In the Sui army’s central tent.
After listening to Sui Heng, Emperor Sui showed an incredulous expression.
For a long time, his expression suddenly changed, and he said, “Could it be that the rumor about the Demon Empress in the Jiang Empire back then is actually true…”
Sui Heng’s eyelids twitched. “What Demon Empress?”
Emperor Sui shook his head.
“Zhen has heard some rumors that Emperor Jiang is overbearing and tyrannical, disregarding the opposition of the court officials, he forcibly installed a demonic consort offered by the Witch Clan who could bewitch people as his Empress. It was also said that this Demon Empress was a reincarnation of a demon, skilled in playing decadent music and bewitching the hearts and minds of the king. She was sent by the gods to bring disaster to the Jiang Empire. As for the true face of the Demon Empress, not many people have seen her.”
“There have been various opinions about the identity of the Demon Empress, some say she is a fallen nation’s princess, while others say she is a witch saint. It turns out that she is actually a man.”
Emperor Sui was deeply moved.
Although the customs of this era were open and it was common for nobles to take men as wives and concubines in various countries, Emperor Sui did not expect that the Emperor, who was as famous as Emperor Jiang and controlled the entire Jiangnan region, was also obsessed with men. Moreover, it was the first time Emperor Sui had heard of men being able to conceive offspring too.
Sui Heng asked, “What happened to the Demon Empress afterwards?”
Emperor Sui said, “It was said that after giving birth to a son for Emperor Jiang, he became somewhat insane. A few years later, he set fire to his own palace in the middle of the night and burned himself alive.”
Sui Heng was stunned.
He didn’t expect the fact to be like this.
When he said it that day, Jiang Yun just casually told him that his mother had left many years ago.
Emperor Sui glanced at his son and said, “If that child really came out of the Demon Empress, it will not be easy for him to stand firm in the court of the Jiang Empire’s step by step with his own abilities over the years. He must probably have suffered a lot.”
“What exactly are you planning in your heart?”
Sui Heng was still thinking about the matter of the Demon Empress when he heard the question and asked, “What plan?”
“The matter between you and that child. Are you planning to live in the dark with one in the south and one in the north like this? Zhen doesn’t care what you want to do, but Zhen’s obedient grandson can’t be nameless”
Sui Heng said solemnly, “Emperor Father, rest assured, Erchen will not mistreat him. Erchen has already decided to formally propose marriage to the Jiang Empire, with three letters and six etiquette1Three letters include Betrothal Letter, Gift Letter and Wedding Letter. Six Etiquette includes Proposing, Birthday matching, Presenting betrothal gifts, Presenting wedding gifts, Picking auspicious wedding date and Wedding ceremony., and openly marry him. In this lifetime, Erchen will not let him suffer any more injustice.”
Emperor Sui snorted coldly.
“You’re saying it lightly. He’s the Crown Prince of Jiang, not an ordinary person, nor your concubine hidden in the private courtyard. Is he someone you can marry just because you want to?”
“Zhen warn you, this is a critical time for the North-South to negotiate peace. You must not act recklessly and let people seize the opportunity to accuse our Great Sui for not upholding morality and committing acts of coercion and plunder.”
Sui Heng said he wouldn’t.
“Erchen has a sense of propriety in my heart, Emperor Father rest assured.”
“You’d better come up with a solution quickly. If necessary, it’s not like Zhen can’t personally talk to Emperor Jiang either.”
Emperor Sui cleared his throat.
“It’s not good for Zhen’s obedient grandson… cough, he always stays in the Jiang Empire. Zhen is worried that Emperor Jiang may not be as broad minded as Zhen, so it’s not good for Zhen’s obedient grandson.”
Sui Heng immediately glanced at Emperor Sui with an indescribable expression.
“Emperor Father, are you worried about your son or your grandson?”
Emperor Sui said, “Naturally, worried about both. You think you’re any better than Zhen’s obedient grandson? Zhen only hopes that my obedient grandson will not inherit your dog-like temperament!”
“Alright, Zhen is also too lazy to talk to you. Zhen will need to go see Zhen’s precious grandson. Such a beautiful little boy, Aiyo, Zhen can’t help but laugh when Zhen thinks of him.”
Sui Heng: “……”
Sui Heng stood up, bowed respectfully, and watched as Emperor Sui left.
Emperor Sui walked halfway and suddenly said, “By the way, Nuo Nuo’s cheese has finished. Zhen came in a hurry and didn’t have time to bring anything for these babies to eat, so you hurry up and try to get some milk.”
Sui Heng’s face darkened.
“For such a small matter, Emperor Father can just order the palace attendants to do it.”
Emperor Sui snorted coldly.
“Your Qinglang Battalion’s is like an iron barrel, but it’s also a sh*t hole. If the palace attendants can get it, why would Zhen ask you to do it?”
“That’s not just Zhen’s grandson, he’s also your son! Zhen has never seen such an irresponsible father like you, you could even let your own son go hungry.”
Sui Heng couldn’t believe that this little baby had such a big appetite. He finished three large boxes of cheese in just two days, and not to mention the two boxes he had snatched.
Sui Heng called Shi Fang over and asked him to immediately get milk.
Shi Fang said truthfully, “Your Highness, the subordinate has already followed Your Majesty’s orders to go and find it. It has been too cold these past few days, and the drums inside the pass have been deafening. The ewes raised in the camp have been frightened and refuse to be milked.”
Sui Heng said, “Then boil elk antler soup. Isn’t he fond of drinking that?”
Shi Fang: “The subordinate has asked. For babies of this age, just drinking tonic soup is not effective. Milk is a necessity. Normally, a nanny should take care of them.”
“In the middle of the night, where can Gu find a nanny for him? Just go to the food camp again, just say it’s Gu’s order to make sure they find a way to get some milk. Gu doesn’t believe that Gu can’t even squeeze some goat’s milk out of such a big Qinglang Battalion.”
Shi Fang can only take orders and go do it.
Although the matter of negotiating peace has been decided, there are still many areas for discussion regarding the specific content and details of the negotiation. After all, the North-South confrontation has been going on for nearly a century, and both sides have accumulated a lot of old grudges against each other. Once the North-South officially begins to communicate, when formulating policies, one must be cautious and grasp the scale to avoid unnecessary conflicts and disputes.
According to the agreement, the two sides will have a simple meeting tomorrow on the abandoned beacon tower outside the pass.
Sui Heng didn’t want this matter to drag on for too long. He simply changed his clothes and gathered his trusted advisors and generals overnight to discuss the details of tomorrow’s peace negotiation.
The first step is to establish candidates for peace negotiations.
This kind of verbal battle is usually handled by civil officials, and Sui Heng is responsible for making the final decision.
The brothers Lu Jishi, Lu Anmin, Chen Qi, and several other advisors all volunteered to serve as peace negotiators.
Lu’s brothers were fine, but Chen Qi’s performance made Sui Heng a bit surprised. Sui Heng raised his eyebrows and said, “As far as Gu knows, Military Advisor and Jiang Rongyu have a long-standing grudge, and you are not very willing to support this peace negotiation. Why are you willing to serve as a peace negotiator now?”
Chen Qi stretched out his sleeves and kneeled down, saying solemnly, “The minister has some old grudges with the Crown Prince of Jiang. However, the minister is Your Highness and the Great Sui’s servant. The minister will never bring personal grudges to national politics. North-South interconnection is a big deal, and the minister hopes to serve as a peace negotiator envoy to fight for more benefits for the Great Sui.”
“What’s more…”
Chen Qi paused for a moment and said, “Through this chess formation, the minister has discovered that the Crown Prince of Jiang indeed has talent and grace. Perhaps the previous incident was due to the minister’s false belief in rumors, which caused many misunderstandings about the Crown Prince of Jiang. The minister would like to put aside his feelings and make a modest contribution to this North-South peace negotiation event.”
Sui Heng tapped his finger on the table and said, “Gu understood the Military Advisor’s intentions. Gu will consider this matter carefully.”
As the crowd dispersed, Xu Qiao asked Sui Heng, “Chen Qi is quick witted, he’s loyal to Your Highness, insightful in national affairs, and familiar with the situation in Jiangnan. He is indeed the best candidate for a peace negotiator. Why didn’t Your Highness agree immediately?”
Sui Heng said, “Chen Qi is indeed a good choice, but the peace negotiations this time are of great significance. Gu has to be more cautious. Moreover, although he is loyal, Gu also needs to see if his loyalty is the same as what Gu wants. This time, it’s also a chance to test it.”
Xu Qiao was taken aback.
Sui Heng said, “Tomorrow morning, you announce for Gu that the peace negotiator will be led by the Left Prime Minister, and two deputy envoys will be appointed, Chen Qi and Lu Jishi will be serving together.”
After discussing the matter, Sui Heng let the military physical in again and treated the wound on his arm briefly. Just as he was about to leave, Emperor Sui brought a group of palace attendants with him in a grand manner.
Emperor Sui was also holding a small ball in his arms.
Emperor Sui stuffed the small ball into Sui Heng’s arms and said, “The little boy is starving. Half a bowl of sheep’s milk is not enough, so hurry up and find another way to get some more!”
Sui Heng lowered his head and saw that in his arms, the little dumpling looked at him with tears in his eyes, clearly extremely hungry.
Sui Heng: “……”
Sui Heng’s forehead veins jumped fiercely, this little thing is really his nemesis.
A moment later, Sui Heng appeared in the camp where ewes were raised.
Sui Heng, holding a bowl in one hand and with a murderous gaze, wandered between a group of ewes.
Outside the fence stood a snow-white little ball, lying on the railing with sparkling eyes, eagerly looking inside, occasionally making a whimpering sound.
Sui Heng squatted on the ground, pondering which ewe had richer milk.
Perhaps the evil energy emanating from him was too strong, and when the ewes saw him approaching, their legs trembled, and they hid behind the ram.
Sui Heng judged for a while but did not notice any difference in the appearance of the places where the ewes were producing milk. He caught one of them casually and prepared to squeeze it. Unexpectedly, the ewe was startled and pouted its hooves at him, running away.
There is a sudden odor coming to his nose.
Sui Heng lowered his head and saw a pile of sheep feces on his robe.
