Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1319

Chapter 1319: Chapter 1314: Impatient to Wait

Zhong Xingxiao planned to send some of his own people to gather information. He intended to visit every court official in the Zhou Dynasty who supported Murong Li’s proposal for the merging of two countries, bearing lavish gifts to promote this agenda with all his might.

Very soon, Xiao Rongyan’s people returned, saying that the Emperor of Zhou was relatively supportive of this treaty between the countries. Lu Jin also seemed to have spoken favorably of this merger treaty in the royal court. Moreover, Dong Qingping, the Emperor of Zhou’s uncle, was caught between agreeing and disagreeing. Commandant Lu and Minister Shen also seemed to lean towards supporting this treaty, believing that Zhou would surely win.

After hearing the report, Xiao Rongyan sat in the chair, contemplating for a long while before speaking: "If that is so, let me trouble you, Uncle, to personally take lavish gifts to Minister Lu Jin’s residence. You can ask Minister Lu for suggestions on how our Yan Kingdom should proceed with relations with those court officials. As for Commandant Lu and Minister Shen, who are always of one mind with the Emperor of Zhou, we can afford to wait... There is no need to hurry."

Zhong Xingxiao promptly rose and replied respectfully: "Yes, Regent Prince, rest assured, I will do everything in my power!"

"Ninth Prince, if the information is correct and the Emperor of Zhou is relatively supportive of our Emperor’s treaty, why not strike while the iron is hot? Let us seek a private audience with the Emperor of Zhou and further discuss the benefits of the merger. Perhaps it will succeed?" An official accompanying Yan walked up to Xiao Rongyan with a firm expression, "After all, the final decision surely rests with the Emperor of Zhou."

Xiao Rongyan’s features were hidden behind a mask, leaving people unable to discern his expression, only seeing his deep eyes, which seemed to convey a sense of reluctance.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Xingxiao pondered and stepped forward: "Indeed, Regent Prince! Since the Emperor of Zhou is quite supportive of our Emperor’s proposal, Ninth Prince, you might as well personally enter the palace to meet the Emperor of Zhou, increasing our chances of persuading Zhou."

"Prince..." The Minister of Revenue of Yan Kingdom bowed to Xiao Rongyan, "Prince, please send someone to deliver a message to the Imperial Palace of Zhou. If the Emperor of Zhou is willing to meet with us privately, it suggests a high chance of success. If... if the Emperor of Zhou is unwilling to meet with our envoy privately, it indicates that we need to put in more effort. What do you say, Prince?"

Xiao Rongyan’s hand, resting on the armrest of the chair, tapped intermittently, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, he spoke: "Let’s do this, let the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Honglu Temple, and Wang Hanbing go to meet the Emperor of Zhou. I... will not go."

"Regent Prince..." Zhong Xingxiao immediately stood up and bowed low to Xiao Rongyan, "This journey to Zhou, as our Emperor said before our departure, is for our Yan Kingdom to persuade Zhou to agree to this matter. Our Yan Kingdom’s stance should be more humble. The Regent Prince is not an ordinary prince of Yan; you are the Regent Prince of our Yan Kingdom, and leading our delegation to Zhou carries a weight incomparable to an ordinary envoy!"

After speaking, Zhong Xingxiao turned his head to glance at the court official from the Empress Dowager’s faction following the Yan envoy team, who immediately advanced and said: "Prince, what Uncle says is reasonable. If the Regent Prince hadn’t come, it would be excusable. But since you have come and only let the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Honglu Temple, and Wang Hanbing meet with the Emperor of Zhou, it might give the impression that Yan is slighting Zhou!"

Having finished his words, the court official saluted his colleagues: "I do not mean to demean the Minister of Revenue or other colleagues, but with the Regent Prince leading us, our standing is significant!"

Behind the mask, Xiao Rongyan’s lips curled slightly; this time, the party of the Empress Dowager was forcing him to go into the palace to see Kid. It definitely wasn’t his idea to go.

Even though... he was already impatient.

Xiao Rongyan was silent for a while, then spoke: "Arrange it! I... will go personally!"

Zhong Xingxiao could detect a lack of enthusiasm in Xiao Rongyan’s tone, strengthening his conviction that inviting Xiao Rongyan to meet the Emperor of Zhou was indeed the right decision. Xiao Rongyan surely knew that only with his presence could the negotiations be successful.

It was not until his dispatched people returned, confirming that the information from the Zhou’s court matched that obtained by the Regent Prince, that Zhong Xingxiao hastily prepared the carriage and headed to Lu Jin’s residence.

·

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Bai Qingyan had already had the wet nurse bring over the two children, waiting in Ming’an Palace. Wei Zhong sent away all other palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only himself, Chun Tao, and Chun Zhi to attend.

Wei Zhong was fully aware of Xiao Rongyan’s identity. From afar, he saw Xiao Rongyan, wearing a silver mask, unhurriedly ascending the steps toward the magnificent Ming’an Palace, and a smile appeared in his eyes.

Wei Zhong came forward, standing by the lifelike bronze crane lamp, smiling and saluting, "Ninth Prince..."

Xiao Rongyan nodded, the silver mask illuminated sporadically by the flickering lights. His heart was racing; his beloved wife and children were inside that palace. Ever since departing from Yan, he had been longing to fly here, restraining his impulses with difficulty.

Even though they had met in passing in the court today, seeing her from afar, it wasn’t nearly enough for Xiao Rongyan.