After the two people who were tracking them left, Qin Chuyuan walked to Gong Xiaohua's side. He was just thinking of holding her hand, but he didn't know if it was intentional or unintentional. Gong Xiaohua had already taken a step forward and left with a sentence: “Let’s go.”
Looking at Gong Xiaohua walking alone in front, Qin Chuyuan was nervous in his heart. He finally got a little response from Xiaohua, but all his previous efforts may have been in vain because of a Jianan Principality Princess.
Looking at Xiaohua in front, he hurried to catch up and expressed his intentions:
“Are you angry because of what just happened? Xiaohua, believe me, I won't marry that Jianan Principality Princess. You alone are enough for my whole life.”
Gong Xiaohua stopped and looked at Qin Chuyuan, saying:
“The alliance between the two countries is a major event that benefits the country and the people. If you can marry the Jianan Principality Princess, the success rate of the alliance will be very high.”
"Do you want me to marry her?" Qin Chuyuan asked seriously.
Xiaohua was too calm, he still couldn't confirm how much weight he occupied in her heart.
His eyes were tightly fixed on Gong Xiaohua, desperately wanting to know an answer. Unfortunately, time passed bit by bit, but she still did not react.
Loss and sadness filled his whole body. He laughed at himself mockingly. He was really stupid. How could he ask Xiaohua such a question? From beginning to end, wasn't all this what he was desperately pursuing?
No matter what, he would never let her leave. He tidied up his emotions and said, "Let’s go back early..."
Before he could finish speaking, a voice like a celestial sound came into his ears:
"If you don't let go, I won't let go either."
At one point, Qin Chuyuan thought he heard fantasy. With nervous and hopeful eyes, he looked at Xiaohua and asked:
“Can you repeat what you just said?”
"No, I don't like repeating words. Let's go back." After speaking, Gong Xiaohua strode forward.
Qin Chuyuan hurried to catch up while walking and looking at Gong Xiaohua. The corners of his mouth were raised, revealing his extremely happy mood at the moment.
The two returned to their residence.
The Crown Prince saw Qin Chuyuan's upturned mouth corners and light footsteps from afar, all of which showed his good mood at the moment.
"What happened to make you so happy?" the Crown Prince asked Qin Chuyuan curiously.
"Nothing."
The Crown Prince looked back and didn't see Lord Shi. He asked curiously, "Why are there only you two? Where is Lord Shi?"
"Lord Shi hasn't come back yet?" Gong Xiaohua said.
"No ah."
"It's been more than two hours since the end of the fragrance competition. It takes so long to talk about business?"
"Here."
"Go to the Fragrance Collection Pavilion to see if Lord Shi has come back?"
"Yes."
Just as she finished speaking, Lord Shi's voice came from outside:
"No need to go, I'm back."
After Lord Shi came in, Gong Xiaohua asked, "Did Lord Shi encounter something that caused him to come back so late?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that the head of the Fragrance Collection Pavilion kept me for a while, implying that he wanted to probe me out."
The Crown Prince frowned: "Could it be that they became suspicious of our identities?"
"It's possible. Your Highness, it would be better if you go to visit Lord Gao early."
"Well, tomorrow night I will go to visit Lord Gao with generous gifts."
"Yes."
The next night, at the Gao’s residence.
A few people were led into Lord Gao's study.
Lord Gao looked at the people in front of him. Yesterday he sent someone to investigate them, yet today they came to see him. It seemed he would have to clean up his men.
"Greetings to Lord Gao."
"Sit down."
The few sat down one by one.
"I don't know why you came to see this old man so late?"
Lord Shi stood up and saluted, "Lord Gao, I have to tell you the truth. We are the envoys of the Dayi Dynasty. This time we came to Liang Country for the purpose of forming an alliance with your country."
Lord Gao's expression changed slightly. He was about to call someone outside the room but was stopped by Lord Shi.
"Don't worry, Lord. We have hidden our whereabouts since we arrived, and no one has noticed."
Only then did Lord Gao stop.
"You are really meticulous. If the envoys want an alliance, you can directly pay homage to His Majesty the King of Liang. What use is there in finding me?"
The Crown Prince looked at Lord Gao with amusement:
"Lord, what you said is different. On the surface, there is peace among the five countries, but in reality, undercurrents have long been surging inside. Everyone knows that the Kingdom of Wei intends to unify the five countries. When disaster strikes the nest, there are no intact eggs. If Wei conquers Dayi, how far away is Liang?"
"Haha, our Liang has been training soldiers and horses for the past few years and can no longer be compared to the past. If we fight with Wei, we may not necessarily be at a disadvantage. You might as well go back. The King of Liang will not ally with you. Maybe when Wei conquers your Dayi, our Liang will even take the opportunity to get a share of the profit."
The Crown Prince and Lord Shi were left speechless. Qin Chuyuan continued:
"Lord Gao's words are reasonable, but do you know the reason why the Kingdom of Wei has not attacked for so many years? Lack of food and grass makes it impossible for Wei to fight for a long time. Once it conquers our Dayi, Dayi will become its supply base. At that time, are you sure you can beat Wei?"
"This..." Lord Gao hesitated. What they said was right. Although Liang and Wei were adjacent, Liang and Dayi were separated by Wei. If Liang sought faraway battles instead of nearby ones, it would only consume its own troops in the end and make clothes for Wei’s wedding.
"Then my Liang country can also sit back and watch the tigers fight. When you two countries are both injured, Liang can take advantage of the situation. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
The Crown Prince and Lord Shi were left speechless again. Qin Chuyuan continued:
"Lord Gao's words make sense, but both our countries know clearly why the Kingdom of Wei did not dispatch troops for so many years. Lack of food and fodder makes it impossible for Wei to fight for a long time. Once it conquers our Dayi, Dayi will become its supply warehouse. At that time, are you really confident that you can beat Wei?"
Lord Gao was shaken. Although they said that the troops had been improved, no one was sure who would win if Liang fought with Wei. Also, there were many old ministers in the court who had always opposed fighting with Wei.
However, with the ambition of His Majesty, how could he miss this opportunity if Dayi and Wei went to war?
"It is said that literature and art thrive in Dayi. After meeting you today, you are indeed eloquent people with agile minds. I admire you all."
If these people were in their Liang court, they would all be outstanding talents. Especially these two young men, given time, they would surely become the pillar of the country.
Either of them matched with their Jianan would be more than enough. It was a pity they came from another country.
Seeing that Lord Gao did not refuse, Lord Shi cleverly placed the night pearl in front of his desk.
"Lord Gao flatters us. This night pearl is a rare treasure. Please accept our meager gift."
Lord Gao looked at the night pearl and was silent for a while. Then he said, "I understand your ideas. Give me some time to think about it before I give you an answer."
"Then we will await your good news. Today we have bothered you for too long and will take our leave first."
After the two people who were tracking them left, Qin Chuyuan walked to Gong Xiaohua's side. He was just thinking of holding her hand, but he didn't know if it was intentional or unintentional. Gong Xiaohua had already taken a step forward and left with a sentence: “Let’s go.”
Looking at Gong Xiaohua walking alone in front, Qin Chuyuan was nervous in his heart. He finally got a little response from Xiaohua, but all his previous efforts may have been in vain because of a Jianan Principality Princess.
Looking at Xiaohua in front, he hurried to catch up and expressed his intentions:
“Are you angry because of what just happened? Xiaohua, believe me, I won't marry that Jianan Principality Princess. You alone are enough for my whole life.”
Gong Xiaohua stopped and looked at Qin Chuyuan, saying:
“The alliance between the two countries is a major event that benefits the country and the people. If you can marry the Jianan Principality Princess, the success rate of the alliance will be very high.”
"Do you want me to marry her?" Qin Chuyuan asked seriously.
Xiaohua was too calm, he still couldn't confirm how much weight he occupied in her heart.
His eyes were tightly fixed on Gong Xiaohua, desperately wanting to know an answer. Unfortunately, time passed bit by bit, but she still did not react.
Loss and sadness filled his whole body. He laughed at himself mockingly. He was really stupid. How could he ask Xiaohua such a question? From beginning to end, wasn't all this what he was desperately pursuing?
No matter what, he would never let her leave. He tidied up his emotions and said, "Let’s go back early..."
Before he could finish speaking, a voice like a celestial sound came into his ears:
"If you don't let go, I won't let go either."
At one point, Qin Chuyuan thought he heard fantasy. With nervous and hopeful eyes, he looked at Xiaohua and asked:
“Can you repeat what you just said?”
"No, I don't like repeating words. Let's go back." After speaking, Gong Xiaohua strode forward.
Qin Chuyuan hurried to catch up while walking and looking at Gong Xiaohua. The corners of his mouth were raised, revealing his extremely happy mood at the moment.
The two returned to their residence.
The Crown Prince saw Qin Chuyuan's upturned mouth corners and light footsteps from afar, all of which showed his good mood at the moment.
"What happened to make you so happy?" the Crown Prince asked Qin Chuyuan curiously.
"Nothing."
The Crown Prince looked back and didn't see Lord Shi. He asked curiously, "Why are there only you two? Where is Lord Shi?"
"Lord Shi hasn't come back yet?" Gong Xiaohua said.
"No ah."
"It's been more than two hours since the end of the fragrance competition. It takes so long to talk about business?"
"Here."
"Go to the Fragrance Collection Pavilion to see if Lord Shi has come back?"
"Yes."
Just as she finished speaking, Lord Shi's voice came from outside:
"No need to go, I'm back."
After Lord Shi came in, Gong Xiaohua asked, "Did Lord Shi encounter something that caused him to come back so late?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that the head of the Fragrance Collection Pavilion kept me for a while, implying that he wanted to probe me out."
The Crown Prince frowned: "Could it be that they became suspicious of our identities?"
"It's possible. Your Highness, it would be better if you go to visit Lord Gao early."
"Well, tomorrow night I will go to visit Lord Gao with generous gifts."
"Yes."
The next night, at the Gao’s residence.
A few people were led into Lord Gao's study.
Lord Gao looked at the people in front of him. Yesterday he sent someone to investigate them, yet today they came to see him. It seemed he would have to clean up his men.
"Greetings to Lord Gao."
"Sit down."
The few sat down one by one.
"I don't know why you came to see this old man so late?"
Lord Shi stood up and saluted, "Lord Gao, I have to tell you the truth. We are the envoys of the Dayi Dynasty. This time we came to Liang Country for the purpose of forming an alliance with your country."
Lord Gao's expression changed slightly. He was about to call someone outside the room but was stopped by Lord Shi.
"Don't worry, Lord. We have hidden our whereabouts since we arrived, and no one has noticed."
Only then did Lord Gao stop.
"You are really meticulous. If the envoys want an alliance, you can directly pay homage to His Majesty the King of Liang. What use is there in finding me?"
The Crown Prince looked at Lord Gao with amusement:
"Lord, what you said is different. On the surface, there is peace among the five countries, but in reality, undercurrents have long been surging inside. Everyone knows that the Kingdom of Wei intends to unify the five countries. When disaster strikes the nest, there are no intact eggs. If Wei conquers Dayi, how far away is Liang?"
"Haha, our Liang has been training soldiers and horses for the past few years and can no longer be compared to the past. If we fight with Wei, we may not necessarily be at a disadvantage. You might as well go back. The King of Liang will not ally with you. Maybe when Wei conquers your Dayi, our Liang will even take the opportunity to get a share of the profit."
The Crown Prince and Lord Shi were left speechless. Qin Chuyuan continued:
"Lord Gao's words are reasonable, but do you know the reason why the Kingdom of Wei has not attacked for so many years? Lack of food and grass makes it impossible for Wei to fight for a long time. Once it conquers our Dayi, Dayi will become its supply base. At that time, are you sure you can beat Wei?"
"This..." Lord Gao hesitated. What they said was right. Although Liang and Wei were adjacent, Liang and Dayi were separated by Wei. If Liang sought faraway battles instead of nearby ones, it would only consume its own troops in the end and make clothes for Wei’s wedding.
"Then my Liang country can also sit back and watch the tigers fight. When you two countries are both injured, Liang can take advantage of the situation. Wouldn't that be delightful?"
The Crown Prince and Lord Shi were left speechless again. Qin Chuyuan continued:
"Lord Gao's words make sense, but both our countries know clearly why the Kingdom of Wei did not dispatch troops for so many years. Lack of food and fodder makes it impossible for Wei to fight for a long time. Once it conquers our Dayi, Dayi will become its supply warehouse. At that time, are you really confident that you can beat Wei?"
Lord Gao was shaken. Although they said that the troops had been improved, no one was sure who would win if Liang fought with Wei. Also, there were many old ministers in the court who had always opposed fighting with Wei.
However, with the ambition of His Majesty, how could he miss this opportunity if Dayi and Wei went to war?
"It is said that literature and art thrive in Dayi. After meeting you today, you are indeed eloquent people with agile minds. I admire you all."
If these people were in their Liang court, they would all be outstanding talents. Especially these two young men, given time, they would surely become the pillar of the country.
Either of them matched with their Jianan would be more than enough. It was a pity they came from another country.
Seeing that Lord Gao did not refuse, Lord Shi cleverly placed the night pearl in front of his desk.
"Lord Gao flatters us. This night pearl is a rare treasure. Please accept our meager gift."
Lord Gao looked at the night pearl and was silent for a while. Then he said, "I understand your ideas. Give me some time to think about it before I give you an answer."
"Then we will await your good news. Today we have bothered you for too long and will take our leave first."
