Three Kingdoms Envoys, Top-Tier Children's Summit (Seeking Collections and Votes!)

He had not expected that in the mere year and a half he had spent in seclusion, so much had transpired in the outside world.

His own elder brother, Xu Tianran, had actually succeeded in suppressing the palace coup more than a year ahead of schedule.

Furthermore, his legs remained intact, which meant the assassination attempt against him had failed, and he still possessed his reproductive capabilities.

Ju Zi had not saved the Imperial Brother as she had in the original timeline, nor had she used that opportunity to begin her path of vengeance.

Xu Tianyao trotted all the way to the front of the Taiji Hall, casting a glance inside at his father, the Emperor, who sat with eyes tightly shut, his heart turned to ash.

He then looked at his elder brother before him, who was full of vigor and high spirits.

A sense of extreme unreality welled up, leaving him feeling somewhat dazed.

Is this the royal family? Is this power?

Indeed, this is the royal family, and this is power.

Even if you become a Soul Douluo, you still cannot escape the arrangements of fate; even if you are a Titled Douluo, you cannot escape the sanctions of greater power.

Kong Deming was willing to let him out to witness this palace coup.

Presumably, he also intended for him to gain some insight.

As the night of the coup came to an end, a new sun slowly rose over the Sun Moon Empire.

The next morning, the officials held court.

The Emperor's personal chief steward announced the abdication edict on his behalf.

The First Prince, Xu Tianran, was named Crown Prince to inherit the throne, with an auspicious date set for his coronation.

All princes, royal relatives, and court officials who had participated in the coup and the siege of the imperial city could not escape the fate of having their entire families executed.

The Sun Moon Empire completed a nationwide purge, and Xu Tianran relied on these iron-fisted methods to suppress all dissent and consolidate central imperial power.

As for Xu Tianyao, being one of the only two surviving princes of the late Emperor and the younger brother most favored by the current Emperor Xu Tianran, he was now the highest-ranking prince in the Sun Moon Empire.

Yet, at this moment, he did not feel at ease at all. Because the late Emperor had established a stable peace with the three Douluo nations during his reign, the transition of power and the ascension of the new Emperor had prompted the original three Douluo nations—including Shrek Academy—to send envoys to congratulate them on this grand event.

At the same time, their purpose was not merely this; the most important goal was to probe the new Emperor's attitude toward the established status quo and his views on the three Douluo nations.

If peace could be maintained, that was naturally what they hoped for most.

If war became inevitable, they could make early preparations so as not to be caught off guard and suffer a crushing defeat.

To show the new Emperor's respect for these envoys, Xu Tianyao, as the empire's premier noble, naturally stepped in for his elder brother to act as the representative of the Sun Moon side and host the members of the delegations.

Accompanying Xu Tianyao was his fiancée, Meng Hongchen.

This also sent a signal to the outside world: the Red Dust Family stood entirely on the side of the new Emperor, and Mingde Hall was fully loyal to His Majesty.

Ming Capital Grand Hotel.

On the top floor, in the royal banquet hall.

The Heaven Dou Empire envoy Wei Na, Star Luo Empire envoy Xu Jiujiu, Douling Empire envoy Xue Lingyue, and the Shrek Academy representative, Dean of the Soul Guidance Department Qian Duoduo.

These four were either here to genuinely congratulate the new Sun Moon Emperor or had their own respective agendas.

But at this moment, Xu Tianyao had to entertain them well and convey the empire's stance toward them.

The person responsible for protecting Xu Tianyao was a Titled Douluo powerhouse personally trained by Kong Deming, who had once served in the Royal Soul Engineer Legion.

This man held the title of Mad Bear, his martial soul was the Raging Vajra Bear, he was a level 91 Titled Douluo, and he was also an eighth-level soul engineer.

"Your Highness Prince Ming, inside are the envoys from the Heavenly Soul, Douling, Star Luo, and Shrek parties."

Xu Tianyao nodded slightly. He straightened his prince's ceremonial attire before stepping into the banquet hall with Meng Hongchen.

Following his appearance, the people who had been conversing turned their gazes toward him.

Xu Tianyao finally saw these figures who would become renowned across the continent.

Sitting at the head of the left side was Princess Wei Na in a pale purple gown.

She was beautiful, with a gentle temperament, and her every gesture exuded royal grace.

On the other side was Princess Xu Jiujiu of the Star Luo Empire.

Compared to Wei Na's softness, Xu Jiujiu possessed more spirit and decisiveness; those beautiful eyes of hers always carried a hint of scrutiny.

Xue Lingyue appeared even quieter.

This princess of the Douling Empire spent most of her time sitting there silently observing everyone, rarely speaking on her own initiative.

As for the last person, he was a stout, sturdy middle-aged man with a simple, honest smile.

This must be Qian Duoduo, the Dean of the Soul Guidance Department at Shrek Academy.

"You have all traveled a long way, and I apologize for not meeting you sooner."

Xu Tianyao smiled slightly and walked to the main seat with Mengmeng by his side.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ming."

Everyone stood up to return the greeting simultaneously. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they took their seats again, and the banquet officially began.

As the dishes were all served, the polite pleasantries between the group gradually diminished, and Xu Jiujiu was the first to open the topic for the evening.

"Prince Ming, since we are all able to sit here today, I will not beat around the bush."

"Currently, hundreds of thousands of troops from your esteemed empire and my Xingluo Empire are stationed on either side of the Mingdou Mountain Range."

"Although the two sides have not erupted into a full-scale war over these years, the friction has never ceased."

"My Xingluo Empire hopes that we can continue to maintain the peace policy established during the reign of your late emperor."

"At the very least, neither side should provoke a war within the next few years."

As these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

Wei Na and Xue Lingyue also quietly pricked up their ears, as this was a question they were equally eager to know the answer to.

If the new emperor of the Sun Moon Empire were to launch a large-scale war after ascending the throne, it would be a catastrophe for every nation involved.

Xu Tianyao gently set down his knife and fork, signaling for Mengmeng at his side to bring him a silk napkin.

"Princess Jiujiu, I can understand your concerns, but I have no authority to decide on military matters. I hope that high-ranking officials from your country will discuss this matter with our Emperor in person."

"However, there is one thing I can state clearly to you all."

"The empire has just completed the transfer of imperial power, and stability is still needed in all regions. His Majesty, the new Emperor, values domestic development above all else, not war."

"At least for the moment, the empire has no intention of initiating a major war."

Upon hearing this, the gravity in Xu Jiujiu's eyes dissipated significantly.

Wei Na and Xue Lingyue also breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.

What they feared most was that Xu Tianran would be eager to establish his legacy immediately upon ascending the throne.

If that were truly the case, the entire continent would likely be plunged into the dark clouds of war at once.

"With those words from Your Highness, we can rest much easier."

Xu Jiujiu smiled and raised her glass, intending to toast Xu Tianyao.

"However..."

Xu Tianyao shifted the tone of the conversation, nodding toward Xu Jiujiu as he raised his glass to continue, "Peace is never something that can be achieved through mere talk. Of course, there is never any harm in everyone communicating with one another."

"But peace can only remain long-lasting and stable when both sides possess comparable strength and shared interests."

"I hope your country will cherish this period of peace; after all, it was not easily won."