The surrounding scenery and people seemed to be fading away. In the huge tent, she was the only one in his eyes.
He had so much to say to her. He even wanted to hug her into his arms regardless of everything and let her blend into his very being.
Not sure if it was because of the nervousness of approaching home, he just watched her sitting there quietly, not daring to reach out and touch her.
Shen Qing saw him at first glance, but embarrassingly, her eyes turned red.
He had lost a lot of weight and looked haggard.
What really broke her was that he had quite a few gray hairs.
He was only in his early thirties!
He must have suffered a great deal in the past two years.
Since Ji Junye didn't move for a long time, none of the Jing people dared to sit down. The atmosphere was extremely strange.
The Jing people initially thought that the Jiang Kingdom's sending a woman to negotiate with them was a sign of disrespect. But looking at the three somewhat similar people and stealing glances at their own emperor's expression, they all kept silent.
This should be the princess their emperor had requested to marry, right?
The main character had come in person.
Would their emperor kidnap her if the negotiation broke down later?
Zhui Yun also heaved a sigh of relief the moment he saw Shen Qing.
It was good to see her. As long as she showed up, they would have a way.
It was Shen Liangzhi who coughed lightly. "We're here for a detailed negotiation. Let's sit down first."
Ji Junye glanced at Shen Qing sitting in the middle, and Shen Liangzhi and Shen Si on either side like two guardians. He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Shen Qing.
The others quickly took their seats too.
Shen Qing sighed inwardly. Although she had a lot to say to Ji Junye, the top priority was to resolve the matter between the two countries.
"How can you withdraw your troops?" Shen Qing asked helplessly.
Shen Liangzhi and Shen Si both knew the key to this matter. They had come today to back Shen Qing up. Shen Liangzhi was also a bit curious to meet this brave brother - in - law.
Wanting to marry their Jiang Kingdom's princess and launching an attack when he didn't get her. Wasn't that brave?
The Jiang people remained silent, but the Jing people across from them were extremely nervous.
This princess was beautiful, but she was really fearless. Their emperor's temper had become more and more unpredictable in the past two years. How dare she talk to him like this...
"Come back with me."
Ji Junye spoke. His eyes hadn't left Shen Qing since he entered.
"Come back? Your Majesty, who are you referring to?" Shen Qing looked into his eyes seriously.
"Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by parents' orders and matchmakers' words. If Your Majesty wants to marry me, you should show your sincerity with the three letters and six etiquettes, and three matchmakers and six betrothals. If Your Majesty regards me as a substitute for someone, I'm afraid I can't oblige."
Her words didn't mean she didn't recognize him, but rather told him that the former Shen Qing was already dead. If he wanted to marry her, he could only do so with her new identity.
Which woman didn't want to marry her beloved with proper match - making and betrothal ceremonies?
A woman with proper betrothal was a wife, while a woman who eloped was a concubine. In the past, due to various restrictions, they couldn't be together properly. Now that she had a new identity, she naturally couldn't be like before.
He cared about the marital status, and so did she.
Moreover, she was now a princess of the Jiang Kingdom, representing the dignity of the Jiang Kingdom.
Ji Junye's eyelashes trembled. He said the most forceful words in the calmest tone. "I'll explain about the substitute, but you must come back with me."
Shen Qing immediately knew that their thoughts were not on the same track.
"What if I don't?"
A soft laugh escaped his lips, quickly blown away by the wind and disappearing without a trace.
"Do you think you can leave today?"
Two years, a full two years. Except for that one letter telling him she was still alive, he hadn't received any other word about her.
For so many nights, he had lain awake alone. Now that he finally saw her, how could he let her go?
No matter what means he had to use, even if she hated him, he just wanted her to stay by his side.
No one knew that he had secretly had a gold chain made and always carried it with him. Even if he had to lock her up, he would keep her by his side.
Ji Junye slowly stood up. All the Jing people nervously stood behind him. Many of them were military generals today, just in case such a situation occurred.
The moment Ji Junye's aura changed, Shen Liangzhi protectively stepped in front of Shen Qing without showing any weakness. He looked at Ji Junye unkindly.
"Your Majesty, Emperor Ye, this is the Jiang Kingdom, my territory. It's too arrogant of you to so boldly try to take my sister away."
Did he still want to marry his sister like this?
The Jiang soldiers instantly drew their weapons.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Second brother." Shen Qing held down Shen Liangzhi's eager arm and gave him a reassuring look.
Ji Junye's gaze landed on Shen Liangzhi's arm, looking extremely menacing. Shen Liangzhi felt that if looks could kill, his arm would probably have been chopped off by now.
To be fair, such a man was not an ideal match.
But he was just a second brother who appeared halfway and didn't have the right to judge too much.
Just when Shen Liangzhi thought Shen Qing was going to compromise, the next moment, Shen Qing took out the state letter of Ji Junye's proposal and threw it in his face.
"Your Majesty has snatched me once. Do you want to do it again?"
"I don't think it's suitable to continue the negotiation today. Let's talk another day."
She had clearly shown her attitude, but he just wouldn't listen!
Now this matter was no longer just between her and him, but a major event between the two countries.
Hadn't she missed him all these years?
She had stayed in the dungeon of the King of Jin in complete darkness for so long and had almost lost her life. She had finally been saved, and most of her injuries were because of him. Couldn't he stop being so impulsive at this moment?
The state letter was as thick as a memorial. Ji Junye didn't dodge. Although he instinctively turned his face away, his face still got a bit red from the impact. He didn't move either. After having a close encounter with his face, the state letter fell directly to the ground at his feet.
This time he understood. She was referring to the time when he snatched her from Xu Yanchi.
But he just wanted to keep her by his side and be with her.
What was his fault?
If he let go this time, he didn't know when he would see her again.
The two sides were at a stand - off, neither willing to give in first.
After a long time, Shen Qing sighed. "Second brother, fourth brother, I want to talk to him alone for a while."
Shen Si was a bit worried. "But..."
If they went out, wouldn't she be in danger?
Shen Qing shook her head. "It's okay. I know what I'm doing."
Shen Si and Shen Liangzhi glanced at each other. "We'll guard outside. Call us if anything happens."
"Thank you, second brother, fourth brother."
After the Jiang people left, Shen Qing looked at Ji Junye with a calm expression.
Ji Junye also motioned for the people around him to leave.
The door closed, isolating everything outside. The huge space was left with only the two of them.
Ji Junye sat back in the chair in a self - defeating manner, his tone stiff. "What do you want to say to me?"
If it wasn't about going back with him, he wouldn't forgive her.
Shen Qing's tone softened a lot. She walked to his side, bent down, and reached out to touch his face. "Let me see. Does it hurt? You could have dodged it just now..."
But before her hand could touch his face, Ji Junye turned his head away.
"What's there to see? Anyway, you don't care whether I live or die."