Chapter 28. Negotiation: There’s a True Dragon Purple Aura on Her Body, Faintly Visible

That night, in the Four Directions Lodge, Shu Tong leaned against the half-open window, playing with an exquisite ink jade hairpin in her hand, a hint of regret flashing across her expression.

Ding-dang–

Shu Tong’s hand loosened, and the flawless ink jade fell straight to the ground, breaking into two pieces.

Jin Ying, who entered upon hearing the sound, saw the remains on the ground, the corners of her eyes slightly raised.

“Weren’t you treasuring this hairpin all the way here?”

He had been acting coquettishly for a long time but hadn’t gotten it.

Shu Tong patted her hands and walked to sit on the couch.

“No choice, I can’t give it away now.”

Who knew Gu Sui would suddenly cut his hair and not tie it up at all.

All her efforts were in vain.

“You should think about the task Lord Shu gave you, don’t put all your thoughts on one man.”

Shu Tong sneered: “You’re lecturing me now? Your thoughts aren’t that proper either, are they?”

Jin Ying twirled the little scorpion at the end of her hair, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile as deadly as opium, beautiful as death.

“Who said that? Wasn’t Mother King sending me here for a political marriage in the first place?”

Shu Tong glanced at her: “Who was it that kept refusing before, always thinking about running back?”

Jin Ying shrugged: “That was when I was foolish before.”

“What exactly does Mu Jiulu have that made you set your eyes on her at first sight?”

Shu Tong asked puzzledly. She knew this Flower Scorpion prince, who looked innocent on the surface but was actually deep and cunning, with a belly full of schemes. He wouldn’t do anything without some benefit.

“She has the True Dragon Purple Aura on her body.”

Jin Ying spoke crisply, a hint of desire hidden in the depths of her beautiful eyes.

Shu Tong frowned: “Are you sure? Isn’t this something only the emperor would have?”

“Don’t you know my abilities, sister?” She pointed at her own eyes, “These are very spiritual.”

“But there’s one strange thing, the purple aura around her is faintly visible, sometimes there, sometimes not. I don’t know if it’s because my skills aren’t good enough to see clearly.”

Shu Tong lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time, then curled her lips somewhat viciously.

“When we enter the palace tomorrow, take another look at the current little emperor. Maybe we can use this matter to our advantage, sitting back and reaping the benefits.”

“I understand, sister, don’t worry.”

*

The next day, in the Golden Temple Hall.

Shu Tong and Jin Ying, accompanied by their subordinates, had an audience with the emperor. The little emperor sat on the dragon throne, her small face tense, maintaining an air of dignity.

In the past, Mu Huan rarely spoke much during court sessions. All major affairs were handled by the Regent, she just nodded and issued decrees.

She originally thought she would just be a figurehead today too, but unexpectedly, after Shu Tong expressed her intention to redeem the eight cities of Poison Wolf, the Regent suddenly looked at her.

“What does Your Majesty think?”

When the Regent looked over, her eyebrows and eyes were calm, her voice neither high nor low. Mu Huan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

She was ambitious, wanting to work hard in secret and then surprise everyone, overthrowing the Regent.

But how long had it been? She hadn’t even finished reading all the memorials the Regent had reviewed!

Now that Mu Jiulu asked like this, she felt like a student suddenly having to take an exam, a bit flustered.

Mu Huan quickly steadied her nerves, pretended to ponder deeply for a moment, and then spoke.

“The Poison Wolf people caused trouble at the border, harming the common people. These eight cities were taken by General Gu leading tens of thousands of soldiers in bitter battles, with numerous sacrifices. If Young Lord Shu wants them back so easily, how can I face all the soldiers?”

After speaking, Mu Huan couldn’t help but glance at Mu Jiulu, whose expression showed no change. She felt somewhat resentful inside.

The Regent never asked for her opinion before, but today she asked in front of foreign envoys. If she said something wrong, what would become of her face as the emperor!

Shu Tong bowed again: “Respected Emperor, the Poison Wolf people’s rebellion is deeply shameful to us of the Silver Snake and Flower Scorpion tribes.

Now that they have been punished, our two tribes sincerely submit and are willing to compensate the imperial soldiers with treasures to redeem the lost cities. We hope Your Majesty will consider our longing for our homeland and graciously approve.”

“This…”

Shu Tong’s attitude was good, and Mu Huan didn’t know what to say.

“Longing for homeland? Those eight cities belonged to Poison Wolf. You, a Silver Snake young lord, where does your talk of homeland come from?”

Mu Jiulu looked at Shu Tong, her gaze cold, her words carrying a sharp edge.

Shu Tong: “I am from Winter State, and who from Winter State doesn’t consider the snow plains home? Since those eight cities are on the snow plains, they are our homeland.”

Mu Jiulu let out a cold laugh: “You said yourself you’re from Winter State. When the rebellion happened, was it only the Poison Wolf people? Do you dare say your two tribes never plundered our dynasty’s people?”

Faced with the aggressive questioning, Shu Tong clenched her fists, her gaze shifting to Mu Huan.

“Your Majesty, Mother King is sincerely devoted to the dynasty and specially sent me and the most favored prince of the Flower Scorpion to pay respects. Yet the Regent keeps bringing up old accounts from three years ago, making us feel disheartened.”

“Young Lord Shu’s words are incorrect. Are the accounts from three years ago no longer valid? So many lives were lost, and you want to write it off with just a few words? That’s a bit too arrogant.”

Gu Tingsong spoke up first, her tone equally sharp. Shu Tong’s calculations were instantly disrupted, a breath of resentment stuck in her throat.

“General Gu’s words are too harsh.”

Considering that Gu Tingsong was Gu Sui’s birth mother, Shu Tong didn’t show any dissatisfaction, only responding in a deep voice.

“What exactly will it take to return the eight cities of Winter State? Please, Your Majesty, make a decision.”

Mu Huan: “……”

To be honest, she didn’t want to return them. Shouldn’t an emperor expand territories? Why return what has been conquered?

But just yesterday, the Grand Tutor had told her about the balance of power between Winter State, the Western Regions, and the Central Plains Dynasty. If Winter State couldn’t be stabilized and the Western Regions took advantage of the situation, her throne would be even more unstable.

At this moment, Chancellor Xue Chi stepped forward and said, squinting his eyes:

“If Young Lord Shu wants to reclaim the eight cities of Winter State, it’s not impossible, but those compensations are far too little. If Young Lord Shu is willing to double the future tributes, perhaps Your Majesty might consider it.”

“The tributes we’ve discussed already show our sincerity, how can they be doubled! Do you really think the people of Winter State are easy to bully?”

Shu Tong said angrily. The subordinates behind her showed worried expressions and started discussing in low voices.

“What, you want to start another war?”

Gu Tingsong stepped forward and asked coldly. Shu Tong didn’t back down.

“We came to seek peace. Now it seems you’re the ones who want to start a war!”

Small discussions arose from both sides of the court. Some advocated for war, eager to incorporate Winter State into the territory, while others hoped for peace and acceptance of tributes.

“Silence.”

The Regent’s clear voice spread throughout the hall, and everyone quieted down.

“The eight cities of Winter State are still the eight cities of Winter State. The court will establish a protectorate in Wugui City, sending officials to manage border defense and related affairs in the jurisdiction. If the people of Silver Snake and Flower Scorpion miss their homeland, they can relocate according to the law.”

Mu Jiulu said in a tone that brooked no opposition. Shu Tong’s eyes flashed with cold light.

“No!”

“Wugui City is the main city of Winter State. You setting up a protectorate there, how is that any different from occupying the entire Winter State?”

Mu Jiulu rubbed her bone ring, saying carelessly:

“Does Young Lord Shu mean that other cities would be fine?”

Shu Tong: “You!”

She didn’t want any protectorate at all!

Today’s court session ended on an unhappy note. Shu Tong smashed quite a few things after returning.

“So, what did you see?”

She asked Jin Ying. Jin Ying took off the veil she had been wearing in court, a hint of confusion flowing through her amber pupils.

“I don’t understand. The True Dragon Purple Aura on her body is actually the same as on Mu Jiulu’s body, equally faint and not solid. How can this be?”

Shu Tong narrowed her eyes: “That little emperor is too young, how can she fight against Mu Jiulu? There will be trouble internally sooner or later.”

Jin Ying: “So we just need to wait, and we won’t lack opportunities, right?”

“Mm.”

One court session couldn’t resolve the Winter State issue. The next few days were spent discussing this matter. Shu Tong’s intention was very clear, she wanted to reclaim the eight cities of Winter State.

However, Mu Jiulu’s attitude was very firm, refusing to return all eight cities no matter what. Shu Tong could only settle for less.

“Your Majesty, we are willing to redeem only Wugui City with the same treasures, and the other seven cities will be considered as gifts from Winter State. What do you think?”

Using what was meant to redeem eight cities to redeem only one, Shu Tong was very reluctant, but she had no choice.

Wugui City was extremely important to them.

Mu Huan inconspicuously tugged at her robe’s hem and naturally looked towards Mu Jiulu.

“What does the Regent think?”

Mu Jiulu’s lips curled into a smile, cold and dangerous.

“If you want Wugui City back, the tribute can’t be so simple. Add a snow plain silver mine.”

The killing intent in Shu Tong’s eyes was almost unbearable to suppress. Mu Jiulu was clearly taking a mile after giving an inch!

“How about it? If Young Lord Shu doesn’t agree, then we’ll still set up the protectorate in Wugui City.”

A faint threat passed by her ears, and Shu Tong said through gritted teeth:

“Which silver mine do you want!”

“The one in Dongdu.”

Shu Tong’s tense jaw finally relaxed a bit.

If Mu Jiulu had dared to ask for the Yulong silver mine in the deepest part of the north, even if Wugui City was important, she wouldn’t have agreed.

The north was their origin.

“If that’s the case, then as the Regent says.”

Shu Tong replied reluctantly. Mu Jiulu turned to look at Mu Huan.

“Your Majesty, please issue the decree.”

The corners of Mu Huan’s mouth twitched.

She knew it, she was just destined to issue decrees.

The drafted peace treaty was quickly presented. Mu Jiulu read it first, confirmed there were no errors, then handed it to Mu Huan to seal and stamp, then gave it to Shu Tong to sign. Thus, the agreement between the two countries was reached.

The die was cast. Shu Tong put away the remaining resentment and glanced at Jin Ying, who was wearing a veil behind her.

“Your Majesty, we came this time for peace negotiations, and also to establish a hundred years of good relations with the dynasty.

Behind me is Jin Ying, the most favored prince of the Flower Scorpion tribe. He has outstanding looks, a gentle personality, and very much hopes to find a suitable wife-master in the Central Plains Dynasty.”

Jin Ying stepped forward, her eyes slightly curved, bowing her head in greeting.

“Jin Ying pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Then she turned towards Mu Jiulu’s direction, her voice crisp.

“Greetings to the Regent.”

Gu Sui, who came to the grand court session to go through the motions, instinctively locked onto the foreign youth in the center of the hall upon hearing this, a flash of coldness passing through his peach blossom eyes.

What did this person mean?