Chapter 36
"Your Majesty, the capital has been in turmoil these past two days. Originally, the prince was able to keep things under control, but rumors have spread that something has happened to the emperor, and Prince Pingyu has also intervened, trying to win over the court officials. Furthermore, the envoys from the four major fiefdoms have been here for three days now, but they haven't offered any gifts and are clamoring to see the emperor. Your Majesty, now that you're in the capital, when will you return to the palace?"
Lu Di looked at the woman in front of him who was still sitting lazily on the recliner, and seemed not to be in a hurry about these things at all.
"Your Majesty, the palace seems to be in turmoil too. Why don't you take some time to go back and take a look? I'll prepare a carriage for you. It would be best if you could take it for a tour around our capital so that the people can see it and reassure them..." Lu Di said a lot in a flash, and seeing Zhou Xuanqing staring blankly ahead, he followed her line of sight.
Tang Mitang was happily chewing on the braised pig's trotters, which made people feel very hungry.
Lu Di swallowed, looked at Zhou Xuanqing, and asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty...are you hungry?"
Zhou Xuan listened to what he said before looking away. He looked him over and said calmly, "Prime Minister, remember that those officials followed Prince Pingyu and pack them up and send them to him in a couple of days. Oh, and send a message to Lan'er, telling him not to worry and to have fun as he wants."
"Alright, I'll go tell Prince Lan first!" Lu Di patted his belly and left happily. If the emperor wasn't anxious, why should he be anxious? It was more important to go home and eat.
Zhou Xuanqing picked up the fan and waved it twice, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
It's better not to stop.
In the palace, envoys from the Dongyi, Nanman, and Beidi tribes sat on both sides of the hall. Looking at Zhou Erlan's indifferent expression, they couldn't help but turn their attention to the Quanrong envoy.
The Quanrong envoy was an old man with small eyes and a mustache. He rolled his eyes and stood up, saying, "We, the Western Rong, originally wanted to come to negotiate peace, but we didn't expect the Great Zhou to look down on us so much! Well, there's nothing more to discuss. I will take the prince and princess back to the Western Rong!"
This old man is also smart. What he means is that the Great Zhou was wrong first, and when they return to Xirong, even if a war breaks out, it will be the Great Zhou's fault.
Zhou Erlan didn't even raise her eyelids as she looked at the note sent by the Prime Minister, her heart flying to the villa.
My sister is fine now! That's great!
Zhou Erlan showed no emotion and remained silent, which made the Quanrong envoy embarrassed. He turned around and prepared to leave with a flick of his sleeves.
"Everyone, I will host a banquet in the Imperial Garden tonight to entertain the envoys and welcome General Lu's triumphant return. I hope you can all be there." After Zhou Erlan finished speaking, he stood up and left first.
The Quanrong have been here for such a long time without any talk of peace. They act so aggressive every day and really think that the Zhou has a good temper!
"This... This Great Zhou is really getting worse and worse..." The Dongyi envoy pointed at Zhou Erlan's back angrily, but did not dare to curse.
After all, they just came to watch the fun and see if there was anything they could gain. They really didn't dare to confront the Great Zhou.
"Hmph!" The old man from Xirong snorted coldly after hearing his cowardly look, and left with a flick of his sleeves.
The envoys from the Southern Barbarians and the Northern Di looked at each other without saying a word, and left the palace to prepare for the evening banquet.
After Zhou Erlan left the palace, he rode his horse towards the villa. As he walked in, he saw a woman sitting on a chair holding a black piece with a smile on her face. He couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten, and he stood there watching.
Zhou Xuanqing looked at Tang Mitang regretting her move but didn't care. He held the black piece between his fingers and gently stroked his hair. Seeing Zhou Erlan standing at the round hole door, he raised his hand and waved at him.
"Lan'er, come here~"
When Zhou Erlan heard Zhou Xuanqing's voice, she ran over sobbing and hugged her.
"Royal sister, Lan'er misses you so much!"
Zhou Xuanqing patted his back with a smile and said softly, "Imperial sister misses you too."
"Wu, my royal sister never wants to be separated from you again! It's too difficult to govern~" Zhou Erlan hugged Zhou Xuanqing and buried her head in her shoulder, speaking in a muffled voice.
"Okay~" Zhou Xuanqing responded softly.
Tang Mitang looked at the heartwarming scene between the siblings and felt that if Zhou Erlan had a tail, it would have been wagging back and forth.
He stood up and left silently. The brother and sister must have something to say, so he should not spoil the mood here.
The main reason was that I didn't want to lose. After all, no matter how much I regretted my moves, defeat was already a done deal...
"Royal sister, the Quanrong are becoming more and more presumptuous. I saw that they brought a princess here, and it seems that they want to marry her. Although I have never seen what the princess looks like, I don't want to marry her." Zhou Erlan frowned and said with disgust.
"It's all right. If the Quanrong behave well, we'll leave them alone. If they don't, we won't interfere. As for your marriage, there's no rush. If you can find someone, then you can. If not, then let it be. I'll leave it as it is for now. I'll be happy if you like it."
Zhou Xuanqing spoke slowly and calmly, his tone full of doting.
Zhou Erlan blushed at what Zhou Xuanqing said. She looked at Zhou Xuanqing and said with a smile, "Even the imperial sister is not anxious, so I am not anxious either."
"Haha~ You're actually bringing up my issue. But right now there's something more urgent than marriage, and that's your ascension to the throne." Zhou Xuanqing changed the subject and turned to this matter.
She already knew that Chang Xi had given him the imperial edict a long time ago, and she was puzzled that Zhou Erlan had not ascended the throne.
"Royal sister, there is no rush about this matter. You just watch first. Besides, I, your younger brother, don't know anything, so I can gain experience for a few years. When the time comes and you don't want to be the royal sister anymore, you can give me the position." Zhou Erlan said slyly, with a childish air all over his body.
Zhou Xuanqing looked at him, pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "I don't want to. I just enjoyed myself for two days and I'm not going back."
"No, that won't work. If you don't go back, who will intimidate them? There are still a lot of things to deal with! No, the palace can't do without you~"
After Zhou Erlan finished speaking, he rolled his eyes, smiled, and walked forward to grab Zhou Xuanqing's arm.
"Hey~ brat! Put me down..." Zhou Xuanqing lay on him, struggling in dissatisfaction.
"Royal sister, please bear with me for a while longer. Go back to the palace and sort out the things! Lu Zehua is coming back to the court today, and no one can stop him without you. Follow your brother back to the palace and attend the dinner..."
As Zhou Erlan spoke, he quickly ran towards the horse, threw Zhou Xuanqing onto the horse, turned over and locked her in his arms, and rushed towards the palace with her.
Chang Xi and Tang Mitang hurried to catch up, this Prince Lan has kidnapped the emperor!
Standing at the door, Lu Di saw Zhou Erlan running towards the palace with someone in his arms, and he stroked his beard with satisfaction. As expected of him.
In the imperial palace, there was a piece of paper on the desk in the main hall for receiving envoys, with the following written on it.
The emperor is now well and does not want to return to the palace. He asks the prince to use a "special trick" to bring the emperor back to the palace.
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