Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 853 - 851_1

Chapter 853: Chapter 851_1

The Nangong Emperor’s eyes lit up upon hearing Gong Zixuan’s words, and he feigned anger, saying, "That impudent boy! He’s grown so big yet he’s still wreaking havoc everywhere. I’ll definitely teach him a stern lesson and make him apologise to both of you, and give you a satisfactory explanation."

Xiao’er glanced at Gong Zixuan and scoffed. Did they think they could solve the problem with a single light apology? Did they think they were so easy to bully?

"Aside from ceding land and paying compensation, and allowing Gong Qinghua to make amends with his life, all other matters are non-negotiable!" Shangguan Xuanyi refused outright, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

The Nangong Emperor was angered. Wasn’t Princess Rui standing in front of him unharmed? She had neither died nor been maimed! She had suffered nothing and yet she wanted him to cede land, pay compensation, and even take his son’s life!

This was sheer nonsense!

However, it wasn’t the right time to turn the tables. He had not yet colluded with the people of other countries, and he couldn’t just commence a war recklessly!

"Prince Rui, Princess Rui, do not think that I am a pushover! Don’t assume I don’t dare to send out my troops! It’s only out of consideration for my unborn grandson that the Crown Princess is carrying. I don’t want her to be worried and harm the fetus. And indeed, it was my second son who erred, so I’ve agreed to compensate."

The underlying meaning of his words was that if Shangguan Xuanyi insisted on resorting to arms, he would not consider Shangguan Wanru’s feelings at all, and even if he made amends, he would still sow discord between them!

Gong Zixuan looked at the Nangong Emperor in disbelief. With his father’s temperament, how could he possibly agree to this? Could he even agree to cede land and pay compensation for his most beloved son?

The founder of Nangong Country was originally a pirate, and his domineering nature was not weak at all! His father had always been the one robbing and looting others, but never the one yielding to others! Now, he had actually agreed to the compensation, which was far beyond Gong Zixuan’s expectation.

He didn’t want to start a war between the two countries. If that happened, Shangguan Wanru’s situation would be too awkward. It would definitely affect her pregnancy. But he didn’t want to see the country cede land and pay compensation either!

The best solution would be to hand over Gong Qinghua, but it seemed that he had underestimated Gong Qinghua’s status in the Emperor’s heart once again!

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at the Nangong Emperor as if deep in thought.

"Your Majesty is indeed righteous!" Having accomplished her mission, Xiao’er generously served him a compliment.

"Although I have agreed to cede land and pay compensation, I will determine the locations. Both of you must make no objections!"

"Since Your Majesty is so righteous, we won’t be unreasonable! It’s sufficient as long as it’s a prefecture." Xiao’er opened her mouth, pretending to be reasonable.

Gong Zixuan wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say. To part with a prefecture, to claim that he wasn’t hurting, would be a lie!

The Nangong Emperor ordered someone to bring the map of Nangong Country and pointed to a location, saying, "Here, Zhan’er Island will belong to Minze Country from now on! In addition, I’ll compensate with 100,000 taels of silver!"

Having made up his mind, the Nangong Emperor became more generous! After all, what you swallow now, you’ll have to spit out sooner or later!

Shangguan Xuanyi pulled Xiao’er to take a look at the map. Zhan’er Island, it’s a considerable size island. He knew it was place where Nangong Country banished its criminal officials, very desolate. But he didn’t miss the twinkle in Xiao’er’s eyes and the scratch of her small hand in his own, so Shangguan Xuanyi nodded, "Alright, we’ll take Yi’er Island!"

Xiao’er looked at the location of the island and was overjoyed in her heart! Once they develop it, she guessed the Nangong Country would be infuriated to the point of spewing blood.

Zhan’er Island? On hearing this, Gong Zixuan breathed a sigh of relief: Zhan’er Island was an isolated place overseas, a refuge located in desolated borders, and also Nangong Country’s place for banishing criminal officials. It was a tasteless location yet a pity to discard. It didn’t matter if it was given away.

Having gotten what she wanted, Xiao’er spoke with a pleasant countenance:

"Actually, no matter what place your Majesty compensates, we don’t really mind. We have our own reasons for doing this! Theoretically, considering the friendship between our two countries, if the second prince made a mistake, as long as he sincerely repents, and we give him a slight punishment and an apology, we would have let this matter go!"

Reasons? The Nangong Emperor was skeptical.

"But the thing is, I am a princess, and he is a prince. This type of incident can easily cast a shadow over the friendly relations between our two countries! If we let it go lightly this time, other countries will think that Minze Country is a coward, easy to bully, and that anyone can hijack our people! In the future, they will follow the example of the second prince of your country."

Were they using Nangong Country as a warning to others? The Nangong Emperor was somewhat uncomfortable with this.

"People fight for a breath, and Buddha fight for an incense stick. In this matter, we absolutely must cede land and pay compensation, just to tell other countries that the people of Minze Country are not easily bullied. If you bully us, you have to pay the price! You might want to think twice about taking advantage of us, because you must consider whether you can bear the consequences!"

Nangong Emperor: Is this a veiled threat?

"Given your wisdom, Emperor, you surely understand our difficulties, don’t you? It won’t affect the friendship between our two countries, right?"

"Moreover! The second prince has made such a big mistake, and the Emperor is willing to take responsibility and compensate. This shows that the Emperor is a responsible person! He is a good father, a good monarch!" Xiao’er looked at Nangong Emperor, her expression both innocent and guileless.

Gong Zixuan’s mouth twitched, this was his first time witnessing someone taking advantage while pretending to be aggrieved!

The Nangong Emperor glanced at Xiao’er. It was no wonder that a farmer girl could become a princess, her eloquence was simply unparalleled!

There wasn’t anyone among the civil and military officials of Nangong Country who could speak as she did!

It’s a pity he didn’t have anyone like her among the three thousand beauties in his harem!

Why wasn’t there such a brilliant and gorgeous woman in Nangong Country? The Nangong Emperor sighed inwardly.

Shangguan Xuanyi looked at Xiao’er. It was a wonder she could shower such praises when land was being ceded, and compensation was being paid. What a good monarch indeed!

Xiao’er saw that the three men were looking at her and smiled, "Do you think what I said makes a lot of sense?"

The Nangong Emperor looked up to the sky speechless.

Gong Zixuan’s mouth twitched.

Shangguan Xuanyi stroked her head: "Yes."

The other two men: ...

Although the Nangong Emperor had agreed to cede land and pay compensation, there were still certain procedures and details to be handled, such as when the officials and soldiers stationed on Zhan’er Island by Nangong Country would be completely withdrawn, and what would happen to the residents, etc. All these matters needed to be discussed and handled, but they just needed to be managed by the relevant officials.

Shangguan Xuanyi signed an agreement with the Nangong Emperor and invited the envoys of Eastern Jin Dynasty and Korea to be witnesses. The two men agreed upon a final timeline for Minze Country’s full take-over of Zhan’er Island, and the matter was settled.

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