Bargaining Conditions

Having matched two of the three couplets, Ning Chen dipped his brush, preparing to write the final one.

However, just then, the Zhenji Kingdom envoy, seated at the banquet, subtly moved his left hand under his sleeve. A gust of palm wind swept out, heading directly for the incense stand at the entrance of the main hall.

The martial officials present were stunned. By the time they reacted, it was too late to stop it.

"Whoosh!"

The strong palm wind swept past, and the already dwindling incense sticks instantly burned to ash.

"Time's up. You've lost," the Zhenji Kingdom envoy said, rising with a cold, arrogant smirk.

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. Both the Xia Emperor and his seated officials turned ashen. However, the Zhenji Kingdom envoy had acted subtly, leaving them no evidence.

In front of the writing desk, Ning Chen was momentarily stunned. His expression quickly turned cold. The couplet he was about to write immediately shifted, its meaning transforming in an instant.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

Filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity!

The officials present were initially confused, but after a moment of contemplation, their expressions turned brilliant.

The hidden meaning of the couplet was crystal clear, simple enough even for the martial officials to grasp. According to ancient virtue, there are eight virtues: filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. The couplet listed seven characters, conspicuously missing "shame." The implication was painfully obvious: it was a naked mockery of the Zhenji Kingdom envoy's shamelessness.

"Well-matched!" an influential Confucian scholar in the court exclaimed, rising to his feet.

Defeat was certain, but Ning Chen's couplet truly allowed Great Xia to vent its frustration. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity... Shameless, truly shameless!

The Zhenji Kingdom envoy's face darkened, and even his good mood from winning a round was largely ruined. Could Great Xia's luck truly not be at its end? How could a mere eunuch repeatedly ruin his plans?

"Little eunuch, I have another question," the Zhenji Kingdom envoy sneered, "Among these miscellaneous grains—rice, millet, beans, wheat, broomcorn millet, and foxtail millet—which one is 'Master'?"

The Great Xia officials gasped. This was already an insult.

Ning Chen turned to face the Zhenji Kingdom envoy directly, not backing down. He retorted coldly, "Why ask me about the many classics of poetry, history, changes, and rites?"

"Good!"

The officials were invigorated. What a brilliant retort, "Why ask me?" This little eunuch truly possessed great talent and was a fascinating character.

At the banquet, Grandson's eyes showed much relief. Losing the battle but not the person, this boy finally hadn't embarrassed her.

"Alright!"

From his dragon throne, the Xia Emperor rose, bringing a conclusion to this literary contest. "For this round, Great Xia concedes. We look forward to the envoy's third round tomorrow."

"I will certainly not disappoint the Xia Emperor," the Zhenji Kingdom envoy said coldly.

The morning court dispersed. Due to Ning Chen's outstanding performance today, many civil and military officials cast admiring glances his way. The Xia Emperor specifically rewarded him with one hundred taels of gold as a commendation.

Unfortunately, the gold hadn't even warmed his hands before Grandson confiscated it. Not a single coin was left for him.

Ning Chen felt depressed the whole way, but since Grandson had spoken, whom could he argue with?

However, before his gloomy mood could lift, news from the palace scared Ning Chen almost out of his wits.

The body of the old eunuch from the Eunuch's Quarters, who had been missing for over half a month, was retrieved from Qingyuan Lake, not far from the Eunuch's Quarters.

After hearing this news, Ning Chen paced his room all day, several times feeling the urge to flee immediately.

If the old eunuch's body was discovered, and if someone with ill intentions connected his disappearance to the day Mu Chengxue assassinated in the palace, it wouldn't be hard to realize that the old eunuch likely went missing that day.

If that were the case, this group of young eunuchs who had just entered the palace would undoubtedly have to undergo another physical examination.

Telling Grandson and begging for mercy was absolutely out of the question. He was still under punishment; adding more crimes might lead Grandson, in a fit of rage, to simply execute him.

Grandson had been good to him, but he couldn't gamble his life on Grandson's forgiveness.

"Run, yes, I must run!"

Ning Chen stopped pacing, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He had to leave. The palace would find out sooner or later. If he didn't leave now, he wouldn't be able to later.

But how could he get out of the palace?

Just this morning, he had knocked out a young eunuch, and now Grandson was watching him even more closely. Running seemed virtually impossible.

"Ah, my head hurts."

The decision he had finally made was now impossible to execute. Ning Chen frantically ruffled his hair, unable to think of any solution.

"That's right, Ninth Princess!"

Suddenly, Ning Chen's eyes lit up. He remembered the Ninth Princess of Great Xia, as beautiful as a flower. He couldn't outmaneuver Grandson, but he could try to approach Xia Xinyu.

These past two days, to prevent Xia Xinyu from marrying into the Zhenji Kingdom, he had gone through a trial by fire and matched couplets, expending so much effort. Not only did he not earn a single coin, but now his life might even be in danger. This Ninth Princess owed him some interest, at least.

Great Xia and the Zhenji Kingdom had each won a round. Tomorrow's final round would determine the Ninth Princess's fate. The first two rounds, concerning courage and wisdom, were actually more about cunning.

Great Xia governed by Confucianism and was deeply influenced by Confucian thought. In terms of shamelessness, it was far inferior to the Zhenji Kingdom envoy.

Fortunately, his own skin was thick enough to fill this huge gap.

As long as he could win, let integrity go to hell.

As for the final round's "luck" comparison, he didn't believe for a second that the Zhenji Kingdom envoy would actually compare luck. His surname was Ning, not Stupid. Such an obvious ploy could only fool some of the rigid Confucian scholars in the court.

If Great Xia won, they would certainly send a female imperial clan member to the Zhenji Kingdom for a marriage alliance. If he wanted to leave the palace, blending into the marriage procession would be the best opportunity.

It was his only chance. He had to make it a done deal before Grandson could react.

Of course, if Great Xia were to lose, the one sent for the marriage alliance would be the Ninth Princess, which would complicate things significantly.

However, no matter what, the Ninth Princess was the best person he could negotiate with. The reason was simple: whether they won or lost, the Ninth Princess was the one who could most influence the Xia Emperor's decisions.

And the Xia Emperor's imperial decree was the only key to getting him out of Weiyang Palace.

Now, what he needed to consider was how to persuade Xia Xinyu to request this imperial decree from the Xia Emperor on his behalf.

Fortunately, the Ninth Princess came to Weiyang Palace every morning and evening to pay her respects to Grandson, so seeing her wasn't difficult.

Indeed, at sunset, Xia Xinyu arrived gracefully, dressed in a flowing emerald green dress, a pleated skirt adorned with scattered flowers and misty green grass, and a thin, water-washed smoky veil draped over her. Her shoulders were sculpted and her waist slender, her skin like congealed cream and her aura like a secluded orchid, captivating and effortlessly charming.

Undoubtedly, Great Xia's Ninth Princess was the most beautiful woman in the world, blessed by heaven and earth. Though only sixteen, she already displayed a beauty capable of toppling cities.

"Princess."

Ning Chen waited on the path, creating an accidental encounter.

Xia Xinyu recognized the person in front of her and deliberately stopped.

Now the entire Imperial City knew that a young eunuch named Ning Chen had caused a stir in the imperial court, repeatedly thwarting the arrogant schemes of the Zhenji Kingdom's envoy.

However, she knew that Ning Chen was still under house arrest. Yet, apart from those within Weiyang Palace, only she truly understood what was happening.

"Has Mother not lifted your house arrest yet?"

Xia Xinyu asked, her face showing curiosity. Logically, after such a great contribution, the house arrest should have been pardoned long ago.

"Heh heh," Ning Chen chuckled awkwardly, not answering. Not only was his house arrest not lifted, but even the hundred taels of gold the Xia Emperor awarded him had been confiscated by Grandson.

Xia Xinyu was perceptive and naturally understood the meaning behind Ning Chen's smile. She couldn't help but wonder what Mother was thinking.

Wait, Xia Xinyu suddenly looked at Ning Chen with surprise. She had almost overlooked that, during his house arrest, he shouldn't logically be here.

"Little Eunuch, waiting here, you must have something to say, right?" Xia Xinyu's eyes, like autumn waters, narrowed slightly as she spoke softly.

Ning Chen's heart jolted. This Ninth Princess was indeed not as gentle and simple as she appeared. It made sense; how could there be truly simple people in this imperial palace?

Since the topic was open, Ning Chen no longer beat around the bush. His tone was respectful as he said, "This humble one wishes to join the escorting party for the marriage alliance. I hope the Ninth Princess can help with this."

Xia Xinyu's brows furrowed slightly. After a brief thought, she largely understood and couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so insistent on leaving the palace? You've tried to escape twice. Do you know that if you're caught again this time, not even Mother can protect you?"

"I still hope the Ninth Princess can help!" Ning Chen didn't answer but repeated his respectful request.

"Why should I help you?" Xia Xinyu didn't press further, her tone calm.

Ning Chen thought for a moment and said seriously, "I can do my best to help Great Xia win the third round. That way, Great Xia can not only protect the Bairuo Plains, but the Princess also won't have to travel far to a foreign land."

A flicker of surprise appeared in Xia Xinyu's eyes as she pressed, "How do you know you can definitely win, and how do you know that Great Xia's other officials definitely can't?"

"As everyone has seen, it is a fact," Ning Chen said calmly.

A light understatement, though deeply concealing its sharpness, still couldn't hide the deep-seated pride in his tone. Ning Chen wasn't arrogant, but he also wouldn't belittle himself.

Having lived two lives, he had gained more than just age.

An old man who doesn't die is a demon; logically, his current situation wasn't far off from a demon's.

"I never thought Mother would have someone like you by her side," Xia Xinyu looked at Ning Chen, a smile suddenly curving her lips as she spoke softly.

"The Princess flatters me."

After dropping his pretense, Ning Chen no longer maintained a respectful demeanor, responding indifferently.

"Alright, I'm going to pay my respects to Mother. As for your condition, I will consider it carefully," Xia Xinyu smiled gently, then gracefully stepped forward, continuing towards Grandson's sleeping quarters.

As Xia Xinyu left, Ning Chen finally let out a deep sigh of relief. Women in this palace were indeed not to be underestimated; they would never commit to anything outright.

However, he believed Xia Xinyu would weigh her options. After all, the condition he requested was just a word for her, and forcibly keeping him and breaking her promise was certainly not a wise choice.

Xia Xinyu had been in the palace for sixteen years, so she naturally understood this principle better than anyone. He was also confident that if Xia Xinyu truly broke her promise, he would make her pay a sufficient price in the future.

He respected Grandson, even to the point of being so honest in front of her that he didn't dare speak loudly. That was because Grandson had shown him recognition and protection. But that didn't mean he could tolerate discrimination and bullying from others.

Ultimately, he was never someone who could swallow his pride.

After finishing what needed to be done, Ning Chen remembered that Qing Ling had saved him last night, and he hadn't thanked her yet.

Also, he still couldn't understand the lines of text on the back of that golden paper.

He worried that if he kept practicing like this, he might end up becoming an idiot one day.

The more he thought about it, the more something felt off. Ning Chen took out the golden paper from his embrace and glanced at it, then scurried towards Qing Ling's residence.

Compared to princes and princesses, he still preferred being with Qing Ling. Although she was fierce, she was adorably fierce.

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