frightfiction Chapter 1760 A Small Country Presents a Princess
Chapter 1760 A Small Country Presents a Princess
“It is I who have caused Lu Si Niang such suffering. It is I who have ruined her life as a widow and orphan. I am guilty, I am a sinner.” Ge Dongqing pounded his chest, his pounding and stamping as if he were the one whose husband had died.
When Cheng Feng saw this man crying, he was completely unresponsive and wouldn't listen to anything anyone said. He just kept crying. Cheng Feng looked at Wan Lianxing, who was still reviewing memorials, and asked, "Uncle, what happened to you?"
Wan Lianxing closed the memorial in his hand, tossed it aside, picked up another one, shook his head slightly, and started reviewing the memorials on his own, as if he didn't want to say a word more.
Cheng Feng looked at Sui Ying, who also looked utterly dejected. "This is the twenty-fourth time Lord Ge has wept bitterly. Perhaps it's because you're here, and there are more people listening to him pour out his heart, that he's crying so hard this time. It's one thing for him to be in a bad mood, but he won't even let the Emperor have a moment's peace."
Cheng Feng said, "Then what are we waiting for? Isn't my Uncle Ge going to be an envoy to the Southern Yan Kingdom on behalf of Feng Qi? Let him go and turn grief into strength."
Ge Dongqing was a man of his word, saying, "My nephew is right! I'll set off for the Southern Yan Kingdom right now."
Wan Lianxing said, "What's the rush? Rest for a few days, and I'll send people to see you off."
Ge Dongqing was determined to leave. "Brother, there's no need. Just wait and have a welcome dinner for me."
Wan Lianxing glanced at Suiying, who then smiled and brought several items to Ge Dongqing. "Lord Ge, your official letter and seal for your mission to the Southern Yan Kingdom are here. Please keep them safe."
Judging from these preparations, it's not hard to see that Wan Lianxing also wants to send Ge Dongqing away immediately.
When Ge Dongqing left last time, he cried and sobbed. Wan Lianxing and a group of ministers couldn't see him off for an hour. This time, Ge Dongqing, who was provoked, acted out of character and left with a group of people.
Wan Lianxing treated him well. He didn't persuade his attendants to escort Ge Dongqing on his mission to the Southern Yan Kingdom, but he did send his attendants along as companions. His purpose was to help Ge Dongqing save his life if anything happened on the way.
As soon as Ge Dongqing left, Wan Lianxing began to urge Cheng Feng on, saying, "Feng'er, as you can see, my memorials are piled up like a mountain. I don't have time to entertain you. If there's nothing else, I won't keep you any longer."
"Uncle, I just arrived, haven't even had a sip of tea, and haven't even had a chance to sit down properly, why are you already kicking people out?"
"Go to the teahouse for tea and conversation. Aren't you a regular at the Shi family's teahouse? Spending all your time with a bunch of young masters from prominent families, you've become so decadent!"
"Who said that? I didn't! Uncle, you only saw me go to the teahouse for tea, how come you didn't see me working in the fields? I came to ask you something, Uncle. Cheng Youning said that the Southern Yan Kingdom is sending a princess here for a marriage alliance, is that true?"
"It's absolutely true. Your Uncle Ge's mission to the Southern Yan Kingdom this time was for this very reason."
"Uncle, your grandson is only ten years old and doesn't understand anything yet. Is it really necessary to keep marrying one wife after another?"
"Why not? Sooner or later, it will surely bring prosperity to my family."
“That makes sense. I won’t argue with you. I’ll just ask you, Uncle, wasn’t the princess from the Southern Yan Kingdom originally a gift for you?”
Wan Lianxing looked up and glared at Cheng Feng. "I am not worthy of such treatment! If you're here to reopen old wounds, get out!"
"Since you can't, no, that's not what I meant..." Before Cheng Feng could finish explaining, Wan Lianxing slammed the ruler in his hand onto Cheng Feng's forehead with a 'thud,' and Cheng Feng's head was filled with stars.
Wan Lianxing cursed, "Unfilial descendants!"
A large bump quickly swelled up on Cheng Feng's forehead, still oozing blood. Cheng Feng clutched the bump, his eyes almost closed. "Uncle, I'm your own nephew! How could you try to kill me?"
"Hmph! I'm ready to kill you. Watch your mouth. If you say another wrong word, I'll punish you with a rod and I won't let you off lightly!" Wan Lianxing thought for a moment and said, "This time, you should also be punished slightly. I'll deduct half a year's salary."
"Six months' salary deducted, Uncle. My salary is already meager. The land I was granted was used to produce grain, but the Ministry of Revenue would exploit it during the harvest season. In the end, I was losing money. If I were to lose another six months' salary, what would be the point of being a prince?"
“If you don’t do it, there are plenty of people who are willing to. You two will get all the good reputation, and you’re worried about paying a little grain? Besides, in order to recuperate, won’t we soon have a truce? The Ministry of Revenue won’t make you pay public grain anymore. Someone, fetch a royal physician to bandage Feng’er’s head.”
"Uncle, if we're going to call a truce, then let's call a truce. If the Southern Yan Kingdom wants to cede territory and pay reparations, then let them pay. Isn't a marriage alliance unnecessary? You have a hidden illness, and your grandson is still young. Why bother with this?"
"What do you know? Although my Fengqi army is strong and powerful, and the surrounding countries are willing to submit to me, these small countries are only superficially compliant. They often laugh at me, Wan Lianxing, and curse me as a eunuch who will have no descendants. From now on, whichever country sends tribute to me, Fengqi, I will accept it without hesitation. I want them to submit to me, Fengqi, forever."
Cheng Feng was very unhappy to hear this. "Who cursed you like that? That's just asking for it."
"I only have this one weakness, let whoever has it have their say." Wan Lianxing glanced at Cheng Feng's forehead. "And you'd better not upset me in the future!"
"Oh dear, I didn't mean to mock you, Uncle. It's your fault that you damaged your fertility. However, the people you serve still revere you like a god. Your memorial tablet and clay statue in the City God Temple are always bustling with worshippers. Uncle, you can go and see them when you have some free time. You'll see how much your people love and respect you. Uncle, don't let a few words from other people make you feel so down!"
Wan Lianxing waved his hand and said, "Enough, enough, I'm tired, I won't say anymore. In the future, if other countries present princesses to us, you don't need to be surprised. I want the surrounding countries to remember forever that I am the ruler and they are the subjects. You may leave now, and get your forehead bandaged before you leave the palace."
Cheng Feng's forehead injury was quite serious, and he was eager to get it treated, since he was going to the Song residence the next day.
As soon as Cheng Feng left, Wan Lianxing had someone summon the old steward.
The old steward, still holding a stack of jujube cakes, asked Wan Lianxing with a smile, "What does His Majesty wish to do for this old servant?"
Wan Lianxing wiped his hands, picked up a freshly baked jujube cake, and slowly said while eating it, "Didn't Lingyuan want to present the princess? Let them send her over!"
The old steward said, "Two other small countries also want to present princesses. Should we send them here as well? They are about the same age as the crown prince. Should we raise them in the palace early so that they can have children for the future?"
Wan Lianxing smiled and nodded, "The old steward is absolutely right. Dongqing's trip was not in vain; he accomplished a great deal. It suits my taste perfectly!"