Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 194 Bluffing
in the palace.

Inside the Imperial Study, Zhao Xingjin, having just finished meeting with the cabinet ministers, stretched his limbs in a good mood and accepted the teacup offered by Yang Zhian.

Yang Zhian smiled and said, "It seems that the matter in Dingzhou has been settled. It has been more than ten days. It is rare to see His Majesty with such a relaxed expression."

"Ah."

Zhao Xingjin responded, took a sip of tea, and moistened his throat.

"These pirates are nothing but a makeshift band, no match for a regular army. They gained an advantage through a surprise attack and favorable weather, and then became arrogant and overconfident. Now that the main army has rushed to Dingzhou's aid, news has arrived that the enemy is not to be feared. After the initial engagement, we have a better understanding of their situation. In five days at most, we will be able to recover the lost territory. At that time, we will press our advantage and destroy the pirates' lair as well."

“That’s really a good thing. I knew it. What can these pirates amount to? They’ve only gained a temporary advantage. Now we can take this opportunity to wipe out the banditry in the southeast and benefit the people,” Yang Zhian agreed.

Zhao Xingjin lowered his eyes. "Alright, just report what's on your mind. Don't beat around the bush."

Yang Zhian is usually not very talkative, so he must have said a lot today.

Sure enough, after he finished speaking, Yang Zhian chuckled awkwardly, and then cautiously said...

"Your Majesty, it is Prince Xichi Yi who requests an audience. He said that he heard about the incident in Dingzhou and is worried that his marriage to Princess Heyi might be affected. He has come to ask Your Majesty when the wedding date should be set so that he can instruct his residence in Xichi Kingdom to make arrangements as soon as possible."

Because Zhao Xingjin had given instructions long ago not to see anyone from Xichi Kingdom, but Gao Sui's identity was somewhat special, so Yang Zhian didn't dare to stop him on his own. He was also afraid that if it was reported, Zhao Xingjin would reprimand him, so he was very careful.

"Wedding date." Zhao Xingjin lowered his eyes, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. "It's been so long, by now Xichi Kingdom's reply should have arrived. So, please come in."

Yang Zhian immediately responded and hurried away.

Before long, Gao Sui entered the Imperial Study.

"Your Majesty, I, the Prince, have come to pay my respects."

"Sit." Zhao Xingjin's expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. "The Prince has come to inquire about the wedding date. I thought the King of Xichi's reply should have arrived by now, but this has not been mentioned?"

Gao Sui shook his head, "Perhaps it snowed in Dajing, making the roads cold and slippery, or perhaps other things have delayed things. Xi Chi's reply has not yet arrived."

He wasn't telling the truth. After all, he was still a Xichi person. Even if he were to cooperate with Zhao Xingjin, he was still seeking the throne of Xichi. If he were too biased towards Dajing, wouldn't he be controlled by others after he ascended the throne?

Therefore, Gao Sui wanted Zhao Xingjin's help to seize the throne, but he was also wary of Zhao Xingjin and did not want Zhao Xingjin to become too powerful.

Upon hearing Gao Sui's reply, Zhao Xingjin's eyes flickered, and he chuckled softly.

"Is that so? Since the letter from Xichi Kingdom has not yet arrived, there is no need to rush to set a wedding date. Although I have already announced your marriage, if your emperor does not agree, then my wishful thinking will be in vain, won't it?"

These words immediately made Gao Sui's heart tighten.

He understood the implication in Zhao Xingjin's words: perhaps he was going to back out.

The talk of wishful thinking and not having a say is essentially telling him that if Xichi Kingdom is not sincere, or in other words, if Gao Sui is not sincere, then Dajing can unilaterally withdraw the aid originally intended for Gao Sui at any time.

Gao Sui was much younger than Zhao Xingjin, and was not as steady and experienced. At the same time, because he valued this help so much, his unstable state of mind was faintly revealed on his face.

But he forced himself to remain calm and responded with a forced smile.

"How could that be? Since Your Majesty has already agreed, this marriage will certainly be arranged."

He paused, then continued tentatively.

"Xiao Wang is just worried that there are rumors circulating in the city that the banditry in Dingzhou in the southeast of your country is serious. Although people have been sent to suppress the bandits, the situation is not optimistic. I was worried that this troublesome matter might delay the wedding, so I came to inquire."

When Gao Sui asked this question, his gaze fell on Zhao Xingjin's face, not missing a single detail, trying to find some flaws and information from him.

However, Zhao Xingjin remained calm and simply said, "Military intelligence is classified. How could it be leaked? The prince's rumors are just idle gossip among the common people. It's nothing to worry about, mere banditry."

His calm demeanor made Gao Sui somewhat uneasy, but he did not give up and continued to probe.

"But Xiao Wang heard that the pirate has someone else helping him, perhaps someone from another country is involved in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingjin's expression seemed to change. He looked up at Gao Sui, as if he was somewhat annoyed.

"Your Highness is inquiring about this matter for reasons other than the wedding date. If you have ulterior motives, you should end it as soon as possible to avoid making things awkward for both sides in the future. The matter of Dingzhou is a matter of state for our Great Jing, and it is not for outsiders to interfere."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was being presumptuous, but I had no other intentions. I was just concerned." Gao Sui quickly apologized.

However, Zhao Xingjin looked somewhat impatient and waved his hand, saying, "I said, there's no need for outsiders to worry about this. If you have nothing else to say, this is the end of today."

This is an order to leave.

Gao Sui lowered his head, dared not say another word, and hurriedly left.

But once he left the palace, the awkwardness and unease on his face vanished completely.

"It seems that the matter in Dingzhou is giving the Emperor of Dajing a headache."

"Why does Your Highness say such a thing?" asked the accompanying servant, puzzled.

Gao Sui smiled and said, "When people feel guilty, they often use anger to cover up their lack of confidence and bluff. Alright, go back and tell Shangguan Yi and the others that there is room for maneuver regarding the customs duties."

After he left, Zhao Xingjin's lips curled into a slight smile.

After reviewing the memorial from Dingzhou once more, he casually tossed it onto the desk and stood up.

"Set up the carriage at Jingming Palace."

Yang Zhian quickly agreed and ran out to arrange the sedan chair.

Jingming Palace.

When Zhao Xingjin arrived, Xie Jiu was roasting sweet potatoes inside the house.

She had just received it when he arrived. Before she knew it, Xie Jiu had no time to wash her hands and was forced to go and greet him.

Upon entering the hall, Zhao Xingjin smelled a fragrance.

What's going on here?

"Your Majesty, I was just playing around with some maids, roasting sweet potatoes. The kitchen staff said these sweet potatoes are exceptionally sweet and taste delicious when roasted." Xie Jiu smiled, hiding her hands behind her back somewhat embarrassedly.

Zhao Xingjin noticed her little movement, tilted his head, but couldn't figure it out, so he simply reached out and pulled her arm.

"What good stuff is it? It hides behind its back when it sees me. Let me see."

"Oh, it's nothing. Nothing."

Xie Jiu couldn't dodge in time and was still grabbed by the wrist and pulled in front of him.

Then Zhao Xingjin saw that the ten fingers on that fair and tender hand looked as if they had been touched with charcoal.

"Self-reliance leads to abundance, right? I just peeled some sweet potatoes myself, they smell delicious! Would Your Majesty like to try some? I roasted them myself!" Xie Jiu blushed slightly, a little embarrassed, but still strongly recommended them.

Zhao Xingjin looked at her with amusement and teased, "Alright, then I'll have to try the sweet potato that Consort Jin roasted herself."