Chapter 197: The Main Event

Sure enough, the gaze the Emperor of Tianqi turned toward Tuoba Yaoguang deepened a fraction more.

That hair-trigger tension made a flash of surprise cross Tuoba Yaoguang’s eyes; clearly, she had not expected Jun Zijin to bring up the Northern Kingdom and Tianqi.

A faint sense of unease stirred in Tuoba Yaoguang’s heart, but the words were already out; as a proud princess of the Northern Kingdom, how could she retreat now?

Tuoba Yaoguang quickly steadied herself. She arched her brows, her tone still carrying arrogance, and let out a cold huff:

"Hmph, you think you can beat me? Speak, what wager do you want to make?"

He Linger and Quan Qingle were off to the side, exchanging meaningful glances:

"Zijin, this 'Mop' Princess is too arrogant—crush her!"

The corners of Jun Zijin’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile as she turned to say to Tuoba Yaoguang:

"If Princess Tuoba loses, how about adding 20 million taels of gold to the annual tribute you send to my Tianqi each year?"

Once these words were spoken, the entire court was shocked.

20 million in gold—that was several billion in silver; it was almost enough to cover half a year of Tianqi’s national treasury, wasn't it? Princess Qingping really dared to ask for that.

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

The Northern Kingdom had already compensated Tianqi with 20 million gold, been forced to give that girl another 20 million gold, and now she was asking for another 20 million—this was a slap to the Northern Kingdom’s face.

This mischievous girl really never suffered a loss.

A sharp glint flashed in Quan Wuji’s eyes; this girl was holding back a big move.

The Empress, however, was full of worry. She subconsciously gripped the silk handkerchief in her hand, her palms already slick with sweat. She gazed at Jun Zijin, praying silently in her heart:

"Zijin, you must not lose. Your mother-in-law is still looking forward to you becoming my daughter-in-law."

Quan Aoyu, however, felt none of these worries.

Others might not be clear on Jun Zijin’s abilities, but he certainly was.

Besides, even if that 'Mop' Princess were lucky enough to win, who had ever agreed to marry her?

Princess Tuoba was famous in the Northern Kingdom for her horsemanship and archery, and being very confident in her own marksmanship, she agreed immediately.

The envoy Wang Baolai’s eyes twitched. Could someone held in the heart of Tianqi’s terrifying Crown Prince be anything less than extraordinary? That was 20 million gold—several years of the Northern Kingdom’s national treasury!

Fearing things were about to go wrong, Wang Baolai couldn't help but advise:

"Princess, please think twice..."

"Shut your mouth! The Emperor sent you to protect me, not to boss me around!"

The envoy was anxious to the point of desperation, yet he was helpless. He could only sigh inwardly, muttering to himself:

"Princess, oh Princess, you are being impulsive. I hope you don't lose too miserably..."

In truth, seeing the reaction of the crowd, Tuoba Yaoguang’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if Jun Zijin had dug a pit for her.

But at this moment, she had already agreed; how could she go back on her word? She could only grit her teeth and see it through.

The matter was thus settled.

Just as the crowd was buzzing with discussion, a shrill voice came from outside the hall:

"Crown Prince Li Chenggan of the Southern Kingdom and Crown Prince Liu Jin of the Shu Capital have arrived to pay their respects."

Following the eunuch’s announcement, the two men entered the main hall with their entourages.

Crown Prince Li Chenggan of the Southern Kingdom was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, his features conveying a sense of heroism.

Crown Prince Liu Jin of the Shu Capital wore a simple, elegant long gown, his expression indifferent.

Speaking of the Shu Capital, it was actually the region known as Chuan-Yu in later generations, which stirred a sense of nostalgia in Jun Zijin’s heart.

The moment she was sizing them up, the two had already stepped into the hall and performed a respectful, grand salute:

"Crown Prince Li Chenggan of the Southern Kingdom and Crown Prince Liu Jin of the Shu Capital pay respects to His Majesty the Emperor of Tianqi. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years. May the Empress live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand times a thousand years. May our Tianqi’s national fortune flourish, may the weather be favorable, and may you dominate the world."

Quan Wuji laughed heartily and raised a hand in gesture:

"The two Crown Princes have come from afar; you have worked hard. Please, rise."

Next was the gift-offering segment; the annual tributes presented by the two princes this time were double that of previous years.

The Tianqi officials naturally knew their purpose—weren't they here for our Tianqi’s smallpox vaccine?

Tuoba Yaoguang, however, pouted: Idiots! I am the smart one; once I marry into Tianqi, not only will I get the person I like, but I’ll also get the vaccine for free without spending a cent.

Rare treasures piled high like mountains were lined up in the center of the hall.

Of the four kingdoms traveling to Tianqi, the Shu Capital was the furthest and the poorest, yet the tribute they presented did not fall behind the other kingdoms. Jun Zijin developed a bit of goodwill toward the sincerity of the Shu Capital.

The Shu Capital was rich in precious medicinal herbs, spices, and tea leaves. Ginseng, lingzhi, and other precious herbs were piled like mountains, and the spices emitted a rich fragrance that permeated the hall.

The Southern Kingdom faced the sea; box after box of pearls emitted a soft glow against the brocade, and ornaments carved from coral and jade looked lifelike.

Among them was a pair of night-luminescent pearls the size of a child’s fist. As soon as that pair appeared, the entire hall seemed to light up.

Everyone was astonished; the ladies and young misses stared wide-eyed, and even the usually composed Jun Zijin couldn't help but take a few extra looks.

Just as everyone was captivated by the night-luminescent pearls,

Jun Zijin saw Quan Aoyu sit up straight, his lips moving as he silently asked her:

"Do you want them?"

Jun Zijin knew how to read lips and was stunned for a moment. She finally understood where all the good things Quan Aoyu had given her came from—they were being eyed by him before they even reached the treasury.

Jun Zijin was caught between laughter and tears, then saw Quan Aoyu’s lips move again:

"I’ll get them for you in a moment!"

As box after box of treasures were carried away,

Crown Prince Li Chenggan of the Southern Kingdom stepped forward, preempting the others:

"Your Majesty, I have come this time for two reasons: first, to pay tribute, and second, to request Tianqi’s vaccine. The annual tribute brought by the Southern Kingdom this time was carefully selected by my father the King, and I hope Your Majesty likes it. To be honest, smallpox has been raging in the Southern Kingdom recently, and the people are suffering immensely. My father heard that Tianqi has a vaccine to resist smallpox and specifically ordered me to come and purchase it. I hope Your Majesty will show mercy and extend a helping hand."

Liu Jin also hurriedly stood up, his voice clear:

"The Shu Capital is the same; we are also deeply troubled by smallpox. I have brought double the annual tribute this time, also hoping to request that Your Majesty grant us the smallpox vaccine to save the people of the Shu Capital from fire and water."

Before Quan Wuji could speak, a touch of pride appeared on Li Chenggan’s face as he continued:

"Besides these treasures, my Southern Kingdom has one more national treasure to present to His Majesty the Emperor of Tianqi!"

This was the main event!

"Whoa!"

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

Li Chenggan’s mouth lifted slightly; he was very satisfied with this reaction, so he deliberately delayed for a while, truly enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention for a moment.

Quan Wuji was a bit displeased, but it wasn't easy to urge him on.

There were envoys from other countries present; if he urged him, it would make Tianqi look petty, so he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.