They began with the women of the distant imperial branches, working their way upward layer by layer.
At last—
Xue Ke looked at her father and brother with grief and indignation. "Father Emperor, Brother, how could you sell me to the enemy?"
"Xue Ke... this is for the good of the Heaven Dou Empire," Xue Qinghe said softly.
"Xiao Ke, you'll just have to suffer for the time being!" Xue Ye did not dare look at his daughter.
"Brother, why don't you offer up your Empress instead? And Father Emperor, you have so many imperial consorts—why don't you offer them up too?" Xue Ke demanded.
Father and son both turned their heads away at the same time, unable to look at their daughter and sister. They usually doted on her, but no matter how sweet a little padded jacket was, how could she compare to a beloved consort?
"Take her away," Xue Qinghe said.
Xue Ke was shackled in handcuffs. She cried out in despair, "You two spineless Lung Mists! Not enough compensation, so you're making up for it with women, is that it? Do you think satisfying the enemy's appetite will force them to withdraw? Just wait—I'll see you become prisoners in Spirit City!"
A deep humiliation settled over Xue Ye and Xue Qinghe's hearts, but they had no choice. This was the only thing they could do.
The diplomat returned, bringing several thousand women with him.
"Marshal, this is the compensatory payment. Please check whether the accounts are correct," the civil official said.
The accounts were handed to Jialing. She flipped through them and found that they matched. Not only that, there were several thousand extra Gold Soul Coins beyond the required amount.
"Nothing is missing."
"Then His Majesty asks whether you may withdraw your troops now."