Yun Shu relayed the Seventh Prince's words to Emperor Xuanwu without alteration.
As soon as she finished, he asked quietly, "And what do you think?"
"This Daughter thinks his plan is unworkable."
Yun Shu shook her head decisively. "Let us set aside whether Huyan Mingchuan remains true to his promises. At least he acted on his own merit and asked nothing of us.
But this Seventh Prince expects us to dispatch troops to aid his claim, and afterward expects border towns as his payment. If we actually send our armies, why should he remain King of Bei Xiang?"
Yun Shu paused deliberately. "Why not simply annex Bei Xiang as our own Bei Xiang Province?"
Bei Xiang Province. These words pleased Emperor Xuanwu. He curved his lips in amusement. "What if Huyan Mingchuan turns out to be untrustworthy?"
Yun Shu responded unwaveringly, "Then, Father Emperor, it depends on whether you wish to claim Bei Xiang Province."
Her tone was matter‑of‑fact and confident. "If so, then when Huyan Mingchuan ascends the throne, Bei Xiang's internal turmoil will be at its weakest. We could seize the moment, dispatch armies north, and take Bei Xiang outright."
"Quite sensible."
Emperor Xuanwu nodded in satisfaction. "We shall proceed exactly as you propose."
Thus, in a mere few sentences, the affair of the distant Seventh Prince's plea for aid was settled.
Having foresight through the Simulation Life Selection System that Huyan Mingchuan would keep his word, Emperor Xuanwu had no patience for talk of princes. He passed Yun Shu a briefing he had specifically flagged from today's intelligence.
"Take a look at this."
"The Wa envoy?"
Yun Shu stared. Their two countries were at war, yet the Wa envoy still came to Tian Sheng? She hesitated, then realized the naval fleet from Tian Sheng launched from Qiongzhou hadn't yet reached Wa.
"Moreover, when the Wa delegation set sail, our convoy had probably not yet departed. In other words, the Wa Envoy remained unaware their homeland was about to be struck."
A flicker of amusement passed over Yun Shu's eyes. She continued reading—and finally laughed out loud.
Emperor Xuanwu raised an eyebrow. "Is it that amusing?"
"Is it not?"
Yun Shu could not hold back her laughter. Her eyes curved with mirth. "They claim that our garrison in Qiongzhou repeatedly killed their civilians, abducted by 'pirates', and now demand compensation.
They even itemized their demands—cemented roads, bright cotton cloth, warm soft cotton garments—all things they witnessed being used on their journey.
Fearing that a small nation's demands would be ignored, they enlisted fellow small kingdoms like Annam to pressure Tian Sheng in concert.
How delightfully shameless. I have never before seen such gall.
They say ignorance of propriety comes from inexperience."
Emperor Xuanwu tapped the table lightly and chuckled. "It is said that envoys must not be harmed in wartime. Yet if the Wa delegation behaves too shamelessly, one cannot help but feel ill."
"Indeed."
Yun Shu nodded with mock solemnity. "Their antics amuse this Daughter at first, but repeated behavior becomes tiresome. If they cannot be executed, then perhaps we should grant their request."
Emperor Xuanwu blinked.
Yun Shu grinned mischievously.
A few days flew by, and soon it was the Wanshou Festival.
All foreign delegations gathered at Linde Hall, delivering their gifts to Emperor Xuanwu.
Yun Shu held the set of eight opulent crab dishes she had specially commissioned. She quietly toyed with a hairy crab while observing the gifts from other envoys.
By appearance, Bei Xiang's offerings were the most extravagant. Clearly the Seventh Prince had spared no expense in seeking favor from Tian Sheng.
"How entertaining."
Yun Chuhuan, vexed by the complexity of the crab set, wielded a crab leg as a makeshift pick and complained between bites.
"The year before last, Bei Xiang's Eldest Prince came and provoked us, even daring to attempt poisoning Fifth Sister. Last year they sent that handsome youth proposing marriage. This year they flatter and curry favor shamelessly.
If I were from Bei Xiang, I would be utterly ashamed to show my face.
That teaches us one thing. No matter how many heirs await succession, one should never bear so many children!"
They all fought bitterly for a single throne, causing wars across the realm. Horrifying thought. Rumor even says a princess in Bei Xiang is emulating Yun Shu, preparing to claim the throne herself one day. Tch!
Yun Shu shook her head. "Compared to them, Bei Xiang still holds onto some dignity. Between nations, only strength matters. Their approach lacks propriety but is understandable."
"As for the Wa, they lack all sense of shame."
"What's wrong with Wa?"
Yun Chuhuan eyed another piece of crab. "That tiny country always sends worthless gifts and expects to take more than they give. Whatever Father Emperor gives in reward outweighs all their offerings.
They know they are shameful, so they behave modestly each year. I have seldom heard them speak.
Modest before, yes, but this year their so‑called 'pirates' failed to seize anything from our coastal trade. Those raiders suffered heavy losses, especially near Qiongzhou…"
At that moment, the Wa delegation moved forward to present their tribute. Yun Shu lifted her eyebrows and gestured to Yun Chuhuan.
"Watch the spectacle. The shameless one approaches."
Yun Chuhuan focused and brightened up. "Ugh their makeup and hairstyles are always so hideous they give me chills!"
Yun Shu remained composed.
Though beauty is subjective, one would be hard-pressed to call that attractive.
As the group of olive-skinned women with white-lipped black teeth advanced to offer their beauties, Wa swords, medicinal roots, and dried fish, Yun Shu raised her brow in amusement. The lead envoy, tonal shift smooth, bowed reverently to Emperor Xuanwu.