The next day, at the morning court, the Empress eagerly summoned the envoy from the Chen Kingdom.
After a series of courtesies, the Chen envoy inquired, "Your Majesty summoned this humble servant, has your esteemed country's silk weaving been completed?"
"Indeed, thirty bolts of silk, far surpassing that of the Chen Kingdom, are all finished. However, presenting them just like this seems rather uninteresting."
"How about we make a bet?"
The Chen envoy was taken aback, as the speaker was not the Empress, but a young eunuch standing beside her.
He frowned slightly, glancing at the ministers of the Yunyue Kingdom standing around.
Xue Yun and others looked displeased but made no move to intervene. The Prime Minister's faction, one by one, lowered their heads, feigning indifference.
With no other recourse, the Chen envoy could only indignantly exclaim, "I represent the Chen Kingdom and converse with your nation's ruler. How can a mere eunuch interrupt? I implore Your Majesty to severely punish this disrespectful eunuch."
"Oh, please don't say that, esteemed envoy. My official position may be small, but I am, after all, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Palace, equivalent to a third-rank official."
"May I ask what rank the esteemed envoy holds?"
Chu Chen inquired with a feigned, ill-intentioned politeness.
Damn it, you a mere eunuch hold a rank equivalent to a third-rank official? I myself am only a Vice Minister of Rites from the Chen Kingdom, a mere third-rank official!
Although envoys are sometimes granted half a rank or a full rank, this is an unspoken rule. Officially, a eunuch outranks me?
The Chen envoy's face turned ugly, and he stammered, unable to speak. He couldn't possibly say that his official rank was lower than a eunuch's, could he?
What is going on with this Yunyue Kingdom, allowing a eunuch to hold such a high rank? This kingdom is doomed.
Fortunately, he was quite shrewd and thought of a solution: "The size of one's rank is unimportant. What matters is that I represent the Chen Kingdom."
Then, before Chu Chen could speak, he said, "Regarding the bet you just mentioned, what is it? How shall we bet?"
Chu Chen was unfazed and smiled, "It's very simple. Because you previously disrupted the Princess's birthday banquet, causing her displeasure, the Princess specifically instructed that if the silk produced by our country is comparable to that of your country, it shall be considered a draw."
"In that case, you only need to apologize for your previous impertinence."
"However, if it far surpasses your country's, then the esteemed envoy must personally and loudly declare, 'I, Li Jun, am an idiot, and the Chen Kingdom is inferior to the Yunyue Kingdom,' three times. How about that?"
Princess Xinyue? No wonder this eunuch held such a high rank. No wonder the Empress remained silent and allowed this fellow to speak.
The Empress of Yunyue Kingdom truly doted on this youngest princess!
At once, the Chen envoy understood. Below, Xue Yun's expression grew even more grim. The Empress indulging the Princess in such a manner meant this Yunyue Kingdom had no future.
Indeed, rebellion was the only way out; otherwise, they would perish together sooner or later.
The Prime Minister, however, showed no expression, his head bowed as he studied the ground. A flicker of a smile flashed in his eyes.
"And if my side wins, I want you to do the same, is that acceptable?"
The Chen envoy sneered, believing that the Yunyue Kingdom likely couldn't produce silk any better than theirs. The Empress pushing a eunuch forward as a front, feigning mystery with a bet, was likely an attempt to confuse him into backing down.
To surpass Chen Kingdom's weaving technology in just a few days? What a joke!
"Oh, I, a mere eunuch, cannot represent the Yunyue Kingdom."
"How about this: if I lose, I will commit suicide and give my life to you. After all, a life equivalent to a third-rank official is still valuable. What do you say?"
"Betting a life?"
"Agreed, it's a deal!"
With the mention of betting a life, the Chen envoy became even more convinced of his assessment. Trying to scare me? I'm not easily intimidated!
Although it was the life of a eunuch, his rank was equivalent to a third-rank official, so the bet was considered fair. Let's see how they embarrass themselves.
"Come! Present the exquisite silk to the esteemed envoy for his inspection!"
Sixty palace maids, in single file, entered carrying trays and stood on either side.
On the left, a single person unfurled a bolt of silk, letting it hang to their knees. On the right, thirty palace maids simultaneously unfurled the Chen Kingdom's gift of silk.
As they were unfurled side-by-side, the difference in quality became apparent under the light.
"This is impossible!"
The Chen envoy's eyes widened, almost bulging out of his sockets.
Under the light, the silk presented as the Chen Kingdom's gift on the right showed faint outlines of the palace maids' clothing and knees.
However, the bolt on the left, when unfurled, clearly revealed the seams of their dresses.
Transparency, thinness, and lightness – it was obvious at a glance that the Chen Kingdom's silk had lost.
"Nothing is impossible. Esteemed envoy, do you think it is comparable, or does it far surpass yours?"
Chu Chen smiled, anticipating the show.
"Clothes made from silk are meant to be worn. What use is transparency, thinness, and lightness? It must also be smooth and gentle on the skin!"
The envoy, unwilling to admit defeat, his mind racing, argued vehemently.
"Since that is the case, then allow the esteemed envoy to step forward and feel it."
Looking at the thin, transparent silk before him, he prayed and reached out to touch it.
The moment he touched it, his soul almost flew away.
The texture was incredibly smooth!
"How is it?"
"No, what you have presented must be the best silk bought from another country! This doesn't count!"
How could the Chen envoy dare to speak the truth? He continued to quibble.
"Heh heh, it seems the esteemed envoy is convinced but unwilling to admit it."
Chu Chen sneered and gestured, "Very well, then unfurl the remaining silks and let him see."
The remaining twenty-nine bolts of silk were unfurled, and their quality was not significantly different from the first bolt.
One bolt could be dismissed as a purchased top-tier item, but thirty bolts? Could he still say that?
The Chen envoy was on the verge of tears. He had originally thought that being an envoy to the Yunyue Kingdom and showing off for the Chen Kingdom would be a meritorious deed, even if there was some risk to his life.
Now, it seemed like a life-threatening assignment!
"Esteemed envoy? What do you say? Speak up!"
Chu Chen walked down from the Empress's side, pressing forward step by step.
Facing Chu Chen, who exuded an inexplicable sense of pressure, the Chen envoy's mouth opened and closed, but he could not utter the words, nor did he dare to.
"Looking at you, surely a minister from such a large country wouldn't speak with a guilty conscience or renege on a promise?"
The Chen envoy was in a dilemma. If he didn't speak, he would be executed by the Empress on the spot. If he spoke, he would be executed upon his return. It was difficult!
Chu Chen was a kind person and couldn't bear to see someone in such distress.
Unseen by the Empress, he discreetly gave Xue Yun a fawning smile and winked at the Chen envoy.
Xue Yun immediately understood. Although he disliked this eunuch, he also disliked the envoy who had humiliated the Yunyue Kingdom a few days prior. He was still a subject of the Yunyue Kingdom.
He immediately shouted, "Where are the guards?"
"We are here!"
With the two men holding swords caught in a difficult position, Chu Chen was gratified to see the Chen envoy make a choice.
Trembling, he shouted, "I, Li Jun, am an idiot, and the Chen Kingdom is inferior to the Yunyue Kingdom!"
He shouted it three times in succession and then collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
It was over. Returning meant waiting for death.