Chapter 30: Who asked you for your opinion? You have no right to negotiate with me!

Everyone in the grand hall widened their eyes and strained their ears.

Some ministers, who had served for decades, had never heard anyone dare make such a demand.

Those who understood knew Li Chen was proposing a marriage alliance.

Those who didn’t would think Li Chen was robbing the Northern Wangting.

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

As the civil officials sighed in dismay, they also felt uneasy—should His Majesty truly make such a demand, it would inevitably spark conflict, and the aftermath might be hard to contain.

Most scholars valued stability; minor favors could secure long-term peace, a bargain both emotionally and rationally.

The military officials beamed with joy, as if centuries of gloom had been swept away by this new emperor.

Li Chen’s words made them feel they could finally stand tall again.

The TianCe Dynasty had always been strong, yet it had repeatedly ceded territory to neighboring states just to maintain stability.

Most nations at least returned gifts, but the Northern Wangting only ever demanded.

Yet the Northern Wangting always demanded just enough—not enough to harm TianCe’s core interests—and past emperors had chosen not to care.

Over time, small demands had grown into large ones.

Soon after, Altai and Atade snapped out of their shock, exchanged glances, and Altai, the elder brother, spoke first: “Your Majesty, surely there is some misunderstanding. Our proposed marriage alliance should involve your princess marrying into our Northern court, yet what you’re asking for is far too much.”

Altai’s original script had been to get Li Chen to send the Ninth Princess over, then extract gold, silver, and treasures as a bonus.

Hadn’t all other Wangting envoys done the same?

But this emperor? He opens his mouth and demands hundreds of beauties, tens of thousands of fine steeds, ten thousand tons of premium beef—no merchant ever ordered so extravagantly!

“What? You can’t even provide that, yet dare speak of marriage alliance? Even beasts know gratitude and repayment—do you think I’d let my sister marry into your court? Are you provoking me?” Li Chen snapped.

His voice echoed throughout the grand hall, radiating an authority that brooked no doubt.

Even the military officials, swept up by his fury, began glaring at the two envoys.

If Li Chen uttered a single word, some minister would surely charge forward and beat them.

“Let us consult with the Khan first—what do you say?” Altai, though an envoy, held little power within the Northern Wangting, especially no authority to declare war.

If the Khan did not wish to fight, and they spoke out without authorization, they’d face execution upon return.

“Ridiculous. I’m not negotiating—I’m informing you. Go tell your Khan: I give him half a year to prepare. If he fails, I’ll lead my troops to take it myself!” Li Chen’s words settled the matter.

Negotiate? Who negotiated with you? You have no right to negotiate with me!

With that, Li Chen had no more patience—he ordered them thrown out of the hall.

The way Altai and Atade had entered, proud and haughty, was now the exact opposite of how they were dragged out, humiliated.

The palace guards followed the emperor’s lead: when His Majesty treated the Northern Wangting kindly, they dared not offend the envoys; now that His Majesty showed such contempt, the guards had no more courtesy.

Didn’t you two just look down on us? Now you’d better behave, or we’ll make you regret it.

After leaving the palace, Altai and Atade looked utterly defeated, feeling their southern journey had gone wrong at every turn.

Previous envoys had always been treated with honor and returned home boasting of their triumphs.

Why had it turned out this way for them?

“Brother, what do we do now? Return empty-handed?”

Atade knew the Khan had been obsessed since seeing the Ninth Princess’s portrait.

The way that lustful glutton looked—truly terrifying.

When they set out, Atade had assured the Khan he’d succeed, and the Khan had even shared a bowl of wine with him.

Now it was a total disaster!

“Hmph, I’ll make sure to tell the Khan properly—TianCe Dynasty must pay a price for this.” Altai was just blustering.

What else could they do? Dare they cause trouble?

Don’t you know what realm the emperor is in? Didn’t you see how I lost my hand?

As they walked, Atade suddenly had an idea and whispered: “I heard the Ninth Princess loves poetry and literature—she often studies at the imperial academy. What if…”

He dared think this only because he’d avoid punishment upon return.

After all, the TianCe emperor had spoken so harshly—the Khan would never let this go.

The two nations’ relations were bound to sour anyway; might as well make it final.

Altai had to admit his brother had guts—daring to kidnap a princess within TianCe’s own capital.

But if they succeeded, they wouldn’t be punished—they’d be rewarded. It was truly a desperate gamble.

“Fine. Let’s do it. First, gather intelligence.”

Altai knew he had only one chance—he had to plan carefully.

With the morning court ended, news of the Northern Wangting envoys’ humiliation by Li Chen spread quickly.

In the Empress Dowager’s chambers, the plump yet graceful Empress Dowager exercised amid flowing silk, maintaining her enviable figure.

!

Sunlight streamed through delicate window lattices, bathing her jade-like skin in soft radiance.

She wore a thin, gossamer training robe, her full form swaying gracefully with each motion.

Every bow, every kick, retained an ineffable charm and elegance.

This was her secret to staying slender despite her love of food.

Her trusted maid had arrived at the door long ago but, seeing the Empress Dowager in training, dared not interrupt.

Only after she completed a full cycle of cultivation did she report the morning court’s events.

The Third Prince’s withdrawal was expected—the princes never fought without certainty.

Li Chen’s displayed strength had forced them to reconsider their strategy.

But that didn’t mean they’d give up.

His attitude, however, was baffling—was he truly going to intervene, or not?

When the envoys of the Northern Wangting were mentioned, the Empress Dowager murmured: “The emperor is young and impetuous—but isn’t that what youth is for?”

“Your Majesty, should we begin early preparations on the Northern front?”

The trusted maid had served the Empress Dowager for years and knew many secrets.

The Empress Dowager’s influence extended beyond the capital—even into the Northern borderlands and the Northern Wangting itself.

She spoke this way because she believed the emperor was not joking.

“Do as you think best—but be careful not to leave traces. There are many eyes watching us lately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As she finished speaking, a fragrant aroma drifted into her nostrils, awakening her appetite.

The ingredients Li Chen had given her had already been prepared by the imperial kitchens—she’d enjoy a proper feast at noon.

Beyond court officials and palace staff, the most vocal reactions came from the noble families.

Especially families like the Liu clan, who had fought on the Northern front—now they waited only for Li Chen’s command.

Liu Hao’s father urged him to ingratiating himself with the emperor quickly—glory and promotion would follow soon.

And Li Chen’s treatment of the Wangting envoys stirred great reaction within the Western Academy of the capital.

Because the Ninth Princess, Li Si, studied at Yunlu Academy, the capital’s largest.

(End of Chapter)