She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

Chu Dongchen frowned, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. "When did it become your place to interfere in my affairs?"

Cui Jintang gritted her teeth secretly, forcing a smile, but the smile was already distorted and deformed. "Your Majesty, I am worried about you. Those in the Cold Palace are already guilty. What if they offend Your Majesty?"

Chu Dongchen sneered, his voice laced with mockery, "What crime has Li Muyun committed? I know very well what happened back then. Don't spout nonsense here."

Cui Jintang's face turned pale. The palace maids and eunuchs behind her all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound, for fear of being caught in the crossfire of this anger.

"Your Majesty the Empress has probably forgotten that although I am in the Cold Palace, I am still the birth mother of the First Prince," Li Muyun said calmly. Her voice was soft, but it carried a force that should not be underestimated.

Cui Jintang glared at her with resentment and said through gritted teeth, "Hmph, no matter how great the Crown Prince's achievements are, it can't change the fact that you are a sinner now. Don't think you can make a comeback with your son."

Chu Dongchen stood up and rebuked, "Enough! Cui Jintang, if you continue to be so presumptuous, I will not let you off easily." His voice was extremely authoritative, like a heavy hammer hitting Cui Jintang's heart.

Cui Jintang trembled with fright and hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

She harbored resentment in her heart, but dared not show it in the slightest, and could only bury this resentment deep in her heart.

Chu Dongchen glanced at her, his eyes filled with disgust, then turned to Li Muyun and said softly, "Ayun, I will come to see you another day."

After saying that, he turned and left, his back view conveying a sense of determination and helplessness.

Cui Jintang got up from the ground, glaring fiercely at Li Muyun, "Li Muyun, I will make sure you never have a chance to turn your life around!"

Her eyes seemed to burn with raging fire, filled with endless malice and resentment.

Li Muyun merely glanced at her indifferently before turning back to the corridor to continue her unfinished needlework, as if nothing had happened and her heart had been tempered into a state of serene in the cold palace.

Only her longing and concern for her son remained, like a thread tightly wrapped around her heart, never to dissipate.

The next morning, as the sunlight shone on the magnificent palace, the court bells rang precisely on time. The officials, dressed in their court robes, entered the court in an orderly fashion, each with a solemn expression, awaiting the arrival of the emperor.

A moment later, Chu Dongchen, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a crown, steadily ascended the dragon throne.

He surveyed the assembled officials with a majestic gaze and slowly began to speak: "I have summoned you all here today because there is a matter I wish to discuss."

Yesterday, I received a memorial from the First Prince Chu Zhiyi from the border city. In the memorial, he informed me that the war between the two countries had ended and he proposed to establish trade relations with the Qi Rong.

What are your opinions on this matter, my lords?

As soon as Chu Dongchen finished speaking, the court fell silent.

A moment later, Prime Minister Xiao Kuo stepped forward first. He respectfully bowed to the Emperor, then cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that establishing trade relations with the Qi Rong is a wise move."

Although our Chiyan Kingdom is currently powerful, its border trade has not been fully developed. If we establish trade relations with the Qi Rong, we can obtain their fine horses, furs, and other special products, which will greatly benefit our military equipment expansion and the improvement of our people's lives.

Furthermore, with the commencement of trade, the people of both countries will interact more frequently, leading to more cultural exchanges. This will contribute to the spread and expansion of the influence of our Crimson Flame Kingdom's culture—a win-win situation.

Upon hearing this, Chu Dongchen smiled slightly.

However, no sooner had Prime Minister Xiao Kuo finished speaking than Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo stepped forward.

With a serious expression and earnest words, he said, “Your Majesty, I dare not agree with the Prime Minister’s words. The Qi Rong people have always been barbaric and warlike, and their intentions are unpredictable. For our Chi Yan Kingdom to trade with them is tantamount to inviting wolves into the house.”

They will surely use trade as a pretext to spy on our national conditions and military secrets, and when the time is right, they will launch an invasion. Moreover, our Crimson Flame Kingdom is vast and rich in resources, self-sufficient; why risk seeking help from a tiger? I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!

The Duke of Xingguo's opposition sparked a heated discussion in the court, with many ministers nodding in agreement with his viewpoint.

Chu Dongchen frowned slightly. He looked at the other ministers and asked, "Do any of you ministers have any other opinions?"

Lu Yuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, I believe that the words of the Prime Minister and the Grand Censor are both reasonable. Although there are risks in trading with the Qi Rong, if we can make proper arrangements and strengthen our defenses, we can also gain many benefits.”

For example, establishing strict checkpoints along the border to restrict the Qi Rong people's movements, and simultaneously increasing troop deployments, would reduce the risk. Furthermore, our army's morale is currently high; if the Qi Rong dare to make any unusual moves, we are confident we can repel them.

Lu Yuan's words intensified the discussions in the court, with ministers expressing their opinions and forming two distinct factions that argued endlessly.

Chu Dongchen raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "I have heard what you all have said. The matter of trading with Qi Rong is indeed no small matter; it concerns the safety and prosperity of my Chi Yan Kingdom."

I believe we should first send someone to Qi Rong to further investigate their true intentions and sincerity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and other relevant departments are instructed to draft detailed trade plans and preventative measures. A final decision will be made after all preparations are complete. What are your thoughts, my esteemed ministers?

The officials all knelt down and said in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Chu Dongchen nodded. "In that case, Prime Minister Xiao, this matter will be entrusted to you to take the lead and work with all departments to discuss and handle it carefully and thoroughly."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Xiao Kuo replied.

After the court session ended, the ministers left the court in twos and threes, still whispering about the matter of trading with the Qi Rong.

Chu Dongchen returned to the Imperial Study. He was well aware of the complexity and difficulty of the matter and prayed silently that everything would proceed smoothly, fulfilling Chu Zhiyi's wishes while ensuring the safety and stability of the Crimson Flame Kingdom.

After returning to his residence, Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo immediately sent someone to invite Marquis Gu Bin of Jingyang to discuss countermeasures.

What Emperor Chu Dongchen didn't know was that the memorial Chu Zhiyi sent from the border town had already arrived in the capital three days earlier.

However, it was not immediately sent to the palace, but was first transferred to the study of Duke Xingguo, Cui Chengdao.

He had anticipated that the Emperor would agree to the trade agreement, so he had already discussed countermeasures with Marquis Jingyang.

"Lord Jingyang, have any people been sent to the border town? The Emperor's attitude is exactly as we expected."

Duke Cui Chengdao of Xingguo frowned, a hint of malice in his eyes.

Marquis Jingyang, Gu Bin, nodded slightly. "Brother-in-law, don't worry. I've arranged for reliable men to catch up with the grain convoy. This time, I'll make sure that Chu Zhiyi suffers the consequences."

"Hmph, Chu Zhiyi's attempt to gain military merit and prestige through pacifying the border cities and opening up trade won't be so easy."

Cui Chengdao sneered, "He's just a greenhorn who hasn't even grown his beard yet, thinking he's something special just because he's won a few battles. If he really manages to get this trade agreement approved, will we still have a place in the court in the future?"