The playboy county magistrate

Upon receiving the order, the six women from the Western Regions moved gracefully, their steps accompanied by music.

The music suddenly shifted, becoming light, lively, melodious, and enchanting.

Six women danced in unison, their waists slender and graceful. Their skirts billowed like blooming flowers, their wide sleeves billowed like drifting clouds.

Rotation, arm raising, bending over, and glancing back—every movement was exquisitely designed and perfectly coordinated.

The exotic dance steps are passionate and lively, yet elegant and measured. Vibrant without being vulgar, alluring without being seductive, they perfectly capture the charm of the Western Regions.

All eyes were drawn to the dance on stage, and even many stern old ministers subconsciously looked on, their eyes revealing amazement.

The envoys from the Western Regions sat in the outer seats, and upon seeing this, their eyes lit up slightly, secretly pleased.

If one can gain the Emperor's favor, subsequent petitions for trade and requests for convenience will have a much greater chance of success.

The dance ended, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Qi Luo was slightly out of breath, a fine layer of sweat beading on her forehead. Yet, her figure remained slender, and she smiled sweetly as she curtsied once more. Her eyes were full of affection, gentle and submissive.

"The dance is finished. May Your Majesty enjoy peace year after year, and may all nations submit to you."

Exclamations of admiration immediately rang out; the beauty and dance skills of the Western Regions truly lived up to their reputation.

The last to enter were two women from Japan.

Chiyo and Yukina, dressed in minimalist, plain-colored kimonos without any patterns or designs, stood almost transparent among the brightly lit group of beauties.

Its ordinariness was instantly overshadowed by the elegance of southern Xinjiang, the ruggedness of northern deserts, and the vibrancy of western regions.

The two bowed their heads, their posture upright. Their steps were slow and deliberate, their movements measured and respectful, their voices soft and gentle as they performed the salute.

"A woman from Japan pays her respects to Your Majesty, wishing you a long and prosperous life and a stable and secure empire."

From beginning to end, he neither competed nor fought for anything, offering no outstanding performance whatsoever. It was as if he was merely following the team, an insignificant supporting character.

The guests' gazes swept over them quickly before shifting away. No one paid much attention to the two plain-looking Japanese women.

Even many courtiers who were initially wary completely relaxed, believing that the Japanese were well-behaved and had no ulterior motives.

The emperor on his throne, Li Xuanzhi sitting upright, and the crown prince observing silently all had slightly lowered eyes, their guard remaining firmly in place.

Everyone else was deliberately trying to show off their strengths and attract attention. Only the two from Japan deliberately concealed their weaknesses, downplayed their abilities, and willingly became mediocre supporting characters.

This extreme forbearance and restraint is something no ordinary, weak woman could possess. Behind it lies a profound cunning and long-term strategy far surpassing that of other nations.

As the banquet progressed and the atmosphere grew more intense, the envoys from various countries, each with their own thoughts and intentions, waited for their chance to act.

The Khan of the Northern Desert, emboldened by the wine, was the first to raise his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing on the throne. What appeared to be casual conversation was in fact a deliberate test.

"Your Majesty, today's grand banquet is a time of celebration for all nations, a truly magnificent sight for all ages. Our northern tribes have always admired the customs and culture of the Central Plains, and young and old alike yearn to receive more of the blessings of the Celestial Empire."

"The trade regulations previously discussed in court were too strict in terms of checkpoint checks and too narrow in terms of trade scope, causing considerable inconvenience to border residents. Today, at this elegant banquet, we will not discuss political affairs, but only friendship. May we humbly request Your Majesty to grant some leniency and relax the restrictions on border markets, so that the northern deserts and the Great Yong can forever be friendly neighbors and share peace?"

Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell silent.

What appeared to be a casual reminiscence after drinking, a casual chat about friendship, was actually an attempt to use the banquet as a pretext to reiterate the trade demands that had been rejected the previous day, in a vain attempt to leverage so-called personal connections to influence court regulations.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light suddenly appeared in Ulan's eyes.

She immediately understood, and stepped forward with a respectful yet proud demeanor, softly echoing her words.

"Your Majesty, the people of the northern border suffer from the harsh cold and have relied on herding for generations. If we could receive the grace of the Celestial Empire and relax trade restrictions, it would be a blessing for countless herders and a boon for friendly relations between our two nations."

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly became subtle.

The other envoys all turned their heads, waiting for the emperor's response.

The emperor's eyes remained calm and unwavering. Before he could respond, a clear and gentle voice calmly rang out from beside him.

"Khan, you are mistaken."

Li Xuanzhi slowly rose, his gaze sweeping lightly over the Khan of the Northern Desert and Ulan, his tone calm.

"It is precisely because our two countries are forever good neighbors and share peace that we need to strictly abide by regulations and clearly define our borders. As the old saying goes, trade with moderation ensures lasting friendship, and borders with rules prevent disputes."

"Da Yong has never mistreated its vassal states. Border markets have been open every year, and taxes have been reduced or exempted year after year. It has provided relief to the suffering people and comforted the border residents. Its benevolence has long since spread throughout the northern deserts."

"The Khan's appeal today, based on romantic feelings, seems sincere, but in reality, he intends to use personal relationships to break public rules and to use personal feelings to disrupt national policies."

"The rules and regulations of the imperial court are the foundation of the nation and the bottom line for all people. If they are relaxed at the slightest occasion, such as a banquet or a casual conversation, then we will be seeking more favorable market conditions in the northern deserts, tax exemptions in the western regions, and maritime trade with Japan the day after tomorrow."

"With all regulations broken down and defenses crumbling, disorder will reign on all sides, borders will be in turmoil, and where will peace come from? Where will good neighborliness come from?"

The Khan of the Northern Desert stiffened slightly, and the drunkenness and sharpness in his eyes vanished almost instantly. He was speechless for a moment, unable to refute her.

Ulan frowned slightly, feeling unwilling. However, she knew that Li Xuanzhi's words were all reasonable and irrefutable.

The crown prince sat upright on his seat, quietly observing the entire process.

He could see that Mobei was impatient and reckless, lacking any sense of propriety. He was attempting to use lavish banquets and entertainment to undermine the court and the laws of the land.

The teacher's actions are telling everyone that personal relationships are personal relationships, and rules are rules. National interests always come first.

Once the situation had calmed down, the Crown Prince stood up at the opportune moment, speaking clearly, fairly, and appropriately, thus easing the tension just right.

"The Khan cares for his tribe and is compassionate towards the border people; his heart is commendable. However, national policies and regulations concern the overall situation of the world and cannot be changed arbitrarily due to personal feelings."

"My father is benevolent and pacifies distant lands. He has already optimized trade procedures and reduced taxes for weaker vassal states. His grace has already benefited all regions."

"As long as all countries conduct trade in accordance with the rules, Dayong will naturally share peace and lasting harmony with all countries."

Upon seeing this, the six women from the Western Regions immediately suppressed any whispers they had prepared to use in their husbands' pillows.

They saw things clearly: the court today had strict rules, and the emperor and his ministers were of one mind. Any rash action would only backfire and provoke suspicion. It was better to remain in hiding and wait for a better opportunity.

Nanjiang Meixi's eyes flickered slightly, becoming even more convinced that her strategy of forbearance was the safest. Those who flaunt their talents will inevitably suffer setbacks first; only by being gentle, unassuming, and patient can one gain a lasting foothold.

Chiyo from Japan stood at the end of the line with her head bowed, a faint, cold glint flashing across her narrow eyes before disappearing in an instant.

They had witnessed the entire day, growing increasingly wary of Li Xuanzhi's keen insight and impressed by the Crown Prince's steady progress. Their conviction deepened—

Now is not the time to act rashly. Only when cracks appear between the emperor and his ministers of the Great Yong Dynasty, and rifts develop in the court, will it be time for Japan to make its move.

The elegant music gradually subsided, and the fragrance of osmanthus drifted on the breeze, settling on the table and cups.

Despite the silent exchange just now, the guests remained outwardly composed, smiling and elegant, their attire impeccable. Yet, each harbored their own hidden agendas and calculations.

The emperor raised his hand and pressed it down lightly, and the courtyard fell silent instantly.