Chapter 312: What Do You Want
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Li Qinlan’s eyes were filled with grievance as she looked at Xiao Jin in shock. She moved her lips as if she wanted to say something, but when she saw the iciness in Xiao Jin’s eyes and the killing intent that had leaked unintentionally from Su Ying’s eyes, she was so frightened that she hurriedly got up and left.
“There’s no need for such friends in the future.”
Su Ying glanced at Xiao Jin’s hand. Why did he have to hold her hand when he talked?
Su Ying wanted to pull her hand back, but Xiao Jin tightened his grip.
“Your hand is cold. Let me warm it up for you.”
“Mother is cold? Then hurry up and hug Mother, Father.” Ling still had snacks in her mouth and she appeared very innocent.
Upon hearing his daughter’s words, Xiao Jin leaned closer to Su Ying obligingly.
It was almost summer now. Only a person with holes in his brain would think that Su Ying was cold.
“I’m not cold. Stay further away.”
However, Xiao Jin simply sat there without moving. From the perspective of outsiders, Su Ying seemed to be leaning in Xiao Jin’s embrace.
Tsk! Tsk! It made people wonder what kind of bewitching drug Su Ying had given Xiao Jin to make him so infatuated with her.
With Li Qinlan’s precedent as a warning, no one dared to approach this family again.
Su Ying was happy to be left alone, and she teased the two little ones as if there was no one else around, making them giggle.
As time passed, the number of people in the hall increased. Gradually, all the seats were almost filled.
At this moment, a row of palace servants walked in.
“His Majesty has arrived. Her Imperial Highness has arrived…”
As the announcement rang out, everyone stood up to bow.
Su Ying only saw a bright yellow robe flash past her eyes before she heard Emperor Kangze’s voice.
“Everyone, please rise.”
Everyone straightened up and sat down.
“The envoys of the Nan State, Prince Yu and Princess Pingling, are here for an audience with His Majesty.”
Everyone turned their eyes in the direction of the entrance and saw Prince Yu walk in. He was dressed in a silver-brown robe and had a jade crown on his head. His face was as smooth as jade, and he had the aura of a scholar. He appeared to be very gentle and kind.
Princess Pingling, who was by his side, had a round little face. Her baby fat had not disappeared, and even her eyes and nose were round. She looked very tender and cute.
“Our respects to the Monarch of the Chu State.”
After Prince Yu arrived in the capital, he entered the palace the next day to discuss various compensation terms with Emperor Kangze. From Emperor Kangze’s reaction, it seemed that the negotiations were going rather smoothly. “We welcome Prince Yu and Princess Pingling of the Nan State. Please be seated.”
Su Ying raised her eyes slightly and met the gaze of Prince Yu looking in her direction. To be more precise, he was looking at Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin drank his wine without any concern and did not notice the other party.
“I am very happy that the two of you can come to our Chu State. I hereby offer this cup of wine as a toast to you both. I hope that the two of you will enjoy your stay in the Chu State,” said Emperor Kangze.
“Your Majesty is too polite. The beautiful rivers and mountains of the Chu State are indeed unforgettable.”
Emperor Kangze smiled happily and quickly gave his order for the dancers to enter the hall to liven things up.
The atmosphere became festive instantly.
The palace maids carried the dishes and came into the hall in a single file.
After one song and dance segment ended, Prince Yu suddenly said, “I’ve long heard that Prince Qi’s martial arts skills are peerless. I wonder if Your Highness will oblige me and let me broaden my horizons today?”
As soon as Prince Yu finished speaking, everyone looked at Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin’s dark eyes were sinister as he slowly put down his wine cup. “My martial arts skills are only used on the battlefield.”
Prince Yu’s expression froze. “For this visit, I’ve brought a few warriors from the Nan State with me. They’ve always admired you and would like to learn some pointers from you, Prince Qi. I hope Your Highness will grant their wish.” Prince Yu had clearly come to the capital to restore some of his dignity after losing on the battlefield.
However, if Xiao Jin were to fight, it wouldn’t look good regardless of whether he won or lost.
At this moment, the Empress sitting nearby suddenly smiled and said, “Your Majesty, since the Nan State has brought their warriors here from afar, they naturally want to experience the might of our Chu State. However, if we send Prince Qi out to fight, they will think that our Chu State is bullying them.”
At first glance, the Empress’s words sounded like she was speaking up for Xiao Jin, but she suddenly changed the topic. “I’ve long heard that Princess Consort Qi’s martial arts skills are impressive. Why don’t we let Princess Consort Qi try?”
After the Empress finished speaking, she looked at Su Ying with a beaming smile. “Princess Consort Qi, you don’t have any objections, do you?”
Su Ying slowly swallowed the pastry in her mouth and raised her eyes to look at the Empress. She did not miss the triumphant sneer in the Empress’s eyes. However, Emperor Kangze didn’t quite approve of this suggestion. This was the home ground of the Chu State. The Chu State had to win this contest, no matter what happened. Otherwise, it would be a great loss of face for the Chu State.
The Nan State had come prepared. Even if a woman like Su Ying knew some martial arts, how could she be stronger than the Nan State’s warriors?
Emperor Kangze shot the Empress a somewhat reproachful look, but the Empress’s eyes were fixed squarely on Su Ying.
Prince Yu also felt that the Empress was clearly trying to humiliate the Nan State. “Your Imperial Highness must be joking. The warriors of our Nan State do not pick fights with women.”
However, the Empress covered her mouth and chuckled softly. “Your Highness, you might not know this, but Princess Consort Qi is very strong. If the warriors of the Nan State can’t even defeat Princess Consort Qi, why should we send Prince Qi out to fight and humiliate himself?”
Prince Yu clenched his fists. These words were too humiliating!
Prince Yu turned to look at Su Ying. “Since that’s the case, let us have a good look to see how strong Princess Consort Qi is!”
At this point, Emperor Kangze had no choice but to let Su Ying come out and fight.
He braced himself and asked, “Su Ying, are you willing to accept the challenge of a warrior from the Nan State?”
Xiao Jin said in a low voice, “The Nan State has brought very well-trained warriors this time. Don’t accept it.” As he spoke, he was about to stand up, but Su Ying pulled him back. “No, I want to try.”
Xiao Jin frowned, but Su Ying dusted off the crumbs of pastry on her body and stood up. “Your Majesty, before the contest, I have something to ask of Your Majesty which I hope Your Majesty can help redress.”
Emperor Kangze was puzzled. “What kind of redress do you want?”
“Previously, Princess Zhaoxi rode her horse recklessly on the streets and injured innocent commoners, and even almost hit me. But after that, Princess Zhaoxi didn’t even apologize. I hope Your Majesty can help seek redress for me and those commoners on this matter.”
The Empress didn’t expect that Su Ying still had the guts to bring up this matter.
“Su Ying, you injured the Princess, yet you still dare to complain about her!”
“Your Imperial Highness, don’t malign an innocent person. The commoners had all seen who made the first move. Your Majesty, you can send people to investigate.”
Of course, Emperor Kangze knew that it was Princess Zhaoxi who had ridden her horse and hurt people first, but Su Ying’s act of hitting the Princess infuriated him more.
“I will send people to investigate this matter thoroughly. If Princess Zhaoxi is really at fault, I will definitely punish her.”
Su Ying had brought up this matter because she didn’t want to give the Empress a chance to settle scores with her later. Once the matter was raised, it became a public matter and furthermore, it was a criminal case of assault. The Empress, as a member of the Imperial harem, had no right to intervene.
It wasn’t that Su Ying was afraid of the Empress. Su Ying just didn’t want to waste any more time dealing with her.
“Thank you very much, Your Majesty. Since we are going to compete, shouldn’t there be a reward?”
The ministers present secretly laughed. The contest had not started but Su Ying already assumed that she would win. Wasn’t she too arrogant?
Emperor Kangze asked, “What reward do you want?”