Chapter 55: The Demon Lord Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 55: Negotiations

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Time rushed by like a white colt passing through a crevice; in the blink of an eye, two months had already slipped away. On this day, sunlight streamed through the window lattices onto the memorials piled like mountains in the Imperial Study, and the Emperor was perusing these state documents with rapt attention.

Just then, an inner attendant hurried into the Imperial Study, presenting an urgent memorial from the border with both hands. The Emperor took it and glanced — it was a victory report sent by General Weiyuan!

According to the victory report, our army won a crushing victory in the fierce battle at Zhuo Zhou against the State of Nan Liang, routing the enemy so they fled in utter disorder. In the end, the Emperor of Nan Liang, seeing the situation was hopeless, had no choice but to dispatch envoys to sue for peace talks.

After reading the victory report, the Emperor was overjoyed, and a long-lost smile appeared on his face. He rose excitedly and shouted loudly: "Someone! Summon the Minister of War and Prince An to the palace at once!" Before long, the Minister of War and Prince An hurried to the Imperial Study.

The Emperor could not wait to hand the victory report in his hand to the two of them, and said: "General Weiyuan has sent a victory report; Nan Liang requests peace talks. This negotiation is of great importance — who do you think would be most proper to send?"

Prince An pondered briefly, then replied: "In this subject's view, whoever is sent makes no great difference."

The Minister of War at his side hastily added: "Prince An's words are exactly right. Now that we are the victorious side, we need only dispatch someone quick-witted and eloquent. Moreover, if there is also someone slightly older and rich in experience to hold the fort, it would be even more secure. After all, we hold the advantage; no matter who goes, Nan Liang will not dare to quibble."

Although Prince An's words were brief, they hit the nail on the head. The Minister of War immediately followed with a detailed explanation and gave his own opinion: "As for the specific candidate, this subject believes we may select a suitable person from the Honglu Temple. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"

The Emperor nodded slightly, expressing agreement, then asked further: "Then, which official in the Honglu Temple do you think is suitable for this mission?"

The Minister of War pondered a moment, then replied: "Your Majesty, this subject believes we may dispatch Lord Jia of the Honglu Temple. This man is not only quick-minded and gifted in speech, but also steady and seasoned in handling affairs; he will certainly not disgrace the mission.

In addition, we may have him pick two capable subordinates to accompany him, to assist in handling various matters. With such an arrangement, this negotiation will surely be completed smoothly."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's countenance beamed with joy: "Good, let it be so! Eunuch Sun, quickly convey Our verbal edict: order Lord Jia Pu to take the lead, and from the court meticulously select two more capable men to go with him to Zhuo Zhou to open negotiations. They must set out at dawn tomorrow — no mistakes allowed!"

At dawn the next day, the sky just showing a thread of pale light, Lord Jia, in high spirits, led two Vice Ministers from the Honglu Temple, and with firm strides they set foot on the long journey to Zhuo Zhou.

Along the way, the three traveled by day and lodged by night, pressing on without pause; after three full days of arduous travel they finally reached their destination — Zhuo Zhou City.

This time Lord Jia harbored a deeper intention, wishing to use this opportunity to temper the two young Vice Ministers. Therefore, in the initial negotiation stage, he deliberately let the two take the lead while he silently observed from the side, offering guidance and pointers at the right moments.

The two Vice Ministers did not disappoint; relying on their solid learning and exceptional courage, they engaged the other side in a fierce and brilliant war of words.

However, as the negotiations progressed, the situation gradually grew complex. At the critical moment, Lord Jia personally took the field, displaying the outstanding talent of a seasoned negotiation master.

He was unhurried and composed, responding calmly; now arguing forcefully on principle, now maneuvering cleverly, he ultimately secured dazzlingly rich results: ten thousand taels of gold, one city, and even the neighboring Ningzhou was incorporated into our territory. Not only that, he forced the other side to agree to tribute two hundred horses yearly to the court along with all manner of rare treasures, and to sign a peace treaty lasting a full twenty years.

Such a victory report was like a lightning bolt tearing across the sky, swiftly transmitted back to the capital. When the Emperor learned this glad news, he could not help but beam with joy, repeatedly praising the outstanding performance of Lord Jia and his entourage.

Three days later, Lord Jia returned to the capital in triumph, full of delight; General Weiyuan's great army also returned together, and the two went straight to the Imperial Study to report to the Emperor. The Emperor highly affirmed and praised the glorious merits achieved by General Weiyuan and Lord Jia this time, and generously bestowed lavish rewards.

Afterward, the Emperor, sympathizing with their toil on the road, graciously permitted them to return home to rest first. At the same time, he ordered a banquet in the palace that very night to welcome them and wash away the dust of travel.

When the lessons at the Shangshufang ended, the ministers' children each returned home. They hurried back to their residences, hastily ordering servants to heat bath water and meticulously groom and dress, to greet the upcoming grand palace banquet in their best state. For a time, the entire capital was immersed in an extraordinarily lively atmosphere.

Night fell quietly, the sky gradually shrouded in darkness. In the stillness, people hurriedly climbed into carriages; wheels rumbled as they sped toward that magnificent imperial palace.

Inside the carriage Qianqian was exceptionally excited. As it happened, this was the first time in her life she had the chance to attend such a grand palace banquet! In the past, because she was still young, whenever a palace banquet was held, the family always chose to bring Elder Sister Yan Xiner along, the purpose being simply to let Yan Xiner meet more high officials and nobles, so as to find a satisfactory marriage.

Now Yan Xiner had already reached marriageable age and had a marriage contract, so naturally she would not accompany them this time. As for the other brothers and sisters at home, Second Brother Yan Si was wholeheartedly devoted to commerce and had not the slightest interest in such court banquets, so he was always absent;

Third Brother Yan Wang spent his days immersed in the world of martial arts, likewise not the least bit interested in palace banquets. However, Prince An intended to cultivate Yan Wang, hoping he would inherit the title in the future, so this time he specially instructed the Princess Consort to bring Yan Wang into the palace for the banquet.

Thus, for this palace banquet, the Princess Consort ultimately brought Yan Shuang'er, Yan Wang, and Qianqian — three people — together on this journey filled with unknowns and anticipation.

After the few of them had dressed up properly, they filed into the carriage in order. Once aboard, Qianqian's irrepressible heart immediately sprang to life like an unbridled wild horse; she bounced about joyfully in the carriage compartment, her face overflowing with irrepressible delight.

Yan Shuang'er sitting beside her saw this and could not help but admonish worriedly: "Qianqian, sit properly quickly; if you carry on like this you'll fall!" The words had barely fallen when the carriage suddenly gave a violent lurch; caught off guard, Qianqian's body swayed violently, and she was about to tumble heavily to the floor.

At this critical split second, sharp-eyed and quick-handed Yan Wang swiftly stretched out his arm and steadily caught the nearly falling Qianqian in his embrace. As it turned out, the carriage had been traveling steadily on the road when suddenly a wheel rolled over a pebble. The jolt made everyone in the carriage sway, and the originally lively Qianqian was also jolted and nearly fell; she hurriedly sat down properly.

However, merely a moment of quiet later, the curiosity-filled Qianqian could no longer suppress her inner excitement; blinking her large, limpid eyes, she looked expectantly at the Princess Consort sitting beside her and asked in a coquettish voice: "Mother, will there be lots and lots of delicious food at the palace banquet? And will those sisters who dance so beautifully appear too?"

The Princess Consort nodded slightly, smiling as she replied: "Mm, yes. A palace banquet naturally has no lack of delicious dishes and superb dance performances. However, you must sit properly first; once we arrive, everything will be clear."

Then, the Princess Consort's tone grew slightly stern as she added: "Moreover, when we enter the palace hall later, and everyone performs the kneeling salute, you must also obediently kneel along with everyone — absolutely no mischief! Also, throughout the entire palace banquet, you are not allowed to leave my sight; you must sit quietly eating and watching the performances, understand?"

Qianqian nodded obediently, replying crisply: "Understood, Mother." Afterward, the Princess Consort still seemed uneasy; she turned to look at Yan Wang sitting on the other side and solemnly instructed: "Yan Wang, you must help me watch this little girl Qianqian carefully — never let her run about. If she accidentally bumps into some noble personage, that would be huge trouble." Yan Wang hurriedly assented respectfully, promising he would certainly look after Qianqian well.

Thus, all the way the Princess Consort kept reciting the various precautions for the palace banquet, from ritual norms to speech and conduct, leaving nothing out. Qianqian, Yan Wang, and the others listened silently, their hearts filled with curiosity and anticipation for the coming palace banquet, yet also with a few more degrees of nervousness and restraint. ……