In the late years of the Former Imperial Great Grandfather, the Three Kingdoms Allied Army attacked Dong Chu, which suffered a crushing defeat. Xiliang took the opportunity to forcefully occupy Sanchuan and four other cities. On his deathbed, the Former Imperial Great Grandfather exhorted the then Emperor to reclaim those five cities.
Regrettably, from the then Emperor to the next, and then to when he ascended the throne, for nearly a hundred years, they had failed to fulfill the wish of the Former Imperial Great Grandfather. Even the last time Momo defeated the Three Kingdoms Allied Army, they did not reclaim these cities.
If Jiujiu could really reclaim the cities through the competition, not only would she fulfill the long-standing wish of four generations of Emperors, allowing him to face his ancestors after a century, but it would also add a significant feat to his already impressive achievements.
Meng Jingqi nodded silently, even though he guessed that his younger sister had other plans, he had not anticipated this goal. Indeed, reclaiming lost territory without deploying a single soldier or warrior, his sister was truly incomparably intelligent, even he felt inferior to her.
Gazing deeply at the wife beside him, Long Xuanmo’s black eyes shone like stars, filled with a thick, indissoluble tenderness.
Apart from Prince Duan and Prince Jing, the people from Dong Chu were excited, their gazes burning as they looked at Yang Mengchen, completely disregarding whether she could win first place in all five categories.
People from Beiyue and Nanping remained silent, after all, it did not concern them.
However, the judges from Xiliang turned their eyes towards Qi Zonghao, each with an anxious and worried expression, silently praying that he would not agree.
Qi Qiuxin shouted loudly, "Who the hell are you? What right do you have to..."
"Seeking death!"
"Shut up!"
"Bang!"
Several angry reprimands sounded almost simultaneously, accompanied by a loud noise. When everyone steadied their nerves, they saw that Qi Zonghao had moved several steps away from his original position, holding Qi Qiuxin, and the chair where Qi Qiuxin had been sitting was now shattered to pieces. Opposite them, Long Xuanmo, Long YiXuan, and Meng Jinghui wore gloomy expressions with frosty gazes.
Clutching Qi Zonghao tightly, Qi Qiuxin’s face was pale as snow, her body trembling uncontrollably, looking extremely disheveled.
With one arm around Qi Qiuxin, Qi Zonghao apologetically said to Yang Mengchen, "My sister was rash; I hope Princess Chen will be magnanimous and not take offense at her actions!"
Yang Mengchen wore a gentle smile, waving her hand lightly.
"Jiujiu is magnanimous, of course she will not stoop to the level of some uncultured people," Meng Jinghui said with contempt. "As for the Second Prince, it is said that you have been handling state affairs on behalf of the Emperor Xiliang, almost like a co-Emperor. Could those rumors be false? Otherwise, why wouldn’t the Second Prince dare to agree to Jiujiu’s terms?"
Long YiXuan nodded continuously in agreement, "Exactly! Just now the Second Prince was insisting on the Third Imperial Sister-in-Law joining the competition, but now he is backing out. Is he playing us for fools?"
Facing the tag-team challenge of Meng Jinghui and Long YiXuan, Qi Zonghao was infuriated internally, but kept a composed facade, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
"Wende, I know that father and you worry day and night over these five cities; that’s why I wanted to try and reclaim them, so neither you nor father would have to trouble yourselves anymore," whispered Yang Mengchen to Long Xuanmo. "But as you know, apart from arithmetic and archery skills, I am not proficient in the other events... You won’t blame me, will you?"
Long Xuanmo was about to say he wouldn’t blame her, but noticing his wife blinking slightly, he instantly understood, "Of course, I won’t blame you."
Although their voices were low, everyone heard them clearly; some felt disappointed, some regretful, and others relieved.
The Emperor couldn’t help feeling a bit let down, but he didn’t blame Yang Mengchen. Jiujiu had good intentions of relieving him and Momo of their worries, and he was too fond of her to even think of blaming her.
Meng Jingqi’s expression remained calm, but he laughed to himself.
Qi Zonghao keenly caught a fleeting glimpse of disappointment in Long Xuanmo’s eyes when he answered Yang Mengchen, and his thoughts raced. freeweɓnovel~cѳm
It was obvious that Princess Chen was proficient in only two of the eight events, and Prince Chen was well aware of that. Unfortunately, Princess Chen publicly proposed to exchange five first-place wins for the five cities. Once word got out, she would undoubtedly suffer great embarrassment, and Prince Chen must be disappointed, even disgusted, by her overestimation of herself.
Moreover, even if Princess Chen did luckily secure first place in five events in exchange for the cities, he was not worried. Xiliang’s military strength was formidable, and with the Fire Gun in his possession, and if he could somehow bring Princess Chen back to Xiliang, he could profit greatly. Not to mention five cities, even Dong Chu itself would be within his grasp.
With this in mind, Qi Zonghao declared loudly, "This prince agrees!"
"Are you sure, Second Prince?" Yang Mengchen asked back.
Qi Zonghao nodded affirmatively.
"I request the Emperor to grant us brush, ink, paper, and inkstone," Yang Mengchen said, turning to the Emperor, who immediately instructed Sun Chuanmao to bring the items to Yang Mengchen. However, Yang Mengchen did not accept them, instead gesturing for Sun Chuanmao to hand them to Qi Zonghao. With a profound meaning, she said, "I have always believed in the solidity of black words on white paper, to ensure there’s logic and evidence. Therefore, it’s better for the Second Prince to write down the contract to prevent any misunderstandings later that could damage the harmonious relations between our two nations."
Qi Zonghao was so frustrated he was nearly choking, but at this point, he had no choice but to write the contract.
"Wait a moment!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
