Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 892 Negotiation is like a game of chess, with strategic planning as the priority.
"Ning'er knows."

The little princess was clever and understood the principle of striking while the iron is hot.

Taking advantage of Yang Yuan's words, Zhao Ning'er immediately said, "Ning'er has been frail since childhood, and Father and Mother have doted on Ning'er to the extreme, which is also because..."

They all believed that Ning'er would die young and not live to adulthood.

Zhao Ning'er gazed at Yang Yuan, her eyes moist, like those of a deer.

"It was Your Majesty who found a divine physician and cured Ning'er."

"Ning'er still remembers how much she admired and respected the King back then."

Whenever Ning'er received acupuncture from Pharmacist Luo, she only felt at ease when the King was by her side.

Therefore, when the king was unjustly imprisoned, Ning'er insisted on visiting him in prison and even performed acupuncture there.

"Simply because...that place is closest to the King, and Ning'er feels most at ease there."

Zhao Ning'er's eyes sparkled, and as she spoke, she blurted out, "Back then, Ning'er relied on Your Majesty so much that I couldn't express it. In Ning'er's heart, Your Majesty was like Ning'er's father."

"Huh?" Yang Yuan's eyes widened.

Zhao Ning'er suddenly realized she had said the wrong thing, and her face immediately turned red with embarrassment. She hurriedly explained, "Ning'er meant that the King is closer to her than her father."

"Um……"

"In front of Zongyang Palace, the Jurchens plotted a rebellion. Ning'er was caught in the turmoil and was nearly trampled to death, but the King saved her."

As the king held Ning'er in his arms and leaped into the air, in Ning'er's heart, the king at that moment was her guardian deity..."

At this point, Zhao Ning'er suddenly stood up and knelt on the ground, her voice choked with sobs:

“Ning’er’s elder brother is foolish. He has done something wrong, a very, very wrong thing.”

"Ning'er knows she has wronged Your Majesty, but... she can only humbly beg Your Majesty to be magnanimous."

"As long as... as long as Your Majesty is willing to show mercy, I will do whatever you ask of me!"

When Yang Yuan saw her kneeling, he wanted to immediately go forward and help her up, but when he heard her words, he paused.

Did the Empress Dowager and the others already perceive the situation to be this serious?

Indeed, who could remain passive after being betrayed by their own king time and time again?

Do you think everyone is Yue Fei?
Concubines can't do it!

However, some things cannot be accomplished overnight.

What Yang Yuan wants now is simply to eliminate the hidden dangers from behind.

Under the current circumstances, he is better off as an uncrowned king.

There's no need for him to rush to put that crown on his own head.

"Store up grain and delay declaring yourself king" is a form of political wisdom.

Therefore, he never intended to kill Zhao Dun.

Political struggles are not like江湖 (jianghu) feuds or chivalrous killings; they are always about weighing the gains and losses of interests.

However, since the Empress Dowager and the others have anticipated the situation to be so serious, it seems that my goal can be achieved smoothly.

With this in mind, Yang Yuan became even more composed.

He slowly stepped forward and stood in front of Zhao Ning'er, but did not rush to help her up.

Yang Yuan said, "I can grant Your Highness's request."

However, the Emperor has repeatedly tried to put me to death.

I am not a clay or wooden idol; I also have a temper.

Therefore, I, the King, need to recoup some interest.

"Your Highness, do you think it's appropriate?"

As soon as Yang Yuan stood in front of her, Zhao Ning'er's heart pounded so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

Hearing him say that, Zhao Ning'er assumed that she could not escape.

But... is it right here?

There are so many people outside, how embarrassing!

but……

When Zhao Ning'er thought about the serious consequences of going against Yang Yuan, she secretly made up her mind.

“Of course…of course it is as you should. Whatever Your Majesty wishes to do, Ning’er…will grant your request…”

As she spoke, her voice became barely audible, and she lowered her head shyly, her pretty face flushed.

"it is good!"

Yang Yuan had always believed that Zhao Ning'er was an envoy of the Empress Dowager, who came with the Empress Dowager's mission.

He bent down and took Zhao Ning'er's arm.

Zhao Ning'er's delicate body trembled, and then she thought that since she couldn't resist or escape anyway, and since she was going to give herself up in the end, she might as well be gentle and obedient.

If Your Majesty can feel more joy and affection for me because of this, then the Zhao family's fate will be better.

Thinking of this, Zhao Ning'er, who was about to instinctively withdraw her arm, did not dodge, but instead stood up gracefully with Yang Yuan's help.

With a slight lift of her eyes, Zhao Ning'er saw Yang Yuan's bright eyes and felt an overwhelming sense of shame. Her legs went weak and her whole body felt hot.

She had just been thinking of flattering him, but suddenly all her courage and ideas vanished.

She closed her beautiful eyes in fear, tilting her head slightly upwards, as if she were bravely going to her execution:
"I will obey Your Majesty's orders without question."

"Good! Very good! The Emperor has contracted a brain disease and has been misled by treacherous people. I will not do anything to him."

"However, since His Majesty is suffering from a brain disease, he may not be able to shoulder the burden of national affairs alone."

Therefore, I believe that Prince Qing should be appointed to oversee state affairs. What does Your Highness think?

"what?"

Zhao Ning'er thought that Yang Yuan would pick her up and carry her to the imperial bed.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing such a delightful decision and arrangement, she widened her eyes and stared intently at Yang Yuan.

Yang Yuan said, "Furthermore, I care deeply about the country, the people, and all the common folk, but my repeated reforms have offended many."

They have repeatedly bewitched the king, plotting to kill me.

The nation is now in peril, beset by internal and external troubles, and can no longer tolerate factional strife and infighting.

Therefore, I request the abolition of the Left Chancellor and the establishment of a sole Chancellor, and I hope the Empress Dowager will support this.

Zhao Ning'er stared intently at Yang Yuan with her large, watery eyes. She thought...

It was also because Yang Yuan had a beautiful wife and concubines, who were known for their promiscuity, and because she herself had long harbored feelings for him...

That's why she misunderstood so many things.

Upon hearing Yang Yuan's conditions, Zhao Ning'er felt extremely ashamed.

It was not only because of her own misunderstanding, but also because of the shame stemming from her naivety.

Yes, things have developed to this point. Even if a celestial being descended to earth, how could a woman or a romance possibly resolve the impasse?

The King of Yan did not want to commit regicide or rebellion, but he also wanted to protect himself.

At the King of Yan's command, countless ministers carried out his orders without hesitation.

He represents the interests of a group of people, and his life and property are tied to the lives of a group of people.

How could his plans be as superficial as he thought?
Fortunately... fortunately I didn't explain myself clearly, otherwise... otherwise I might as well have just run into a pillar and died.

It's so embarrassing!

Zhao Ning'er was extremely embarrassed and her mind was in a mess.

Logically speaking, this was not something she could decide; she had to stall Yang Yuan and go back to consult with Empress Dowager Wu.

But now she felt ashamed and embarrassed, afraid that Yang Yuan would discover her feelings, and then she would be utterly ashamed.

So, upon hearing Yang Yuan say this, Zhao Ning'er quickly adjusted her mindset and earnestly agreed.

"Very well, Your Majesty, I agree to everything. I will now report back to the Empress Dowager."

Yang Yuan thought to himself, "The Princess of Jia Kingdom is indeed the Empress Dowager's plenipotentiary representative."

She truly is a woman who has weathered many storms; her breadth of mind and courage are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"Good~"

Yang Yuan smiled, recalling how she had just looked at him with such affection, saying that she had once regarded him as her father.

He treated her like he did when she was a child, affectionately ruffling her hair and softly saying, "Don't worry, I've saved your life twice."

From now on, I will protect you as before.

As long as I live, you will be safe and sound, forever!

Yang Yuan's words were naturally heartfelt.

His decision to no longer address Zhao Ning'er as "Your Highness" was also quite meaningful.

He intends to smoothly transition and naturally change the dynasty's name, and he will treat the former imperial family well.

As long as he lives, he will surely protect the Zhao family, after all, not every member of the Zhao family is despicable.

However, Zhao Ning'er couldn't help but interpret these words in a different way.

People still think that General Yang only cares about the world and that he is worthless in their eyes.

It turns out he wanted both, and ultimately refused to let the other person go.

That's what I was thinking, but I felt no shame or anger at all; instead, my panic was filled with sweet joy.

It was probably because Yang Yuan had already promised her the thing she was most worried about.

Therefore, Zhao Ning'er's reaction at this moment was the purest.

“Well… I’ve kept what Your Majesty said in mind.”

Zhao Ning'er smiled sweetly at Yang Yuan, then suddenly blushed.

"Ahem! Then Ning'er, go and report to the Empress Dowager."

……

Mr. Wu had indeed considered the consequences very seriously.

She believed that the Zhao Song imperial family was about to face annihilation.

No wonder she is.

She has been by Zhao Gou's side since she was fourteen years old. Every single event she has experienced has had extremely serious consequences.
Once the other party succeeds, isn't this the kind of ending they'll face?

She could plead with Yang Yuan, risking her reputation and Qu Ge'er's influence, to secure a glimmer of hope for the Zhao Song royal family.

However, in the brutal struggle between life and death, she wouldn't naively believe that she could get much leniency.

If that's the case, why should she lose even the last shred of dignity for the sake of her ancestors?
It must be said that the Zhao family has produced many cowardly descendants, but the wives of the Zhao family are mostly virtuous and brave.

For example, Empress Zhu, the wife of Emperor Qinzong of Song, personally led people to deliver supplies to the soldiers guarding the city walls when the Jin army approached the city, and they defended the city together.

He was captured after the city fell, and committed suicide by drowning himself in the river at the young age of twenty-six. His courage, integrity, and chastity put Emperors Huizong and Qinzong to shame.

Zhao Gou was a man terrified of the Jurchens, both physically and mentally, but his empress, Wu, was a strong-willed woman.

Zhao Ning'er returned to the Empress Dowager's palace with great joy.

At this time, Empress Dowager Xie had already woken up and was sitting in the hall, silently shedding tears.

Empress Dowager Wu remained silent with a somber expression.

She had already resolved to die; now she was just waiting for Yang Yuan to come in person or send someone to inform her of their fate and to choose a more dignified way to die.

Zhao Ning'er entered the palace happily and immediately told Wu and Xie about the results of her "negotiation" with Yang Yuan.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xie was overjoyed, for this outcome was infinitely better than she had anticipated.

"My daughter is just as capable as any man, so wonderful, so wonderful..."

Madam Xie held Zhao Ning'er's hand tightly, her words tumbling out in joy.

Wu had not expected Yang Yuan to make such an arrangement.

However, she couldn't be sure whether Yang Yuan was doing this to gradually and steadily complete the transition of power, or...

Do you really want to be like Huo Guang?

After Huo Guang's wife poisoned the Empress of the Han Dynasty, Huo Guang knew that the Huo family was doomed.

But given his circumstances, he was capable of usurping the throne and seizing power, yet he did not.

What about Yang Yuan?

But no matter what Yang Yuan's original intentions were, the current outcome has far exceeded her expectations.

For the Zhao family right now, this is the best possible outcome.

Thinking of this, Madam Wu nodded: "I... approve of everything the Prince of Yan has said!"

(End of this chapter)