Chapter 199: A Moment of Hand-Indulgence

His face was handsome, his expression carrying a hint of modesty; he bowed slightly, his voice clear and resonant:

"Your Majesty, our country is poor. Though I possess no remarkable treasures, we have by chance obtained a spiritual fox. It is naturally intelligent, understands human nature to some degree, and I wish to present it to Your Majesty to add a touch of liveliness to Your Majesty's court."

Liu Jin bowed again, speaking respectfully.

As his words fell, two servants carried a carved nanmu wood cage into the great hall.

The cage was covered on all sides with a layer of gauze as thin as a cicada's wing; faintly, a lively figure could be seen moving inside.

Liu Jin stepped forward personally and gently lifted the gauze, revealing a spiritual fox before everyone's eyes.

This spiritual fox was snow-white all over, its fur smooth as satin, shimmering with a faint luster under the hall's candlelight, as if every single hair radiated spirituality.

Its eyes were like two brilliant rubies, clear and bright, bearing an innate cunning and liveliness as it curiously surveyed everything around it.

The fox's ears stood high, a patch of black fluff at the tips making it appear even more spirited and cute.

Its tail was fluffy and huge, almost as long as its body; as it swayed gently, it seemed capable of sweeping away all the dust of the world.

The gazes of everyone in the hall were instantly drawn to this spiritual fox; for a moment, low murmurs of praise and discussion rose and fell.

Especially the ladies and young ladies present, their eyes filled with affection and longing.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin was also captivated by the fox's cute stupidity; just as everyone was drawn to that spiritual fox,

Quan Quan Aoyu added another remark:

"You like it, right? If you like it, it's yours."

Jun Jun Zijin rolled her eyes at him, moving only her lips to reply:

"Didn't you already give the night pearl? You don't need this one."

Quan Quan Aoyu smiled lazily, a smile that seemed capable of melting all the ice and snow in the world, warm and brilliant; he silently added another remark:

"All the good things in the world should belong to my Dandan."

"Pfft."

Jun Jun Zijin was amused by Quan Quan Aoyu and laughed out loud.

Everyone in the hall suddenly came to their senses and looked at Jun Jun Zijin; even the little fox tilted its head, staring at her curiously with those watery eyes.

Jun Jun Zijin coughed lightly, suppressed her laughter, and said:

"This little fox is so cute."

Quan Quan Aoyu finally spoke, but his opening words were asking Quan Quan Wuji for the little fox.

"Father Emperor, this little fox is very cute; please bestow it upon your son?"

Quan Quan Wuji understood in his heart; his son was clearly asking for his wife's sake, but this Laozi also has a wife; the brat was actually snatching things from Laozi.

Quan Quan Wuji feigned anger, glaring at Quan Quan Aoyu:

"Brat, you haven't even married yet, and you're already so calculating? This little fox is what I intend to give to my daughter-in-law."

Hearing this, Quan Quan Aoyu quickly rose, walked before Quan Quan Wuji, clasped his hands, and bowed:

"Father Emperor, may Jun Zijin bring the little fox to the palace every day to visit Mother Consort? In this way, Mother Consort can see her beloved little fox and also witness Jun Zijin's filial piety."

Quan Quan Wuji laughed heartily.

"The brat even knows how to please both sides."

At this moment, the Empress smiled and spoke from the side:

"Enough, enough. In view of your son's deep devotion, Mother Consort will take charge and give the little fox to Jun Zijin."

Quan Quan Aoyu was overjoyed, quickly thanked for the grace, turned around, picked up the little fox, and handed it to Jun Jun Zijin:

"Wife, this little fellow is yours from now on."

Jun Jun Zijin quickly rose and bowed:

"Thank you, Father Emperor; thank you, Mother Consort."

The Empress said affectionately:

"Silly child, why be so polite with Mother Consort? This little fox indeed looks lovable; from now on, you can keep it with you, so you'll have a companion."

Jun Jun Zijin looked at the fluffy little fox, her heart full of joy, and gently stroked its head.

The little fox was not afraid of strangers; it nestled obediently in her arms, occasionally rubbing its head against her hand.

Its ruby-like eyes were full of joy, emitting soft "woo-woo" sounds from its throat, as if expressing the delight of meeting a kindred spirit.

Seeing this, Quan Quan Aoyu's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a doting smile:

"It seems it likes you very much."

The Empress watched this scene, her eyes full of smiles:

"It seems this spiritual fox has a fate with Jun Zijin."

A room full of women stared at the little fox in Jun Jun Zijin's arms, unwilling to turn their eyes away for even a moment.

Princess Princess Tuoba bit her lip in secret; she had intended to speak up and claim this spiritual fox herself, but unexpectedly Quan Quan Aoyu took it and gave it to Jun Jun Zijin.

A surge of anger and resentment rose in her heart; she snorted and turned her head away.

Outside the hall, the sunlight was just right, and the time was nearly up; the Emperor waved his hand, and the eunuch shouted loudly:

"The palace banquet officially begins—"

Maids entered in a file, holding exquisite dishes in their hands; the aroma overflowed, making people drool.

But everyone's attention was drawn to the tableware on the table that could reflect their images.

Everyone was surprised to discover that this palace banquet used stainless steel bowls and plates; aside from being displayed once previously in the court, this was the first time they were used at a palace banquet.

Therefore, except for some court officials, everyone else was seeing them for the first time.

Everyone was shocked; how could these be bowls and plates? They were clearly works of art!

The stainless steel shimmered with a unique metallic luster under the candlelight; its texture was hard and smooth, completely different from the steel products of other countries that were still in their infancy.

The envoys from various countries whispered to one another, their faces filled with shock.

"This Emperor Tianqi stainless steel, besides forging weapons, can actually be made into bowls and plates?"

"Such exquisite utensils, I fear only Emperor Tianqi could produce."

"Indeed, no wonder Emperor Tianqi's national strength is so mighty; even daily utensils are so advanced."

"This Emperor Tianqi Kingdom truly opens one's eyes!"

Wang Bao, the envoy from the Northern Kingdom, stroked his chin, his face filled with shock.

Just as envoys from various nations whispered to one another, suddenly, Wang Bao, as if possessed, picked up a plate, quietly brought it to his mouth, and took a bite.

"Hahaha..."

The people around immediately burst into laughter.

Wang Bao realized his loss of composure, his face flushed red; he hurriedly put down the plate and apologized without raising his head:

"Forgive me, I... I was just being clumsy with my hands."

The Emperor, however, took no offense, and instead smiled as he asked:

"Envoy Wang, how does this plate taste?"

Wang Bao awkwardly scratched his head.

"Your Majesty, forgive my crime; your country's utensils are too peculiar. This subject was momentarily curious and lost propriety."

"It is no matter. On the day the envoy returns to his country, he may take some stainless steel tableware back."

"Ah?!"

Wang Bao was overjoyed and immediately knelt, kowtowing to thank for the grace:

"Your Majesty's imperial grace, Your Majesty's generosity and magnanimity; truly a wise ruler."

The Emperor waved his hand, signaling him to rise and take his seat.

Li Chengqian and Liu Jin were also drawn by the stainless steel bowls and plates, secretly marveling in their hearts. This matter of requesting vaccines in exchange for the annual tribute would likely be even less smooth.

Li Chengqian gave Liu Jin a glance; Liu Jin understood, cleared his throat, and stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, your country's stainless steel weapons and tableware truly open one's eyes. However, our main purpose in coming is to beg Your Majesty to bestow upon us the smallpox vaccine."