PFC Chapter 175 Taking Qiao Xi Away
Chapter 175 Taking Qiao Xi Away
The purpose of this palace banquet was to sign an alliance between the two countries and to welcome the Barbarian Kingdom’s envoys. The palace banquet was held at noon.
In order to show the importance of the Barbarian Kingdom, all officials of Dayou were present.
Although the banquet started at noon, officials arrived one after another in the morning.
When the emperor came over, all the officials were seated except for the Barbarian delegation.
Qiao Xiyi sat next to Su Heting.
Since the secret conversation between the emperor and Su Heting, Qiao Xi has never entered the palace again.
Although today's palace banquet is a formality, in order to avoid being rigid, such palace banquets will allow all officials to bring one family member.
As Su Heting's wife and the emperor's only daughter-in-law, Qiao Xi naturally had to attend.
The emperor sat down and scanned the entire room, his eyes falling on Qiao Xi. Qiao Xi lowered her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.
"Is Xi'er feeling better these days?"
The emperor spoke first, expressing his concern for Qiao Xi.
Last time, the emperor forced Su Heting to poison Qiao Xi, but Su Heting thought it would be better to wait for the Barbarian delegation to arrive and then hand her over to the Barbarians in exchange for peace between the two countries.
The emperor was tempted, but asked Su Heting to keep an eye on Qiao Xi to prevent her from causing trouble again.
A few days later, Su Heting announced to the public that Qiao Xi fell ill because he was too sad about Mrs. Qiao's affairs.
In fact, Su Yingqiu found out that it was Su Heting who gave Qiao Xi a chronic poison, which made her weak.
But Qiao Xi was completely unaware of this.
Thinking of this, the emperor curled his lips, his expression becoming more loving, "After the palace banquet is over, go to my private storehouse and pick out some good medicine to take back.
Take good care of your body and don't let any illness develop."
Su Heting pretended to love Qiao Xi deeply in front of him, but he turned around and drugged her.
Saying that he doesn't mind the past between Qiao Xi and the former crown prince is all lies.
And there was his imperial edict to appoint him as the crown prince. How could Su Heting not be moved?
As for his private vault, Qiao Xi never had the chance to go there again.
Qiao Xi met the emperor's gaze and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine."
She and the emperor were only a thin layer of window paper away from breaking through, so how could she not know what the emperor meant by saying that?
It's nothing more than showing kindness and compassion in front of everyone again.
In this way, when the Barbarian Kingdom later proposes to send her to the Barbarian Tribe as Dayou's envoy, the emperor can act as if he is reluctant but has to do it for Dayou.
If she refused, she would be ungrateful and betray the Holy Grace.
Sure enough, someone at the table flattered, "I've always heard that Your Majesty treats the Princess of North Xinjiang like your own daughter. Seeing her today, it's true."
Not only outsiders, but even ordinary princes and princesses might not have the opportunity to choose from the emperor's private treasury.
"Yes, Your Majesty treats the orphans of meritorious officials with kindness and treats them as your own children. You are truly a wise and benevolent monarch."
The others all agreed.
Qiao Xize lowered his eyes again, his face expressionless, but his teeth were clenched so that his jaw was tense.
The emperor saw all this and sneered in his heart, thinking that Qiao Xi must want revenge.
But even if she recovered her memory, what could she do? She had no evidence. In front of the supreme imperial power, she was just an orphan and could do nothing even if she had martial arts skills.
The more angry and incompetent Qiao Xi looked, the more relieved he felt, and his smile grew even wider.
After a while, the Barbarian delegation took their seats. While they were eating and drinking, the agreement was presented to the emperor and Xia respectively.
The agreement was made in duplicate, signed by both parties and witnessed by all officials.
After the two countries' national seals are affixed, the matter will be considered complete.
But when Xia took out the Barbarian Kingdom's jade seal, she said to the emperor, "Your country is a country of etiquette, and it is a blessing for our Barbarian Kingdom to have relations with you.
The signing of this peace agreement marks the starting point of friendship between the two countries. We hope that the two countries will work together from now on.
In the days ahead, we will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and work together to create a peaceful and prosperous world."
Suddenly, she changed the subject, "For this reason, my Barbarian Nation has carefully selected two envoys to remain in Dayou. I wonder if your country has decided on the envoys?"
The emperor was delighted. Just as Su Heting said, the barbarian country wanted to take Qiao Xi away in the name of an envoy.
But he would never offer Qiao Xi on his own initiative, so he said, "This is a matter concerning the diplomatic relations between the two countries, so the selection of the right person cannot be taken lightly. I still need to consider this matter carefully."
Xia nodded, "Your Majesty, Dayou is right, but I think someone is very suitable."
The emperor understood and pretended to be surprised, "Oh, who is the queen's choice?"
Xia looked at Qiao Xi, "The Qiao family has been dealing with our Barbarian Country for generations. I heard that the Qiao family, both men and women, have been learning our Barbarian Country language since they were young.
The Princess of Northern Xinjiang was born in the Qiao family in the frontier area, and married to Northern Xinjiang last year. I think she is quite familiar with the culture of our barbarian country.
She grew up in the Dayou Palace and was deeply influenced by your country's customs. She is the best candidate for cultural exchange between the two countries."
"It's a pity that I'm already the daughter-in-law of the royal family. How can I travel so far?"
The emperor was in a dilemma.
"Engagement exchanges are not fixed; they can be replaced every one or two years."
Xia smiled, "As the Queen of the Barbarian Tribe, I have come all the way to Dayou to make friends. I believe that the Princess of Jiangbei, as the daughter-in-law of the royal family, would also be willing to go to our Barbarian Kingdom for Dayou."
The emperor looked at Qiao Xi.
As long as Qiao Xi went to the barbarians, let alone one or two years, she would be tortured to death by the barbarians in a few months. By then, it could be said that she was not acclimatized to the local climate, or for any other reason.
He gave her the title of sacrificing herself for Dayou, and the Qiao family got this honor, so who would care about how she died.
But he had to pretend to refuse.
"This may be inappropriate..."
The emperor had not yet uttered the words of refusal.
Xia's face darkened, "My king sent us here with sincerity in order to save the people from suffering.
But your country is being so hesitant and seems to have no sincerity. Do you think that my country is not worthy?
If that is the case, it doesn't matter if this national seal is not used. My Barbarian Country is not immune to war, but it is not necessary to rush to make peace with your country."
Now all the officials in Dayou understood.
The barbarians are determined to take Qiao Xi away. If the emperor disagrees, they will continue to attack Dayu as before.
Although the barbarians were severely damaged by Su Heting and encountered civil strife, Dayou's current situation is not much better.
Once the barbarians send troops, if the vassal states also take the opportunity to cause trouble, the capital of Dayou will probably be in danger.
As their own safety was at stake, some people could no longer sit still. "Your Majesty, I think the Barbarian Queen is right. The Princess of the Northern Frontier needs your personal guidance. There is indeed no one more suitable than her."
"The Qiao family is loyal to their country. As a daughter of the Qiao family, the Princess of Jiangbei will definitely uphold the Qiao family's ancestral teachings and will never watch the two countries go to war and the people suffer."
Some people also flattered Qiao Xi and roasted her over the fire.
Another woman, having received instructions from her husband, joked, "It's because the Princess of North Xinjiang is capable that she caught the eye of the Queen of the Barbarian Kingdom.
Even those of us who have no ability and want to go out and have a look, we haven’t had the chance yet.”
"That's right, the Princess of Xinjiang North is still young, and a year or two will pass in the blink of an eye."
Xia watched all this coldly.
If Fan Ji was not in power among the barbarians now, but someone else came to seek peace, they would certainly push my younger sister out like this.
This is Dayou, who has been protected by the Qiao family for generations. For their own interests, they do not care about Qiao Xi's life or death.
If Su Heting hadn't been sincere to her younger sister, she would have really wanted to take the opportunity to take her younger sister away.
Thinking of this, her eyes fell on Su Heting.
Su Heting stood up at this moment. He bowed and said to the emperor, "Father, there are thousands of men in Dayou. Such an important matter should not be undertaken by a woman like the princess.
"I grew up in the northern part of the border, and have fought against the barbarian army for several years. I am also the legitimate prince of Dayou. I feel that I am more suitable to be this envoy than the princess."
The emperor's pupils slightly opened.
What does Su Heting mean?