Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

The night before they were to request an audience, Chu Xiyao told Lingyan and the others, "This time, Western Chu also presented a beauty, but it is not my brother's princess, but Chu Qinglan, the daughter of one of my brother's younger brothers. She is sixteen years old this year and is my cousin. She is the most outstanding in appearance among her generation, which is why my brother presented her to Da Zhao this time."

At this point, he frowned and continued, "But she already has someone she likes, so she is unwilling to come to Da Zhao for a marriage alliance. However, she does not want Xi Chu to be in danger because of this, so she cannot run away. Caught in a dilemma, she sent someone to deliver a letter to me, hoping that I could help her to make a deal so that she would not be allowed to enter His Majesty's harem without affecting Xi Chu."

After listening, none of them spoke.

Lingyan hesitated for a moment, then asked him, "Do you really think that Father Emperor would stop befriending Western Chu just because you didn't offer us beauties, and therefore turn against Western Chu? How could that be? Is he such a muddle-headed ruler?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiyao immediately replied affirmatively, "His Majesty is not that kind of person."

Lingyan chuckled upon hearing this, “So, actually, in Father’s eyes, whether or not to offer a beauty makes no difference. It has little to do with seeking peace and making peace. It’s fortunate that she didn’t run away, otherwise the situation would have been completely different. Da Zhao would think that you Xi Chu are looking down on them. Right now, there are actually many ways to help her resolve this matter without affecting Xi Chu.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiyao immediately smiled and said, "I knew you would have a solution. I actually thought about it for a long time and came up with several methods, but none of them were perfect. That's why I came to discuss it with you."

At this moment, Xiao Muyao had already thought of a solution to the problem.

Of course, He Jingchuan and Lu Yanqing also thought of it, but they both felt it was not the best option.

Even Shen Qingchen, a martial arts practitioner who had no connection to court affairs, came up with a solution.

His approach was simply not in line with the overall situation.

Of course, Lingyan also thought of a solution.

So she explained, “You men may not have noticed, but Father Emperor only likes two types of beauties: one is the seductive type like Consort Li, and the other is the pitiful type. That’s why Consort Li and the disguised Consort Shu have been the most favored over the years. As for other beauties, unless they are exceptionally beautiful, he doesn’t care about their type. Otherwise, they are just like Consort Min and Consort Liang, who are just normal favorites.”

Upon hearing this, all five of them pondered it carefully and found that it was indeed true.

They just hadn't noticed it before.

Seeing that they had also thought of it, Lingyan continued, "So as long as Princess Qinglan disguises and conceals her appearance, she doesn't need to make her look ordinary. Otherwise, Father and the other ministers will become suspicious. After all, they are here to seek peace, so how could the beauty they offer be ordinary-looking? Therefore, they only need to make her beauty from ten points to six or seven points."

Chu Xiyao nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Lingyan continued, "There's another point. She should disguise herself as a very timid and cowardly person throughout the entire process without affecting the demeanor and dignity of Western Chu, and try to minimize her presence. As the ruler of a country, Father would never like someone with such a personality. Moreover, there are beauties from Northern Li and Eastern Ling present. Compared to them, how could the 'ordinary' Princess Qinglan possibly catch Father's eye?"

"As for seeking peace, as long as you behave in a generous, proper, polite, and respectful manner throughout the process, without deliberately doing anything to offend the Emperor or other ministers, and show sufficient sincerity, the Emperor will definitely sign a peace treaty with you. So as long as you envoys do these things, you don't need to worry."

After listening, Chu Xiyao immediately smiled and praised her, "It has to be Lingling, she's so smart and capable! If it's as you say, it really is the best solution, and nothing has been affected."

The other four people also looked at her with admiring smiles.

Lingyan was already immune to their praise, so she didn't pay attention to it. Instead, she looked at Chu Xiyao and instructed him, "This matter is of great importance. You should go and explain it to Princess Qinglan and the envoys in person so that they are aware of it. Also, there should be someone in your envoy team who can conceal their appearance without being noticed."

Chu Xiyao naturally knew the list of all the envoys, palace maids, eunuchs, and guards who came to Dazhao this time.

Therefore, he replied with great certainty, "Yes."

In that case, as long as they don't cause any trouble on their side, this matter will not fail.

Therefore, after the matter was discussed, Chu Xiyao went to the post station that very night to explain it to them.

At this moment, Chu Qinglan was sitting in the room, waiting anxiously.

She wore a light blue silk dress, the hem of which fluttered, making her look like a fairy descending to earth.

She is graceful and unrestrained, light and nimble without restraint.

She once boasted of her unparalleled beauty and relied on her captivating charm.

Upon hearing a noise coming from inside the room, she immediately turned her head to look.

When she saw that it was Chu Xiyao, she was overjoyed.

She quickly got up, walked up to him, and bowed first.

Then she asked anxiously and expectantly, "Uncle Jiu, have you thought of a way to help your niece?"

Chu Xiyao nodded and replied, "I've thought of that. Go and summon all the envoys who are to enter the palace tomorrow, and I will explain everything to them together."

Chu Qinglan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

She immediately turned around and ordered the maid beside her to summon the envoy.

Before long, the envoys arrived one after another.

Chu Xiyao looked at everyone and said solemnly, "I know that your purpose in coming here is to seek peace, but Princess Qinglan is unwilling to enter the harem of His Majesty Da Zhao. As her elder, I will naturally stand on her side. However, we cannot let this affect the relationship between Xi Chu and Da Zhao. Therefore, I have come up with a solution that satisfies both sides."

He then repeated what Lingyan had just said to them.

In fact, most of the envoys disagreed with the Ninth Prince's initial remarks.

However, after they listened quietly to the proposed solution, they thought about it carefully and realized that it was feasible.

Their purpose in this trip was to establish friendly relations with Da Zhao and sign a peace treaty.

So, as the Ninth Prince said, it doesn't really matter whether or not a beauty is offered.

Actually, their emperor didn't initially intend to offer any beauties.

However, I heard that both Dongling and Beili offered beauties, and more than one each.

I heard that there are actually more than a dozen in Bei Li!

Therefore, their emperor felt that if the other two countries had presented beauties, it might cause dissatisfaction for the Great Zhao Emperor if the Western Chu had not, so he decided to present beauties as well.

He only donated one.

As for Xuan Yue, they are originally a women's kingdom, and the Emperor of Da Zhao would not compare their country with the other three kingdoms.

But now that we can be on good terms with the Great Zhao without offering a beauty, then naturally we don't need to offer one either.

Therefore, after discussion, the envoys unanimously agreed to the matter.

Then, everyone began to discuss the specific implementation details.

Chu Qinglan listened quietly from the side, feeling both nervous and expectant.

She knew that her fate was now in the hands of these people.

She secretly resolved to cooperate fully and not let everyone's efforts go to waste.

The discussion lasted a long time, until every detail was carefully considered and confirmed.

Chu Xiyao concluded, "Everyone knows their tasks now, right? We must be fully focused when we enter the palace tomorrow to ensure everything goes smoothly."

The crowd responded in unison once again, "Yes, we will certainly not fail His Majesty and the Prince's trust!"