at Su Yuyao's domineering demeanor. This Miss Yao'er, how come she's still the same even after having a child!
Langzhi anxiously pressed his arms around Xuanmiao against the crack in the door, but he couldn't hear anything coming from inside. He was worried that Qingyue would make things difficult for Yuqing, and he was also worried that Yuqing would disobey Qingyue.
Thump! The door opened! Qingyue walked out calmly, followed by Yuqing, who was equally calm.
"Oh...?" Langzhi looked around, then leaned closer to Qingyue and asked, "Yuqing didn't make you angry, did she?"
Qingyue rolled her eyes at Langzhi, said nothing, and walked away.
Langzhi leaned closer to Yuqing and asked in a low voice, "Did Tuanyue make things difficult for you?"
Yu Qing looked at Lang Zhi and said in a low voice, "From now on, you better keep your mouth shut! The more you get involved, the more complicated things become!"
"How did it get complicated?!" Langzhi said indignantly, "You two both rely on me to mediate! But let me tell you first, don't be so irresponsible and keep provoking Tuanyue..."
"I don't want to listen to you nagging anymore!" Yu Qing teased Lang Zhi's chest with ease, saying, "From now on, if anything happens, I'll report directly to Her Majesty, so you won't have to mediate!"
Seeing Yu Qing's face brighten, Lang Zhi finally felt relieved. He looked at Qing Yue gratefully; he owed her so much in this life, more than he could ever repay...
Qingyue, however, couldn't quite describe her feelings. She acted on her rationality and did something that made everyone—except herself—happy…
Yuqing helped Su'e set out the food in the house, then served soup to the children in the yard. Finally, she took over from Xuanmiao and told Langzhi to have a hot meal at the table when he had a chance.
Qingyue, Langzhi, and Su Yuyao finally sat down at a table again, enjoying the time they had alone.
Lang Zhi ate with a hearty laugh, Su Yuyao focused intently on drinking her pig's trotter soup, and Qing Yue, still not eating meat, simply sat silently, watching the father and daughter who seemed unchanged yet had become utterly unfamiliar...
Langzhi has a new love, and she is no longer his only emotional attachment. She was not involved in the entire process of her only daughter's pregnancy and childbirth.
I can't stay by his side, so why should I drag him into this? I can't fulfill my duties as a mother, so how can I live up to her title of "Mother"?
Qingyue grew increasingly disheartened. The past was the past; everything was in flux. What remained constant? Wasn't she changing herself too?
Early in the morning, the area in front of Yuantun Hall was filled with spirits reporting matters to Xuanfeng.
Su Yuyao, with her little belly sticking out, swaggered into the crowd with Ruixue and the children from Jiujiao Mountain.
"Oh! Miss Yao'er! You've arrived?"
"Miss Yao'er! Why didn't you bring Miao'er today?"
Su Yuyao said with a smile, "We didn't finish discussing some important matters yesterday, so let's continue today! How could we bring Miao'er along!"
"Oh! You need to come all the way to Yuantun Palace to discuss matters with the lord?" the crowd teased with laughter. "Wouldn't it be easier for you to talk inside at night..."
Ruixue frowned and glared at Tang Xian'er, who was making fun of her.
Su Yuyao understood their teasing but wasn't angry. She craned her neck to look at the closed gates of Yuantun Palace, "Xuanfeng... hasn't arrived yet?"
"The master arrived early! He's inside discussing matters with Young Master Guan Yue!"
"We've been discussing this for a while now, and I reckon it should be finished soon!"
"Oh..." Su Yuyao glanced at Tang Xian'er waiting at the door and said with a smile, "Let's keep things official, Ruixue! Let's get in line too!"
"No, Miss Yao'er, you should go ahead if you have something to do!"
"That won't do!" Su Yuyao waved her hand and said, "Although this matter is indeed a bit urgent for me, it's okay, there has to be a first-come, first-served order!"
"Miss Yao'er, you should go ahead! You said you started talking last night, you're here even earlier than us!"
"That's right! You go first!"
"Oh dear, that's not good!" Su Yuyao said with a forced smile. "But you're right, I arrived last night, earlier than you all! Then I won't stand on ceremony!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the palace doors opened with a thud!
Guan Yue, his face flushed, strode out, and Su Yuyao quickly went to greet him, "Guan Yue! You're done talking?!"
Guan Yue stared blankly at Su Yuyao, who smelled of peaches, and nodded.
"Did you say so?" Su Yuyao looked at Guan Yue with expectant eyes. "Did Xuanfeng agree?"
Guan Yue hesitated for a moment, "You mean..."
"About those kids going to Sixiaofeng!" Su Yuyao looked at Guan Yue with anticipation!
"Ah... sir... no reply!" Guan Yue said with an embarrassed smile. "But don't worry, I'll take them with me when I go to the snow mountain!"
"You really want to go to the snow mountain? Forget it!" Su Yuyao pushed Guan Yue aside. "You're not like me. I'm all alone, and going to the snow mountain is my only way out! You have a father and a gang. Are you stupid to give up all that to go to the snow mountain?!"
“But I did it for you…” Guan Yue looked at Su Yuyao with deep emotion.
Su Yuyao stepped into Yuantun Hall, turned around and looked at Guan Yue, "You're not doing this for me, you're just trying to escape!"
“Su Yuyao, I…” Guan Yue wanted to explain.
But Su Yuyao closed the palace doors. Foolish Guan Yue, was it worth giving up so much for me?!
"Girl!" Xuanfeng sat on the throne, smiling as he looked at Su Yuyao. "How did you get in?"
Su Yuyao straightened her clothes, turned around with a haughty air and walked towards Xuan Feng, saying loudly, "Of course I came in to talk to you..."
"Get out!" Xuan Feng twirled his fingers, looking at Su Yuyao with a half-smile.
"W-what?" Su Yuyao couldn't believe her ears. "You want me to leave?"
"Yes, get out!" Xuanfeng lowered his eyelids and flipped through the reports on the table. "It's not your turn yet! Besides, you don't have a report!"
"Report? What report?" Su Yuyao asked, tilting her head.
“Yao’er, generally speaking, if you have something to discuss with an adult, you need to write a report first and submit it to the adult. After the adult reads it, he will give instructions or call you to discuss it. Do you understand?” Qi Men explained with a smile.
"Oh, but didn't we discuss this last night? We just didn't reach a conclusion!" Su Yuyao said in a soft tone. "How about we leave it at that this time, and I'll write a report next time if anything comes up? Is that okay?"
Xuanfeng covered his mouth, concealing the upturned corners of his lips, and said with a smile, "No way!"
"No way?!" Su Yuyao put her hands on her hips and glared at Xuan Feng, who was smirking. "Fine! You're deliberately making things difficult for me!"
Xuanfeng let out a long sigh, composed himself, and said seriously, "The matter of the Four Little Peaks is no small matter, so it cannot be discussed casually. If you want to talk about it, follow the procedures. That way, if an investigation is launched in the future, we will have a basis for our discussion!"
“Alright!” Su Yuyao said seriously, “Since that’s the case, let’s take this opportunity to finalize everything regarding our snow mountain, so you won’t regret it later!”
"Alright!" Xuanfeng said with a smirk, "Go outside and write!"
"What?! You want me to go outside to write?!" Su Yuyao's eyes widened as she pointed around the entire hall, exclaiming, "This place is so big, and you still want me to go outside to write?!"
"Although my place is large, we only discuss secrets!" Xuanfeng said with a smile. "Immortal Master, prepare a set of writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for the girl!"
"Yes!" Qi Men bowed and walked into the side hall. A moment later, he brought out a tray with the writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone that Su Yuyao hated the most!
"Yao'er, take this!" Qi Men handed the tray to Su Yuyao's chest.
"Uncle, why won't you help me!" Su Yuyao pouted and said coquettishly.
Qi Men smiled and said, "We have to handle this officially, otherwise if someone finds fault with us, it will be difficult for us adults to maintain our positions!"
"Okay..." Su Yuyao reluctantly took the tray.
Thump! The palace doors opened again!
Su Yuyao pouted and walked out carrying a tray amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd.
"Ningbao! Why are you out so soon?" Ruixue quickly came forward, took the tray from Su Yuyao's hands, and asked in confusion, "Is this... a reward for you?"
Su Yuyao shook her head and said, "Borrow it from me! I need to write a report!"
"What report?" Ruixue asked, puzzled.
"Reporting!" Guan Yue walked over and asked softly, "Do you need my help?"
"No need! As the commander, a mere report is no challenge for me!" Su Yuyao sat down cross-legged at the palace entrance, laid out the paper, dipped her brush in ink, pondered for a moment, and then began to write...
On the throne, Xuanfeng looked at the report written by Su Yuyao, wanting to laugh but not daring to, wanting to be angry but unable to.
He rubbed his face vigorously and sighed, "Girl, is this your report?"
"Yes!" Su Yuyao nodded firmly.
"The report must clearly state the matters..."
"I've written it all down clearly!" Su Yuyao said matter-of-factly. "The points are: first, Snow Mountain belongs to the Wolf Clan; second, the ownership of the Four Small Peaks will be discussed!"
"What is your demand...?"
"My demand is that the first snow mountain belong to the wolf clan, and the second and fourth smaller peaks belong to the snow mountain!"
"Girl, you need to write clearly what responsibilities you will fulfill after the Snow Mountain returns to the Wolf Clan, what ownership rights you want from the Four Little Peaks, and you also need to write out the terms, such as what you want, on what grounds you want it, and why you want it!"
"Huh? I have to write all this too?!" Su Yuyao's face fell. "You didn't say that before!"
"Rewrite it!" Xuanfeng suppressed a laugh and sent Su Yuyao away.
Watching Su Yuyao walk out of the main hall dejectedly, Xuan Feng finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"My lord, why don't you just tell Yao'er your decision directly instead of teasing her like this?" Qi Men said with some concern. "If we anger Yao'er, I'm afraid we won't be able to handle it!"
“Immortal Master, there’s no room for negotiation on this matter. That Sishui Pool is extremely dangerous! The wolf clan must be evacuated quickly! How can we complete the major blood transfusion of the Four Minor Peaks if I don’t stay here and hold her off!” Xuanfeng said, pointing at the table. “Now it all depends on the speed of Lord Guan Xiao and Lord Yin Hao…”
Just as Ruixue was about to sit down and rest, Su Yuyao came out looking dejected. "Ningbao! You're done talking so quickly?"
Su Yuyao shook her head in disappointment, "Xuanfeng said the report I wrote was no good!"
Ruixue took the report from Su Yuyao and said with difficulty, "Ningbao, although I don't know how to write a report, I know that a report shouldn't just have these few words..."
"Why shouldn't it be like that?!" Su Yuyao exclaimed, unfolding her report. "It's so concise and clear! He insists it can't be done, he's just deliberately making things difficult for me!"
"Su Yuyao, do you need my help?" Guan Yue leaned closer and asked softly.
"No!" Su Yuyao didn't want Guan Yue to misunderstand her anymore, so she decisively rejected all of Guan Yue's good intentions.
Guan Yue understood Su Yuyao's intentions, so he didn't say anything more and silently stepped aside.
Su Yuyao sat down cross-legged again, frowning as she licked the tip of her pen, racking her brains for a way to begin writing...
Xuanfeng rubbed his forehead, looking at Su Yuyao's second report. "Because... you saved the Four Little Peaks, so you want jurisdiction over the grasslands and ponds there?"
“Yes!” Su Yuyao said with a smile, “This is something we discussed last night…”
"Wait a minute!" Xuanfeng interrupted Su Yuyao, "This wasn't agreed upon last night!"
"Let's settle it now! It's not too late!" Su Yuyao said with a grin. "I already said, we want the meadow and the pond in it. As for the biggest pond, we'll keep an eye on it for you! That's not too much to ask, is it? And then..."
"And then?" Xuanfeng flipped through the report. "There's no 'and then' in your report. If you have anything else to discuss, add it!"
"What?! Add to that?!" Su Yuyao said angrily, "Doesn't that just let you know my bottom line?!"
Xuanfeng smiled smugly and said, "You think you can hide your bottom line from me? Take it down and rewrite it!"
As expected, Su Yuyao was kicked out again.
"Su Yuyao, do you need my help?" Guan Yue asked softly as always.
"No! No!" Su Yuyao was already a little angry. She walked around Guan Yue, looked at Ruixue who was squatting on the ground silently laying out the paper for her, and shouted, "Ruixue! Lay the paper out at the door!"
"Huh? At the door..."
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