The Moon in the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 496: Are you worshipping Lady of the Nine Heavens?

Nahmara's only regret was that she didn't have much time to explore this great city, this extremely prosperous city.

Even if there were ten Loulan cities put together, the population would not be as large as this city, let alone be as majestic and prosperous as this one.

Just when Nahmala finally had a chance to rest for a while, a palace eunuch came to deliver an imperial decree. Nahmala hurriedly tidied her appearance and went out to receive the decree.

During this period of time, Nahmala has been in contact with officials of the Qin Dynasty, and has basically understood the etiquette and system of the Qin Dynasty.

This huge empire was so huge that she couldn't even imagine it. But even such a huge empire was well organized. All this was because of its perfect system, institutions and laws.

The master of this vast empire had almost unlimited power. No wonder the officials of the Qin Dynasty called this king the Son of Heaven. He was really like the Son of Heaven.

The eunuch was quite friendly and announced that Nahmala would come to the palace tomorrow for a talk.

Nahmala followed the local customs and secretly slipped a gem to the eunuch to express her gratitude for his hard work.

Then he whispered to the eunuch to give him some information.

The eunuch said he had no idea and wanted to return the gem to Nahmara. Although Nahmara was young, she was not stupid. How could she take back something that had been given away?

I express my gratitude again and again and ask the eunuch to accept it.

After the eunuch left, Nahmala frowned slightly. She didn't know what the great king wanted to see her alone.

It shouldn't be a bad thing, right? It shouldn't be. If it was, he wouldn't have to see me.

You know, many countries in the Western Regions are coveting Loulan. Originally, Loulan was next to Dayuezhi, so everyone naturally looked down on this place. But now it is different. The opportunity to make a fortune has come. Who with a discerning eye can't see that Loulan's location is important?

But now that the Qin Dynasty has set the rules, everyone can only put aside their greedy hearts temporarily.

As long as the Qin Dynasty released the news, even if it was just a hint of dissatisfaction, and did not care about Loulan's life or death, there would naturally be many people willing to please the Qin Dynasty and swallow up this destined land of wealth.

Nahmara comforted herself for a long time, but her mind was still a mess. Even though she knew that it was probably not a bad thing, she still couldn't control her nervousness.

After all, she was still just a girl. Even though she was smart since childhood and had received good education from her mother, she still did not have enough experience because she grew up in a small place.

It was fine before, after all, she was accompanying the leaders of various countries to the court to pay homage, and she would feel more at ease with more people around. But now she was summoned alone, how could she not be nervous?

No matter who you are, facing an extremely powerful king in a strange country, a king who can decide your life and death, honor and disgrace, and even the life and death, honor and disgrace of everyone in the entire country, it is impossible not to be nervous and afraid.

Nahmara does not just represent herself, she represents the entire country of Loulan, and is responsible for the lives and deaths of everyone in Loulan.

Even at a young age, she already had to shoulder a heavy burden.

Nahmara couldn't help but have a weak thought in her mind: It would be nice if her mother was around.

But thinking of her mother who was now ill in bed, Nahmara shook her head to shake off the timidity in her heart, thinking over and over again about the situations that might arise tomorrow, and rehearsing and giving possible answers over and over in her mind.

She didn't dare to make even a single mistake.

A mistake in this one point could be a disaster like the sky falling.

No matter how nervous or conflicted you are, the next day will arrive quickly.

The eunuchs who came to greet and guide her also arrived. Nahmara had not slept well the previous night, so she got up early to tidy up her appearance and put on makeup. Her deep, bright eyes showed a hint of fatigue. Nahmara, who usually did not wear makeup, also put on some powder and rouge to cover it up.

He followed the eunuch into the palace and climbed up the high steps of Zhangtai Palace with great effort. However, this time he did not enter the main hall at the front, but went to the back.

Nahmara looked up quickly and carefully, and saw Zhangde Hall. She took one look and immediately lowered her head.

Because of the special reasons of Loulan, Nahmara is naturally proficient in Qin language and characters.

After waiting outside the palace for a long time, he was finally summoned in.

As soon as she entered the palace, Nahmala immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Great Heavenly King, I, your humble servant Nahmala, greet you, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health and may Your Majesty live long and healthy."

Nahmara only heard a light laugh, and a rather gentle voice said: "Stand up."

The translator Ling Cheng translated it into Sogdian.

"Your humble servant thanks the great Heavenly King." Nahmala still spoke Qin language fluently.

Then he stood up obediently, still keeping his head down to show absolute obedience and respect.

Ying Zheng knew that Nahmala was proficient in Qin language, so he waved his hand and asked the interpreter to leave. The interpreter bowed and left quietly.

Ying Zheng chuckled and said, "Look up."

Nahmala hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised her head and looked at Ying Zheng, and her heart was lifted at that moment.

"Ah, this king is so young and handsome."

Ying Zheng carefully looked at the little beauty in front of him. She was in the prime of her life, with an elegant and quiet demeanor and an extremely beautiful face, which was truly touching.

She was wearing the unique costume of Loulan in the Western Regions, which was quite conservative and dignified, not at all seductive. She was elegant but not vulgar. With a little makeup on, she looked even more charming. It was true that everything about a young girl was good.

Ying Zheng smiled and said, "I didn't expect that the chief priest of Loulan is so young and is also proficient in the language of Daqin. It's really rare."

Nahmara lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Great Heavenly King, the state is managed by the High Priest. The previous High Priest was my mother, but she suddenly became seriously ill not long ago, so I was asked to take over the position of High Priest. I am shallow-minded and ignorant, so please forgive me if I have offended you."

"Xiabang has always been close to Daqin, often doing trade with Daqin, and is even more eager to learn from the king, so the people of Xiabang mostly use the Qin language."

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction. Although this little beauty was young, she spoke appropriately and had perfect manners. It was not easy for a small place to raise such a beauty.

"Give me a seat."

After thanking Ying Zheng, Nahmala sat down carefully, lowering her head slightly, not daring to look up.

Ying Zheng didn't care. If this little beauty dared to keep staring at him, it would be really presumptuous and unreasonable, and she would be looking for death.

Ying Zheng asked: "How do you feel about coming to Daqin these days?"

Nahmara replied sincerely: "Great King, your kingdom is simply a paradise on earth, extremely rich and prosperous. Before I saw it with my own eyes, if someone told me that there was such a kingdom in the world, I would have thought he was lying. I am lucky to have the honor to come to this great kingdom."

Ying Zheng smiled slightly. This little beauty is really good at talking.

"I am ashamed of what you said. There are still people in the Qin Dynasty who are suffering from hunger and cold. I have not done enough."

"By the way, in order to ensure the safety of the Western Regions and protect the various countries, I want to station a small number of troops in the Western Regions. Do you know about this? What do you think?"

Nahmara replied respectfully: "Great Heavenly King, your glory shines on the earth, and all living beings admire you. You are the god on earth, comforting the people of Daqin. Your people must be proud and happy to have such a great master like you."

"You are so generous and selfless that you are willing to travel thousands of miles to protect a weak and impoverished country. I am so grateful to you. When Lord Ran Hong told me this, I was very excited. I am even more grateful to the great Heavenly King for stationing troops in Loulan for protection. I, along with the whole country, will treat the Heavenly King's soldiers wholeheartedly."

Ying Zheng raised his eyebrows. This little beauty was too obedient. She was so well behaved, it would be embarrassing to bully her.

After all, they have shown an attitude of allowing you to do whatever you want, and they have taken the initiative. If you really do whatever you want and bully them, it would be too cheap.

Ying Zheng coughed twice and smiled, "It's good that you understand. After all, I also understand that the countries in the Western Regions are in constant conflict. Life was difficult in the past, but now that Great Qin is trading with the West, it is a mutually beneficial move with all the countries. It will gradually prosper and the people will enjoy peace."

"Wealth can tempt people's hearts, and there are bound to be evil people who commit crimes, so I have to be on guard. This is for the good of everyone."

Nahmara replied respectfully, "Great Heavenly King, your good intentions are well understood by me and the rulers of other states. In the past, our states were often oppressed by barbarians such as the Great Yuezhi. It was you who drove away the Great Yuezhi, rescued the people of our states, and re-established order, putting everything on the right track. We are all lucky to have your protection."

Ying Zheng was sighing in his heart, this little beauty is not very old, but she is always flattering people.

Ying Zheng had no idea that these were all flattering words that Nahmala had worked hard to think of all night, and she had no idea how many times she had organized the words.

Although she is young, she is not stupid. No matter what she says, it will never be wrong to say flattering words.

If you can avoid giving a direct response, then do it. It will definitely not be wrong to say more nice things. Don’t seek to achieve anything, but seek to avoid making mistakes!

Moreover, stationing troops is indeed a good thing. Since ancient times, money has moved people. After all, Loulan is a small country with few people. It may not be able to keep the wealth at this strategic location, but with the Qin army stationed there, it will be stable. It will also make it easier to build closer relations with the Qin. No matter how you look at it, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Ying Zheng was too lazy to talk nonsense anymore. It was useless to keep talking about these things. He decided not to do anything today.

He asked directly, "I heard that your country believes in and worships the Queen Mother of the Nine Heavens?"

Nahmara's heart skipped a beat. She knew very well that the King of Qin would never summon her for no reason, but what was there in her own little Loulan that was worthy of this great king's attention?
There is only the secret that Loulan has guarded from generation to generation.

The country of Daqin has a long heritage and noble blood. Its ancestors are descendants of Huangdi. It has been nearly a thousand years since Daqin was established. It is normal for them to pass down some secrets.

I just don't know how much they know.

(End of this chapter)