The incident of the concubine of the An family quickly fell into disrepute, and the legitimate princess suffered an unreasonable disaster. After being impeached by several ministers, the matter was quickly settled.
Qiuwei announced the end after nine long days. It will take half a month to mark the results, and the results will not be released until at least mid-September.
After Sicang's letter of information was submitted to the imperial court, the emperor kept paying attention to the outside trends until one morning at the end of August, the Minister of Rites suddenly handed over a document.
"Your Majesty, this is a document just received by the Ministry of Rites. The envoy from Dongyou is visiting and will arrive in Dayong soon."
The ministers were surprised: "The envoy from Dongyou is visiting?"
Emperor Zhaoming narrowed his eyes: "Is the news confirmed?"
"Go back to the Emperor." The Minister of Rites bowed and said, "The news is conclusive."
The emperor was silent. It seemed that the information Sicang collected was true. So what about the marriage?
He quickly ordered: "The Ministry of Rites shall be prepared to receive envoys."
"I obey the decree."
"The visit of Dongyou's envoy is not a trivial matter. We must take it seriously and do not neglect the distinguished guests who have come from afar." Emperor Zhaoming explained, "The relationship between Dayong and Southern Qi is currently tense. If there is a conflict with Dongyou, I am afraid of the consequences.
——”
"Report!" A high-pitched voice suddenly sounded outside, coming in a hurry with a bit of urgency, which made people's hearts skip a beat, "An urgent report from 600 miles away!"
The civil and military ministers subconsciously changed their expressions.
Six hundred miles urgent?
"Report to the Emperor!" A man hurried to the palace and knelt down with an urgent document in his hand. "The border war is urgent. Dongyou suddenly increased its troops by 150,000. General Yu is no match. Please send troops to support the Emperor!"
What?
Emperor Zhaoming's expression changed: "Send it up!"
Yang Xi quickly ran down the steps of the palace and submitted the urgent report to the imperial case.
"Dongyou is increasing its troops?" Prime Minister Wei looked surprised, "How could a good man suddenly increase his troops, and at this time?"
Dayong and Dongyou have always been at peace with each other, and have been at peace with each other for ten years. On the contrary, they have been at war with Southern Qi, and small frictions have always existed for so many years.
Dongyou is well known for its powerful cavalry. Not only is its cavalry stronger than that of Southern Qi, but its national power is also prosperous. If Dayong and Dongyou go to war now, I am afraid that the world will be unstable and the people will not be able to live.
"Dongyou's envoy came to visit, but there was a sudden increase in troops at the border... The two messages were sent almost at the same time. Is there any conspiracy in it?" Feng Shoufu frowned, "I thought this might be Dongyou's deliberate move.
To create panic among us."
The emperor sat on the dragon chair and thought of what Sicang said. Prince Dongyou was warlike and wanted to marry the legitimate princess of Dayong.
If Prince Dongyou really wants to marry the legitimate princess of Dayong, is the purpose of increasing troops at the border to force him to agree to this marriage request? But why do they specify that he wants to marry the legitimate princess?
Is it because of the honorable status of the legitimate princess, or because of the wealth of the Ji family behind the legitimate princess?
Although the emperor knew in his heart that Yun Zishu had nothing to do with the Ji family, the Dongyou royal family did not necessarily think so. At least on the surface, the Ji family was the ancestral family of the legitimate princess. If she married the legitimate princess, it would be equivalent to possessing the family.
Become relatives of the Ji family.
Emperor Dongyou conquered the world many years ago, which most likely caused the treasury to be empty - of course, these are all his guesses.
No one knew what Dongyou's true intention was, but at this moment he was indeed glad that he had waited a few days and did not rush to issue an order to marry Yun Zishu to Wu Yuxiao.
"The purpose of Dongyou's envoy's visit at this time should be to enhance the friendship between the two countries, but why are there more troops at the border?" Prime Minister Wei's expression was solemn, "Is it possible that they came with other purposes?"
"The relationship between Dayong and Nanqi has always been at odds. Will Dongyouhui take advantage of the situation and rob it with ulterior motives?"
"What if Dongyou starts a war at this time, I'm afraid..."
The ministers all looked a little surprised. After all, the issue of increasing troops was not a trivial matter. It portended ominous information, so they had to think more.
Emperor Zhaoming listened to the discussions of the ministers, came to his senses, and said in a deep voice: "The Prime Minister and the Ministry of Rites are responsible for preparing the state banquet to entertain the Dongyou envoys grandly."
"I obey the decree."
"The Ministry of War is ready to deal with the war." Emperor Zhaoming did not dare to be too optimistic and decided to make the best plan in advance. "In addition, just in case, you recommend a few generals who can lead troops to fight and draw up a plan."
The list is presented."
"I obey the decree."
"Retreat from the court." Emperor Zhaoming stood up and glanced at the ministers in the palace, "Feng Aiqing, Wei Aiqing, cabinet ministers and six ministers followed me to the imperial study room to discuss matters."
"I obey the decree."
"Yang Xi." The emperor turned around and ordered, "summon Sicang into the palace."
"yes."
When Sicang received the order, he also received information from the Shadow Pavilion. The Dongyou envoy had arrived in the auxiliary capital and would enter the palace to meet the emperor in three days at most.
The news of the increase in troops at the border would frighten Emperor Zhaoming even more than the visit of envoys. No emperor likes to fight—unless he is a powerful, ambitious emperor who has the ambition to annex other countries' territories.
But it was obvious that Emperor Zhaoming did not meet any of the conditions.
He has no ambition to be hegemonic, and Dayong is not a country that is good at conquering and fighting. Even compared to Southern Qi and Dongyou, Dayong's military strength is relatively weak. The only advantage is that Dayong's territory is not small.
The Southern Qi cavalry was powerful, but its national power was relatively weak, and its economy could never keep up with the big powers. Therefore, they had been provoking frequently in recent years and wanted to plunder Dayong City, but they were always unable to do so.
If Dongyou also has the desire to fight, Dayong will definitely be under tremendous pressure this time.
"Will His Highness regret it?" Sicang looked at Yun Zishu, his voice was low, and there was deep emotion in his eyes, "If His Highness cannot make up his mind about the marriage between Dongyou and Dayong, then he will be humbled..."
A finger touched his lips, stopping Sicang's unfinished words.
The corner of Yun Zishu's lips raised slightly: "Do it according to your own ideas, I will fully cooperate."
Si Cang lowered his eyes, raised his hand to hold her slightly cold fingers, put them to his lips and kissed them: "Yes."
Yun Zishu smiled and said: "Go."
Sicang turned and left.
Yun Zishu looked at his back, and for a moment, her eyes fell on her fingers, looking at the index finger kissed by Sicang, thoughtfully.
Is this action a little too intimate?
"Your Highness, do you feel a sweet feeling?" Leng Yue looked over her head with a look of great interest, "Your heart is pounding like a deer?"
Yun Zishu came back to her senses and glanced at her lightly, "Leng Yue, I am increasingly doubting whether you came out of the Shadow Pavilion?"
Leng Yue has been with Yun Zishu for a long time and knows that this master is kind-hearted. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "The Shadow Pavilion is not all silent, ruthless and desireless shadow guards. Sister Lianyue is also an oiran."
"That's true." Yun Zishu turned around and walked into the dormitory, "But if you don't tell me, no one will think that you are from the Shadow Pavilion."
Leng Yue nodded: "This is the best disguise, making people think that I am just an ordinary maid."
Yun Zishu walked to the window and sat down. Aunt Ren came in and reported: "Princess, Miss Wu wants to see you."
Yun Zishu raised her eyebrows: "Which Miss Wu?"
"The granddaughter of Taifu Wu's family, Wu Jingyi."
Yun Zishu said: "Did you submit the post?"
"No." Aunt Ren said, "She said she came to apologize to His Highness."