Chapter 30

Everyone in the great hall widened their eyes and pricked up their ears.

Some officials who had been in office for decades were hearing someone dare to ask for things like this for the first time.

Those who knew could understand that Li Chen was making demands for a marriage alliance.

Those who didn't would think Li Chen was robbing the Northern Wang Ting.

But then again, his demand was no different from robbery.

While the civil officials were sighing, they were also somewhat uneasy, because if the Emperor really said this, it would inevitably stir up conflict, and it might be difficult to clean up the mess later.

Scholars mostly sought stability; using small favors to trade for long-term peace was very cost-effective in both reason and logic.

The military officials were beaming with joy; the gloom of several hundred years seemed to have been swept away by this new Emperor.

Li Chen's words gave them a feeling of being able to stand tall and be men.

The May Tian Ce Dynasty was clearly strong, yet every time, they would cede things to surrounding countries for the sake of stability.

Most countries knew how to return the favor, but the Northern Wang Ting only knew how to take.

But the Northern Wang Ting was very particular every time they asked; they only asked for a little bit, not damaging the foundation of the May Tian Ce Dynasty, and the late Emperor and previous emperors couldn't be bothered to argue.

Over time, a little bit became a lot.

After a while, Altai and Atade also woke up from their stupor. The two looked at each other, and the older brother, Altai, spoke: "Your Majesty, you must have some misunderstanding. Our so-called marriage alliance shouldn't it be your dynasty's princess marrying into our north? And you are asking for way too much."

Altai's original script was to have Li Chen marry off the Ninth Princess, and then ask for some gold, silver, and treasures to get a lucky start.

Isn't that how other Wang Ting envoys asked for things?

This Emperor, however, started by asking for hundreds of beauties, tens of thousands of fine horses, and ten thousand tons of beef—and top-quality at that. Even wholesale purchasing isn't this exaggerated!

"What? You can't even give this little bit, and you have the nerve to say you want to form a marriage alliance with me? Even animals know how to be grateful. You still want my sister to marry over there? Are you provoking me?" Li Chen said sternly.

His voice echoed throughout the great hall; that majesty was beyond question!

Inspired by him, the military officials even began to glare at the two envoys.

As long as Li Chen said the word, surely some official would go up and beat them both.

"Regarding this matter, allow us to discuss it with the Khan, what do you think?" Even though Altai was an envoy, he didn't have much power in the Northern Wang Ting, at least not the power to start a war.

If the Khan didn't want to start a war, and they said this on their own, they would be beheaded upon returning.

"A joke. I am merely notifying you, not discussing it with you. Go back and tell your Khan that I give him half a year to prepare. Otherwise, I will lead the troops myself to take it!" Li Chen's one sentence had already sealed the verdict.

Discuss? Who is discussing with you? You aren't qualified to discuss with me!

Things having reached this point, Li Chen couldn't be bothered to waste words and directly had them kicked out of the hall.

Altai and Atade were as arrogant when they arrived as they were miserable when they were kicked out.

Because the Imperial Guard also looked at the Emperor's attitude; when the Emperor's attitude toward the Northern Wang Ting was friendly, they naturally didn't dare offend the envoys. Now that the Emperor had this attitude, the soldiers of the Imperial Guard were no longer polite.

That look you two just gave—were you looking down on us? You'd better behave yourselves now, lest we take action.

After Altai and Atade walked out of the palace, they were dejected, feeling that this trip south was going wrong everywhere.

Previous envoys were always well-received and would brag about how awesome they were after returning.

How did it turn out like this for them?

"Brother, what do we do now? Are we just going back empty-handed?"

Atade knew that the Khan had been thinking about the Ninth Princess ever since he saw her portrait.

That lecherous appearance was truly frightening.

When they came, Atade had guaranteed that he would succeed, and the Khan had even shared a bowl of wine with him.

Now it's all ruined!

"Hmph, I will definitely tell the Khan about this properly. The May Tian Ce Dynasty won't get away without paying a price this time." Altai was simply making empty threats.

What else can you do if you don't go back like this? Do you dare to cause trouble?

Don't you know what realm the Emperor is in? Didn't you see how my hand was crippled?

As they walked, Atade had a flash of inspiration and whispered: "I heard the Ninth Princess likes poetry and songs, and often studies at the academy in the Imperial Capital. Why don't we..."

The reason he dared to think this way was to avoid punishment upon returning.

Anyway, since the Emperor of the May Tian Ce Dynasty had spoken so decisively, the Khan would definitely not let it go.

The relationship between the two countries would turn sour sooner or later, so they might as well go all the way.

It must be said, Altai felt his younger brother was truly bold, daring to snatch someone in the Imperial Capital of the May Tian Ce Dynasty, and snatching the country's princess at that.

But if they were to succeed, they wouldn't be punished upon returning; instead, they would be rewarded. This was indeed a desperate move.

"Good, let's do that. Let's go gather intelligence first."

Altai knew well that he only had one chance and needed to consider everything thoroughly.

With the end of the morning court, the news of the Northern Wang Ting envoys being humiliated by Li Chen spread quickly.

In the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, the Empress Dowager, with her plump yet not at all clumsy figure, was exercising amidst dancing light silks to maintain her enviable physique.

!

Sunlight filtered through the exquisite window lattices, spilling onto her warm, jade-like skin, adding a touch of softness and radiance.

The Empress Dowager was dressed in a practice outfit as thin as a cicada's wing, her full figure swaying gently with her movements.

Every bend and every kick maintained an indescribable charm and elegance.

This was her secret to maintaining her figure despite her love for food.

Her trusted palace maid had long since arrived at the door, but seeing the Empress Dowager practicing, she did not disturb her.

It was not until she finished a full cycle of practice that she began to report the contents of the morning court.

The Third Prince's withdrawal of troops was within the Empress Dowager's expectations; these princes wouldn't fight a battle they weren't sure of.

The strength Li Chen had revealed was indeed enough to make them recalculate their strategies.

But this didn't mean they would give up.

It was just that Li Chen's attitude made her unable to fathom whether this boy wanted to manage things or not.

When mentioning the envoys from the Northern Wang Ting, the Empress Dowager muttered to herself: "The Emperor is a bit young and vigorous, but if he weren't vigorous, would he still be a young man?"

"Empress Dowager, should we lay out plans in the north early?"

The trusted palace maid had followed the Empress Dowager for many years, and she was clear about many things.

The Empress Dowager's influence was not just in the Imperial Capital; she had her people on the northern border and even in the Northern Wang Ting.

The reason the trusted palace maid said this was because she felt this Emperor didn't seem to be joking.

"Do as you think best, but remember not to expose any traces. There are quite a few people watching us lately."

"As you command."

After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a fragrance drifted into her nostrils, whetting her appetite.

She had already had the Imperial Kitchen prepare the ingredients Li Chen gave her yesterday, and she was going to enjoy a good meal at noon today.

Besides the court officials and people in the palace, those who reacted most strongly to this event were naturally the children of the nobility.

Especially families like the Liu family, who had fought on the northern battlefield, were just waiting for Li Chen's order.

Liu Hao's father told Liu Hao to hurry up and get familiar with the Emperor, so that making contributions and rising to prominence would be just around the corner.

And Li Chen's attitude toward the Wang Ting envoys also had a huge impact in the academy on the west side of the Imperial Capital.

Because the Ninth Princess, Li Li Sining, was studying at the largest academy in the Imperial Capital, the Yunlu Academy.

(End of chapter)