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Xiao Yan's resolve solidified as she thought, and she lifted her head high! Anyway, I am the Empress, and the Imperial Medical Academy is al
Xiao Yan's resolve solidified as she thought, and she lifted her head high! Anyway, I am the Empress, and the Imperial Medical Academy is also under my control! Who dares to insist on taking my pulse to confirm pregnancy?
"At a time of national crisis, since the Empress is pregnant!" However, at this moment, Chancellor Zhang Song suddenly spoke again: "This is truly a great joy for our Great Wu!"
"According to my plan, it is better to maintain the current situation, with Prince Danyang still overseeing the state!"
"After the Empress gives birth, the succession to the throne will be determined by the child's gender!"
As Zhang Song uttered these words, the ministers behind him nodded in agreement. This strategy was indeed the most stable at the moment and took into account the interests of all factions. Even the faction that had always opposed Zhang Song could not find fault with his proposal. Prince Danyang and Xiao Yan both thought deeply, quickly calculating their chances of success.
If Xiao Yan gives birth to a daughter, then I will ascend the throne, and the world will be convinced! This is roughly a fifty percent chance! Prince Danyang thought to himself at this moment.
"I implore the Empress to consider the common people! To consider all living beings!" Zhang Song, seeing that neither of the two on the dais had spoken, immediately knelt down and pleaded. All the other ministers also knelt simultaneously, shouting, "We, your subjects, second the motion!"
Xiao Yan looked at the ministers before her, feeling helpless in her heart. At this moment, she could only agree. However, fortunately, her plan still had time to prepare...
"What? Your Grace also wants to go to Wuguo with me?" The next morning, Ren Ruyi, who was kneeling respectfully before Wei Tingyu, dressing him, looked up bewilderedly at the gentleman before her and asked. She had just expressed her desire to leave and deal with her affairs, but then she heard Wei Tingyu say that he also wanted to go, so her eyes immediately widened in surprise.
"What's with that expression?" Wei Tingyu looked at Ren Ruyi, who was kneeling before him, reached out and pinched her delicate cheek, then said, "What? Can't I, the Marquis, go where you go to Wuguo?"
"Your Grace, what are you going to Wuguo for?" From behind, Linglong, who was adjusting Wei Tingyu's collar, also peeked her head out and asked him with a puzzled expression.
"Naturally, I have my own reasons; you two don't need to ask too many questions!" Wei Tingyu naturally couldn't reveal his true intentions to the two women at this moment. He couldn't possibly say, "I'm worried that your sister Ruyi will be snatched away by a pretentious man named Ning Yuanzhou and give me a green hat, could I?" Although Ren Ruyi was now with him, she was still a living person! Moreover, her personality was unrestrained, and if he didn't go with her, it was possible that she might indeed fall for Ning Yuanzhou if she met him again. Wei Tingyu naturally wouldn't risk that at all! So, the simplest and most effective method was to go with her, then drive away or even eliminate that Ning Yuanzhou fellow. After all, as a transmigrator whose goal was to conquer the female leads, all the male protagonists from the original story were his natural enemies! Wei Tingyu was very clear on this point and would absolutely not show any mercy! Either they obediently become his dogs, like Yang Xian, or it's a life-and-death situation!
"But Your Grace, as a noble of the capital, can you easily go to another country?" Ren Ruyi had now fastened Wei Tingyu's jade pendant at his waist. She then stood up and looked at him, asking. After all, she wasn't completely ignorant; without an imperial decree, Wei Tingyu probably couldn't leave his own country's territory! Of course, sneaking out wasn't a problem, but he couldn't possibly be sneaking around in Wuguo, unable to be seen, could he? As soon as his whereabouts were exposed, the news would definitely be sent back to the capital. That would be troublesome!
"Don't worry! I will openly and honestly take you back to Wuguo!" Except when he was flirting with women, being secretive was not Wei Tingyu's style! After kissing each of the two girls' small mouths, he flicked his sleeve and walked out of the side room. Upon opening the door, he saw all his wives and concubines standing at the doorway, waiting for him.
"See! I told you the Marquis would be fine! You're just worrying yourselves sick for nothing!"
"But these two new sisters are truly beauties in a million, aren't they? No wonder the Marquis couldn't wait..."
"The Marquis is just doting on two sisters; why did he have people guard the door and not let us in?"
"What were you going to do inside? Tell me; haha..."
Of course, when Wei Tingyu first emerged, the women were all laughing and teasing each other. Their bond was already very strong, truly like real sisters! And when they saw Wei Tingyu emerge with Ren Ruyi and Linglong, the women all fell silent simultaneously, then came forward to greet him. Wei Tingyu knew that this was not the time to joke with them, so he seriously explained to Dou Zhao and the other women about his imminent departure from the capital.
"Your Grace, please go with peace of mind." Dou Zhao and the other women were naturally very reluctant, but they also knew that Wei Tingyu, as such an capable man, couldn't waste the rest of his life on the women in his residence. They could only smile and nod. "But no matter what Your Grace does, please remember that your wives and concubines are waiting for you at home!"
"Please, Your Grace, do not be reckless; consider everything carefully before acting!"
"We, your concubines, only wish for Your Grace's safe return!"
Upon hearing Dou Zhao's words, the other women also nodded repeatedly. They were naturally very sad about the news of Wei Tingyu's departure. However, fortunately, this was not a permanent separation. Wei Tingyu had also said he would return soon, so although they were reluctant to part, they all very sensibly only advised Wei Tingyu to take good care of himself. After all, it was clear that Wei Tingyu had serious business to attend to this time, so they didn't cling to him and insist on being taken along.
And after learning that Wei Tingyu would only be taking Ren Ruyi with him on this trip, the women pulled this newly entered sister aside for a long series of earnest instructions. They told her to take good care of Wei Tingyu in his daily life, and to work hard for them as well!
Ren Ruyi was not very good at communicating with women to begin with. Surrounded by this group of lively and charming ladies, she felt somewhat at a loss, only nodding in agreement in a daze. At the same time, for the first time, she felt a slight hint of sourness spreading in her heart! It had to be said that the women in Wei Tingyu's courtyard were indeed all beautiful and gentle. Compared to herself, Ren Ruyi suddenly felt a little inferior! In terms of assassin skills and martial arts, Ren Ruyi naturally yielded to no one! Except for Wei Tingyu... But when it came to the wifely duties of caring for a husband in the household, she knew that she was definitely at the bottom of the barrel compared to these women! Even Linglong, who had entered the residence with her, was much more skilled in this area! This made Ren Ruyi, who never liked to lose in any aspect, feel quite displeased. Of course, this could only be blamed on Wei Tingyu. Who told this Marquis to be so unrestrained and attract so many beauties?
After finishing his explanations to the women, Wei Tingyu immediately rushed to his brother-in-law, the Duke of Jing's, residence. Then, after nightfall, he secretly slipped into the palace and spent a tender moment with Consort Yang!
By noon the next day, he successfully obtained the court's commission, ordering the Marquis of Jining to represent the dynasty as an envoy to Wuguo. After all, Anguo had just won a battle, and Wuguo's national strength was greatly diminished! To avoid being annexed by the other party, forming an alliance with his dynasty for mutual support was a matter of course. Since an alliance was to be formed, Wuguo had previously sent envoys to the capital, and his dynasty naturally had to send envoys to Wudu! However, Wuguo was currently in turmoil, and it was uncertain when it might be attacked by Anguo, so almost no one in court was willing to take on this task! Especially the dukes, marquises, and noble officials; anyone with a title was unwilling to take this risk.
But now, with his brother-in-law, the Duke of Jing, recommending his brother-in-law, the Marquis of Jining, in court, and Consort Yang specifically visiting the old emperor in the Imperial Study in the evening to endorse her sworn brother-in-law, Wei Tingyu. With these actions, the old emperor naturally and logically entrusted this matter to him! From this, it could also be seen that the current court was very anxious about supporting Wuguo to prevent it from being quickly annexed by Anguo; otherwise, they would never have issued the envoy's official seal so quickly! And because the matter was urgent, after obtaining the envoy's official seal, Wei Tingyu immediately set off for Wuguo on horseback, lightly equipped, accompanied by Ren Ruyi and eight Golden Shadow Guards (four men and four women)! As for the remaining Golden Shadow Guards, he left them all at the Marquis of Jining's residence, responsible for guarding the home. The safety of the Marquis's residence was naturally guaranteed! Coupled with Dou Zhao's ability to handle affairs, and the assistance of the other women, it was likely that the Marquis's residence would not have any problems! In addition, with the care of the Duke of Jing's residence and Consort Yang in the palace, Wei Tingyu was extremely reassured!
"Announcing the arrival of the Special Envoy from the Central Plains, Marquis of Jining, Wei Tingyu, to the court!" Accompanied by a high-pitched announcement, Wei Tingyu, holding the official envoy's tally, entered the Wugu court alone. The Wugu officials watched such a young man steadily walk into the hall, turning their heads in surprise. Hearing that he was a Marquis, they knew he must be a second-generation noble who inherited his title from his ancestors. And now, he could actually represent the great Central Plains and serve as a special envoy here? Was there no one capable in the Central Plains? Or were they looking down on our Wuguo?
However, Wuguo clearly needed this alliance more at the moment, so although these officials were displeased, they still did not show it.
"Your humble servant, Marquis of Jining, Wei Tingyu, greets Prince Danyang!" Wei Tingyu walked directly into the hall, his eyes straight ahead, and came before the dais. He cupped his hands towards Prince Danyang, who was seated in the overseer's position, and spoke. This act of greeting could be considered very arrogant. The Wugu Chancellor Zhang Song, who was beside him, immediately frowned.
"Audacious!" And a minister next to him immediately reprimanded Wei Tingyu loudly: "Seeing our Prince Overseer! Why do you not kneel?!"
"Yes, yes! Why not kneel?!"
"How rude! Is the Central Plains insulting our court?"
"What an impudent youth! How could the great Central Plains send such an envoy? It's simply child's play!"
Originally, Wei Tingyu had traveled lightly, and Ren Ruyi was not on the list of envoys. So the news that he only brought eight guards had already displeased these Wugu officials. Now, seeing that he not only didn't kneel but didn't even bow his head when facing the Wugu overseer, they immediately began to chatter among themselves. And these people's voices were not low at all; even without extraordinary senses, Wei Tingyu could hear their words clearly. On the surface, they were whispering, but in reality, they were trying to make these words heard by Wei Tingyu.
Wei Tingyu was not a political novice either; he naturally understood what was going on in this situation! Although the two countries were about to form an alliance, who would be the main party and who would be secondary in this alliance was crucial. Especially for Wuguo, although their national strength was currently damaged and they desperately needed the support of the great Central Plains, they would not willingly become a vassal. Therefore, they would inevitably find some topics to pick faults with the envoy when meeting him. Anyway, this alliance was mutually needed by both sides, and Wuguo wasn't worried that Wei Tingyu would dare to get angry and leave. After all, if he did, he wouldn't be able to explain it to his court...
"A minister from a superior nation does not bow to the ruler of a subordinate state!" However, Wei Tingyu looked at the chattering ministers around him and said directly. He didn't even bow to their ruler, let alone a mere overseer! His attitude was also very clear: kneeling was out of the question; cupping his hands was already giving them face.
At these words, the Wugu court once again gasped softly! These ministers had never dreamed that the Central Plains would actually send such a hothead as a special envoy! However, they were currently in a difficult position, like a rat fearing its own reflection. They couldn't really order their guards to beat Wei Tingyu out with sticks, could they? If they did, not only would the alliance fall through, but they might even be carved up by an alliance between their own country and Anguo because their envoy had been insulted!
"Marquis Wei speaks correctly!" It must be said that Prince Danyang, Yang Xingjian of Wuguo, was a person who could bend and adapt. His long-standing covetousness of the imperial throne, yet his ability to endure and not act, showed this. At this moment, he exemplified the essence of endurance to the fullest! He slowly opened his mouth, nodded to Wei Tingyu, and said, "This King will accept the national letter for now, as for other matters, let's discuss them later!" After all, it was clear that Wei Tingyu would not back down today, and he himself couldn't show the other party a pleasant expression in front of so many ministers, so he could only temporarily set the matter aside. Anyway, he couldn't discuss specific alliance issues with such a young man. At present, the exchange of envoys between the two sides was just to show their stance. As long as Anguo believed that the two countries had formed an alliance, that was enough! In Prince Danyang's view, it was nothing more than letting this Wei Tingyu enjoy himself with good food and drink in Wudu for a while. Once the dispute with Anguo eased, he could then be honorably sent back to his country! The Wugu high-ranking officials also had nothing to say about Prince Danyang's arrangements and could only watch Wei Tingyu walk out of the main hall with a triumphant expression.
Wei Tingyu naturally understood the thoughts of these Wugu people, including Prince Danyang, but these people had no idea what he was thinking! Besides the power of Wuguo, Empress Xiao Yan, a great beauty of the imperial harem, was also someone Wei Tingyu was determined to obtain!
As night fell, Wei Tingyu and Ren Ruyi strolled through the streets of Wudu. The commercial activity here was quite prosperous, no less than that of the capital.
"The Wugu court is in a state of chaos, yet the people of Wudu still live their lives quite normally!" Ren Ruyi had rarely experienced such leisure in the first half of her life. She bought two candied hawthorn skewers, handed the larger one to Wei Tingyu, and while happily eating her hawthorn with rock candy, she looked at the surrounding scene and sighed.
"It doesn't really matter to these people whether the one in power is the Emperor or the Prince Overseer..." Wei Tingyu also took a bite of the snack Ren Ruyi offered him, then said with a smile.
"It's just a pity that if Anguo's army attacks, it will concern them!" Ren Ruyi, however, was startled for a moment, then spoke. Wei Tingyu knew that this girl, though outwardly cold and appearing as a cold-blooded female assassin, actually had a gentle side in her heart. In the original plot, she had changed her moral compass due to the mundane activities of the market, transforming from a deadly killer into a heroine who pleaded for the common people. It seemed now that Ren Ruyi was gradually showing a tendency to develop in this direction. Wei Tingyu was naturally happy to see this!
As the two chatted while eating, Wei Tingyu also keenly noticed several pairs of eyes watching them from a hidden corner dozens of steps away. Without needing to ask, he knew they were spies sent by the Wugu court. Of course, besides monitoring him, these people also served as a certain protective force. After all, he was an envoy from another country; if anything unexpected happened to him in Wudu, Wuguo would have trouble explaining it. Although Wei Tingyu found these tails a bit annoying, he saw no need to get rid of them. Anyway, the plot that needed to move forward would always happen!
As he was thinking, he saw a surge of people ahead, and then pedestrians scattered in terror to the left and right, clearing the way. A group of warriors dressed in Six Paths Hall attire were hurrying down the street towards them. Leading them was his old rival, Zhao Ji, the Master of the Six Paths Hall. He hadn't expected this guy to return to Wudu so quickly; he probably went back to his country ahead of schedule after that banquet.