Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 854 - 852_1

Chapter 854: 852_1

After obtaining what he wanted, Shangguan Xuanyi proposed a farewell: "Your Majesty, since our matter is settled, I would excuse myself. Once the 100,000 taels of silver arrive at the post station, I will release the Second Prince."

Once Shangguan Xuanyi’s words fell, Xiao’er added, "Yes, money and goods change hands simultaneously!"

Nangong Emperor: What does she mean by ’money and goods change hands simultaneously’...could she phrase it in a way that’s less distressing for people?

Nevertheless, the Nangong Emperor was inevitably vexed, having lost a piece of territory for no reason, paid out 100,000 taels, and been looked at like a fool by emissaries from the Eastern Jin Dynasty and Korea. He was in such a worried and irritable state, fearing that at any moment he would order the execution of these two. He couldn’t be bothered to say anymore, and wished for them to disappear from his presence as soon as possible. Thus, he nodded.

Upon hearing this, Gong Zixuan bowed in salute: "Father, I shall escort Prince Rui and Princess Rui out of the palace."

The Nangong Emperor nodded: "Go ahead! Since they have come all this way, take them to meet with the Crown Princess and catch up on old times."

Hopefully, they would give the Crown Princess one or two life-saving pills, and then he could casually request one from the Crown Princess. These days, the Nangong Emperor began to feel his strength was increasingly failing!

After having spent half the day being insincere with the two of them, he felt even more exhausted.

When the three people reached the entrance, Xiao’er halted, lightly smacked her forehead, and turned her head: "Your Majesty, I almost forgot. There are other things that I should give you."

"What is it?" Interest perked within the Nangong Emperor. Could it be the life-saving pill?

In actuality, what he most anticipates from the birthday gift from Minze Country is the life-saving pill. The gifts they sent were just like those from other countries—rare and valuable treasures. He wasn’t particularly interested.

Mortal wealth like money wasn’t brought with you at birth, nor taken away in death. At this point, given to him it serves no purpose, and it’s better to give something instead that can save his life at a crucial moment.

"It’s with my maid. It can be brought up if needed." According to palace rules, when presented to the Emperor, one cannot hold any items: firstly, because it was needed for paying respects, and secondly for safety precautions.

In fact, Xiao’er didn’t think much of these rules since they suggested that the Emperor was suffering from paranoia, constantly afraid that someone might harm or assassinate him.

The Nangong Emperor impatiently said: "Call him!"

Yang Liu quickly approached the main hall with a box.

A eunuch came forward to take the box from her.

Upon seeing the size of the box, the Nangong Emperor was somewhat disappointed. It seemed that it didn’t contain the life-saving pill. A small bottle should suffice for containing the pill, then put it in a small box.

"Your Majesty, this is what we want you to see. We found it by coincidence."

"Bring it here." The Nangong Emperor heard this, his eyebrows furrowing, intuitively feeling that the box did not contain anything good.

The eunuch opened the box, inspected the object inside to confirm that it wasn’t poisoned and then placed the box in front of the Nangong Emperor.

The Nangong Emperor saw some account books and registers. He stretched his hand to take one of the registers and flipped it open to look.

Within these registers were records of where the rice seeds of Zhenyang County ended up.

The register meticulously recorded the year, season, and the number of kilos of super rice seeds that each villa received.

The villas that received these seeds are all owned by Gong Qinghua and his close confidants.

There were villas in Zhenyang County, and in Nangong Country too.

Each piece of land, every season, the total grain yield over the years, everything was recorded clearly.

The Nangong Emperor flipped through each page, his face growing paler!

Over the years, Gong Qinghua secretly hoarded so much grain! What’s more, he hid it from him, his father. What was he trying to do?

The answer was evident now!

The Nangong Emperor was somewhat unable to believe that his long-cherished son was actually casting covetous eyes upon his throne!

The Emperor was so furious that his face turned darker than ink.

Seeing this, Shangguan Xuanyi paid his respects once more: "Your Majesty, I will take my leave. I will release the Second Prince as soon as possible."

Upon hearing these words, the Emperor’s face turned even worse. He was beginning to regret it a bit now. Why did he go as far as to cede territories and pay a hefty compensation to save such a traitor?

Had he known earlier, he would have let them deal with him as they pleased!

Initially, he thought that the traitor kidnapped Princess Rui in order to get the rice-breeding method, then hand it over as a gift to him.

For this reason, although he was angry at his lack of caution in allowing others to seize upon this advantage—resulting in the necessity to yield territory and pay compensation—he did not consider his act of kidnapping the wrong.

Now it seemed that his care and affection had instead given rise to undeserving ambitions!

On seeing the Nangong Emperor’s ill expression, Gong Zixuan was worried about his health. He quickly asked: "Father, you don’t look well. Shall I call for the imperial doctor?"

The Nangong Emperor waved his hand: "I’m fine, just a little tired. You may retire."

"I should stay and take care of you, Father."

Upon hearing this, his heart warmed. At least, he had one son who sincerely cared for him.

Only these registers couldn’t be seen by him. So, the Nangong Emperor said: "No need, I still have memorials to endorse. You may all leave."

When the Nangong Emperor was approving petitions, he did not like to be disturbed. So, upon hearing this, Gong Zixuan could only make a retreat.

When the three individuals had left, Gong Zixuan couldn’t help but ask: "Princess Rui, what were the ledgers you handed to my father about?"

"Where do you think our rice seeds from Zhanyang County have been going? How much grain do you think the seeds from one county can produce over a few years?"

Where did they go? Gong Zixuan suddenly understood. Gong Qinghua, who they escorted back, and the fact that his father was looking so upset was clearly a huge blow!

Gong Zixuan’s eyes widened in shock as he thought about it. This was too shocking!

Zhan’er Island allowed the acquisition of evidence for Gong Qinghua’s treason. Suddenly, he felt less pain about his loss! After all, in Nangong Country, Zhan’er Island was merely a ridged leaf.

But if it could lead father to detest Gong Qinghua, he wouldn’t have to worry about his position as Crown Prince being unstable.

He paid his respects towards Shangguan Xuanyi and Xiao’er: "Thank you, Prince Rui and Princess Rui, for your assistance."

Xiao’er waved her hand: "No need to be polite, as long as you treat the Princess well."

"Of course, now let me take both of you to see Wanru." Gong Zixuan said with a smile in response.

However, Shangguan Xuanyi declined: "There’s no hurry, it’s almost dark, let’s visit her tomorrow! We still have to go back to the post station to collect the silver. We’ll have to think of a way to quickly transport the 100,000 taels of silver back to our country."

Gong Zixuan: "..."

Now, he definitely understood. These two must have carefully planned everything beforehand. If they had shown the box to his father before mentioning the kidnapping of Princess Rui, probably, there would not even be a need to cede territory and pay compensation!

As Gong Zixuan thought about this, watching their retreating figures, his heart was once again filled with complicated feelings.

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