~ Disrupt ~
The Emperor stared in astonishment at the scene before him, unable to believe what he saw. “What is the meaning of this?”
Helian Liluo smiled, her manner composed. “In reply to Your Majesty, I have been raised since childhood on water infused with the Haiming Pearl, and so my constitution is far stronger than that of ordinary people. Over the years, with constant nourishment, even my wounds heal swiftly. This Haiming Pearl has always been kept as a treasured heirloom within the royal family. If it were not for the sake of friendship between our two nations, we would never have offered it.”
The Emperor’s gaze shifted slightly. “Amity is a matter between states. Even without this Haiming Pearl, I would still give the matter careful consideration.” Such an extraordinary gift, yet Beijiang seemed to want nothing in return. No matter how he looked at it, something felt off.
Helian Liluo bowed. “In reply to Your Majesty, Beijiang has one additional condition.”
“Speak.”
“I have heard that the Da Li Dynasty has already found a way to treat plague. We hope to obtain the prescription for curing epidemic disease.” Beijiang had vast grasslands, and its people lived as nomads, following the water and the grass. Once an epidemic started, it spread quickly and was almost impossible to stop.
“The prescription benefits the people of the realm,” the Emperor replied evenly, “but it was not obtained easily. If Beijiang truly seeks it in sincerity, then after a treaty of amity between our two nations is signed, it is not impossible to discuss.”
Helian Liluo’s face brightened with delight. She handed the Haiming Pearl to an attendant at her side, who brought it forward to present to the Emperor.
Mu Yunyao watched as Helian Liluo slipped her hand back into her sleeve, then glanced at the bloodstains on the floor, which palace maids had already cleaned away with practiced speed. She frowned slightly.
Noticing her expression, Grand Princess Yide smiled and said to the Emperor, “Junling and Junyu must have prepared gifts as well. Why not present them quickly, to bring Your Majesty some joy?”
The Emperor was about to open the jade box and look at the rare Haiming Pearl himself. At her words, he waved his hand for the box to be put away, then turned to the princes’ seats. “What congratulatory gifts have you prepared? Present them at once. Your Imperial Uncle is curious.”
Ling Wang rose first. “Imperial Father, allow your son to keep you in suspense for a moment. My gift is somewhat special. Let my younger brothers present theirs first.”
The Emperor merely nodded, his expression unreadable. “Very well.”
Yu Wang stood. “Imperial Father, my gift has long been prepared. It is a newly developed suit of armor. This armor uses a new technique—easier to produce, requiring fewer materials, yet it does not compromise its ability to withstand force.”
The Emperor’s eyes lit up. “Has it been thoroughly tested?” Military supplies permitted no errors. If this new armor truly performed as Yu Wang claimed, the Da Li Dynasty’s strength would take a decisive step forward.
“Imperial Father, this matter is of great consequence. Your son would never treat it lightly. I have had it repeatedly verified, and can guarantee there will be no mistake.” He had intended to offer it early, but the arrival of the Beijiang envoys had made him change his mind. He had deliberately chosen this critical moment to make a show of strength.
The Emperor was openly delighted. “Good! Junyu, this is an excellent gift. I shall reward you heavily.”
The Beijiang envoys’ faces stiffened. The stronger the Da Li Dynasty’s army became, the greater the threat to them. This was the last thing they wanted to see.
“This is only your son’s duty,” Yu Wang said. “I would not dare trouble Imperial Father for a reward.”
The Emperor’s gaze turned even more kindly. “To share your sovereign father’s burdens—this greatly pleases me.”
Jin Wang gave a faint smile. When Yu Wang sat down, Jin Wang lifted a hand, signaling the palace maids to withdraw. Two maids had been about to help him stand, but after his gesture, they did not dare approach and quietly stepped away.
Jin Wang braced one hand on the table and slowly stood up, each movement difficult. After a moment, he managed to stand on his own. “Imperial Father, your son is not skilled in things like armor. I have only copied one hundred volumes of Buddhist sutras by hand, hoping you will have blessings and a long life.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock, then joy flashed across his face. “Junjin—your legs have recovered?”
“In reply to Imperial Father, your son can now stand. There is still residual poison, but after another period of recuperation, I should fully recover.”
The officials widened their eyes in surprise. Jin Wang’s legs had recovered after all this time? The court was about to become much livelier.
“Good,” the Emperor said. “I shall richly reward the physician who treated you.”
“Your son thanks Imperial Father.”
In high spirits, the Emperor’s tone turned notably light. “And Junyue? What gift have you prepared?”
Yue Wang stood up. “Imperial Father, your son is the most ordinary of all. I have only brought gold and silver, porcelain, pearls, and jade—nothing compared to Elder Imperial Brothers.” As he spoke, he drew a gift list from his sleeve and handed it to the attendant beside him.
The attendant hurried it forward. After reading, the Emperor couldn’t help laughing aloud. “Xu Li—read it out for all the ministers to hear.”
Xu Li cleared his throat and recited in a loud voice: “A jasper ruyi scepter, a jadeite cabbage…” He read for more than a quarter of an hour before finishing.
The Emperor took a sip of tea and joked, “Fourth, are you giving gifts or moving house? You’ve cleared out your entire estate and delivered it to me. How will you live after this?”
Yue Wang’s expression was cold and unyielding, yet his reply nearly shocked everyone out of their seats. “In reply to Imperial Father—Yunyao is exceedingly skilled at earning silver.” If he ever became penniless, he would just rely on Yunyao. They were already engaged, so there was no turning back.
Seeing Yue Wang speak as though it were perfectly reasonable, the Emperor was both annoyed and amused. In the end, he could do nothing but let it go.
The Emperor turned to Ling Wang, who had been smiling all this time quietly. “Junling—have you prepared your gift?”
“Imperial Father, it is ready.” As Ling Wang spoke, he glanced at Noble Consort Qi, who sat beside the Emperor. A cold light flashed in his eyes. Let’s see if you can still smile in a moment, he thought.’
He then signaled for attendants to place a guqin in the hall, and said, “Please invite Musician Ruan to enter.”
Attendants brought in a middle-aged man. He was handsome and refined, with his eyes lowered respectfully as the maids led him to the guqin. “This commoner pays respects to Your Majesty, and wishes Your Majesty blessings and long life.”
The instant Noble Consort Qi saw him, her face drained of all color. When she heard his voice, her eyes reddened at once, tears threatening to spill.
Noticing Noble Consort Qi’s loss of composure, Mu Yunyao suddenly recalled what her grandmother had once said about Noble Consort Qi: before entering the palace, she had been formally betrothed. Yet the Marquis of Weiguo, to demonstrate loyalty to the Emperor, had voluntarily broken the engagement and sent her into the imperial harem. Seeing her reaction now… could it be that she knew this guqin musician?
The musician was led to the guqin and took his seat. After testing the strings, his tension faded, and his breathing became steady.
Ding-ding, dong-dong. The melody was especially pleasant to hear.
Mu Yunyao’s brows twitched slightly. In her heart, she silently named the tune: “Feng Qiu Huang.” This musician was actually playing “Feng Qiu Huang” at the palace’s New Year banquet. Where had Ling Wang found him, and what was he planning?
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