After reading the credentials presented by Sun Weiyuan, Great Yong's Minister of Rites, Qiqi smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your sovereign's greetings. Great Kang and Great Yong are neighbors separated by only a ribbon of water, and have always enjoyed friendly relations. Over the years, our frequent exchanges have benefited both nations. I, too, hope that peace between our countries will endure."
Sun Weiyuan smiled. "Your Highness, His Majesty sent me here not only to deepen the friendship between our nations, but also to discuss another matter with you in person."
"Please speak freely, Envoy," Qiqi said.
Sun Weiyuan said, "Five years ago, Princess Anping of Great Kang was betrothed to our Seventh Prince. It should have been a joyous occasion celebrated beneath all of heaven. Sadly, she was assassinated in the Yong Capital, and her beauty faded with her passing. His Majesty was consumed by guilt, and ceded Eastern Liang Commandery to your nation as an expression of his remorse."
Qiqi nodded. "That is indeed what happened."
Sun Weiyuan continued, "Yet when your Prince of Suppressing the Sea married, his bride bore not only the same personal name as Princess Anping, but exactly the same appearance. This has left everyone in Great Yong deeply puzzled. Hu Xiaotian was Great Kang's Marriage Escort Envoy at the time. What exactly happened then, and what secrets lay behind it? We hope your nation will give us a clear explanation." In fact, Hu Xiaotian's marriage to Long Xiyue was now known throughout the world, and everyone understood perfectly well what had happened. If Princess Anping had not died, that proved Hu Xiaotian had tampered with matters back then, deceiving heaven to cross the sea and spirit her away. Great Yong had naturally suffered a tremendous loss: not only had it failed to