Chapter 197: The Main Event

Indeed, the Emperor and Empress of Emperor Tianqi looked at Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang with even deeper eyes.

That palpable, explosive tension made a flicker of surprise cross Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang's eyes; she clearly hadn't expected Seeing Jun Jun Zijin to bring up the Northern Kingdom and Emperor Tianqi.

A vague sense of unease stirred in Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang's heart, but since the words were already spoken, how could a proud princess of the Northern Kingdom retreat at the critical moment?

Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang quickly steadied herself; she raised an eyebrow, her tone still laced with arrogance, and let out a cold snort:

"Hmph, you think you can beat me? Speak, what stake do you wish to wager?"

He Ling'er and Quan Quan Qingle exchanged knowing glances on the side:

"Jun Jun Zijin, this mop-head princess is too arrogant; crush her!"

A faint smile curled the corners of Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's lips; she turned to Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang and said:

"If Princess Princess Tuoba loses, shall we add another twenty million taels of gold to the annual tribute you present to Emperor Tianqi, on top of the original amount?"

The moment these words were spoken, the entire court was stunned.

Twenty million in gold—that was billions in silver, nearly enough to fill Emperor Tianqi's treasury for half a year! Lady Lady Qingping truly dared to make such a demand.

Quan Quan Aoyu looked at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, a doting smile flashing in his eyes.

The Northern Kingdom would compensate Emperor Tianqi with twenty million gold, be forced to give that girl another twenty million gold, and now she proposed yet another twenty million gold; this was a resounding slap in the Northern Kingdom's face.

That mischievous girl truly wouldn't suffer a single loss.

A sharp glint flashed in Quan Quan Wuji's eyes; this girl was saving up a major move.

The Empress, however, wore a face full of worry; she instinctively clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand, her palms already soaked with sweat. Gazing at Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, she prayed silently in her heart:

"Jun Jun Zijin, you absolutely must not lose; your mother still hopes you will become my daughter-in-law."

Quan Quan Aoyu felt none of these worries.

Others might not know Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's capabilities, but he certainly did.

Besides, even if that mop-head princess happened to win, who had promised to marry her?

Princess Princess Tuoba was renowned in the Northern Kingdom for her horsemanship and archery; confident in her own archery skills, she immediately accepted.

The envoy Wang Bao's eye twitched; could someone placed so dearly in the heart of that terrifying Crown Prince of Emperor Tianqi possibly be weak? That was twenty million gold, the Northern Kingdom's treasury for several years.

This might go wrong; Wang Bao couldn't help but advise:

"Princess, please think thrice..."

"Silence! Father sent you to protect me, not to meddle in my affairs!"

The envoy was frantic, scratching his heart and clawing his liver, yet utterly helpless. He could only sigh inwardly, murmuring silently in his heart:

"Princess, oh Princess, you are acting impulsively; I only hope you don't lose too miserably..."

In truth, seeing everyone's reaction, Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang's heart gave a sudden thump; she wondered if Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had dug a trap for her.

But at this moment, she had already agreed; how could she back out? She could only grit her teeth and endure.

The matter was settled thus.

Just as everyone was discussing the situation, a shrill voice from a eunuch sounded from outside the hall:

"Crown Prince Li Chengqian of the Southern Kingdom and Crown Prince Liu Jin of Shudu present themselves for audience together."

Following the eunuch's loud announcement, the two men entered the hall with their attendants.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian of the Southern Kingdom wore a magnificent brocade robe, his brows and eyes revealing a touch of heroism.

Crown Prince Liu Jin of Shudu wore a plain, elegant long gown, his expression calm and detached.

Speaking of Shudu, it was actually the Sichuan-Chongqing region of later times, which stirred many nostalgic feelings in Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's heart.

Just as she was observing the two, they had already stepped into the hall and performed a grand bow with utmost respect:

"Crown Prince Li Chengqian of the Southern Kingdom and Crown Prince Liu Jin of Shudu pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor of Emperor Tianqi, wishing Your Majesty ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. We wish the Noble Consort a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years, and pray that our Emperor Tianqi enjoys a prosperous destiny, favorable weather, and dominance over the world."

Quan Quan Wuji laughed heartily and raised his hand to signal:

"The two Crown Princes have traveled far; you have worked hard. Please rise quickly."

Next came the tribute presentation; the annual offerings brought by the two Crown Princes this time were double those of previous years.

The ministers of Emperor Tianqi naturally knew their purpose; they were simply here for Emperor Tianqi's smallpox vaccine.

Princess Tuoba Princess Tuoba Yaoguang pouted: "Fools! Only this Princess is smart; once she marries into Emperor Tianqi, she will not only get the person she loves but also obtain that vaccine without spending a single coin."

Piles of rare treasures and precious gems were arranged one by one in the center of the hall.

Of the four kingdoms traveling to Emperor Tianqi, Shudu was the farthest and the poorest, yet its tribute offerings did not lag behind the other nations; Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt a growing appreciation for Shudu's sincerity.

Shudu was famous for producing precious medicinal herbs, spices, tea, and the like. Ginseng, lingzhi, and other precious herbs were piled high like mountains; the spices emitted a rich fragrance that permeated the entire hall.

Facing the sea, the Southern Kingdom presented box after box of pearls that cast a soft glow upon the brocade, while coral and jade carvings stood lifelike.

Among them was a pair of night pearls the size of a child's fist; the moment they were revealed, the entire hall seemed to be illuminated.

Everyone was shocked; the eyes of the Ladies and Young Ladies were fixed straight ahead, and even the usually calm Seeing Jun Jun Zijin couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.

Just as everyone was captivated by those night pearls,

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin saw Quan Quan Aoyu sit up straight, moving his lips silently to ask her:

"Do you want it?"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin understood lip-reading; she was momentarily stunned. She now somewhat understood how Quan Quan Aoyu had obtained those fine things he gave her; they hadn't even entered the treasury yet, and he had already set his sights on them.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin felt both amused and helpless; she saw Quan Quan Aoyu's lips move again:

"I'll get it for you in a moment!"

As box after box of treasures was carried away,

Crown Prince Li Chengqian of the Southern Kingdom stepped forward once more and spoke first:

"Your Majesty, we have come this time for two reasons: first, to present tribute, and second, to request the Emperor Tianqi vaccine. The annual offerings brought by the Southern Kingdom this time were carefully selected by my father the King; we hope Your Majesty will like them. To be frank, smallpox has recently ravaged the Southern Kingdom, and the common people suffer greatly. Hearing that Emperor Tianqi possesses a vaccine to resist smallpox, my father specifically ordered me to come and request a purchase; we pray Your Majesty will show mercy and extend a helping hand."

Liu Jin also rose quickly, his voice clear and bright:

"Shudu is the same; we too suffer greatly from smallpox. The double annual tribute I have brought this time is also in the hope of obtaining Your Majesty's grant of the smallpox vaccine to rescue the people of Shudu from fire and water."

Before Quan Quan Wuji could speak, a hint of pride appeared on Li Chengqian's face as he continued:

"Besides these treasures, our Southern Kingdom also has a national treasure to present to His Majesty the Emperor of Emperor Tianqi!"

Here came the main event!

"Wow!"

As soon as Li Chengqian mentioned the national treasure, everyone in the great hall immediately sat up straight, all stretching their necks and staring eagerly at Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian's lips curled slightly upward; such a reaction pleased him greatly, so he deliberately dragged out the moment, truly savoring the feeling of being the center of attention.

Quan Quan Wuji felt somewhat displeased but could not bring himself to urge him on.

There were envoys from other nations present; if he urged him, it would make the Emperor of Emperor Tianqi appear petty, so the words already on his lips were forced back down his throat.