tallest building

Chapter 262 The Gentle Tactic

The weather became especially cold after the snowfall.

In the evening, Princess Duanmin ordered the wine to be warmed, and the imperial kitchen staff prepared many of her favorite snacks to accompany the wine.

When Qisihe came in from outside, his steps were heavier than those of ordinary people. This was partly because he was a strong man, and partly because he was not used to wearing Han Chinese boots and preferred to wear heavy and sturdy riding boots.

"Why has the princess come here? Is there something you need?" He took off his outer coat in the outer room and came in to ask.

"Can't you come if there's nothing wrong?" Princess Duanmin looked up at him, her expression slightly reproachful. "I just thought it had been a long time since we ate at the same table, so I asked them to prepare some wine and dishes."

Qi Sihe was quite surprised. He knew that although Princess Duanmin had been married to him for many years, she had never spoken ill of him and would keep her distance from him as much as possible. There was no affection between husband and wife at all.

He was quite open-minded, thinking that since it was a marriage alliance anyway, there was no need to seek mutual affection.

Besides, he has more than one woman; there are plenty of women willing to win his favor.

Upon returning to the Central Plains, the princess no longer lived in the same palace as him, but instead moved to Mingcui Palace to live with the eldest princess.

I don't know why they suddenly came here today and even prepared a banquet.

“The princess seems to be in a good mood today,” said Chess, sitting down. “I was just thinking of having a drink myself.”

“The wine here isn’t very strong, but luckily we brought a lot of wine from the grasslands this time.” Princess Duanmin said as she poured a full cup for Qisihe. “I know you complained that the mutton in the palace had too much seasoning, so you specially asked them to make boiled mutton.”

“Princess, you’ve been far too considerate today,” Chishe laughed. “It makes me feel a little uncomfortable.”

"I only recently came to understand," Princess Duanmin sighed softly. "My aunt gave me a lot of advice. She said she ruined her own life and told me not to follow in her footsteps. She also told me to think more about your good qualities and not to waste my precious youth."

Looking back over the years, there hasn't been much affection between us as husband and wife, but you've never made things difficult for me either, which isn't something every man can do.

There's a poem that says, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," but I've missed too many of those blooms; I've been truly foolish.

Hearing what she said, Qi Sihe didn't know exactly what the princess had said to her, but he figured Duanmin must have taken it to heart.

He never bothered to ponder a woman's thoughts; they were as unpredictable as clouds in the sky. But now that this cloud was willing to linger for him, that wasn't a bad thing.

Then the mutton was served. The large chunks of mutton were cooked very tenderly, without even salt. When eating, you cut off pieces with a knife and dip them in sauce according to your personal taste.

Princess Duanmin added some deer blood to the strong liquor. Her purpose was clear: a woman, if she wanted, could tame a man who didn't dislike her in bed.

Qisihe, living in the palace, dared not act recklessly and had been suffering greatly these past few days. How could he bear the princess's tenderness and affection?
He only ate half of the meal before ordering it to be taken away.

Knowing that the princess disliked the smell of fish and mutton, he took a special bath.

When he came out again, he found that there were no servants in the house.

The charcoal fire was burning very hot, and the incense burning in the incense burner, though I didn't know what kind of incense was burning, made me feel weak all over, yet also itchy inside.

The red silk curtains were half-drawn, and Princess Duanmin sat on the edge of the bed. Her light gauze nightgown made her skin look radiant, like that of a teenage girl.

Especially when she turned her head slightly and glanced at him with a look that was both reproachful and delighted, Qi Sihe felt his knees go weak and he almost knelt down.

He used to think that Princess Duanmin was indeed a beauty, but she was always cold and aloof, lacking any charm.

Even if such a woman is beautiful, what difference is there between her and a stone statue?
But now he understands how intoxicating the charm of Han women can be, like a flower bud filled with honey, fragrant and sweet, yet also intricate and captivating.

He would be more than happy to be a nectar-gathering bee.

As night deepened, King Zhao lost his usual high spirits. He had drunk some wine, but he was listless and indifferent.

The piece of paper torn from the ledger lay spread out on the table. Because it was crumpled, no matter how much it was unfolded, it could never be smoothed out, just like his mood at that moment.

"The people from the Sanjing Academy are actually helping the King of Chu. What makes them so special?" The King of Zhao frowned deeply.

Of course, he wasn't idle either. He sent people to investigate, and they replied that Mr. Hua Ying from the Sanjing Academy had been staying at the Chu King's residence these days.

This news made him even more uneasy; the Three Paths Academy carried too much weight.

Even if Mr. Hua Ying is only a senior disciple of the Sanjing Academy, it is enough to make people's hearts tremble.

King Zhao naturally had advisors around him, but they weren't used much in ordinary times.

This time we've encountered difficulties; it's a case of nurturing talents for a thousand days only to use them for one.

He then ordered his steward, "Bring Mr. Wu here to me."

This Mr. Wu was a scholar who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Although he was unsuccessful in the examinations, he was a very resourceful person.

He came to the Prince of Zhao's residence through a recommendation, and he offered advice to the Prince of Zhao on several occasions, with good results.

"I wonder what Your Highness has summoned this old man for?" Mr. Wu's beard was already white, and he was older than Prince Zhao.

"Mr. Wu, please sit down and have a cup of wine to warm yourself up," King Zhao said with a smile.

Mr. Wu took a sip of wine and said, "I see a hint of worry between the prince's brows. Could it be because of the King of Chu?"

"How did you know, sir?" King Zhao was somewhat surprised.

"His Highness is ordered to investigate the Prince of Chu; there is no greater matter than this," Mr. Wu said casually.

"I used to think that the King of Chu was not a very shrewd and calculating person, but now it seems that's not the case." The King of Zhao sighed and briefly recounted the recent events.

He originally had leverage over the King of Chu, but the King of Chu also seized leverage over him.

Moreover, compared to the King of Chu, his problems were far more serious.

The King of Chu was at most guilty of favoritism and corruption, while he was suspected of forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices.

Now he's in a dilemma: to investigate or not to investigate.

If he investigates the King of Chu, the King of Chu will surely do the same.

Even if he didn't expose the King of Chu, there was no guarantee that the King of Chu wouldn't turn around and attack him.

After all, the two sides are now at odds and can no longer live in peace.

"Now the King of Chu has become a venomous snake, which is quite troublesome!" King Zhao said, taking a sip of wine, but the worries in his heart did not lessen in the slightest.

"Your Highness is mistaken." Mr. Wu stroked his beard and chuckled. "It is true that the King of Chu is a venomous snake, but since he is not hiding in the shadows, why don't we strike at his vital point?"

"Oh? What do you mean, sir..." King Zhao seemed to understand but not quite.

"The reason why the King of Chu dares to challenge Your Highness is not because he possesses any evidence," Mr. Wu leaned forward again, "but because of the Crown Prince of Chu, which fuels his ambition!"