GBP Chapter 149 Cherry
Chapter 149 Cherry
Now Ruan Ruan Khan has brought up the story again in the name of reconciling the old relationship with Wu Zhou. What is his intention? This needs to be carefully considered.
Li Yaozu was originally raising his glass frequently with great interest, but upon hearing these words, the drunkenness that had crept up on him was instantly swept away.
If it were in the past, he could have just followed Ruan Ruan Khan's wishes and given Li Qixi to him if he wanted her. After all, she was just a daughter.
However, things are different now. Wu Wencang is now an indispensable person by his side. Once Wu Wencang becomes alienated from him, the country will probably be turned upside down in a short time.
How could I dare to agree to this request just because of my own temper?
He pondered and sighed in his heart, and suddenly felt that daughters were better because they would not fight or compete with each other. Men were always eyeing his throne, making him feel uneasy for a moment.
Li Yaozu was unsure for a moment, so he turned his gaze to Wu Wencang beside him.
Wu Wencang put down his chopsticks, gave Li Yaozu a reassuring look, and said calmly, "The little girl is naughty and doesn't like the palace. She's usually used to being out in the open. We see that she likes it, so we let her go."
"The Empress and the Emperor truly love their son dearly," Ruan Ruan Khan raised his glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp. "I heard that Princess Qianqiu returned to secular life when she was ten years old. Is that true?"
Wu Wencang still had a smile on his face, but the smile in his eyes had faded a bit: "It is true. Thank you Khan for your concern for my son."
Ruan Ruan Khan took another sip of wine as if nothing had happened. "It seems that even the Taoist temple can't control Princess Qianqiu's temper. We nomads are known for our ability to tame horses. I think we need a brave man to discipline her and tame her fierce temper."
Wu Wencang smiled and said, "Khan is absolutely right. We have also been troubled by Xi'er's marriage. She has been very opinionated since she was young, and now that she has grown up, she is even more stubborn. Although we are the Empress and Emperor, we are also Xi'er's mother and father. We should put Xi'er's wishes first, so this marriage has been delayed for a long time."
"How strange," Ruan Ruan Khan said, "How come Dawu Zinan's marriage was arranged by his mother and father and the matchmaker's words?"
Wu Wencang raised her glass in a toast, her wide sleeves obscuring her expression. Even after she finished her glass, she still wore the dignified demeanor of a mother of a nation. "How can the imperial family be compared to ordinary families? Our royal family has its own principles and rules. In the past, Princess Guantao, the daughter of Emperor Wen of Han, was able to choose her own husband. Today, our Great Wu is strong and powerful, and the times are prosperous and peaceful. If a princess of a country couldn't even decide on her own marriage, wouldn't it be a laughing stock?"
At this point, Wu Wencang paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the table. "As the ancients said, 'When entering a country, inquire about its laws; when entering a village, inquire about its customs.' Now that you, Khan Ruan Ruan, have personally visited our Wu Zhou territory, you should adhere to our Wu Zhou etiquette and laws. If you, Khan, truly wish to establish friendly relations with our country, you should respect our dynasty's institutions."
"Khan, since you asked that question just now, I wonder how sincere you are in your desire to make peace with our country."
After hearing what was said, everyone at the banquet realized that the person who came to seek peace was clearly the Khan of Eastern Turkic Khaganate. If they promised Li Qixi to him so easily, wouldn't it damage the dignity of a great country?
Ruan Ruan Khan was speechless and could only laugh it off. "Of course I am sincere. If I were not sincere, I could just send a special envoy. Why would I come here in person?"
"My words have offended many people," he said, raising a glass of wine. "I would like to drink three cups as a token of my apology. I hope the Empress and the Emperor will forgive me."
Li Yaozu stood up, holding his cup, and said, "It's all the alcohol. What's so strange about that? There are so many ways to enhance the friendship between our two countries. In the future, if we send envoys to each other, share what we have, and have more exchanges, the friendship between our two countries will surely grow stronger day by day."
Long Batian also stood up and raised his glass, saying, "The truce between the two countries is truly a blessing for the world. Everyone, why don't you drink together to celebrate this great occasion?"
All the ministers stood up and responded, singing in unison and drinking the wine in their hands.
Lady Si's home.
In the crystal clear glass cup, cherries are stacked one by one, their bright red color reflecting through the cup, just like condensed morning dew.
The one on top was gently picked up by a pair of bare hands, and then gently placed in a small dish of steamed sugar pastry, and dipped in a little.
Si Jiangchou passed the cherry to Ruan Ruan Khan's lips and said, "Khan, please calm down. I feel really bad for you looking like this."
Ruan Ruan Khan looked at the gentle appearance of the beauty, his anger gradually subsided, and he ate the cherries from Si Jiangchou's hand.
The sweet and sour fruit flesh blended with the rich aroma of milk in his mouth, and the taste was so good that he smacked his lips. "That vicious woman Wu Wencang caused my Turkic army to be defeated by her schemes in the past, and now she has humiliated me in public, making me lose all face. I will definitely teach her a lesson in the future!"
Si Jiangchou lowered his brows and offered another cherry, saying respectfully, "Of course. Once the Gu soldiers are trained, who in this world can be your opponent? When the time comes, Khan, you must take Chou'er back. Chou'er doesn't want to die in the enemy country."
"Don't you know how much I like you? I can't bear to see a beautiful woman like you stay home," Ruan Ruan Khan said while chewing a cherry. "From my observations over the past few days, Long Batian is indeed as powerful as you said, but he is loyal to his country and is not our ally. On the other hand, Zhu Dachang has great ambitions and may be someone I can use."
Si Jiangchou listened quietly to his words without saying a word.
Ruan Ruan Khan continued, "Zhu Dachang is also a mediocre and incompetent person. His family has given birth to four daughters in a row. For now, Chou'er, you should focus on Long Aotian. However, you can also get in touch with the Second Prince. He is an ambitious man who will do anything to achieve his goals."
Si Jiangchou looked up at Ruan Ruan Khan, tears welling in her eyes. "But, Chou'er is terrified. The Second Prince is sinister and ruthless. He could have been so cruel as to kill even the peaceful Third Prince with his own hands. How could someone of Chou'er's humble status escape unscathed?"
She rested her head on Ruan Ruan Khan's legs and rocked him gently: "Khan, you have changed. You don't even pity Chou'er anymore."
Ruan Ruan Khan was quite pleased to see her show weakness to him. He wiped away Si Jiangchou's tears and said, "Well, you don't have to take the risk. There is a lot of information that can be obtained every day in this courtyard."
He glanced at the colored board inside the house and said, "July 17th is almost here. How are you feeling lately, Chou'er?"