Chapter 204: Chapter 204
If Bei Xia refuses to fulfill the promise of giving Dongchu three cities, Dongchu would also find it difficult to forcibly demand them; otherwise, a slight mishap could ignite war.
In this way, Dongchu would neither gain any substantial benefit nor have to expend effort dealing with conflict, truly a loss on both fronts.
However, if the content of the bet and Bei Xia’s breach of promise were to be spread, Dongchu wouldn’t even need to take action to seek justice, as Bei Xia would naturally be doubted by other countries for its broken promise, potentially leading to a sudden halt in international trade.
Bei Xia would suffer immense losses in the end!
In this instance, Dongchu, without expending a single soldier, easily avenged the mockery from Bei Xia.
After Jun Ning understood Emperor Yongning’s intent, he sincerely praised, "Father’s strategy is truly remarkable!" Truly worthy of an Emperor.
But by the time Bei Xia realized this, it was too late; even if they wanted to make amends, it was already impossible. The lords and ministers had begun tightening their belts to get by.
"We should have known to give Dongchu those three cities. With over forty cities, Bei Xia could easily have picked three less developed ones to fulfill the promise; Bei Xia didn’t need those three cities and there was no need for this mess."
"Now, just because we didn’t keep the promise, Bei Xia has been severely impacted, almost shaking the foundation of the nation. Truly a loss on both counts!"
"Isn’t it so? Had we readily given those three cities, Bei Xia might have been praised by all countries as bold, generous, and powerful, not concerned with petty profits."
Alas, there are no ifs.
The situation has come to this, and it must be accepted.
However, the ministers of Bei Xia harbored a grudge over this matter.
In the end, they vented their grievance on the prince who was sent to Dongchu.
This prince was simply a failure, incapable of achieving anything.
On his mission to Dongchu, not only did he fail to avenge Bei Xia’s envoys who were previously detained, but he also didn’t secure any substantial benefits for Bei Xia... Instead, Bei Xia suffered this great calamity.
Truly incompetent, unworthy of significant responsibility.
Instantly, support for Bei Xia’s prince decreased by half. Even those who remained loyal dared not openly associate with him.
For a time, Bei Xia’s prince was like a rat scurrying across the street, everyone clamoring to attack.
Compared to Bei Xia’s internal bickering, Dongchu, recovering from a plague, was experiencing a revival across various sectors.
On this day, the delayed full moon feast of the National Guardian General’s legitimate son became the talk of the Imperial City.
"Hey, did you hear? The National Guardian General is throwing a full moon feast for his son. Although it’s delayed by a few months, it’s said he plans on hosting a three-hundred table feast open to anyone who wishes to attend."
"Then I’ll quickly take my family to eat. It’s about mealtime, and I wouldn’t have to cook at home."
With such thoughts, many people gathered their families and headed toward the National Guardian General Mansion.
Those still wandering the streets, not yet hungry, continued to discuss.
"Why would the General Mansion throw such a grand full moon feast? For everyone to know?"
"Naturally, because the National Guardian General has been at war for many years, and now he finally has his own family. He values his child’s full moon feast more than an average person would."
"No, no, this brother is mistaken. I have a sister in the palace who said it’s because the General’s son was promised a marriage by the Emperor before he was even born. The Emperor intends to wed his most beloved princess to the General’s son in the future. Therefore, the General dare not neglect his son’s full moon feast, even if delayed, to ensure it’s big and widely known."
Upon hearing this, the crowd was full of anticipation.
"So you’re saying the beloved Princess will attend the General’s son’s full moon feast?" Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩
"The Princess is deeply cherished by the Emperor, able to strategize and have someone save her crown prince brother on the black market despite her young age. What an extraordinary person! We must seize this chance to witness her grace."
With those words, many who had long heard of Princess Anle, even admiring her immensely, hurried towards the National Guardian General Mansion.
Today, they were determined to witness the Princess’s charms.
The entrance of the National Guardian General Mansion was crowded.
The National Guardian General did not expect his son’s full moon feast to be this popular.
While he arranged for guests to be seated, he sent someone to the city’s administration to request help in maintaining order. Otherwise, a slight mishap such as trampling or fighting might lead to bloodshed, ruining the joyful occasion.
Quickly, the City Patrol Guards were dispatched to maintain order at the General Mansion.
Under the guidance of the guards, everyone queuing for the feast did so in an orderly manner, with no cutting in line or conflicts allowed.
The line stretched from the entrance of the General Mansion to the Prince’s residence, long and winding, seemingly endless.
The prince was speechless: with so many prince mansions nearby, why did the line not extend to them? It reached his doorstep instead.
He couldn’t even go out; even if he could, his carriage and horses wouldn’t pass through.
To go anywhere, he could only walk on foot.
The prince let out a scream and went past the throngs by the gate, heading toward the city gate.
He had planned to meet some scholars for a poetry session amidst the snow outside the city and couldn’t miss it. The agreed time was approaching, so he had to hurry.
But while walking, he mistakenly headed towards the National Guardian General Mansion.
The city gate and the General Mansion were not in the same direction. Not only did he go wrong, but he went in the opposite direction.
Jun Ning, Jun Yu, and Jing Shu, escorted by Nanny Zhang and plainclothes guards, were also walking towards the General Mansion. Inevitably, they encountered the troubled prince on the way.
"Eldest Imperial Uncle, what are you doing here?" Jing Shu asked innocently, "I heard the General Mansion didn’t invite you to the banquet."
Since Emperor Yongning decreed the marriage between the General’s son and Jun Ning, the General Mansion and Jun Ning have been on the same side. The prince had previously attempted to kill Jun Ning, so both Jun Ning and the General Mansion bore grudges.
Thus, for the young master’s full moon feast, the General intentionally did not send an invitation to the prince’s residence.
The prince came uninvited, which was quite embarrassing.
"Is it that the General didn’t send an invitation, so I can’t come?"