Regardless, the negotiations ended in failure. Although they had hostages, it was all for nothing if Dongting didn't pay up.
However, Mr. Kang's performance during the peace talks spread like wildfire, and many people in the court knew about it.
Immediately, the crowd began to discuss the matter. Some said that Mr. Kang was meddling and ruining the peace talks, while others felt that Mr. Kang was right. It was Dongting's fault to begin with, and why couldn't Beiyan fight for more benefits? If not, it would be better to just kill Dongting's third prince and give the people a direct explanation.
When the news reached the Lu family, Lu Baichuan and his wife expressed their strong support and even went to the palace to obtain the emperor's approval. They sent someone to the post station to tell the people of Dongting that they should do as Mr. Kang said, and they were only given five days. If they did not make a decision as soon as possible, they would have to wait to collect the body of the third prince of Dongting.
The people of Dongting were astonished that the people of Beiyan were so unreasonable, saying such things even at the point of peace talks, which was clearly a blatant threat.
So the people of Dongting held a small meeting to discuss what they should do.
The Crown Prince of Dongting's health had improved, and he personally convened this meeting. Sitting at the head of the table, he looked at the assembled officials and asked in a cold voice, "Do any of you gentlemen have any good suggestions?"
The crowd didn't answer immediately, but considered the matter carefully before someone spoke up: "The reason the Northern Flame people dare to be so arrogant is simply because the Third Prince is in their hands. Why don't we send someone to rescue the Third Prince? That way, they won't be able to do anything to us!"
"That's not true! Bei Yan dares to be so arrogant; they must have set up a trap. If we try to rescue them secretly, we might end up getting ourselves caught! They'll only want more then!"
“That’s right. When the Third Prince first got into trouble, many people went to rescue him, but none of them succeeded.”
"Are we just supposed to give in to those unreasonable demands?"
"This old minister has an idea! Why don't we pretend to agree to Bei Yan's demands, and once they release the Third Prince, we'll immediately return to Dongting. Then we'll see if Bei Yan still dares to be arrogant!"
"But can we leave Beiyan safely under everyone's watchful eyes?"
...
Everyone expressed their opinions, and in the end, all the suggestions were overturned by themselves. After some discussion, they realized that if their demands were not met, the Third Prince might really be publicly executed.
Then Dongting would really lose face.
The Crown Prince of Dongting let out a breath and said, "Since that's the case, we have no choice but to agree."
Everyone looked unwell, but they couldn't think of any other solutions.
Five days later, the peace talks resumed. This time, without much explanation, Dongting directly agreed to all of Beiyan's demands.
The treaty stipulated that the Eastern Court would pay the Northern Yan 200,000 taels of gold in compensation, return the two cities previously seized by the Eastern Court, and the entire border defense line would be moved back 500 meters.
This has already dealt a heavy blow to the Eastern Court.
The treaty has been signed, and they need to write back to the Eastern Court immediately to have the Eastern Court hand over these matters properly and ensure that all these things are delivered to the Northern Yan so that the envoy delegation led by the Crown Prince of the Eastern Court can leave the Northern Yan safely.
At the same time, only after confirming that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Court has sent the letter back to the Eastern Court can the Third Prince and the envoy of the Eastern Court be allowed to meet temporarily.
The reason it's only temporary is because they're worried that the people of Dongting are cunning and will try to outsmart them. So even when the Third Prince is out of the Heavenly Prison, his feet will be chained, and it's absolutely impossible to open them without a key.
Upon hearing Bei Yan's reply, the envoy who had previously suggested pretending to agree to the treaty was quite embarrassed. The people of Bei Yan were too cunning, giving no one a chance to escape.
Everyone in Dongting was holding their breath, thinking that once they returned to Dongting, they would make the imperial court send troops against Beiyan and take all these things back!
When the Crown Prince of Dongting sent out his letter, the Lu family finally accepted his invitation and arranged to meet that afternoon.
Both Lu Baichuan and his wife were present, and they received the Crown Prince of Dongting as if he were an ordinary colleague.
Crown Prince Dongting had imagined many scenarios of meeting her, including a reunion in the martial arts world and her sudden appearance when his condition worsened. But he never expected her to sit next to Lu Baichuan with such a pure and sunny smile, completely different from the woman he had seen that night.
In that instant, the Crown Prince of Dongting suddenly had a wicked thought: Did Lu Baichuan know what she had done? Or did Lu Baichuan know that she had that side to her?
"The Crown Prince looks quite well; he must have been resting well during this time."
Lu Baichuan smiled and took the initiative to speak, which finally drew the Crown Prince of Dongting's attention away from his wife.
At times like this, Lu Baichuan would feel a great sense of crisis, always feeling that none of these people were good people, and that they were all after his wife.
The Crown Prince of Dongting withdrew his gaze, smiled calmly, and said, "Thanks to the prescription given by Madam Lu, otherwise I don't know when I would have been able to go out and see the bustling street scene of Beiyan."
"Your Highness is too kind. I'm just doing my job to help people out of their troubles."
He Jiuniang smiled faintly, not flustered at all in the face of the Crown Prince of Dongting's scrutiny, since she had no intention of hiding it anyway.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince of Dongting recalled how she had looted his palace that night, wishing she could pry up all the floor tiles.
He still vividly remembers that adorable face.
But now, she is smiling radiantly in someone else's arms—an outcome he never imagined.
It felt like my heart was being pricked by needles.
"Madam Lu's medical skills are superb, and her fighting skills are also quite good. Have you ever thought that you can make a name for yourself outside of Bei Yan?"
He was displeased, but he smiled on the surface and kept his eyes on He Jiuniang the whole time, wanting to see if she would be afraid in front of Lu Baichuan.
"Your Highness is joking. I was born in Bei Yan. Where else could I go if not Bei Yan?"
He Jiuniang shrugged and continued, "My husband is a general of Beiyan. If I don't work hard for Beiyan, where else can I go?"
"What if I wanted to invite you to the Eastern Court? Name your terms."
He knew He Jiuniang loved money, and Dongting was already richer than Beiyan. He could give her anything she wanted.
"Is the Crown Prince joking with me? Under what pretext does the Crown Prince want to invite me back to the Eastern Court? Will the Emperor and court officials of Northern Yan allow it? Furthermore, will my husband agree? Will my family be willing to let me go?"
He Jiuniang chuckled, and a series of rhetorical questions left the Crown Prince of Dongting speechless.
Lu Baichuan continued, "Guests are guests, and I will naturally treat them well. But for the Crown Prince to ask to take my wife away is simply wishful thinking!"
The Crown Prince was even more displeased to see the couple conspiring against him, and asked directly, "If my lady is willing to return with me, she naturally doesn't need to hide her talents. Why does she have to do good deeds in the shadows like this?"
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