Chapter 161: Have Mother Consort Kill Her

Tuan Tuan excitedly slid off the stool and lunged toward her two older brothers.

Xiao Ningyuan laughed loudly, bent down and steadily caught the rushing Xiao Tuanzi, lifted her high over his head, and weighed her.

"Whoa, Tuan Tuan has gotten a lot heavier! Not bad!"

Xiao Ningxun reached out and gently pinched his sister's little cheek: "Do you miss third brother?"

"Of course I do!" Tuan Tuan spread her little arms toward him, and Xiao Ningxun hurriedly caught her.

Tuan Tuan was reluctant to let go of her big brother's neck, hugging him with one hand: "You're all back! So nice!" Her short legs kicked joyfully in the air.

"Ouch! Don't fall!" Xiao Ningxun quickly pressed close to her big brother.

Xiao Yuanhang and his wife heard the commotion, came over, and beamed at the sight of their three children.

The family, rarely reunited, filled the Flower Hall with laughter and chatter.

The gathered guests sat down, exchanged pleasantries, and the conversation naturally turned to the two's recent observations on their outing.

Xiao Ningxun was deeply moved: "On this trip following the teacher southward, we saw bustling commerce, ports teeming with ships, truly prosperous."

"In contrast, our Da Xia has been plagued by drought, and trade has withered."

"Now that the disaster is over, we should follow suit, open some ports, lower trade taxes, and attract merchants from all quarters."

"If we seize this chance to accelerate commercial circulation, the treasury will be swiftly replenished."

Xiao Ningyuan, hearing the words, interjected: "Third brother's words are spot on."

"I have felt similarly in the northern frontier. Border peoples trade privately with our Da Xia citizens frequently, but without official channels it breeds trouble, and profits are skimmed by middlemen."

"If the Imperial Court steps in to establish official mutual markets at the border, set clear rules, and ensure fair trade, it will both stabilize the frontier and collect taxes—a win‑win."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "Indeed you've gained a lot of insight, well done. It seems your journey was not in vain."

"The great disaster has just passed, and His Majesty is now fretting over the empty treasury. If this succeeds, it will be a great benefit to both the state and the people!"

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed: "We must not delay. Have you thought of concrete proposals? I will go to the palace today, not tomorrow, to present them to His Majesty!"

The two brothers exchanged a smile.

Xiao Ningxun drew from his sleeve a neatly bound booklet: "Father, this is the Son's compilation of 'Ten Strategies for Commerce', detailing port site selection, tax reforms, and other specifics."

Xiao Ningyuan pulled from his chest a scroll; on it were drawn border topographies: "This is my hand‑drawn Mutual Trade Defense Map, with each tribe's trading customs noted."

Xiao Yuanhang, seeing his sons already prepared, felt very pleased: "Only through careful deliberation can one seize the initiative."

"Good! Well done!"

He examined the papers closely, nodding repeatedly: "Young Ningyuan's map is coarse yet detailed, and Xun Er's proposals are thorough and clear. Good! I'll change clothes and enter the palace."

As he stood, Tuan Tuan tugged his sleeve: "Father, I also want to go. I miss Big Wolf and Snow Tuan."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled faintly, bent down and scooped up his daughter: "Alright! Father will see your Imperial Uncle, and you go to the Empress to look after them!"

"Yay!" Tuan Tuan clapped her hands happily.

The two brothers looked puzzled: "Empress? Big Wolf and Snow Tuan?"

Cheng Ru'an smiled: "So much has happened while you've been away."

"Those are the little cats and puppies your sister raised in the Empress's palace."

The two suddenly understood, realizing their sister must have run into the palace to cause mischief, and they exchanged a knowing smile.

"You both go rest; I'll take Tuan Tuan into the palace."

"Yes."

In Zichen Hall, Xiao Jieyun listened to Prince Ning's presentation, looking at the two documents in his hand,

his face showing admiration.

"This proposal truly aligns with my thoughts!" Xiao Jieyun thought, "If we are to open trade routes, we must bridge gaps. Tomorrow, I will, in the name of the Imperial Court, issue a wide‑circulated royal edict, inviting neighboring states to our Da Xia capital to jointly hold this 'World Commerce Grand Convention'!"

"His Majesty is wise!"

Xiao Yuanhang left Zichen Hall and went to Fengyi Palace to fetch his daughter.

Before stepping into the main hall, he already heard the laughter of Tuan Tuan and Xiao Lin and Xiao Jin.

Murong Jin brought many sweets for Tuan Tuan, watching with great reluctance as Xiao Yuanhang left, cradling Tuan Tuan.

The next day, the imperial decree was issued, courier riders dispatched in four directions, and news that Da Xia would host the World Commerce Grand Convention spread swiftly to neighboring realms.

Da Xia Imperial Palace.

A fifteen‑ or sixteen‑year‑old boy, dressed in black everyday robes, wearing a dark jade Hair Crown, sat quietly before the Consort.

He had sword‑shaped eyebrows and star‑like eyes; the ridge of his brow was sharp, and a vivid crimson cinnabar mole sat between his brows.

"Mother Consort, I just checked on my younger brother; he's much better than before. Please rest assured."

"Father Emperor has handed the royal edict of Da Xia to the Son, ordering him, in the name of the Crown Prince, to travel abroad to attend Da Xia's World Commerce Grand Convention."

The Consort's face showed surprise: "Crown Prince?"

She thought a moment: "Your Father Emperor's holy intention remains undecided, yet now you are given such a title merely to go to Da Xia?"

"Commerce convention? Huh…" the Consort sneered, "Hong Er, I don't care what edict your Father Emperor gave you; I only want you to remember, though state affairs are urgent, there is one thing even more critical on this trip!"

She leaned forward, staring at her son, her eyes filled with deep hatred: "That Immortal Envoy of Da Xia, the monster that bedridden your brother, kill the Mother Consort! Avenge your brother!"

Gongsun Hong's expression remained unchanged as he lifted his gaze to meet his mother's near‑mad look: "Mother Consort, rest assured, avenging my brother's humiliation is also my own humiliation, and a disgrace to Da Xia."

"I, the Son, will never let her live in this world again!"

The Consort waved her hand: "Go. Before you depart, don't forget to visit the Guoshi Residence. Ask the National Preceptor if he has anything to give you to aid this mission."

Gongsun Hong's eyes flickered; though the National Preceptor is old and cunning, he is also unfathomable. Visiting him before leaving, if he offers assistance, the venture's chances will naturally increase.

"Yes, I will remember," he bowed, turned, and left.

Tuan Tuan has been a bit depressed lately; she wonders why she hasn't had that kind of dream again, strange.

Running rampant against villains in the dream was just too exhilarating.

Unfortunately, she now falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow and wakes at dawn.

But big brother and Third Brother have both returned!

The two brothers spent the whole day accompanying their sister everywhere—eating here, playing there—trying to make up for the months they hadn't been by her side.

Xiao Er silently followed the three siblings, and the four of them trod through every corner of Jingcheng.

That afternoon, the group wandered to the area near the West City Gate.

They found it livelier than usual, the crowd bustling, as if waiting for something.

Tuan Tuan, puzzled, said: "There are so many people here today."

Xiao Ningxun glanced forward and said: "The grand event is imminent; it must be a delegation from some nation entering the city from here."

Just as she spoke, a burst of ceremonial music came from the city gate direction, and the crowd stirred.

The group pushed forward with the crowd.

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Third Elder Brother!"