Even until the Northern Country team led by Qiao Zhongguo walked out of Putian Street, the shouts of "Long live!" lingered for a long time.

Seeing this, Qiao Jiaojiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The task of welcoming the Northern Kingdom delegation is a thankless task for Chunchun!

If Dad had failed to pacify the people just now, Emperor Yong would have punished Dad if a stampede occurred or the envoys from the Northern Kingdom were injured.

Even if things were done well, if Second Brother hadn't been able to suppress the people who were leading the trouble, and the people had shouted "Daddy" in unison, then it would have been even more disastrous!

Fortunately, they have now passed this hurdle, but they cannot relax yet.

Because this is just the "appetizer" given by the male protagonist, and he will have more opportunities to make trouble later on the birthday festival!

————

Emperor Yong sat in the imperial study, with Tan Hanchi beside him.

Soon, the guards who went to inquire about the news came back.

He knelt respectfully before the desk and reported everything that had just happened on Putian Street truthfully.

When Emperor Yong heard that the people were shouting "General Qiao", his expression did not change.

However, Tan Hanchi, who was observing carefully, still found that the corners of Emperor Yong's mouth were slightly tense and his eyes were gloomy.

When the guard later said that people all over the streets were shouting "Long live the emperor" and the scene was grand and exciting, the corners of Emperor Yong's mouth suddenly relaxed and slowly rose.

Tan Hanchi saw this and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Putian Street is not far from the palace. You may still hear the sound outside the palace at this time."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong stood up immediately, looking very interested.

"Let's go out and listen."

Emperor Yong strode out of the imperial study, his eyes looking into the distance over the red tiles, and sure enough, he could still faintly hear the sound of the sky.

Upon seeing this, Tan Hanchi immediately complimented him: "The people are in agreement with this, and they are expressing their feelings. This shows that Your Majesty is a wise ruler, and it is a blessing to the world."

No one doesn't like to hear nice words, even Emperor Yong is no exception.

His brows were relaxed, the corners of his mouth were raised, and he looked in a very good mood.

Tan Hanchi looked for an opportunity and spoke carefully, "Your Majesty, you asked me a few days ago what the purpose of the Northern Kingdom delegation was. I couldn't answer it then, but now I have a clue."

Emperor Yong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard this, with a look of curiosity on his face.

"Oh? My dear, tell me about it."

Tan Hanchi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I just heard from the guards that the Northern Kingdom's envoys were insulted and pushed by the people on the streets of Putian without saying a word in return."

"But as far as I know, the people of the North are reckless, brave and aggressive. Their behavior today seems to be against common sense, right?"

Emperor Yong nodded slightly, and after a while he suddenly said meaningfully: "Perhaps it is because the leader is Qiao Aiqing."

Tan Hanchi nodded immediately, "Your Majesty, this is where the weirdness lies!"

Emperor Yong tilted his head when he heard this and finally became interested.

"Oh? How do you mean?"

Tan Hanchi looked serious and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, if you were to ask who the people of the North hate the most, it would be none other than Lord Qiao."

"Master Qiao is leading the team today. Given the deep hatred between them, why did the people of the North cooperate so obediently?"

"What's more, the public was very excited just now, which is a good time to stir up trouble. If the Northern Kingdom's envoys are injured in the capital, won't they be able to use this as a threat to drag us into trouble?"

Emperor Yong's eyes deepened slightly, "What exactly does Minister Tan want to say?"

At this time, Tan Hanchi bowed deeply to Emperor Yong and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Your Majesty, I dare to guess that this Northern Kingdom delegation... may have come for Lord Qiao!"

"The Northern Kingdom and our dynasty have been at peace for nearly fifteen years. During these fifteen years, the Northern Kingdom has been resting and recuperating."

"If they want to make a comeback now, then Lord Qiao will definitely be their number one thorn in the eye."

When Emperor Yong heard this, his expression was unclear.

At this time, Tan Hanchi suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I dare to make a bet with you."

Emperor Yong was slightly startled when he heard this, but then he showed interest, "Make a bet with me? My dear Minister Tan, no one in this court has ever made a bet with me."

Tan Hanchi also laughed, "Thanks to Your Majesty for your high regard and respect for me. Now I want to be the first person to bet with Your Majesty. Is Your Majesty willing to give me this opportunity?"

Emperor Yong was completely intrigued. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What do you want to bet with me, my dear?"

Tan Hanchi said loudly: "Let's bet on the purpose of this Northern Kingdom delegation."

"I bet that the purpose of their trip is to get rid of Master Qiao, and the method is... to deceive the emperor and make him suspicious of Master Qiao!"

"Of course, Your Majesty is extremely wise and will not be fooled by the little tricks of the Northern Kingdom's envoys. I am just playing a trick on you and want to ask for a reward from you in disguise."

Tan Hanchi put a lot of thought and thought into what he said.

He first praised Emperor Yong with a few words, and then brought out the purpose of the Northern Kingdom's delegation, and then made Emperor Yong feel very curious by making a bet.

When Emperor Yong asked further questions, he praised Emperor Yong again, neither too much nor too little, and ended with a joking remark, attributing the gambling game to his own "little greed" in order to conceal his real purpose.

After all, he racked his brains just to protect Qiao Zhongguo, the loyal minister of the Yong Dynasty!

Even if Emperor Yong did not agree, he had already given a hint and his goal had been achieved.

From now on, no matter what tricks the Northern Kingdom's envoys play, as long as they are targeting Qiao Zhongguo, Emperor Yong will definitely be on guard because of what he said today!

At this time, Emperor Yong thought about it carefully and actually nodded.

"Since you are so confident, I will bet with you."

"I want to see if those northern villains are really so bold as to come all the way to me!"

Upon hearing this, Tan Hanchi's face showed genuine joy.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. This gives me something to brag about to my colleagues."

Emperor Yong looked at Tan Hanchi with a smile on his face and had to admit in his heart that Tan Hanchi was indeed a wonderful person.

He entered the officialdom through the imperial examination and had brilliant literary talent, but he did not have the usual arrogance and pride of scholars.

He is intelligent, eloquent, and able to judge the situation. He is the most satisfactory minister to him over the years.

Looking at all the young people in the court, it seems that only Qiao Tianjing can be on par with him.

Unfortunately, Qiao Tianjing is a member of the Qiao family and cannot become a close minister.

"Tell me, my dear, if you win, what reward do you want?"

Tan Hanchi "hesitated" for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, whatever you give is good."

Emperor Yong saw Tan Hanchi's hesitation, and suddenly asked, "Do you still like the daughter of the Duke of Yan?"

Tan Hanchi's face showed a moment of panic as if he had been exposed, but he quickly calmed down and said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I am of humble origin and dare not marry someone of high rank."

When Emperor Yong heard this, his face turned serious.

"You are my close minister. I can give you unlimited honors. It doesn't matter whether you are marrying up or not."

"I have already considered this matter. If you really win the bet, I will give you an explanation."

Upon hearing this, Tan Hanchi suddenly raised his head, his face full of "flattered", and even his voice "unconsciously" became a few notches higher.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Yong smiled faintly.

What he loved to see most was the grateful look of his subjects.

Just at this time, a palace servant came to report that Qiao Zhongguo and the envoys from the Northern Kingdom were waiting at the palace gate.

Emperor Yong waved his hand and said, "Xuan, go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

Tan Hanchi hurriedly followed, a light flashing in his eyes...