Chapter 218 Regret
"Duoya, stop fooling around, come back and sit down." King Xijiang spoke up at the right time, giving Princess Duoya a way out.
Princess Duoya gave Xue Han a cold snort and walked back to her seat.
King Xijiang smiled at Xue Han, who had returned, and said, "No wonder your esteemed envoy represented the Great Xia in escorting the princess; you are indeed exceptionally skilled."
Upon hearing this, Prince Chiyan's face showed dissatisfaction.
It was clearly his carelessness; the kid kept dodging and then suddenly attacked.
"Your Majesty Jiang, you flatter me. It was just a fluke. Your prince is truly brave and mighty."
"Haha, let's drink." King Xijiang raised his glass.
The rose-colored wine rippled in the glass, exuding an enticing sweetness.
Xue Han picked up his wine glass and raised it towards Xi Jiang Wang.
As dusk settled over the vast wilderness and the sky stretched high above, bonfires began to rise.
Young men and women, dressed in the most distinctive costumes of Xijiang, sang and danced around the bonfire.
The Great Xia delegation, including the accompanying low-ranking officials, received a warm welcome.
Princess Duoya approached Xue Han, slightly raising her chin as she asked, "Xue Han, can you dance?"
"Won't."
"I can teach you."
Xue Han pointed at Vice Envoy Zhao: "I'm not interested in dancing. Princess Duoya likes to teach people to dance, so why don't you teach Vice Envoy Zhao?"
Vice Envoy Zhao, holding a large piece of roasted meat, looked bewildered.
What should we teach him?
Princess Duoya glanced at Vice Envoy Zhao's face and couldn't help but feel annoyed: "He's so old, why is he still learning to dance!"
Vice Envoy Zhao: ?
How come he looks old? He's only forty, in the prime of his life!
Xue Han turned his gaze to King Xijiang: "King Jiang, can we arrange the deployment of troops tomorrow?"
King Xijiang picked up a handkerchief and wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth: "When there is singing and dancing like this, why doesn't Your Excellency relax and enjoy yourself? We can discuss tomorrow's matters tomorrow."
"We previously agreed that once we delivered the princess and the valuables, your country would send troops to aid Xia. King Jiang has been avoiding the topic; could it be that you intend to break the agreement?"
It seems that Ah Heng's worries may very well come true.
"Impatient, aren't you?" King Xijiang shook his head and looked at Vice Envoy Zhao. "Is that what you think, Your Excellency?"
Vice Envoy Zhao hurriedly said, "The Xia and Jiang kingdoms have always been on good terms, so the King of Jiang would certainly not do such a thing."
King Xijiang laughed heartily: "As expected, older people are more composed than young people who are so impatient."
Vice Envoy Zhao felt a tightness in his chest.
There was nothing wrong with what King Xijiang said, but after Princess Duoya said it in such a way, it was hard not to feel upset.
He's not old yet!
While the King of Xijiang was talking to someone else, Vice Envoy Zhao tugged at Xue Han and whispered, "Lord Xue, don't be too hasty. We are the ones asking Xijiang to send troops now. If we offend the King of Xijiang and he deliberately delays, wouldn't that be even worse?"
Xue Han chuckled: "Does Lord Zhao think that by simply pandering to the King of Xijiang, he will quickly send troops?"
"Then that's the only way." Vice Envoy Zhao glanced at King Xijiang, his voice even lower. "Do you really think you can force King Xijiang to send troops with the few men you've brought?"
Even if all the guards were used, let alone those guards who are now stationed more than ten miles away, what can a mere three or five hundred people do?
Under the campfire, the young man's eyes turned cold: "Lord Zhao, just you wait and see, Xijiang will not send troops."
Vice Envoy Zhao gasped, his face turning pale: "Lord Xue, you can't say things like that!"
"If that's the case, what does Lord Zhao intend to do?" Xue Han's voice was low, but every word struck Vice Envoy Zhao's heart clearly.
“That’s impossible. The agreement reached between the two countries is not something to be taken lightly.” Vice Envoy Zhao was completely unwilling to consider this possibility.
If that's the case, how will they explain it to the current emperor?
If you swallow your pride and slink back, you'll surely be scorned. But if you confront Xi Jiang head-on, you might lose your life.
I can't think about it, I can't think about it, this assumption is too suffocating.
"Lord Xue, you are too young; it's easy to overthink things when you're anxious—"
Before Vice Envoy Zhao could finish speaking, a commotion arose in the distance.
Xue Han looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was coming from where Xi Jiang was entertaining her lower-ranking officials.
King Xijiang stopped chatting and laughing with the people next to him, frowned and ordered, "Go and see what's going on. If they've had too much to drink, take them away. Don't spoil the envoys' fun."
Before long, the guards who had gone over brought back a few people, including two Xia officials, who both looked bewildered.
"I told you to treat our distinguished guests well, what's going on?" King Xijiang asked in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, this envoy from the Xia Kingdom claims that our Jiang Kingdom's Xia princess is not the emperor's biological daughter, but rather a woman chosen from the royal family and bestowed the title of princess. Isn't this deceiving you and the Jiang Kingdom?"
King Xijiang was taken aback at first, then his face darkened: "Really?"
The official from Great Xia, who had been accused, sobered up considerably and looked at Xue Han and Vice Envoy Zhao in fear.
They were so warm and attentive just a moment ago, how did they suddenly turn like this?
Vice Envoy Zhao glared at the man and hurriedly explained, "King Jiang, Great Xia has no princesses of marriageable age. If a daughter is adopted from the royal family and brought to my emperor's side, she is a legitimate princess. How can you say that we are deceiving your country?"
King Xijiang's face darkened: "I am seeking a true princess. If any woman could be registered under the Xia Emperor's name and become a princess, wouldn't your Great Xia be overflowing with princesses?"
“Your Majesty is joking. Princess Rongning is the legitimate daughter of a prince and the emperor’s own niece. She is arguably the most noble among the eligible women of the imperial clan. How could we possibly choose just anyone?” Vice Envoy Zhao tried his best to explain.
King Xijiang remained unmoved: "If I had known earlier that Princess Rongning was not the real imperial daughter, the terms of the negotiation would not have been the same."
Vice Envoy Zhao was about to explain further when Xue Han stopped him.
"What does King Jiang think now?"
Meeting the boy's cold, star-like eyes, King Xijiang was much more cautious than he was with Vice Envoy Zhao: "Now, of course, we need to renegotiate the terms."
"Alright, let's take Princess Rongning and her valuables back with us."
Looking at the cold and unyielding young man, King Xijiang couldn't help but laugh: "Can your esteemed envoy make decisions on behalf of the Xia Emperor?"
"That's none of King Jiang's concern."
King Xijiang shook his head: "Your Excellency is young and impetuous and does not consider the consequences, but I cannot bear to see you lose your life for this mission. How about this, you can keep the people and wealth that have been sent from afar, and I will marry Princess Rongning, but other conditions need to be discussed further."
"No need, we'll go back tomorrow."
The smile on Xi Jiang Wang's face vanished abruptly, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent: "Have you thought this through, Your Excellency? Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
Vice Envoy Zhao was terrified and quickly stopped Xue Han from speaking: "King Jiang, we cannot make the decision to renegotiate the terms."
Although King Xijiang was shameless, he was right about one thing: this Xue Han was young and impetuous and didn't care about the consequences. He didn't even think that once they broke off relations, hundreds of their lives would be lost!
"Then you should relay my message back and let Emperor Xia arrange for someone who can make the decision," King Xijiang said calmly.
Vice Envoy Zhao felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this and couldn't help but look at Xue Han.
That kid is such a jinx! He said Xijiang wouldn't send troops, and he actually came right!
(End of this chapter)
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