The Crown Princess is busy fishing

Xiao Yunqing raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression revealing a hint of coldness and decisiveness, and his thin lips parted slightly:

"The struggle for the throne in the Kingdom of Garan is ultimately a mess that is their own doing."

Our Great Qian Dynasty has no obligation to get involved for no reason and be used as a pawn in power struggles.

With the situation still unclear, rash actions will only lead to further trouble. It's better to wait and see what tricks they can pull.

Lin Yuge nodded slightly, her eyes full of agreement, and chuckled softly:

“My husband is absolutely right. Let the country be in chaos, we will remain calm and composed.”

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door; it was the envoy rushing over.

His face was pale, his forehead was covered in sweat, and he looked extremely distressed. His voice trembled slightly with anticipation.

"Young Master Xiao and his consort, you have lived up to expectations. My king is aware of the concerns of the Great Qian Dynasty and attaches great importance to this discussion. He has already agreed to the meeting."

We are currently at the royal palace to respectfully welcome your esteemed presence and hope to have a sincere meeting to discuss important matters concerning our two nations.

Xiao Yunqing raised her eyes and glanced indifferently at the envoy.

After a moment of silence, he nodded slightly:

"In that case, go back and inform your king that I will arrive shortly."

The envoy hurriedly withdrew as if he had been granted a pardon.

Xiao Yunqing turned to look at Lin Yuge, a resolute glint in her eyes:

"My lady, we'll find out what Prince Maikun is really up to once we meet him."

"I'd like to see what tricks he can pull. If he still dares to try and manipulate the Great Qian Dynasty like a pawn, he can't blame me for being impolite."

Lin Yuge stepped forward lightly, reached out to straighten Xiao Yunqing's collar, and whispered a few words of advice:

"We must be extremely careful on this trip, as the palace is, after all, Maikun's territory."

I always felt uneasy, so I brought extra people along, just in case.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Xiao Yunqing squeezed Lin Yuge's hand to reassure her.

Afterwards, Xiao Yunqing led a large group of trusted followers and headed towards the palace.

The royal palace stands tall and imposing, exuding a cold and majestic aura.

Xiao Yunqing led his men in slowly, his posture upright and his steps steady, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

Prince Maikun was already waiting in the hall. When he saw him enter, he greeted him with a beaming smile.

"Young Master Xiao, we've been waiting for you! You must be tired from your journey. Please take a seat."

Xiao Yunqing bowed slightly, his manners impeccable yet conveying a sense of distance:

"Your Highness is too kind. Since you have invited me, I will come immediately."

After speaking, he sat down and looked directly at Maikun with a calm and open gaze.

After a few pleasantries, Maikun got down to business:

"Young Master Xiao, you must already know about the current situation of Garan."

My nephew Kuli has started a rebellion, causing turmoil in the court and unrest among the people. I am extremely anxious!

The Great Qian army is strong and its reputation is widespread. If it could send troops to help me quell the rebellion...

After the matter is accomplished, the temple will offer countless treasures as a reward, and will pay tribute every year without fail.

In several prosperous coastal areas, all large-scale Qianlong merchant ships are exempt from commercial taxes.

Xiao Yunqing's expression remained unchanged, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips:

“Your Highness, these terms do sound very tempting.”

But I've heard that Curry's rebellion wasn't without reason. There must be many unknown secrets behind this change of throne.

If the Great Qian Dynasty were to rashly send troops, it would not only lack a legitimate reason for its campaign.

"What if Curry also finds strong reinforcements, and the war drags on, causing innocent soldiers of the Great Qian to bleed and sacrifice themselves? How does the Prince intend to make up for this cost?"

Maikun's expression changed drastically, but he quickly regained his sincere demeanor, gesturing eagerly with his hands:

"Your Highness may not know this, but Kuli is cruel and greedy by nature, and has long coveted the throne."

This rebellion was driven by selfish desires; the rebels committed atrocities, burning, killing, looting, and causing immense suffering to the people!

The Great Qian army was a righteous force, so why would it fear the reinforcements brought by that rabble?

Furthermore, having made a promise, I will do everything in my power to protect the interests of the Great Qian Dynasty. Post-war trade with the Garan Temple will be greatly facilitated, ensuring that Great Qian merchants reap enormous profits.

Xiao Yunqing sneered:

"The prince is shrewd; he's using the promise of post-war benefits to lure us in, but when it comes time to deliver, who knows if he'll turn his back on us?"

Promises made without evidence are hard to believe.

Maikun gritted his teeth, took out a parchment scroll from his sleeve, and solemnly handed it over:

"Your Highness, please look. This is a contract bearing the royal seal, on which all our promises are clearly stated."

If there is any disobedience, the Great Qian Dynasty may dispose of my Garan royal family at will, without question!

Xiao Yunqing took it, glanced through it briefly, but his gaze remained cold and stern:

"Although the contract is good, there are many variables in its execution."

Moreover, the situation has changed, and the decision to send troops is no longer one I can make alone. I need to send someone back to the court to inform His Majesty, and the court can discuss it before a decision can be made.

That's all for today, farewell.

After saying that, he got up and strode out.

Maikun called out urgently from behind:

"Young Master Xiao, please wait! The situation is urgent. Every moment of delay increases the danger. I urge you to reconsider..."

Xiao Yunqing acted as if he hadn't heard anything and led his men straight out of the palace.

Upon returning to her residence, Lin Yuge hurriedly greeted Xiao Yunqing and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Xiao Yunqing was unharmed.

Xiao Yunqing pulled her hand and sat her down, saying in a deep voice:

“My lady, what Maikun said today seems to be full of sincerity, but in fact it is full of flaws and should not be believed.”

I have instructed Mo Nan to closely monitor the movements of the palace and the treasury. We will make a decision after we have a clear understanding of their situation.

Lin Yuge nodded in agreement: "My husband is wise. The waters of Garan are very murky. We must be careful every step of the way."

The candlelight flickered inside, illuminating the solemn faces of the two men.

In the palace, Xiao Yunqing said he would send someone back to consult Emperor Qianyuan, but that was just an excuse.

Before his departure, Emperor Qianyuan had already granted him permission to act expediently in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Moreover, the mountains are high and the rivers are far, and the situation of the temple is unknown. It would be unwise to send someone back to the capital to report this rashly.

For now, we can only remain still and wait for the right opportunity.

Two days later, Xiao Yunqing and Lin Yuge, along with the caravan manager and others, went to the market to explore.

Just as they were about to go back, a beautifully decorated carriage slowly stopped in front of them.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a kind-faced middle-aged man in a brocade robe stepped out, followed by several attendants.

The man stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and performed the proper courtesies.

"Young Master Xiao, Madam Xiao, I apologize for disturbing you. I have come on behalf of my master to invite you both to the ship for a chat."

The master has long admired your elegance and knows that you two are experiencing many inconveniences while residing in the monastery.

"Perhaps some doubts remain unresolved. I have prepared a small feast in the hope that I can answer your questions and discuss important matters with you."

Xiao Yunqing frowned slightly, her gaze wary. She subtly shielded Lin Yuge behind her, and said calmly:

"Who is your host? Hiding your identity is not the way to treat a guest."

My wife and I have always been cautious in our dealings within the monastery; we cannot comply with any agreement made without a clear and explicit agreement.

The middle-aged man's smile deepened, and his words became earnest:

"Young Master Xiao, please don't be offended. My master always seeks to act cautiously and discreetly. It is inconvenient for him to reveal his identity at this time because he has many concerns."

But please rest assured, there is absolutely no ill intent; this invitation is solely to assist the two of you.

If one harbors ill intentions, why would one treat another with courtesy in broad daylight at the entrance of a market street?

I urge the Crown Prince and his wife to consider this carefully. Missing this opportunity may lead to irreparable regret later.