Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 151 Who is playing tricks on whom?

Jiu Que was pleasantly surprised, but the other party didn't seem to notice at all, even reacting with fear, which made Jiu Que lose face. Especially since those Northern Barbarians showed none of their earlier arrogance; instead, they were trembling with fear, almost fainting. Tsk tsk, truly useless.

"So, when did you arrive in Dajing? You didn't even give us a heads-up so we could have greeted you properly."

The leading prince seemed to have found a way out, a true escape from a desperate situation. But he was well aware of human nature, and instead of weeping and begging for mercy, he showed a generous smile.

"Esteemed ladies, we've only come to Da Jing to discuss a business deal. As you know, Da Jing is rich in salt, while salt is scarce on our grasslands. Many young men and women like you lack salt, leaving them weak and unable to move. Imagine, in the prime of their lives, forced to endure the hardships of life confined to tents—how tragic! This 'Prince Binyang' is kind-hearted and, knowing this situation, is willing to generously offer assistance. A child your age should know the 'Prince Binyang's' reputation, right? He's the War God General of Da Jing. Even if you don't trust me, you'll trust him, won't you? Do you think I, doing business with him, would be a bad person?"

Jiu Que touched his face, unable to understand why the other person would say such a thing. Couldn't he see that he was a respectable person from Dajing?

Oh, I see. He probably thinks he's young and a woman, so he'll be more lenient. Otherwise, why wouldn't he talk to Senior Cui like that?
This was her first time meeting the Northern Barbarians, and to be looked down upon on their very first meeting was quite a novel experience.

"Is it really that pitiful? I've heard that all of you Northern Barbarians are bad people. You not only steal our grain and cattle, but also our girls. Don't you Northern Barbarians have any women? But that's not what you just said."

"Young lady, you don't know this, but the environment where we live is harsh, and women and children are weak, so very few of them can survive. If there isn't enough salt, they won't be able to get through the winter either."

The Left Prince had only spoken to test the waters to survive, but he hadn't expected the other party to actually fall for it. Perhaps because he was so eager to live, he subconsciously ignored what Jiu Que had just said. An imperial envoy? What imperial envoy? How could such a weak little girl be an imperial envoy sent by the court? She probably got her position based on her fairly good-looking face, right? The Great Jing Emperor is already over fifty years old; this should be called an old ox eating young grass.

A malicious thought crossed his mind, and the Left Prince instantly made a judgment. This female imperial envoy was probably just sent out by the old emperor to make a quick buck and get promoted. The highly skilled man beside her was likely a guard or something; otherwise, why did he only attack and let this young girl speak? He seemed like a mere follower. He hadn't expected the Great Jing to have such a highly skilled martial artist. Even their renowned grassland national advisor, known for his martial prowess, wasn't this powerful. To subdue five of them in an instant—such martial arts were no ordinary feat!

Thinking of this, the Left Prince harbored covetous thoughts. He wondered if this female expert would be willing to go to the grasslands with him...

"The women in our region are traditionally weak, no match for this female guard's exceptional martial arts skills. Speaking of which, you two must have already heard my identity. I am the Left Prince of the Grasslands. To be honest, I am still unmarried. I wonder if this esteemed lady is married? If we could join forces, we would surely produce the strongest offspring!"

"..."

You're dreaming!

Jiu Que almost laughed out of anger. Was this Prince Zuo out of his mind? His life was in Senior Cui's hands, yet he dared to make such a lewd remark. Did he not know the meaning of death?
Cui Zhufeng was also annoyed. She had never seen such a foolish and audacious person before. Did he really have a death wish? With a sudden exertion, the Left Prince knelt down, his knees hitting the ground with a heavy thud, causing him to grimace in pain. Even without Cui Zhufeng's words, the Left Prince knew he had just offended this powerful figure, and immediately dropped his arrogant demeanor, becoming quiet and submissive. Seeing this, Jiu Que stepped forward with a cold face, ignoring Cui Zhufeng's disapproving gaze, and looked down at him condescendingly.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you covet me, Senior Cui, you think..."

opportunity!

The previously limp and defeated Left Prince gritted his teeth, the medication embedded in his teeth instantly taking effect. He then sprang to his feet, his right hand forming a claw as he grabbed at Jiu Que. The speed was so fast that it even left an afterimage. Did they really think he, the dignified Left Prince of the grasslands, was a fool? The reason he was feigning madness was to find an opportunity to seize the person in charge, especially that highly skilled woman who seemed to be under Jiu Que's control. If he could capture this imperial envoy, he might be able to escape with his life. He had been taught since childhood that if he was in a disadvantageous position, what did a momentary loss of face matter? As long as he could live, the situation could always be reversed. Especially women, no matter how intelligent they were, could always act impulsively due to momentary emotional changes. And what he had to do was find an opportunity to survive in such situations.

It must be said that the Left Prince was a truly flexible and adaptable person. When it came to survival, he didn't mind being looked down upon by others and making himself look foolish. If it were an ordinary person, they might have been fooled for a while, but unfortunately, the two he encountered were not ordinary people.

So, the moment he suddenly rose and grabbed at Jiu Que, Cui Zhufeng's instincts, honed through countless battles, made her exert tremendous force. The arm that was grabbed by the Left Prince cracked with a crisp sound, and was broken off. However, the Left Prince had expected this. He didn't even utter a sound and continued his actions. What did a small injury matter? As long as he could grab Jiu Que, he could grab the hope of survival!

In the eyes of the Left Prince, wasn't the thin and weak Jiu Que just a toy that could be manipulated at will? He grabbed him in one swift motion! However, in this extremely short time, Jiu Que, who was within the Left Prince's grasp, actually grabbed his outstretched hand without changing his expression, seemingly with a light flick of his wrist.

"Kachacha..."

On his second attempt, the Left Prince's invincible eagle claw was crushed to pieces by Ying Jiuque! The once large, well-defined hand now resembled a water-filled bag of flesh and blood, making a soft 'thump-thump' sound as it fell.

His hand!
Even a man like the Left Prince, who wouldn't utter a sound of pain even with a broken arm, couldn't help but let out a shrill scream under the dual torment of his body and mind.

"what--"

His hand! The bones are shattered like this, they can never be set! He can never ride a horse again, never draw a bow and shoot arrows again, never again slaughter indiscriminately—

(End of this chapter)