The Turk envoy departed the capital, and Emperor Mingde gifted two handsome men to Princess Meiduo as compensation. The First Prince had not been part of the envoy and had left alone in advance.
Envoys from the Northern Di and Southern Jiang were arranged to enter the palace to meet the Divine Maiden.
Ling Yao wore a golden crown symbolizing the Divine Maiden, with a golden gauze veil draped behind her head and a red lotus between her brows.
Her expression was serene, her steps elegant and composed, leaving all the envoys in awe.
Even Prince Xiebo, who had met her before, felt a slight tremor in his heart. The transformation was too significant; it was impossible to connect her with the soft, sweet little girl from that day.
At this moment, she commanded reverence.
Her health was also excellent, her complexion ruddy and glowing.
Walking alongside the Divine Might General, they appeared to be a harmonious couple, their affection evident, suggesting they had reconciled.
Emperor Mingde helped her to sit side-by-side. Xiao Shan took his seat below, directly opposite the Northern Di envoy. Wuhuai, on the other side, glared at him.
"Divine Maiden, this is the gift our Northern Di offers you."
Wuhuai, as the leader of the envoys, was the first to rise and speak. His dark, sturdy physique, with a beard like a halberd, marked him as a truly rugged man, even his speech carried a rustic tone.
How had she ever thought he resembled Xiao Shan? They were worlds apart.
Wuhuai presented a snow-white fox fur. A fox head was coiled on the shoulder of the fur, lifelike, its eyes inlaid with rubies and its nose made of obsidian, like a divine beast guarding its territory, exuding vibrant energy.
"This is made from the most precious spirit fox fur of our Northern Di. It is the warmest, sufficient even for the coldest lands of Northern Di's ice and snow."
Xiao Shan flicked his eyelids. A piece of clothing, treated like a treasure. The Northern Di were truly impoverished. And they wanted his woman to wear it? Did they think he lacked a bit of fur?
He had hunted spirit foxes himself, skinning them and eating their meat.
"Thank you, King of Northern Di, and General Wuhuai."
Ling Yao nodded. Palace attendants stepped forward to receive the gift. Wuhuai wanted to say more, but Prince Xiebo had already risen to present his tribute. He grumbled unhappily and returned to his seat.
Xiebo presented a wide and intricate silver belt. The belt was composed of individual silver pieces that, when assembled, formed a complete map of the Southern Jiang region, showing both effort and loyalty.
Ling Yao smiled, "Prince, you have taken great pains. Do you still have any fruit wine?"
Huh? Xiebo blinked his beautiful fox-like eyes, "There are three more jars on the carriage."
She still remembered?
A faint joy surfaced, and he curved his lips into a charming smile.
Xiao Shan cast a cold glance at him and waved behind him, "Go fetch it."
Xiebo: "..."
Are a few jars of wine more valuable than tribute?
Wuhuai was displeased. The Divine Maiden smiled at that pale-faced fellow, but not at him?
"What fruit wine? Can that even be called wine? It's just a deceptive thing."
Emperor Mingde also asked curiously, "Is this fruit wine better than that of the Great Jing?"
Xiebo explained, "Replying to Your Majesty, the fruit wine is ordinary fruit wine. However, the wild berries only grow in the Southern Jiang, so perhaps the Divine Maiden finds it novel. When I return to the Southern Jiang, I will send people to transport more."
"Then thank you very much."
Emperor Mingde turned back, and Eunuch Fulu presented the return gifts.
"It is said the Divine Maiden has divine powers. Could you show us, who are unlearned?"
Wuhuai was unhappy, especially with Xiao Shan glaring at him. He still remembered that day when this fellow suddenly ran to the post station, kicked open the door, and barged into his room. He had just undressed the beauty, preparing to make his move, when he was disrupted. The beauty was so frightened she cried and wanted to leave. As he was dressing to fight him, he vanished like a gust of wind!
It truly infuriated him.
In terms of build and strength, he was not much inferior to him.
How could such a beautiful Divine Maiden fancy him?
Emperor Mingde said solemnly, "General Wuhuai, please be mindful of your words. The Divine Maiden predicts disasters for the nation and blesses the country with peace and prosperity. She is not here for amusement."
Wuhuai was dissatisfied. What was this, amusement? It was merely to broaden horizons and open their eyes. These Jing people were truly stingy.
He turned and saw Xiao Shan with his arrogant demeanor, as if he were an ignorant country bumpkin.
Oh, this was truly infuriating!
When they came, the King had said that the people of Great Jing considered themselves superior and looked down upon them, the barbarians, telling him to speak less. But if one was insulted, should they not retaliate?
"Your Majesty the Emperor, I wish to lodge a complaint against your Divine Might General!"
"Oh? Did he do something to anger the General?" Emperor Mingde glanced at Ling Yao and asked kindly.
"Yes! The other day, I brought a beauty back from Cui Xiang Tower to the post station. Is that a problem? I paid for her."
Emperor Mingde chuckled sheepishly, "No problem."
Xiao Shan's brows furrowed, and he looked at Wuhuai sinisterly.
"But your Divine Might General, without permission, broke down the door and dragged my beauty off the bed. He left a bruise on her small arm and frightened her so much that she insisted on leaving. I couldn't even coax her to stay. A waste of 10 taels of silver! The Divine Might General belongs to the Divine Maiden, yet he goes to other people's beds to snatch beauties. How should this matter be explained?"
Aha! How should this matter be explained? Couldn't it be discussed privately?
The eunuchs and palace maids all lowered their heads. Xiebo clicked his tongue. Wasn't it just the day the two had a conflict? Could it be that the Divine Might General truly...
Emperor Mingde looked at Ling Yao, and Ling Yao looked at Xiao Shan, whose veins were bulging.
Did he grab that woman at the time? Did he? Did he?
Damn it! He found it disgusting! It dirtied his hands!
Emperor Mingde said, "General Wuhuai, rest assured. If it is indeed the Divine Might General's fault, I will certainly uphold justice for you. General Xiao, please explain, what exactly happened?"
Why was he a little happy? Wuhuai, Wuhuai, don't disappoint me!
"Your subject was investigating Qi Rong spies. That woman was suspicious, so your subject merely looked at her face. General Wuhuai misunderstood."
"Nonsense, it wasn't just her face, you saw her completely! 10 taels of silver, and she was a reputable courtesan! You took advantage of her, and I lost out greatly!"
Xiebo's fox-like eyes curved into a smile. Glared at by Xiao Shan, he covered his mouth and turned away.
Xiao Shan was about to be angered to death by this brute.
"Such trivial matters are worth mentioning, polluting the Divine Maiden's ears! Is your Northern Di so desperate for money? I'll give you 50 taels, and you can find a few more yourself!"
Wuhuai shouted, "Did you hear that? Did you hear that? He admitted it! Divine Maiden, he is being disloyal to you!"
Xiao Shan: "..."
Emperor Mingde: "General Xiao, you, alas—"
Xiao Shan looked at Ling Yao, his face flushed. He could explain, he felt wronged!
Ling Yao spoke, "General Wuhuai, please don't be angry. It is indeed the Divine Might General's fault. How about this, I will bestow two beauties upon you as compensation?"
"This... could it be four? In case my King also likes them..."
"...Alright, then four."
The King of Northern Di, far away in Northern Di, sneezed: Was someone cursing him again? He wondered if Wuhuai had returned yet, telling him to take advantage of the Great Jing's unrest to gain some benefits, and whether he had gained anything? In this freezing weather, life in Northern Di was truly difficult.