Professional Ethics of a Concubine

When Prince Duan heard what the Third Prince said, he immediately rolled his eyes.

"You wish for it. There's only so much stuff. How can I reserve a portion for you? Besides, do you have money? If you don't have money, don't talk about it."

"Okay, Xie Wenjie, three days ago, you kept calling me your friend and saying that no one else had seen this thing, so I kept it for you. Now your face has changed!"

The third prince Yuchi Yongning was so angry that he glared at him, looking at him as if he were a heartless man.

Prince Duan rolled his eyes at him again and said with disdain,

"Think about your status three days ago. You were a distinguished guest that I wanted to entertain. And think about your status now. You are my colleague. How can it be the same?"

Yuchi Yongning,...

It made sense, but he couldn't refute it.

"I want this not for my own enjoyment, but to honor my mother. I don't believe that my cousin the prince will not give it to me?" Yuchi Yongning argued again.

"Then you go and discuss it with the Crown Prince. I can't make the decision anyway. This is not something I can make."

Prince Duan admired the beautifully colored pure dew, smelled the fragrance it emanated, and said with admiration and a bit of sourness.

His sixth brother is truly extraordinary.

Of course, it was the Bole Master Ye who was the most capable. With just one move, she pulled the Sixth Prince out of the "cold palace" and made him a new favorite in front of her father.

It seemed that the popularity was about to surpass his.

"Which skilled craftsman made this? There are so many talented people in your Great Zhao." Yuchi Yongning asked curiously, wondering if he could poach some of the talents.

"Haha, don't even think about poaching. This was done by my sixth brother. Do you admit that the prince of our Great Zhao is many times stronger than your Gulan Kingdom?"

Prince Duan put on a proud face again. When he said this, he not only praised himself but also insulted Yuchi Yongning.

This time it was Yuchi Yongning's turn to roll his eyes and snort, expressing his dissatisfaction.

But I just can't refute it.

Because although what Prince Duan said was unpleasant to hear, it was true.

Yuchi Yongning turned around and left in frustration, unilaterally announcing that their friendship was completely over.

"Bring the people from Dayan here tomorrow, and the commission from their consumption will be yours." Prince Duan shouted at his back.

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Yongning immediately turned around and said enthusiastically,

"Good brother, watch me, I will definitely call half of their delegation over!"

After saying that, Yuchi Yongning left the manor full of fighting spirit and went back to the guild hall to fool people.

-

Hall.

Su Ting came back from outside and asked the envoys as usual, "Is the third prince back?"

"I'm back. I'm going to the Great Yan delegation."

Su Ting frowned slightly, but he was not particularly worried. They were all diplomatic missions and were within the territory of Da Zhao, so conflicts would not easily arise.

Moreover, the third prince’s status is now extraordinary. He has become the ambassador of Gulan Kingdom in Dazhao and can assist in handling issues such as trade between the two countries.

This status, this power, is much higher than that of a proton.

The people of Dayan knew his identity and were all polite to him.

When Su Ting thought of the Third Prince's identity as an ambassador, he could not help but sigh again that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Great Zhao was no ordinary person.

He was no longer just being courteous to the wise. Su Ting felt that his breadth of mind, vision, and planning had surpassed those of the empress.

Their fifth prince is obviously the empress's biological son, but compared to her, he is so inferior.

Alas, it would be great if there was a change. If their Gulan Kingdom had a crown prince like Xie Jin, unifying the Western Regions would not be a foolish dream.

He has been wandering around outside for the past two or three days, watching the business of vendors in the market, chatting with the common people, and going to villages near the outskirts of Beijing to observe the daily life of the villagers.

After visiting for a few days, Su Ting came to the conclusion that the Great Zhao was rising like the sun.

Perhaps, in a few years or ten years, Great Zhao would become a great power that needed them to come and pay homage to it, and it could directly threaten Great Yan and Chu.

Their Gulan Kingdom is now in an alliance with the Great Zhao, and they still have bargaining chips to negotiate, and are almost on an equal footing. But by then, there will be no such thing as a transaction, but rather it will become tribute and rewards.

Su Ting sighed worriedly.

"Lord Su, you are worried about the country and the people again. Hearing your long sigh, I also have a headache. Can't we relax and have fun for a few days?"

At this time, Yuchi Yongning pushed the door open and came in to look for him. As soon as he opened his mouth, he sounded nonchalant, making people unwilling to pay attention to him.

Su Ting rolled his eyes in his heart, but still put on a smile and asked gently, "What have you been busy with all day, Your Highness? Did you go to the Great Yan envoys' place for some important business?"

"I've been busy all day, getting familiar with how the royal manor of Da Zhao is run. We can learn from it and set up one in Gulan to make money from those stingy nobles."

Yuchi Yongning spoke.

Upon hearing this, Su Ting nodded with satisfaction. The Third Prince had really made progress and knew how to do serious work.

"Sir Su, I have invited the Seventh Prince of Dayan and others to go to the manor tomorrow. You can come with us." The Third Prince said again.

"Just be my agent. If there are any good things tomorrow, you will be responsible for competing with Dayan for them, raising the price, and then giving them to the people of Dayan, so that they can spend more money to buy them."

Su Ting, ...

"Oh, by the way, I also told the people of Dayan that I am familiar with the people of Zhao and will never let them suffer any loss. If you fight for it tomorrow, I may scold you in a nice way. Don't take it to heart, it's all an act."

Su Ting, ...

He really didn't know that the third prince was such a profiteer!

You are really capable, my Third Prince.

-

This is the Dayan delegation.

"The third prince of Gulan just said a lot of great things, saying that he wants to join forces with us while he is away from home, but it is obvious that he still leans towards the Great Zhao." An envoy of Dayan said to the seventh prince.

"The biological mother of the Crown Prince of Great Zhao is the sister of the Queen of Gulan. The two countries have already signed an alliance agreement, so it is normal for Yuchi Yongning to favor Great Zhao."

"Yes! Who would have thought that there is such a relationship."

"Could it be that the Great Zhao and Gulan Kingdom wanted to form an alliance, so they did this? Finding a dead person to posthumously confer a title on him would be easier than marrying a princess to the emperor."

"That won't happen! I went to Gulan Kingdom as an envoy and met the Empress. Today, I met the Crown Prince of Zhao. I can only say that the Crown Prince of Zhao did follow his mother's family and looks very similar to the Empress."

……

This sentence silenced everyone in the delegation.

Everyone also understood that this might mean that the alliance between Gulan and Da Zhao was more solid than they thought.

The Gulan Kingdom and the Great Zhao are both becoming increasingly powerful, which is not a good thing for them, the Great Yan, and the sense of threat is growing stronger and stronger.

"How about... we also make peace with the Great Zhao?" After a moment, an envoy finally couldn't help but speak.

The Seventh Prince frowned and glanced at the envoy who talked about the marriage.

"This matter should be sent back to Dayan as quickly as possible and reported to the emperor. If the emperor also has this intention, the ninth princess can choose a husband in Dayan." Another person said.

“Even if we want to marry a foreign princess, the Ninth Princess is not suitable. She is too naive and may even bring trouble to Dayan.” The Seventh Prince rejected it immediately.

The Ninth Princess was his sister from the same mother. He couldn't let his sister marry a foreign princess, as this would ruin a woman's life.

The Seventh Prince said this with a sullen face, causing the other envoys to shut up.

After all, it's still a vague thing, so why say more and provoke the Seventh Prince's disgust.

If the Emperor wants to marry a foreign princess and has chosen the Ninth Princess, it will not be up to the Seventh Prince to decide. It will not be too late to discuss it then.

-

"Brother, I just heard you talking about the marriage. I can do it."

After the envoys left the Seventh Prince, the Ninth Princess came in and said to the Seventh Prince.

"Han Yan, don't talk nonsense, a princess who marries a foreign prince won't have a good ending.

Not to mention the many things you may not be comfortable with in a foreign country, once the two countries go to war again, you will be the first to be abandoned or blackmailed.”

The Seventh Prince frowned and spoke to her sternly.

"Brother, I understand this, but if father decides to have a marriage between the two countries, someone must be the princess to marry."

The Ninth Princess blinked cutely and said with a smile,

"I like the food, culture and scenery here. Marrying here is exactly what I want. I won't feel uncomfortable or unhappy.

The other sisters are not like me. They don’t want to leave Dayan and don’t like it here. It would be very painful for them to marry here.

I also hope that there can be peace between the two countries. War is costly and the people and soldiers on the border suffer.

Although hoping that the two countries can always live in peace may be a beautiful luxury, but if my marriage can help keep the peace for another ten years, then my sacrifice will not be in vain, right?

Our Great Yan is now strong and can even suppress Great Zhao. If we really want to marry a princess, I should be able to pick a man I like and marry him. The treatment should be good at the beginning, and I can live a good life for ten years."

"Sister, don't be so naive and kind." After hearing her remarks, the Seventh Prince rubbed his head in worry.

"How can it be as good as you say! Open your brain for me, you only think about the good life in the first ten years, what about the next few decades?

If you give birth to a child, the child will bear the grievances of the two countries. You will be heartbroken and regretful when the time comes!"

"Then I won't have children. Giving birth is so painful and I might die. It's too scary."

The Ninth Princess wrinkled her nose coquettishly and said as a matter of course,

"Concubine Wei in the palace died during childbirth. I saw it. She screamed for a whole day and night and bled so much. I had nightmares for many days.

And there was Concubine Chu. She was eight months pregnant and suddenly died. Not only did she lose her child, but she was also half dead. It was so horrible.

And that..."

"Stop, stop, stop. Don't tell me in detail how those beauties or concubines in my father's harem died without children."

The Seventh Prince interrupted her with a headache.

"But this is all true. You men only want to enjoy beautiful women and think that giving us women a child is a blessing. But we women also risk our lives to give birth to children."

The Ninth Princess' eyes were bright, and she said seriously,

“I don’t want to accept this kind of gift and risk my life for a child.

I would rather jump off the city wall when the two countries are at odds again and end my life. Maybe I can leave a name in the history books this way. "

The Seventh Prince,

My dear sister, please stop talking. I have a headache!

"From now on, please stop reading those messy books. Look at what they have made you look like." The Seventh Prince glared at her and started to criticize her.

"Not only did she have the audacity to sneak into the diplomatic corps, but when she came to Zhao, she even thought that marriage was a good thing and wanted to compete to be the princess of the marriage..."

"Brother, what I'm saying is that once our father decides on a marriage between our two countries, I can be the princess who marries into the other country."

The Ninth Princess corrected him with a smile.

"You're still laughing! Does it make any difference? Go back to your room. While you're in Da Zhao, you are not allowed to run around without permission!" said the Seventh Prince in a displeased tone.

"Okay, Royal brother, don't be angry. I get it. I will be good." The Ninth Princess softened her voice and grabbed the Seventh Prince's sleeves, shaking them and acting coquettishly.

The Seventh Prince pulled back his sleeves with a stern face, "... Go back to bed immediately."

"Yes, sir!" The Ninth Princess decided to quit while she was ahead and left quickly.

The Seventh Prince sighed deeply in worry.

-

The next day.

Early in the morning.

Yuchi Yongning became full of energy. After packing up, he went to the envoy of Dayan and shouted enthusiastically,

"Seventh Prince, are you awake? Let's go to the manor to have breakfast. Let me tell you, the food there is much better than this restaurant. It's so delicious that you'll want to bite off your tongue."

The Seventh Prince,

The third prince of the Gulan Kingdom is really warm and considerate.

Breakfast has been arranged.

The Seventh Prince had never seen a prince of any other country who was so considerate. He was quite touched and naturally agreed. He decided to go to the manor to taste the breakfast there.

So, early in the morning, before the minor officials at the guild hall had gone to work, a group of people, led by the third prince, went towards the manor.

The minor official who had taken the third prince to the manor came to the guild hall and thought that he should be able to lead the envoys from Dayan to the manor today.

However, when he arrived at the guild hall, he was told that everyone had left and was taken away by the Third Prince.

Little official,...

I had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

But if you tell him that a prince of a country is competing with him for customers to earn commissions, he would never believe it.

There must be more far-reaching considerations and plans behind this.

-

At the manor, Prince Duan was running back and forth. He stayed here last night, and had just gotten up when he learned that the envoys from Dayan had arrived.

"...You're here so early? Are you here to have breakfast?" Prince Duan was speechless.

"Your Highness, the Third Prince said that he wanted the kitchen to prepare the meals with all their heart and soul, with more variety and the best taste. The Third Prince also emphasized that the first impression of the first meal is very important."

The eunuch replied respectfully.

"I think he is bragging, and I am afraid that his boast will be blown out of proportion, so I let us cover it." Prince Duan snorted, showing dissatisfaction.

However, it is impossible for Prince Duan to dismantle the stage.

Therefore, he did not immediately go to accompany the envoy from Dayan, but went to the kitchen to supervise in person. He also specially selected some pretty and eloquent palace maids to be responsible for serving the dishes.

When serving the dishes, tell them to announce the name of the dish and give a brief introduction of what the dish is made of and what its special features are.

Prince Duan even gave it a nice name.

White porridge is called Jade Liquid Porridge, millet porridge is called Golden Millet Fragrant Glutinous Soup, steamed buns are called White Jade Delicate Buns, vegetable buns are called Jade Auspicious Buns, fried eggs are called Rising Sun, and butter cakes are called Crisp and Fragrant Golden Thread Strips...

When packaged with this name, it suddenly sounds high-end and impressive.

When it comes to raising one's standards, Prince Duan is quite capable.

The Seventh Prince of Dayan and others didn't feel anything at first when they saw the ordinary breakfast served, but when they heard the palace maids call out their names one by one, they were shocked.

Everyone in Dayan: Oh my god, this is even possible?! The people of Dayan are really very creative.

The Ninth Princess' eyes sparkled. These names are so nice. The people of Da Zhao are so interesting.

The third prince looked calm, as if it was just a small scene, but in fact he was secretly delighted.

Brother Prince Duan, you are really awesome!

Because the royal chef's cooking skills were really good and the dishes were carefully prepared, coupled with the impressive name, the Seventh Prince and others kept nodding their heads in satisfaction during this breakfast.

Not bad, not bad, tastes great.

Prince Duan appeared when breakfast was almost over.

He was wearing a moon-white brocade robe, which showed his elegant temperament and graceful appearance. He also had a perfect smile on his face, which made people feel warm and friendly, and they couldn't help but like him.

The Third Prince looked at Prince Duan and couldn't help but recall the first time he met him. It seemed that he also seemed noble and charming.

But thinking about the way Prince Duan rolled his eyes yesterday, the Third Prince suddenly became disenchanted with him.

Haha, men are really two-faced.

However, when the Ninth Princess looked at Prince Duan, her eyes lit up, because Prince Duan perfectly met her fantasy of a refined, elegant, and graceful gentleman.