Han Jingyu watched the nearly uncontrollable Seventh Prince, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Who would draw swords on each other upon first meeting?
With such a hostile glare, how could any talk of peace be possible?
At the crucial moment, a slender figure calmly stepped in front of Xie Jingqi's path.
Xie Jingqi's clenched fist was about to swing, but upon seeing who it was, he had no choice but to freeze it back into his sleeve.
Ji Zizhao calmly looked up at the group of Tujue people before them, "We have endured a long journey, yet Tujue does not invite us to rest but instead stands here to admire the scenery. Could it be... this is the meaning of Tujue's so-called peace talks?"
Mu Man looked at Ji Zizhao, who stood blocking their path. In his weathered eyes, a rare trace of anger flickered.
The so-called peace talks, naturally, were for the victors and vanquished to negotiate the greatest possible advantage for their own nations.
If the people of Yulin showed disrespect first, or even exhibited an intention to wage war,
Then Tujue could seize the pretext and demand Yulin to retreat further and compensate even more.
However, what was already within their grasp was being obstructed by a seemingly insignificant woman.
How could Mu Man be pleased?
Seeing his father's displeased expression, Mu Shizhen turned to Ji Zizhao and scoffed, "Yulin is truly remarkable. That which we consider worthless, like straw and dregs, can actually speak on behalf of Yulin?"
Such naked belittlement drew waves of snickers from the surrounding Tujue people.
Ji Zizhao, however, remained unfazed, showing no sign of distress or anger. With a placid expression, she said, "I did not expect Tujue to be so outspoken. But forgive my ignorance, I truly do not understand the meaning of these words. I wonder if the young general of Tujue would be willing to explain in detail? I shall listen with bated breath."
Mu Shizhen was surprised that Ji Zizhao couldn't even comprehend such a taunt, his mockery deepening.
But before he could speak, Mu Man's voice cut in, "My son has always been uninhibited in his nature. If there has been any offense, I hope Princess Ronghe of Yulin will forgive him."
Yulin could not afford to give Tujue any pretext at this moment.
Similarly, Tujue had to tread carefully at every step.
Otherwise, if Yulin gained the upper hand in the verbal exchange, they might make a great fuss over compensation.
At that point, Tujue would be the one to lose more than they gained.
Ji Zizhao looked at Mu Man. He was indeed a seasoned general of Tujue, cunning and experienced.
Mu Man knew that his son's flaw had been seen through by Ji Zizhao. If they continued to dally, Ji Zizhao might exploit this weakness of his son to attack.
Fearing that the situation would be ruined by his son, Mu Man quickly ordered his men to lead the way, "I have heard of the esteemed guests from Yulin and have already prepared a banquet to welcome you all."
Han Jingyu, watching from the side, felt like clapping his hands in applause.
With just a few words, they had made the arrogant Tujue willingly yield.
Indeed, wherever Princess Ronghe was present, there was always cause for surprise and excitement.
The group set off again, following Mu Man and his son deeper into the city.
Xie Jingqi looked at Ji Zizhao beside him and complained with lingering resentment, "Why bother talking so much to such mad dogs? They simply won't learn unless they're beaten!"
Ji Zizhao countered with a question, "Has Your Highness the Seventh Prince ever considered why Luoyi has fallen to this state?"
Xie Jingqi was taken aback that Ji Zizhao would ask him. After some thought, he replied, "Naturally, it is because the two nations went to war."
"Since the two nations went to war, the victor is king and the vanquished is a bandit. There is no need for many complaints. Now that Tujue, in the guise of victors, treads upon Yulin's territory and acts with impunity, it is the price Yulin pays for losing the war. Your Highness the Seventh Prince may vent as you please, but afterward, it is these innocent commoners who will bear the brunt of Tujue's venting."
Ji Zizhao's voice was soft and slow, yet her meaning was clear and struck directly at the heart, resounding profoundly.
"Now that Yulin has stepped forward to negotiate peace with Tujue, Yulin will strive its utmost to secure its own interests. Similarly, Tujue will do the same. Your Highness the Seventh Prince may view this moment as a battlefield, one without smoke but where one must learn to hide a dagger behind a smile, to be glib-tongued yet to stab the enemy in their wounds behind their backs."
Compared to the calculating Fourth Prince, the Seventh Prince ascending the throne would bring more security to the Ji family.
The Seventh Prince was impulsive, but only those who treated everything with genuine sincerity would be more capable of gratitude.
Ji Zizhao knew she had fallen into the trap set by the Fourth Prince.
Yet, even knowing this, she was willing to give it a try.
If the Seventh Prince, with her assistance, could truly ascend to the throne, the Ji family would undoubtedly usher in a period of lasting prosperity.
Therefore...
This Seventh Prince, Ji Zizhao had taken him on.
Xie Jingqi stared blankly at Ji Zizhao beside him, her expression calm, her gaze fixed ahead. He was unable to recover for a long time.
These words had actually been spoken to him by his Fourth Brother before.
But every time his Fourth Brother started speaking, he had likely already seen the Duke of Zhou.
Yet, hearing Ji Zizhao's voice now, he felt exceptionally clear-headed.
Ji Zizhao paused and then said, "The courage of a brute is not worthy of elegant discourse, nor is it sufficient to conquer the world."
Sun Li and Liang Xiu, who followed the Seventh Prince, were stunned into silence.
These words truly hit the mark with every syllable.
If they hadn't heard it with their own ears, who would have imagined that such insight, which many men lacked, would come from the mouth of a woman raised in the inner chambers?
After a long silence, Xie Jingqi finally spoke, "Ji Zizhao, who are you calling a dullard?"
Sun Li, "..."
Liang Xiu, "..."
Perhaps this was what was meant by playing a lute to a cow.
The Second Prince, unable to hear the conversation between Ji Zizhao and the Seventh Prince, and seeing them whispering, impatiently urged them, "There will be time to talk after we sit down. Hurry up, you two. It's too smelly here. I get disgusted just looking at those beggars."
If it weren't for the Second Prince's instigation, how could all the men of the Ji family have died in battle, and how could Luoyi have reached this state!
Yet now, the person responsible for it all was completely unaware, even shamelessly expressing his disdain.
Liang Xiu and Sun Li felt like killing someone upon hearing these words.
Not to mention Qing Zhu and Lian Ju, who had remained silent throughout.
Truly, if the Second Prince were not a prince, not even a hundred deaths would garner any sympathy.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in Ji Zizhao's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. Looking at the Second Prince's impatience, she raised her voice slightly and replied, "Your Highness the Second Prince is correct. It is this humble woman's oversight that has allowed Your Highness to see things that should not be seen, everything that has caused Your Highness such disgust and nausea."
Ji Zizhao's voice was not loud, but everyone around could hear it clearly.
The commoners who had been huddled on the sides of the streets began to stir. Before anyone could react, stones and vegetable leaves were flung towards the Second Prince.
Who was the culprit behind Luoyi's defeat? Every commoner in Luoyi knew.
They had been waiting for an opportunity to find the Second Prince, and now he had delivered himself right to them. If they didn't attack him, who would they attack?
Xie Jingxi was stunned by the barrage, shouting, "You lowly wretches! Do you not fear death for daring to harm a prince!"
These words, if heard by ordinary commoners, might have instilled fear.
But for the commoners of Luoyi, living was worse than dying, so how could they fear death?
In an instant, even more objects were hurled at the Second Prince.