Chapter 181

The Honglu Temple's small courtyard could be seen at a glance; even if the King swapped for a bigger one, he still couldn't outrun the horse. In the morning, the King could only follow the personal guards to practice martial arts, then return to his room to lie flat—suddenly he could finally be a salted fish?

The King lay there half the morning, turned over, and said, "Where's my cousin?"

His cousin couldn't help muttering; just as he was mentioned, he came running back, saying, "Hey, let me tell you—the Honglu Temple is bustling now, envoys from several countries have arrived outside, and Qiuci even brought a princess!"

The King turned over again and said, "A princess? What's she brought for? To marry my father?"

Wei Shen spread his hands and said, "What else? You're just a tiny brat! Your older brother just got married."

One sentence successfully sparked a war; the two brothers went back and forth in the cramped room for a few rounds. The King's room was spotless—no stray objects could reach it, because they had all been added to the King's little stall.

After landing a punch on Wei Shen, the King immediately called a halt, unilaterally ending the dispute: "No more fighting, no more fighting—let's talk serious business. I know all too well that unsolicited courtesy is either espionage or theft; who would send a princess to marry an old man for no reason? By the way, is the princess good-looking?"

Wei Shen: "……Who knows, from far away you can't see clearly, only able to see a masked face." Also who knows who said forty is the age of struggle…

The king nodded knowingly: "A masked face, that must be very ugly."

"I'm impressed with you, how could she be ugly? If a real princess were ugly, they'd swap in a beautiful noble lady from the royal family; Kucha must have some motive—what fun is there in sending an ugly one?"

"Even Great Jin is about to run out of food, and still they're helping others?"

"Vision, Your Majesty! If you don't give them some benefits, why would they acknowledge you as boss?"

The king: "Of course we beat them into submission, then naturally we become the boss."

"You don't understand as much as I do; your father has always pursued a pacification policy toward the surrounding vassal states. We constantly deal with the Xiqian tribes, so we know it well. Day after day you disgust me and I disgust you, yet neither of us has confidence we can wipe the other out."

The king: "Sigh!" My father's heart is truly huge—still able to feast and make merry every day?

Zhao Bao entered and immediately heard the king let out a long sigh; he hurriedly asked: "What's wrong, Your Highness? Why the sigh? It's time for lunch."

The king: "No appetite, I'm so angry at my father I can't eat!"

Zhao Bao smiled, "Your Highness, aren't we saying it backwards?"

"Your Highness, today's meal was cooked by our own chef; we got the iron pot and seasonings from the shop, and even the mutton was supplied by Manager Zhou as Youzhou goods."

"Isn't that from his ranch? Or is it Zhu Ti reliable!"

Upon hearing that, the king sprang back to life, not only finishing a bowl of rice but refilling once more. Wei Shen watched him snatch the last piece of lamb leg, furious: "Just like that, still no appetite? If you had an appetite, this wooden table would be in danger."

The king: "Hmph!"

Zhao Bao: ……

After eating, the king took out his collected map, which he had compiled from the Great Jin version and the world map given by Baiyang, drawn by himself.

Hearing that Kucha and Wusun had come from the Western Regions, he searched for them on the map.

"How far away—coming such a long distance, they definitely aren't here just to bring raisins for a birthday."

Wei Shen laughed uncontrollably: "Where do you get all these strange words from, Heaven?"

"No benefits—would you take it if it were you? Still sending a princess?"

"Impossible—I'd pretend I never got the news. Wusun is far beyond Jade Gate Pass!"

The king drew a circle on the map: "They're all near the Xiongnu; I don't know if the nearer southern states of Shanshan and Khotan will come."

"You keep pretending… to be ill, this afternoon I'll keep going out to inquire."

As the celebration approached, the Honglu Lodge grew livelier each day, with countless people passing the king's small residence; next door, the Prince of Yu's compound was even more bustling, and Wei Shen reported daily which nobles and envoys the boss had seen.

The Prince of Yu was jumping about wildly, while the Prince of You lay all the more still.

The entire Honglu Lodge seemed to have no Prince of You at all; after a few days like that, Wei Shen went out for heavenly wine and returned with two pieces of news: the Eastern Xianbei had arrived, and the Wusun had not brought a princess, but they wanted to take one back.

Upon hearing that, the king almost jumped up, "On what basis?!" Although he had only nodding acquaintances with the princesses other than the Fifth Princess, rarely interacting, she was still his sister—on what grounds should she marry off to a distant Western Regions state?

Wei Shen also wondered, "I'd like to know where they get the confidence to make such a demand; that Kucha princess is also strange—everyone outside says she looks like a heavenly immortal, clearly just building up her reputation."

The king couldn't fathom their little calculations; he just felt they couldn't open this precedent, otherwise anyone who came asking for a princess would be agreed to—his sister is still only ten, not yet her turn, but what about later?

"This precedent must not be opened! The unmarried Third and Fourth Princesses are of suitable age; the Third Princess is born of the Consort, the Fourth Princess's mother is merely a Concubine—if this happens, eight or nine times out of ten it will fall on the Fourth Princess. Other small states will learn this trick, and the next target will be my own sister!"

Wei Shen, hearing this, also wanted to curse; the king reluctantly said, "I have to get up early again." He intended to go hear the firsthand news of these days.

The next day, Emperor Ningde saw his 'recovered' third son at the morning audience.

Because there have been many recent affairs, and all the princes have gathered in the capital, he didn't feel right skipping the morning court; this fellow, however, had lain low for several days, then at the last moment came running back.

"Your Majesty, am I mistaken? Is the Prince of You healed?"

"Yes, Father! With your auspicious day approaching, how could the son remain ill? Even if he had to drink ten bowls of medicine a day, he'd have to get well!"

Emperor Ningde gave a cold snort, "The Prince of You is filial."

They were just being polite to wrap up the topic, who knew his good son's cheek was exceptionally thick; the king said, "Although everyone says that, now having received Father's acknowledgment, the son is truly overjoyed!"

……Emperor Ningde nearly choked!

The Prince of Yu and the Prince of Jing stared at the king in disbelief—really, it's been ages since they've seen such a shameless person!

Even the Prince of Guangling sent over an admiring glance.

The king raised his neck, "I don't understand these tricks, surprised or not? Nobody should play those winding games with me—I'm straightforward!"

The audience formally began, still the familiar bickering flavor. The king's head ached from listening; fortunately he doesn't have to attend daily, hearing so many negative matters would have made him depressed.

Once the bickering subsided, the Honglu Temple minister stepped forward; the king's spirits lifted—here he comes, here he comes.

As expected, the Honglu Temple minister presented the Wusun's request on their behalf, seeking to marry a Great Jin princess to strengthen the Wusun–Great Jin alliance and foster enduring friendship.

As soon as this was brought up, whispers began throughout the hall.

Emperor Ningde showed no stance; they discussed it with even greater enthusiasm.

The king looked at the Prince of Yu—this fellow had a blank expression.

Then he looked at Bai Li Hu—this person had nothing to do with it.

Indeed, this fellow also has no sisters; he only cares about the crown prince position in his dreams.

He looked at his second brother again… Huh? He gave him a stare? The Great King immediately stared back, 'What are you staring at me for!' Bai Li Heng showed an expression of utter hopelessness and lowered his head.

The Great King had a bad premonition. Sure enough, the next moment he heard his father ask: 'Hidden King, you're busy as hell, just say what you want to say, what are you looking around for?'

Great King: ……

Stepfather!