Chapter 146: The Wife-Protecting Maniac of Emperor Tianqi

Quan Quan Aoyu's brow revealed an unassailable majesty; his eyes were deep and sharp, as if able to see through the human heart. Gazing directly at the opposing envoy from the enemy nation, he radiated an unquestionable resolve and firmness.

Though the Northern Kingdom's envoy felt uneasy inside, he still forced calmness, a flattering smile hanging on his lips as he tried to ease the tense atmosphere. He bowed slightly, hands clasped before his chest, and spoke in the most humble posture:

"Crown Prince, after deep deliberation by our court, we are willing to withdraw our troops and no longer pose a threat to Emperor Tianqi's borders. At the same time, we hope the Crown Prince will consider withdrawing forces from Wencheng to demonstrate friendship and peace between our two nations. Our Northern Kingdom wishes to form an eternal alliance with Emperor Tianqi and never infringe upon one another."

Hearing this, Quan Quan Aoyu's tone turned icy, his gaze sharp, as he refuted mercilessly:

"Do you take me for a fool, or are you simply testing my bottom line? You come to invade my Emperor Tianqi whenever you please, and withdraw whenever you please? Where in the world is there such a good deal? Do you think a few empty words can make my Emperor Tianqi abandon the territory won with blood and lives? What are you thinking?"

Quan Quan Aoyu spoke in plain, blunt language, his words exploding like gunshots, making the Northern Kingdom envoy so angry he wanted to curse his mother. You keep saying the territory was won by Emperor Tianqi with blood and lives, yet you didn't lift a finger to get it! Do you still have any shame?

But how could he dare curse? Not only did he not dare, he immediately plastered on an even more fawning smile and said ingratiatingly:

"Crown Prince, please calm your anger; our Northern Kingdom absolutely has no such intent. Wencheng lies at the border of our two nations; if both sides can yield a step, it will surely benefit the people of both countries."

Quan Quan Aoyu remained unmoved and said coldly:

"Back then, you took advantage of Emperor Tianqi's internal turmoil to launch an attack. Now that the situation looks unfavorable, you want to seek peace? Where in the world is there such a cheap thing! Go back and tell your monarch: unless the Northern Kingdom shows sincerity, I will absolutely not withdraw my troops!"

The envoy's face burned hot; he almost broke his waist from bowing. He was secretly relieved his skin was thick enough, otherwise he probably couldn't have withstood Quan Quan Aoyu's verbal thrashing.

The envoy's flattering smile deepened further:

"Crown Prince, please calm your anger. Our nation deeply understands that our actions caused considerable trouble for Emperor Tianqi. To express our sincerity, our nation is willing to make compensation. Whether gold, silver, treasures, or rare supplies, as long as the Crown Prince speaks the word, our nation will exhaust all resources to make up for the losses inflicted upon Emperor Tianqi."

Hearing this, a hint of calculation flashed in Quan Quan Aoyu's eyes; he did not refuse immediately.

Thus, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice still icy:

"Compensation? That depends on your sincerity. However, I must remind you that Emperor Tianqi's territory and dignity cannot be measured by money. Your Northern Kingdom must deeply reflect on your actions; only by truly respecting Emperor Tianqi's sovereignty and interests can you earn our trust and respect."

The Northern Kingdom envoy let out a dry laugh:

"Crown Prince speaks truly; our nation naturally knows this. Although our Northern Kingdom is cold and the land barren, we do possess rare items. For instance, Snow Ginseng, whose medicinal effects are extraordinary and greatly beneficial for healing injuries and curing illnesses. If the Crown Prince agrees to withdraw troops, our nation is willing to offer 20 million taels of silver, 100 Snow Ginseng roots, and 200 fur pelts."

Hearing the words "Snow Ginseng," Quan Quan Aoyu made a mental calculation; he had heard Dandan mention the value of Snow Ginseng before—it was truly priceless, with demand but no supply.

Yet his expression remained stern:

"Hmph, do not think you can dismiss me with a few Snow Ginseng roots and some furs."

The Northern Kingdom envoy smiled mysteriously:

"Dare not, dare not. Our monarch has also prepared a grand gift specifically for your future Crown Princess."

Quan Quan Aoyu's heart stirred, but he showed no sign on his face. Frowning slightly, he said coldly:

"Oh? A grand gift for my Crown Princess? Speak and let me hear."

The Northern Kingdom envoy replied respectfully:

"Our monarch once hunted a hundred-year-old Snow Fox. As the Crown Prince knows, a hundred-year Snow Fox is truly a rare occurrence once in a millennium. Being hunted by our monarch is truly a gift from heaven. The monarch is willing to present its pelt to your future Crown Princess."

Quan Quan Aoyu's heart stirred again; the beautiful image of Jun Jun Zijin draped in the hundred-year Snow Fox pelt floated before his eyes. But then another matter came to mind.

The Northern Kingdom royal family possesses a thousand-year Ice Soul Pearl. It is said that when placed within the Northern Kingdom royal palace, the summer is incredibly cool; if worn on the body, it feels as warm and cool as spring. Even more rare, it is said to have the effect of calming the spirit and quieting the mind.

Quan Quan Aoyu thought: Dandan has no internal energy or lightness skill; if she had this, perhaps Dandan would find it easier to learn lightness skill. He had been pondering how to trick the Northern Kingdom into giving him that Ice Soul Pearl to gift to Dandan. Now the opportunity had arrived.

Quan Quan Aoyu felt a surge of pride inside, yet showed no sign on his face, putting on an act and letting out a cold snort:

"A mere pelt thinks it can dismiss me? How can my Crown Princess be matched by such a trivial pelt?"

The Northern Kingdom envoy hurriedly explained:

"Crown Prince, do not underestimate this hundred-year Snow Fox pelt. If worn in winter, it is as warm as holding a heating stove."

Quan Quan Aoyu pouted his lips, somewhat dissatisfied:

"That only limits warmth to winter; what about the scorching heat of summer?"

The envoy's heart gave a thud; sure enough, he heard Quan Quan Aoyu's voice slowly rise again:

"I have heard the Northern Kingdom royal palace possesses a thousand-year Ice Soul Pearl. Since the Northern Kingdom is cold and frozen anyway, you have no use for it. Why not present it to my Crown Princess?"

Before the envoy could react, Quan Quan Aoyu continued speaking:

"Here is the deal: the thousand-year Ice Soul Pearl and the hundred-year Snow Fox pelt go to my Crown Princess. Additionally, 200 Snow Ginseng roots, 500 fur pelts, and 20 million taels of gold. Hear clearly: gold, not silver. And it must be genuine gold, not gold notes. I can consider withdrawing troops and continuing to supply medicinal herbs to your Northern Kingdom."

Hearing this, the Northern Kingdom envoy thought: The Emperor Tianqi Crown Prince is opening his mouth like a lion, demanding 20 million taels of gold! Although the Northern Kingdom wouldn't be crippled, it would almost empty the royal treasury.

Even more outrageous, not only did the money demand jump several times higher, but he was also extorting the royal treasure, the thousand-year Ice Soul Pearl.

He had long heard the Emperor Tianqi Crown Prince was a wife-protecting maniac, but damn it, if you're going to protect your wife, protect her; what's with calculating our national treasures to curry favor with your woman?

The envoy broke out in cold sweat immediately; after hesitating for a long while, he finally spoke:

"Crown Prince, this... this... this is truly... I cannot make the decision."

Quan Quan Aoyu let out a cold laugh:

"Cannot make the decision? Then go back and tell your monarch: these are my conditions. If even one part is missing, I will immediately launch an attack on Yancheng. Moreover, your Northern Kingdom has repeatedly infringed upon Emperor Tianqi's borders and harassed Emperor Tianqi's people. Even so, these compensations barely make up for the Northern Kingdom's offense against Emperor Tianqi this time."

The Northern Kingdom envoy's forehead was drenched in cold sweat; he wiped it several times with his sleeve, gritted his teeth, and replied:

"Your Highness, this matter is too significant; allow me to return to our country and discuss it with the monarch before giving an answer."

Quan Quan Aoyu waved his large hand:

"Go back and tell your monarch: do not attempt to provoke Emperor Tianqi again. He has five days to deliver the gold and goods. Once the five-day deadline passes, I will immediately send troops to attack the Northern Kingdom."

Having finished speaking, he flicked his sleeve and left, leaving only the Northern Kingdom envoy standing in place, staring at his retreating back while wiping sweat continuously.

What he did not know was that this was not the end; the events that followed were such that even if he stuck his face out for the Emperor Tianqi Crown Prince to step on and rub repeatedly on the ground, it would not be enough.