Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress novel Chapter 1500

Chapter 1500: Chapter 1495: Backlash

"The conditions of our Yan Kingdom have already been laid out: pay tribute and submit, with Yan’s garrison stationed. However, the new Emperor of Dongyi made a point, and given the circumstances, Yan can take a step back—not requiring tribute and submission, but... a garrison is a must. This is the bottom line for Yan. I know this decision is difficult to make!" Xiao Rongyan no longer maintained the imposing stance from moments ago. "Your Dongyi court officials can deliberate this carefully and provide me with a definitive answer tomorrow! The sooner the alliance is signed, the sooner I can return home!"

Xiao Rongyan felt he had made his points clear and claimed he was exhausted from the journey, heading back to rest at the place arranged by the Empress. Once Xiao Rongyan left, discussions erupted in the Dongyi royal court.

Bai Qingyan spoke softly, "Now that the Dongyi Kingdom is already a vassal state of Zhou, the Zhou naturally won’t sit by idly. Yet... as the Regent Prince of Yan said earlier, I’ve not stopped the Regent Prince of Yan from stationing troops in Dongyi to prevent anyone in Dongyi from thinking that our Zhou is treating Dongyi as our own property and meddling in Dongyi’s affairs. Not destroying Dongyi now... is to leave a path for our Zhou."

The Dongyi court officials remained silent, with some believing Xiao Rongyan’s earlier words to be true.

The Dongyi Empress’s face darkened further. She glanced at the "Seventh Prince" sitting beside Bai Qingyan and clenched her fists. Now, even the Emperor belongs to Zhou. Could it be that Zhou has such intentions?

The Emperor of Zhou said they would reunite the mother and son in three years. Could it be that if Zhou wins the bet, they will annex Dongyi, and if they lose, they’ll turn to Dongyi?

"Moreover, although the Yan Kingdom stabbed us in the back when the two nations allied to destroy Xiliang, it was decided to overlook this when the betting agreement was signed. If Zhou intervenes now, involving Dongyi’s governmental matters, it might make our ally, Yan, think that Zhou is trying to create trouble, break the alliance, and find an excuse to fight Yan and weaken it."

"Zhou is a nation that values its promises. If we lose the bet... naturally, we would hand over Zhou to Yan, and Dongyi’s future would no longer be our concern," Bai Qingyan shifted her tone, "if Zhou wins the bet, then... I can assure you, as long as Dongyi is willing to quietly be a vassal state of Zhou, Zhou would even be willing to reduce or exempt the tribute from Dongyi. These details can be incorporated into the alliance agreement! Those familiar with Zhou... would know that Zhou has never been the first to betray an ally."

Bai Qingyan’s words were intended to tell the Dongyi court officials to help Zhou create trouble for Yan. If Zhou wins this bet, Dongyi will gain benefits.

Zhou values its promises, whereas Yan... stabbed its ally in the back. Dongyi should weigh its options. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

After speaking, Bai Qingyan stood up and said, "This is a matter for Dongyi’s government. You rulers and ministers should discuss it among yourselves. I... will take my leave."

Bai Qingyan nodded slightly towards the Dongyi Empress, then nodded to Tuoba Yao, who stood up to see her off, before leaving the grand hall with Bai Jinzhi and Shen Qingzhu. Shen Liangyu immediately followed with the guards behind Bai Qingyan.

"The entire palace is filled with our people, so how to watch?" Bai Qingyan paused at the steps, her fingers lightly rubbing behind her back, "Qingzhu, have them keep an eye on the Yan Regent Prince. If he does meet the Dongyi Empress, there’s no need to stop it; just listen to what the Regent Prince says to the Dongyi Empress."

"Understood!" Shen Qingzhu replied and added, "Eldest Young Lady, perhaps I should personally go to oversee it!"

Concerned with Eldest Young Lady’s plans in Dongyi, Shen Qingzhu was very dedicated.

"No need, you’ve worked hard for so long..." Bai Qingyan felt heartache seeing the red veins in Shen Qingzhu’s eyes, "Get some good rest, just send someone else. The situation is still under our control, and besides... even if you go, you may not actually hear the conversation between the Regent Prince and the Dongyi Empress."

Shen Qingzhu agreed, acknowledging that Xiao Rongyan’s martial arts were profound and never truly revealed, fearing she also wasn’t a match for him and that trying to get close might reveal them, allowing Xiao Rongyan to design a false message for Eldest Young Lady, thereby delaying her matters.

"I’ll pick a few who are skilled in light-footed martial arts to keep an eye on them," Shen Qingzhu said.