"Squeak..."
"Chirp chirp chirp..."
Good morning! Good morning! Good afternoon! Good afternoon!
The insects chirped rhythmically, while the parrot seemed to be repeating the only two words it knew, as if trying to attract attention.
Unable to bear the incessant shouting any longer, Yun Duoduo put on her outer robe and went outside.
I need some peace and quiet.
...
In the Imperial Garden, Yun Beiye had just finished a secret meeting with a minister and was taking a relaxing stroll when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him.
Xiao Xuheng, the commander of the Imperial Guards who was following behind Yun Beiye, stopped the man and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"
Why are you in such a hurry?
"We've disturbed His Majesty's peace; we'll both be in deep trouble!"
Xiao Xuheng questioned in a low voice. He turned to look at Yun Beiye and saw that Yun Beiye was not looking in his direction. Only then did his heart relax a little.
"My lord, an urgent report from Western Chu."
Xiao Xuheng's eyelids twitched, and his hand clenched tightly: "Urgent report from Western Chu?! Could it be that there's been a war?"
If war really breaks out, it's uncertain how long the border between Nanyang and Western Chu can hold out. We need to send reinforcements immediately and transport supplies as soon as possible.
"My lord, there is no war. It is the King of Western Chu who has requested a marriage alliance."
"Require?!"
Xiao Xuheng was somewhat confused. Marriage alliances were always negotiated between the two countries, so how could there be any talk of "demands"?
"My lord, the message from Western Chu says that the King of Western Chu requests a marriage alliance. Details are in this letter."
After saying this, the man handed the letter to Xiao Xuheng, bowed, and quickly left.
Xiao Xuheng dared not delay. He turned around and handed the letter to Zhao Zhongquan, whispering a few words to him.
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Zhongquan's expression turned solemn.
Originally, the relationship between Western Chu and Nanyang was very good. However, ever since the former crown prince of Western Chu, who is now the king of Western Chu, kidnapped the princess in Guilin and threatened Nanyang to cede the five continents of You and Ji, the relationship between the two countries has deteriorated and is now only maintaining a superficial peace.
Xiao Xuheng knew the importance and seriousness of this matter. With a wave of his hand, the eunuchs, palace maids, and guards surrounding Yun Beiye all took five steps back and turned their backs.
Only by staying far away from Yunbeiye can one avoid hearing the secrets of the royal family.
Zhao Zhongquan hesitated before handing the letter to Yun Beiye and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from Western Chu, saying they wish to establish a marriage alliance."
"A marriage alliance?"
Yun Beiye was clearly taken aback.
"I just came out to relax and find some peace and quiet. I didn't expect this matter to keep chasing after me. I can't escape it. It really is making things difficult for me."
Zhao Zhongquan broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing Yun Beiye's words.
Sigh, serving His Majesty is really not easy!
Yun Beiye walked to the pavilion in the Imperial Garden and sat down, slowly saying, "Let it be a marriage alliance. I have so many sons. Whichever one I fancy, I'll just marry my daughter to him!"
Yun Beiye waved his hand, indicating to Zhao Zhongquan that this was not a big deal.
He looked at Zhao Zhongquan and suddenly realized that Western Chu seemed to have no princesses, so he asked, "What? How come I don't know of any princesses of marriageable age in Western Chu?"
"Did you say you wanted to marry that prince?"
Zhao Zhongquan pursed his lips, carefully observing Yun Beiye's expression: "Your Majesty, the King of Western Chu said... said... said... he wants to marry the Ninth Princess."
"What?!"
Yunbei slammed his fist on the table and stood up, then went out of the pavilion and paced back and forth.
"You want to marry my daughter?!"
"What a toad trying to eat swan meat!"
"My daughter is the apple of my eye every day, how could I bear to let her marry far away?!"
Enraged, Yun Beiye punched the flower in front of him. The flower was unharmed, only a few petals fell off, but Yun Beiye's hand was pricked by the thorns on the flower stem, drawing blood.
Zhao Zhongquan looked at the snow on Yun Beiye's hands and his heart trembled with fear: "Your Majesty! Quickly summon the imperial physician!"
"And who gave you permission to plant these kinds of flowers in the Imperial Garden?!"
"If you harm His Majesty's health, none of you will live!"
Zhao Zhongquan was reprimanding the eunuchs near the Imperial Garden. He was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. The flower in front of him was a prickly pear, and its stem was covered with thorns.
"Alright, this isn't their fault."
"What else did Western Chu say?"
Yun Beiye shook his head in annoyance.
"The Western Chu is really a troublemaker, always causing trouble!"
"Your Majesty, this is a letter from Western Chu. The details are all inside."
Zhao Zhongquan carefully handed the letter to Yun Beiye.
He knew that although the contents of the letter were unsettling, as a servant, he still had to deliver the message.
"I won't watch!"
Yun Beiye pushed the letter in Zhao Zhongquan's hand aside.
Zhao Zhongquan was stunned, his hand just standing there, unsure of what to do.
Then, Yun Beiye stopped and turned to Zhao Zhongquan, saying, "Open the letter and read it to me!"
"I want to see just how shameless he can be!"
"Just a few years ago, they kidnapped my daughter and made her suffer so much. Now, they actually want to marry her?"
"You've really gone too far, you brat, you good-for-nothing!"
"You heartless, brainless bastard..."
"You foul-mouthed, immoral bastard..."
Zhao Zhongquan was surprised by Yun Beiye's foul language, but he pretended not to hear it and opened the letter in his hand.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old servant will read it now."
Zhao Zhongquan glanced at the contents of the letter, cleared his throat, and said in a low voice, "King of Western Chu, Xi Jing is willing to offer five border cities as a betrothal gift to marry Princess You Rong."
"Moreover, they are willing to let the Ninth Princess become the Queen of Western Chu."
Yun Beiye was puzzled. Once, this king of Western Chu had kidnapped Yun Duoduo in Ghost Forest and forced him to exchange the five states of Youji for Yun Duoduo's life.
What's going on here?
"Five cities on the border of Western Chu..."
"The future Queen of Western Chu..."
Yun Beiye snorted coldly, snatched the letter from Zhao Zhongquan's hand, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it forcefully into the pond next to the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden.
...
Inside the Western Chu palace, Xi Jing was lying on a soft couch eating grapes.
He was dressed in red, with his belt hanging loosely to one side, revealing his firm chest.
"Was the letter delivered?"
Xi Jing didn't even lift his eyelids. He heard someone approaching; it must be a guard coming to deliver a message.
"It's been delivered," the guard said in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, five cities—isn't this betrothal gift a bit too extravagant?"
The guard felt that the Grand Preceptor's words were too exaggerated and unbelievable. Moreover, how could the Central Plains be unified if five cities of Western Chu were exchanged for a woman?
Before unifying the Central Plains, we lost five cities. Wouldn't that be a loss that outweighs the gains?
Moreover, the five cities bordering Nanyang and Western Chu are all prosperous areas, with substantial annual grain and tax revenue.
The guards thought the king must have lost his mind; otherwise, he would never have made such an absurd decision.
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