OBS Chapter 1596 More Composed Than the Opponent (Bonus Chapter for 242 Million Reward Points)
Chapter 1596 More Composed Than the Opponent (Bonus Chapter for 242 Million Reward Points)
Helian Ze understood: "Understood!"
"We must make the Great Zhou feel that as long as they agree to the marriage alliance, everything else is negotiable. Otherwise, everything will be difficult!"
Luan Di Yi Tu sat back down in his chair, relaxing his posture, and said with a "hmm", "As for that Minister Gu... he is a good opponent. But even the best opponent has a weakness."
“He is too particular about rules and too reliant on their court procedures. And that might be where we can take advantage of him.”
After speaking, Luan Di Yi Tu waved his hand: "You may all leave. We'll continue tomorrow."
"Yes."
Everyone bowed and withdrew.
Luan Di Yi Tu's mind conjured up the image of Gu Jin Xiao's stern face.
Having such a minister is both a problem and a blessing for the Great Zhou.
No matter, even the hardest bone can be cracked. The key is to find the most suitable point of leverage, and... to be more patient than the other party.
The details of today's negotiations quickly spread among the powerful and influential circles in Beijing.
Naturally, the news also reached Princess Yun'an's residence.
Xia Yue's cheeks were still red and swollen, and she carried the calming soup that had been stewing in the kitchen as she slowly stepped into the bedroom.
Princess Yun'an stared blankly at the bare pomegranate tree in the courtyard.
Since returning from the palace banquet, she has looked completely lost and dejected, as if all her vitality has been drained away.
Xia Yue gently placed the soup bowl on the small table, glanced at Princess Yun'an's expression, and cautiously asked, "Princess, guess what interesting news is circulating outside?"
Princess Yun'an's eyes twitched slightly, but she remained silent.
Xia Yue comforted her, "I heard that today at the Court of State Ceremonial, Minister Gu argued strongly for you!"
"The Xiongnu wanted to get something for nothing, but Minister Gu brought up the old alliance treaty, refuting them word for word until they were speechless. Especially regarding, regarding if you really married into the Xiongnu..."
She paused here, observing Princess Yun'an's expression, before continuing, "It is said that Minister Gu, in front of the Xiongnu Left Wise King, clearly outlined your ceremonies, officials, and salary after your marriage. Even the safety of your future residence and the status of your children were written into clauses, which would only be valid if included in the alliance."
"Your Highness, listen to this! Lord Gu is truly fighting for your protection!"
"Even if... even if one day you really have to go to the Xiongnu for a marriage alliance... with these written rules in black and white to support you, your situation there will never be one to be manipulated by others. You will always be noble and dignified."
After Xia Yue finished speaking, she looked respectfully at Princess Yun'an.
She hoped that this news would be like a faint ray of light, making the princess feel a little better.
Princess Yun'an finally turned her head slowly.
Her eyes were still red and swollen from days of crying, and her voice was dry: "Minister Gu... he... he really said that?"
"Absolutely true!"
Xia Yue nodded quickly: "It's all over the place. People are saying that Vice Minister Gu was neither humble nor arrogant, and every word he said was reasonable. Even those usually picky censors nodded after hearing the details, saying that Lord Gu was thoughtful and upheld the dignity of the imperial family."
After listening, Princess Yun'an remained silent for a long time...
In her memory, Vice Minister Gu always wore a neat official robe, with a solemn expression, and his words and actions were as rigid as if measured by a ruler.
In that setting, he actually fought for those trivial terms concerning the future dignity and safety of a princess with whom he had no personal relationship and who might even be a troublesome figure to him.
At a time when all the officials were only concerned with how many warhorses they could get in return for her and how much additional tribute they could receive, Vice Minister Gu's protection of her was all the more precious!
It is precisely because it is so precious that her current situation seems all the more tragic...
The entire Great Zhou court, her imperial brother, and those royal relatives who had once greeted her with smiles—all of them were now calculating how to extract the greatest benefit for Great Zhou from this deal.
Whether she lives or dies, whether she suffers humiliation or enjoys glory, nobody cares.
Only these few maids, whose lives and fortunes were tied to hers, felt fear and sympathy.
Vice Minister Gu was the only exception.
But Princess Yun'an knew that his concern was completely different from the kind of affection she longed for...
Vice Minister Gu did not have any special feelings for her.
He fought for her because she was the eldest princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Her wedding was a matter of imperial dignity, her treatment was subject to court regulations, and her future would affect diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He was fulfilling his duties as a Vice Minister of Rites, upholding the rites and order he believed in, and practicing the duties of a subject in his heart.
He was simply doing what he believed was right, doing what a good official should do.
It was precisely because Vice Minister Gu was so fair and pure, fighting for her solely out of a sense of duty and morality, that Princess Yun'an's heart ached even more...
She recalled a long time ago, when, after a palace banquet, she happened to meet Minister Gu, who was about to leave the palace, in the corridor.
At that time, she was arrogant and scolding a palace maid who was slow to act over a trivial matter.
When Vice Minister Gu saw this, he paused, but did not step forward. Instead, he said to the eunuch leading the way, "The Princess is of noble birth. Do not let trivial matters disturb her peace of mind."
His voice was calm, and then he left.
At that moment, Princess Yun'an's heart was pounding in her chest.
It turns out that Vice Minister Gu does care about her.
But later, she heard through various channels that the palace maid had not been punished and had been transferred to a relatively quiet place.
Did Vice Minister Gu's words have an effect? Princess Yun'an didn't know, nor did she investigate further.
She recalled something even further back, when she was just beginning to experience romantic feelings and secretly watched the newly appointed scholars parade through the streets.
The top scholar that year was none other than Gu Jinxiao, riding a white horse, wearing a red robe, with a handsome face and dignified demeanor. Amidst the clamor of gongs and drums and the shower of flowers, his expression remained calm and composed.
The women around were all gossiping about how dashing the third-ranked scholar was and how mature the second-ranked scholar was. Princess Yun'an, however, found it strange that the top scholar, with his unwavering gaze and straight back, was so handsome that she couldn't take her eyes off him!
But... her girlish feelings for Minister Gu were ultimately in vain...
She was an arrogant princess, while Minister Gu gradually became a highly trusted and capable minister in the court.
Their life paths never intersected, except for the occasional brief encounter at a palace banquet.
Only when she fell into the mire of fate did Princess Yun'an clearly realize how precious Gu Shilang's integrity and sense of responsibility were.
She also bitterly understood that such a good person could give his care and protection to the eldest princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but would never give her this person.
Sorry?
For Princess Yun'an, this was more than just a regret...
The better Minister Gu is, the more ridiculous her current situation seems.
The more he spoke up for her and fought for her rights, the more she realized how insignificant her personal joys and sorrows were in this enormous exchange of interests...