Madam, please listen to my explanation.

Chapter 123: Asking Your Majesty to Grant Marriage

"What are you doing? Let me go! I am the Great One!"

"A grown man, standing seven feet tall, dares to call himself 'great'? I hate these androgynous people the most! Beat him up!!!"

"Big Brother Zhou."

"Zhou, Zhou, Zhou, what the hell are you talking about!"

In a small alley near the East Gate, Zhou Shi Han Liang squatted on the ground with his head in his hands, as a barrage of punches and kicks rained down on him without leaving any blind spots.

This is simply unreasonable!
As the newly appointed top scholar and the most handsome young man in Qinque City, he has always been respected and admired wherever he goes.

Just a few days ago, when I attended the wedding of that short-lived emperor who usurped the throne, I was treated to fine wine and food. Why has it fallen to such a state after leaving the city and coming back in?
Being far from home, he was completely unaware of the schemes and conspiracies within the imperial court.

If he had known from the beginning that he would be treated this way, he should have strangled the raven that came to deliver the message!

I had just handed over the token and document at the city gate, revealing my identity.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the city, they were drenched in filth!

Before I could even react to what was happening, I was blindfolded and brought here.
The more Han Liang thought about it, the angrier he became, and he couldn't help but burst into a tirade:

"Such an insult to civility! The State of Yan is utterly unworthy of its title as a land of propriety!"

"Brother, it sounds like he's cursing at us!"

"Beat me to death!"

A dozen or so Blood-Clad Guards, disguised as ordinary civilians, swarmed forward and began punching and kicking the boy without any restraint.

There's actually no need to go through the trouble of providing identification documents, badges, or other forms of proof.

Most of those present had participated in the riots of the previous few days.

In addition, this young man was dressed in fine furs, and his skin tone was noticeably different from the delicate skin of the Yan people. As soon as he entered the city, he stood out like a rat dropping in white porridge, making him hard to miss.
Before he came, Lord Zhang gave him countless instructions and left behind eight words of wisdom.
Beat them hard! Just make sure they don't die!
There has never been a precedent for this kind of order to brutally beat an envoy.
For thousands of years, the Great Zhou Kingdom has harbored wolfish ambitions and has always coveted the vast territory of the Great Yan Kingdom, a fact known to all.

Blood flowed like a river at the border between the two countries, and countless people died in battle.

Even if they outwardly submit, they will inevitably do bad things behind the scenes, and all sorts of insidious tricks never stop!

The group put in all their effort, fearing that they wouldn't fight hard enough and would be punished by the new commander. Not using their true energy was already considered merciful.

Not far away, several of the guards watched from a distance until the man's shouts grew fainter and fainter, and even his breathing became weak. Only then did they straighten their clothes and step out from the corner.

"stop!"

"How dare you commit violence in broad daylight? Take them all away!"

Very good!
In his hazy state of consciousness, Han Liang was overjoyed.

Before he could even catch his breath, a pair of cold shackles snapped onto his arms.

Han Liang: "???"

"Gentlemen, you've made a mistake. I was the one who was beaten."

"Ok?"

The leader glared at him, which immediately silenced Han Liang.

"How dare you openly resist arrest! Beat them!"

"Ah! No!!!"
-
The next day, officials stood in rows in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Today's court assembly was somewhat strange.

His Majesty had not yet arrived, and the entire hall was quiet except for a man lying on a soft couch in the center, who occasionally groaned.
"hiss"

"Are you thirsty? Is there any water?"

Those who were nearby instinctively covered their noses.

It stinks. It stinks so bad!
This bruised and swollen fellow was clearly the same Zhou envoy he had met just two days prior at Ning Qian's wedding.

If I remember correctly, I just left the city this morning. Why did I suddenly turn back?
It's fine if they come back.
The two countries have just joined forces to divide up the territory of "Xianqi" and are in a period of flirting. Logically, they should have protected each other all the way until they left the country. How could they have let the other party be harmed like this?
Chang Wei and the Minister of Rites kept their eyes straight ahead, ignoring the questioning glances directed their way.

Grand Secretary Xu Xinnian's eyelids were lowered, and his face was expressionless, as if he were asleep.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Han Liang immediately perked up and stared intently at the top of the hall.

The girl who fought bravely in silver armor, surrounded by enemies that day, left an indelible impression on him!
Although I am a woman, I have lofty ambitions!
Effective immediately, the reign title is changed to 'Jinghe'.
This is hereby proclaimed to all of you, so that they may all be informed!

What an aura of dominance and extraordinary heroism!

Since that parting, I have not had the good fortune to see him again.

He had already remembered the person who had assaulted him earlier, and he was determined to get justice from the empress later!
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was eerily quiet, yet the sound of a skirt brushing against the jade steps, accompanied by the crisp clinking of necklaces, could be heard.

The tall, beautiful empress slowly walked out from the side, and Han Liang momentarily forgot the pain in his body.

She sat high on the dragon throne, the tassels hanging from her sun and moon crown obscuring half her face, revealing only a hint of her crimson lips. Her fingertips traced her gold and jade belt, and the entire hall suddenly stirred; the assembled officials prostrated themselves in reverence.
"See Your Majesty!"

"Everyone is safe."

The Empress's voice was clear and cold, exuding supreme majesty.

Han Liang swallowed hard, only four words remaining in his mind.
Unrivaled in splendor!

The same person, just by changing his clothes, has undergone such a dramatic transformation.

The woman before him didn't seem like a young girl who had only been on the throne for a few days. She was clearly an emperor who had been immersed in power struggles for many years!

Han Liang even had the illusion that the other person was born to sit in that position.

"How dare you, Zhou envoy! Now that you have met the Emperor of Yan, why do you not bow?"

The sudden reprimand startled Han Liang!
He never imagined that his mission to the Great Yan would be such a humiliating and tragic experience.
It wasn't that Han Liang was ignorant of etiquette. It was just that he was in pain all over his body at the moment, and he didn't even know how many bones were broken. Even if he wanted to bow, he couldn't do it!

Just as he was about to answer, a gaze fell upon him from above the dragon throne. In an instant, Han Liang felt as if a sharp sword was pressed against his throat, and the slightest movement would send him to his death.

Compared to that, the punches and kicks I received in the alley earlier seemed insignificant.
Fortunately, that gaze was immediately removed from him.

Han Liang came to his senses and found his back was icy cold, as it was soaked with sweat.

"Guests are guests, and Changqing must not be rude."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

We're saved.
Her Majesty the Empress has spoken up for me!
"Are you Han Liang, the envoy from Zhou?"

"Indeed. A few days ago, your humble servant..."

Han Liang had just relaxed his vigilance a little when he saw the Empress's expression suddenly change, and the temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop several degrees instantly!
"Envoy Zhou, do you know your crime?"

Come again?

"As soon as I entered the city, I was splashed with excrement and beaten in the street. I was seriously injured. If it weren't for the sharp eyes of the imperial guards who recognized the token I was carrying, I would probably still be in prison and would never have the chance to see Your Majesty again!"
I am truly unable to rise at this moment; please forgive me, Your Majesty!

After he finished speaking, he looked up with anticipation.

The Empress shook her head and waved her hand, saying:

"It seems that the ministers of Zhou have been on horseback for too long and have long forgotten the proper etiquette."

"Yu Qing, teach him for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

All the officials looked at each other.

Hearing this, everyone realized what was going on. This week's envoy was beaten black and blue—could it be that His Majesty had deliberately orchestrated it?

The Minister of Rites stepped forward and angrily said:

"Why did the State of Zhou send an envoy to visit without informing them in advance? This is the first offense."

Han Liang desperately wanted to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, but unfortunately, he couldn't lift his arm at all.

"The envoy came alone, empty-handed, without offering any gifts; this is the second offense!"

Deceiving too much!

Didn't we just present it a few days ago?

I've only been gone for less than half a day and I'm just back to say a few words. Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?
Just as I was about to speak in my defense, an even bigger accusation was slapped on my head:
"Such a lack of manners gives this old minister reason to suspect that the Zhou state harbors rebellious intentions!"

"Innocent! Your Majesty, I am terrified!"

"Oh?"

Zhao Ruoxi spoke up again:
"Your voice is deep and resonant, full of energy. It seems that Envoy Han's injuries are not serious. I didn't hear you clearly. Did you just say that you were beaten upon entering the city?"

Han Liang suddenly shook his head.

Even if he were stupid, he would know at this moment that someone must have angered the empress without his knowledge!

"That's not true. The injuries on my body were all from a fall."

Upon hearing this, Empress Yingluo's lips curled up slightly.

As sunlight streamed in, the temperature inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony finally rose slightly.

"The State of Zhou and my Great Yan have always been on good terms, but that cannot be a reason for your rudeness. Do you have anything to say about the crimes mentioned by the Minister just now?"

She didn't care what this guy wanted to do by returning.

Daring to mobilize a large army, summon heavenly thunder in Yanjing City, and ambush Xu Jinhuan.
She had made up her mind to let the emperor and generals of Zhou get to know her, the Emperor of Yan!

"Your Majesty, it is not that I, your humble servant, am being disrespectful; it is simply that I have important matters to discuss with Your Majesty, which is why I have returned."
As for the gifts presented, they were indeed far too valuable, causing a delay on the way. Your Majesty only needs to inquire at the border to verify their authenticity!

Han Liang braced himself and accepted the charges against him presented by the Minister, feeling an unprecedented sense of humiliation.

If we were in their shoes, and it were the Yan envoy going to the Great Zhou, would things have turned out the same?
Chu Yunlu, Chu Yunlu, what have you done?!
The officials couldn't get a word in edgewise and could only exchange knowing glances.

Your Majesty's actions, though the reason is unknown, were somewhat rash and improper.

But for some reason, I just felt incredibly gratified!

This is the confidence that Great Yan, as a superior nation, should have!
"In that case, tell me, what does Emperor Zhou have to discuss with me?"

Han Liang only wanted to leave this sad place as soon as possible, so he quickly took out something he had hidden close to his body inside his clothes.

"Your Majesty, I only have one copy of the edict from Emperor Zhou, and I do not know its contents."

General Chu sent a message stating that the door could only be opened in person before His Majesty!

Zhao Ruoxi nodded.

Such urgent messages can only be transmitted via ravens. Strict preventative measures have always been in place to prevent leaks.

If opened prematurely, the edict will self-destruct.

"read."

Han Liang, his heart pounding with anxiety, unfolded the edict with trembling hands and slowly read aloud:
"Princess Junruo, daughter of the late General Li Yanzhou of the Great Zhou Dynasty, has long admired a young hero of the Yan Kingdom. She wishes to offer ten thousand fine horses, a thousand taels of gold, and a hundred bolts of silk as her dowry. She requests Your Majesty to grant her marriage!"

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled the hall.

Such dowry items are far too extravagant!
Some observant individuals have already sensed the presence of a conspiracy.

Xu Xinnian's eyes, which had been lowered for a long time, suddenly opened!

Zhao Ruoxi narrowed her phoenix eyes slightly and said coldly:
"I wonder which young hero has won the princess's favor so much. Tell me about him."

Her hand unconsciously groped for the armrest on the side of the dragon throne. Thinking of General Chu's style of doing things, the name he was about to mention seemed all too obvious.
Below, Han Liang's hands were already trembling like leaves.

My life is over!

As he looked at the words on the edict, he cursed the person's ancestors for eighteen generations in his mind!

"Read it, Foreign Envoy Han, why have you stopped reading?"

"Xu Jinhuan, the eighth-ranked young man of Qingqing Prefecture!"

boom!
Spots of gold paint and hard sandalwood fragments were scattered everywhere.

Even though Han Liang was not skilled in martial arts, he could sense that the Empress above him had already decided to kill him!
He naturally knew who Xu Jinhuan was!

That damned Chu Yunlu!

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Xu Xinnian suddenly stepped forward and bowed.

Zhao Ruoxi forcibly suppressed her anger, "Please speak, Grand Secretary."

"This old minister has never seen such a precious dowry in all my life. It is clear that Princess Junruo has long admired Mr. Xu."

Once this marriage is arranged, the relationship between our Great Yan and the Zhou Kingdom will naturally become even closer.

There's only one problem.

He stroked his beard, looked at Han Liang who was deathly pale, and continued:

"Mr. Xu is, after all, just a wandering cultivator in the martial arts world, without any official position. Moreover, he has rendered meritorious service in protecting His Majesty and has even saved His Majesty's life. His marriage should be discussed with him personally before proceeding."

Zhao Ruoxi's emotions calmed down slightly.

After all, this is a major event involving the lives of tens of millions of people between two countries.

It's better for Xu Xinnian to step in and mediate than for her, the emperor, to personally veto it.

What a shrewd Chu Yunlu!

Whether the marriage goes through or not, it will inevitably put the Emperor of Yan in a difficult position.

Is this blatant provocation because they think that because the Grand Preceptor is in trouble, the Zhou Kingdom can do whatever it wants?

"Han Qing, did you hear me clearly?"

"Your subject has heard clearly! Lord Xu is absolutely right!"

If it weren't for his broken legs and limited mobility, Han Liang would definitely kneel down and kowtow repeatedly right now!
The message has been delivered. Whether it succeeds or not is not my concern. My priority is to survive!
Zhao Ruoxi nodded: "Mr. Xu is a reclusive master, and I have no right to command him."

Moreover, since you are not in Kyoto at the moment, whether or not you agree to this marriage will be your decision upon your return. As for the envoy…

Han Liang's heart skipped a beat.

"Stay here in Kyoto and recuperate well until Mr. Xu returns."

Just yesterday, my Blood-Clad Guards arrested two troublemakers in the capital who claimed to be spies from the Zhou Kingdom. I will need you to identify them later.”

Done
Can not go back
Han Liang felt utterly hopeless.

"Oh right, I forgot to tell Han Qing that Xu Jinhuan just killed a martial artist from your country outside the East Gate earlier today."

The other party called himself "Overlord Blade Song Yu".

"Your country's information seems inaccurate. In my opinion, it won't be long before your ranking on the Earthly Ranking rises again."

(End of this chapter)