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

Chapter 199

"Your Majesty, you've been avoiding us all this time. We don't know what you mean by that."

When Shangguan Yi met Zhao Xingjin, he immediately asked him a question in a direct and impolite manner.

Wei Zhang glanced at him sideways, "The first month of the year is the New Year, and the Emperor has already put down his pen to rest. If there is no urgent matter, he naturally will not handle state affairs. Does the ruler of your Xichi Kingdom never have a day off?"

“Normal days off are certainly provided, but unlike His Majesty of your country, who repeatedly requests an audience yet avoids seeing me, it seems as if he dares not meet me.” Shangguan Yi spoke with a hidden meaning, then glanced at Zhao Xingjin and said indifferently, “Could it be that because your country’s southeastern border is in turmoil, you have no intention of discussing marriage alliances with my Xichi?”

He had just finished speaking when Xie Mingshen spoke.

"Lord Shangguan, you are making unfounded speculations. These bandits are nothing to worry about. Why would such a trivial matter trouble His Majesty?"

"is it?"

Shangguan Yi chuckled, his eyes filled with arrogance.

"I don't think so. But Your Majesty, rest assured, although our king has not yet agreed to the marriage alliance, I think that once the tariffs between the two countries are settled, the marriage alliance will be soon. When our Prince Yi marries your Princess Heyi, the trade between the two countries will open a new chapter, and it will be a double celebration."

At this point, Zhao Zaiyan continued.

"We still feel that the tariff amount proposed by His Majesty is inappropriate, as it is too high. Since our two countries are going to form a friendly alliance, and His Majesty has agreed to reduce tariffs for this happy occasion, why not show some sincerity and reduce the amount proposed by 30%?"

As he spoke, he observed Zhao Xingjin's expression. Seeing that he did not appear annoyed, he continued.

"If Your Majesty agrees, we will then report back to Xi Chi and inquire about the marriage alliance, and whether there has been a reply."

The threat in those words was quite obvious.

Basically, if Zhao Xingjin doesn't agree to lower taxes, Xi Chi will refuse the marriage alliance. If they refuse the marriage alliance, then the negotiations have broken down, and Xi Chi will definitely take some action.

Zhao Xingjin naturally understood their meaning.

Only after they finished speaking did he calmly raise his head, his eyes showing a hint of laziness as he swept his gaze over the Xichi people.

Finally, the gaze lingered on Gao Sui's face.

"Prince Yi, I haven't told you yet that there's a beautiful view here today that I'd like to share with you and all the other officials. It's about time, and we shouldn't miss it. We can discuss state affairs later. Why don't you all accompany me to the city wall to enjoy the view?"

"What are you looking at now?"

Shangguan Yi was about to speak when Gao Sui raised his hand to stop him.

At that moment, Gao Sui had a bad feeling, and his eyes flickered with unease.

But he still nodded in agreement with Zhao Xingjin's words.

"Since Your Majesty has extended an invitation, I, Your Highness, would naturally not dare to refuse."

"Okay, let's go then."

Zhao Xingjin smiled slightly, appearing casual and relaxed.

He got up, straightened his clothes, and took the lead.

The Xi Chi group didn't know what Gao Sui was up to, but since Gao Sui had already agreed, they had no choice but to follow.

Before long, a group of people climbed up the city wall.

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, the weather was still quite cold. The wind was strong on the city tower, making the military flag with the character "Zhao" on it flutter loudly. The biting wind stung the face and inexplicably made people feel uneasy.

Zhao Xingjin, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, wrapped in his fox fur coat, chatting idly with Gao Sui. Seeing that the two of them had finished a cup of tea, Shangguan Yi, who had been standing idly behind them, finally couldn't help but step forward.

"I wonder what scenery Your Majesty wants us to see? It's windy on this city tower. If we just wait here, we might all catch a cold."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Xingjin ignored him, narrowed his eyes, and said to Gao Sui beside him.

"Did Your Highness hear the bugle call?"

"The sound of horns?"

Gao Sui frowned, but after listening carefully, he could indeed hear the deep, heavy horn sound amidst the howling wind. Instantly, his pupils contracted sharply.

This is the sound of bugles in the army.

Could it be the sound of the army returning home in triumph?
Thinking of this, Gao Sui immediately took a few quick steps forward and stood by the city wall. Looking into the distance, he discovered that a dark mass of troops was marching towards them.

Shangguan Yi and Zhao Zaiyan quickly noticed Gao Sui's unusual behavior and rushed over to see what was wrong. For a moment, the three of them had different expressions on their faces.

At that moment, Wei Zhang, standing behind Zhao Xingjin, smiled faintly and said.

"The Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is a festival for family reunion. Unfortunately, Dingzhou is still quite far from the capital. The soldiers rushed as fast as they could, but they were still a day late. However, with the Emperor personally going up the city wall to welcome the soldiers' triumphant return, the soldiers must not feel any regret about missing the festival."

The Xichi people naturally gleaned a lot of information from these words.

Most importantly, the trouble in Dingzhou has been resolved so quickly. They went on the second day of the lunar new year and returned on the sixteenth, in just over ten days, even considering the time spent on the journey. This shows that the so-called banditry that caused great chaos in Dingzhou was quelled in just a few days.

But why is the atmosphere in the capital not relaxed at all? On the contrary, it has been quite tense lately.

After a moment's thought, the group realized that this was probably a deliberate act to show them.

Now, recalling their arrogance and the threats in their words, both Shangguan Yi and Zhao Zaiyan looked grim.

Gao Sui was better off, since he didn't say anything.

However, the mood of everyone present at the Xichi meeting immediately soured.

Because they witnessed the army's return to the city with their own eyes, and saw the entire army of Da Jing, how sophisticated its weapons and equipment were, and how well-trained its soldiers were.

This isn't like inviting them to see the scenery; it's more like inviting them to a military parade.

So after they went down from the city wall, everyone in the Xichi delegation remained silent and looked grim.

Zhao Xingjin ignored them, only turning around suddenly as he got into the car to leave.

"Oh, by the way, it seems that Lord Zhao just mentioned that your emperor has not yet given a reply regarding the marriage alliance between the two countries. Well then, since your emperor is so troubled and has not made a decision for so long, why don't we just cancel the marriage?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Sui's eyes widened immediately, and he was about to step forward to say something, but Zhao Xingjin continued.

"As for the matter of tariffs, I am tired of talking about it. Since you are all still unable to reach a conclusion, then go back tomorrow. Marquis Wuxin of the Northwest is my cousin. He is stationed on the border between the two countries and should be more familiar with the situation in the Northwest. Once you reach the border, if you have made up your mind, then talk to Marquis Wuxin."

After saying this, he got into the carriage and returned to the palace without lingering.

The officials of Dajing naturally followed suit and left, leaving only the Xichi group in disarray in the cold wind.

Hearing the incessant chatter of those around him, Gao Sui roared angrily in a deep voice.

"Alright, all of you shut up! Hurry back and deliver the imperial letter of consent for the marriage alliance to the palace. Do you expect us to wait for the Great Jing army to drive us out?!"