Negotiations in Lausanne
The wind, carrying raindrops, pounded against the window paper. In the moonless night, only the candlelight illuminated the view. The flickering candlelight stretched and shortened Ah Chou's shadow as he hid behind the screen, fiddling with something.
Jiang Yanhui twitched her nose and caught a faint fragrance wafting from the damp air. Then she saw Ah Chou, who had combed her hair neatly, slowly walk out from behind the screen, occasionally raising her arm to sniff her own scent.
As I got closer, the aroma became much stronger.
"Did you put something on?" Jiang Yanhui held Ah Chou's wrist and sniffed it. "It smells nice."
The warm breath brushed against the thin skin on her wrist, making Ah Chou curl her fingers uncomfortably. She pursed her lips, which had regained their color, and nodded.
"You like these things? I'll have Uncle Ban show you around later; he's very good at researching skin-softening balms." Jiang Yan released her hand, made room on the inside of the bed, and waited for Ah Chou to kick off her shoes and climb in before slowly lying down herself.
Ah Chou shifted his body slightly so that his arm touched Jiang Yan Hui's. Jiang Yan Hui, with his eyes closed, either fell asleep or was too lazy to pay attention to his little movements, and did not move. Ah Chou, who had succeeded, raised the corners of his mouth.
I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight after being tormented by nightmares, but listening to the pattering rain outside and feeling the warmth of the person next to me, Ah Chou, lying on the inside of the bed, felt a sense of security, as if she were being wrapped up.
Soon, the weariness hidden deep within her surged up. She yawned slightly, turned to face Jiang Yan Hui, curled up silently, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
Summer thunderstorms come and go, stopping abruptly in the early morning. The air, washed clean by the rain, is fresh and clean, and everything in the world is refreshed.
The woman lying on her back on the outer side of the bed had been awake for some time. Her beautiful profile was now filled with helplessness. She moved her arm, but still couldn't free herself from the embrace.
Before dawn, Jiang Yan was awakened by a tingling, numb sensation. When she opened her eyes, she saw Ah Chou's enlarged sleeping face, her chin pressed tightly against her shoulder, and her arms tightly wrapped around hers. The numbness was in the arm that Ah Chou was pressing down on.
Before falling asleep, they were just close together, but once asleep, their true nature was revealed; they wished they could hang entirely on Jiang Yan Hui.
Jiang Yanhui had considered waking the person up, but every time she reached out her hand, the pitiful look of Ah Chou being frightened awake flashed through her mind, and she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
I closed my eyes to rest and lost track of time. I saw that it was bright outside the window, and the person who was fast asleep showed no sign of waking up. He even rubbed his face against the pillow while having a sweet dream.
It wasn't until Jiang Yanhui heard Xiping and Aunt Pan greeting each other that she patted Ah Chou's cheek and said, "It's time to wake up."
Half-asleep, Ah Chou unconsciously wiped away non-existent drool from the corner of his mouth. He opened his eyes in a daze and stared blankly at Jiang Yanhui's dark pupils.
Memories from last night flooded back, and Ah Chou blushed instantly. She sat up abruptly and looked up at the bright sky, her face turning even redder with embarrassment.
She actually got up later than her master, and it seemed like she was sleeping with something in her arms all night... Ah Chou secretly glanced at Jiang Yan Hui's rubbing arm and lowered her eyes guiltily.
"Aren't you getting up?"
Jiang Yanhui suddenly reminded him, and Ah Chou finally came to his senses and scrambled off the bed, hurriedly dressing and tying his hair.
In stark contrast, Jiang Yan rubbed the soreness and numbness in her arms, leisurely got out of bed, put on her coat, and then slumped back onto the soft couch.
Having not slept well, I felt lethargic and unwilling to move. I propped myself up on the soft pillow and watched Ah Chou running around tirelessly. I yawned sleepily.
She closed her eyes for a short rest, and when she opened them again, she saw Ah Chou holding a comb and standing in front of her. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw that she was awake.
Jiang Yan paused for a moment, then said coldly, "Go and call Aunt Pan in."
Her bright eyes dimmed, and Ah Chou, unable to hide her emotions, looked utterly disappointed. Her slender fingers gripped the comb tightly, and the word "pity" was practically written on her forehead.
It is taboo for a servant to show negative emotions to his master. Anyone else would have been sent away to work elsewhere by Jiang Yan Hui, but this person is A Chou.
Not only did her appearance suit Jiang Yan Hui's taste, but her gentle, kind, and even slightly silly personality also intrigued Jiang Yan Hui. Her occasional harmless little whims became little pleasures that others dared not do in her eyes.
Jiang Yanhui vaguely guessed why she had been so tolerant of A Chou. She was puzzled but also curious, never imagining that she would fall into the same trap herself.
Then there's the thought that Lang Rong absolutely must not know. The more she had previously disliked Lang Rong's desire for sincerity, the more she would be teased by Lang Rong if she found out.
Jiang Yan sighed helplessly, her tone filled with barely perceptible doting affection, and even a hint of coaxing as she said, "Aunt Pan must have something important to report to me. Let me hear it before you comb your hair."
Her dim eyes regained their luster, and Ah Chou, clutching her precious wooden comb, went briskly to invite Aunt Pan in.
Just as Jiang Yanhui had predicted, Aunt Pan brought very important news: a letter from Urentuya.
The letter specified the meeting place: a boat on the Dolo River.
She had expected that Urentuya would be the first to come looking for her, but she was surprised that Urentuya would be in such a hurry that she rashly arranged to meet her on a boat.
Jiang Yanhui scoffed, "You certainly know how to pick a place."
Perhaps only Jiang Yanhui could remain so calm when dealing with the troublesome Youbu tribe, which had been entangled in a protracted battle.
Aunt Pan frowned with worry, "Your Majesty, what if this is a trap set by Urentuya? It would be too risky for you to board the ship alone as agreed."
"Given the fact that she spared no effort in sending so many spies to Lingzhou, it's clear that what she's looking for is extremely important to her. The fact that she's so eager to meet me most likely means she wants me to open a passage for her in Lingzhou, or to help her find it."
Jiang Yanhui tapped her knee lightly, her pale lips curving upwards, and instructed, "However, you are right. The person who punishes his own brothers as soon as he takes power is definitely not a kind person. It's better to be prepared."
Aunt Pan realized that Jiang Yan was going to keep the appointment and said with slight disapproval, "Your Majesty, the boat is drifting in the middle of the river. If something happens, the guards on the shore will not be able to get there in time. If Urentuya wants to make a move on the boat, you may be in danger!"
Ah Chou, who was standing to the side, did not want to hear anything that could cost him his head, but when he heard Aunt Pan's words full of concern for Jiang Yan Hui's safety, his ears perked up involuntarily, and he dared not miss a single word.
He listened intently, followed along with the analysis of the situation, and nodded in complete agreement with Aunt Pan.
"You sure know how to eavesdrop." Jiang Yanhui flicked Ah Chou's head with a wooden ruler, pulled a cushion behind her back, and found the most comfortable position to lean back. "Who said I got on her boat?"
——
In summer, the Dolo River is calm and still. It is not only a marker dividing the two sides, but also the mother river that nourishes this land with its continuous and abundant water flow. It has extraordinary significance for the people who have lived here for a long time.
Today, the sky is clear and blue, and you can clearly see the formation standing on the opposite bank of the river, as well as two large ships moving towards the center of the river.
A gentle river breeze blew by as Jiang Yan, clad in soft armor, sat on a grand chair at the bow of the boat. Behind her stood a row of masked guards with blue faces and fangs, silently intimidating them.
There was no need for either side to issue a warning; the meaning couldn't be clearer.
The large ship opposite them lowered a small boat and rowed towards them, carrying Urentuya.
Aunt Pan led a group of people to pick them up and board the ship. To say they were picked up would be a more accurate description of them being escorted.
She said coldly, "The deck is too noisy for business. Please come inside."
Urentuya glanced at the guards who were about to enter the private room after Jiang Yan turned around, and smiled, "It's just a business negotiation. Does the dignified King of Jiangbei need to bring so many people? To show my sincerity in the cooperation, I only brought two personal guards."
Jiang Yanhui rested one hand on the sword at his waist and said with a playful smile, "Urentuya, I suppose you've been staying in the desolate lands for too long. Let me remind you, it's not me who's seeking cooperation."
Urentuya gritted her teeth in hatred, her eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent, but she forced herself to suppress it, revealing a forced smile.
The room became much quieter upon entering. The enclosed space made the atmosphere tense and awkward. Urentuya, who had only brought two people with her, sat opposite Jiang Yanhui without any fear. Her eyes swept over the intimidating bodyguards behind her, and she leaned back in her chair warily.
Neither of them spoke first, each secretly competing with the other.
Jiang Yanhui listlessly toyed with the dagger inlaid with a ruby in his palm. After spinning the dagger on his fingertip for the sixth time, he pressed it down on the table with his backhand.
He said slowly, "Let's escort the leader of the You tribe off the ship."
"Wait a minute."
Urentuya exhaled, realizing that ordinary negotiation skills would not work against the Jiangbei King before her, and said truthfully, "I am looking for someone. According to the information I have received, the last place he disappeared was in Lingzhou."
"Who is it?" Jiang Yan asked, pressing the words firmly before she finished speaking.
No comment.
Jiang Yanhui spread his hands, "You want to look for someone in my territory, but you won't tell me who you're looking for. How am I supposed to know if you're the one covering for me?"
After a moment of silence, Urentuya relented, "He is my younger brother, Losang."
Jiang Yan finally looked at her properly, raised her chin, and gestured for her to continue.
Urentuya gritted her teeth, forced to endure Jiang Yanhui's contempt in order to find her long-lost brother.
She continued, "Three years ago, my brother and father were hunted down. The bodies of all the people were found in the Duoluo River, but Luosang was nowhere to be found. Therefore, I suspect that Luosang did not die, but crossed the Duoluo River and fled to the Lingzhou region."
Jiang Yanhui lowered her eyes, her fingertips touching the ruby on the dagger. "You mean, your brother died by the Duoluo River?"
Urentuya: "Yes."
Jiang Yanhui was relieved to receive a definite answer. For a moment, she even thought that the younger brother Urentuya was looking for was Achou.
Since she said that Losang disappeared by the Duoluo River, then Achou, who was found on the grassland, could not be her missing younger brother.
With a relaxed demeanor, Jiang Yanhui was even more adept at manipulating Urentuya. A nonchalant smile played on her lips as she countered, "Why should I help you?"
“You can name your conditions,” Urentuya said, growing impatient. “Any conditions are acceptable as long as my brother can be found.”
Jiang Yan asked, "Does this mean the You tribe should submit?"
Urentuya shouted, "Jiang Yanhui! Don't push your luck!"
Upon closer inspection, Urentuya has extremely delicate features, but the lingering gloom and fierceness between her brows often makes people overlook her actual appearance.
She was furious at Jiang Yanhui's arrogant words, her chest heaving as she glared at her fiercely. If she didn't need Jiang Yanhui's help, she probably would have torn her apart alive.
Having thoroughly provoked the situation, Jiang Yanhui had a general understanding of the temperament and background of the newly appointed leader of the You tribe, and thus toned down her provocative attitude.
He said, “Ten scimitars, twenty bows, sixty arrows, five horses, and ten cattle and ten sheep each, every month.”
"good!"
Urentuya agreed without hesitation, as if afraid that Jiang Yanhui would change his mind.
"I haven't finished speaking yet." Jiang Yan Hui felt particularly uncomfortable looking at Urentuya's gloomy face. It had been many years since anyone had made her feel such a strong sense of disgust.
He said, “You can send people into Lingzhou to find someone, but I also have to send my people to keep an eye on things.”
Urentuya: "Okay."
Jiang Yan replied, "I'll hand over the things until you find the person or... give up."
Urentuya immediately replied, "I will not give up finding my brother."
The negotiations went more smoothly than expected. Standing on the deck, Jiang Yan squinted as she looked back at the receding figure of Urentuya on the small boat.
A gentle breeze ruffled her high ponytail. Her upright posture showed no trace of the laziness she displayed at the Prince's residence. One hand rested on the sword hanging at her waist, and beneath her lowered brows, her deep eyes held the composure of a seasoned veteran, exuding the air of an old general.
Aunt Pan's gaze shifted from Urentuya to Jiang Yanhui. More than the new leader of the You tribe, she wanted to know Jiang Yanhui's thoughts. She said...
“Your Majesty, the supplies you’ve requested are nothing to the You tribe.”
Jiang Yan replied, "I know, but wouldn't it seem strange to let people in if we don't ask for anything?"
Aunt Pan was surprised, and had several guesses in her mind, but was still not sure. "You mean..."
"When they can't find anyone and try to leave, strangle them on the spot. If they find someone, kill them all."
Jiang Yan's calm, even tone carried a chilling undertone as she turned and left the deck.
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