As soon as Emperor Jiang Jing finished the court session, he came to Qiwu Palace. With a beaming smile on his face, he stretched out his hand to the queen.
"My dear, let's go there together."
The queen didn't put her hand in his. Instead, she walked past him, her expression and tone remaining calm. "Your Majesty, please take the imperial sedan chair first."
Emperor Jiang Jing was left hanging again. His heart felt empty and he was in great distress.
Did his dear really not want him anymore?
But it was obviously not the time to talk. He could only walk to the front and get into the imperial sedan chair first.
When Shen Qing woke up, Ji Junye had already returned to the post - station. Since their marriage hadn't been finalized yet, it was inappropriate for him to leave from the princess mansion.
Children's illnesses come and go quickly. Si Bao had slept all night, and she was much more energetic early this morning.
So when Shen Qing asked her if she wanted to go to Qianqiu Hall with her, Si Bao nodded her little head. "I want to go. Si Bao wants to go with mother."
Si Bao originally wanted to wear the dress that Shen Qing made for her, but it was too thin. She would surely catch a cold if she wore it to the banquet, so Shen Qing didn't let her.
Si Bao pouted her little mouth.
Shen Qing deliberately said, "Does Si Bao really want to wear that one? Mother has prepared new clothes. Si Bao doesn't even take a look. Mother will be sad."
Li Yue happened to come out with the clothes. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "This servant thinks these two sets are also very nice. Does the little highness want to take a look first?"
Si Bao saw two waist - length dresses, one big and one small, with long - sleeved robes over them. Not only were they exquisitely made, but they were also in the same color scheme of purple and yellow. The bigger one was mainly purple, looking stately and grand, while the smaller one was mainly yellow, making the wearer look lively and cute.
The workmanship and embroidery patterns were from the same source.
Si Bao didn't know what a mother - daughter outfit was, but she was immediately attracted to these two clothes.
"I'll wear this! Si Bao wants to wear it with mother!"
These clothes were specially made by Shen Qing so that others could tell at a glance that they were mother and daughter.
"Take Si Bao to change clothes."
"Yes."
Zhuxing took Si Bao in to change clothes. When they came out, Shen Qing had also changed.
After entering the palace, people along the way looked at them with more or less curiosity in their eyes, and were also amazed by their clothes.
After entering Qianqiu Hall, Shen Qing found that her seat was actually next to Ji Junye. Ji Junye had arrived early. Seeing Shen Qing sitting down beside him, he was also a bit surprised.
The two glanced at each other subtly. There was undisguised amazement in Ji Junye's eyes.
This seating arrangement must have been deliberately made by the queen.
Shen Qing could clearly feel that her mother's impression of Ji Junye was getting better and better, probably because of her father's contrast.
"Dad..."
Si Bao saw that her father only looked at her mother and didn't notice her at all. Just as she was about to call out, Shen Qing said, "Si Bao, sit with mother, okay?"
Si Bao nodded immediately. "Okay."
Shen Qing asked someone to add a small seat beside her and whispered to Si Bao, "Do you still remember what you promised mother?"
Only then did Si Bao remember that mother had said not to call dad outside. She almost slipped up just now. She subconsciously covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.
Adding a seat was not a big deal, and the palace servants quickly got it done.
When the people of the Jiang Kingdom saw Princess Chen'an sitting down next to Emperor Jingye with her child, their expressions varied.
It seemed that His Majesty also intended to form a marital alliance with the Jing Kingdom.
The politically - sensitive ministers were already thinking about how to gain more benefits from it.
Before long, Emperor Jiang Jing and the queen also arrived.
Everyone knelt down to pay their respects.
"Long live our emperor! Long live! Long live!"
"May the queen live long! Live long! Live long!"
Emperor Jiang Jing and the queen walked hand in hand towards the upper seats. In the middle, the queen tried to pull her hand back. Emperor Jiang Jing felt it and held it tighter. He even gave a flattering smile under the queen's warning look.
The queen wanted to break free, but was afraid of making it too obvious in public, so she had no choice but to let him hold her hand.
Fortunately, everyone had their heads down and didn't notice the silent argument between the emperor and the queen.
"Rise."
Everyone thanked the emperor and sat down.
Ji Junye asked his subordinates to present the gifts and the state letter. "I would like to offer five hundred li of idle land as betrothal gifts to marry Princess Chen'an."
All the ministers of the Jiang Kingdom:!!!
The whole hall fell silent. Ji Junye continued, "The idle land was the territory of the Beirong tribe a hundred years ago. It is south of the Tianshan Mountains. The climate there is not so cold, and the planting industry is more developed than in other places. Later, when Xingshu replaced the Beirong tribe, the idle land became the reserve granary of Xingshu. But in recent years, the weather has turned colder, the grain yield has decreased, and the people of Xingshu are not good at growing grain, resulting in a large area of barren land."
"But it's different for the Jiang Kingdom. The ancestors of the Jiang Kingdom could grow grains in the sandy land. The idle land is naturally no problem. The Jiang Kingdom can transform the barren idle land into fertile fields with its advanced grain - planting and land - management methods."
Ji Junye's words made many people eager to act. They had set their eyes on the idle land for a long time, but in recent years, the Jiang Kingdom had been recuperating and had never had a chance. Moreover, it was not five li or fifty li, but a full five hundred li!
Five hundred li of land, just to give away?
Not to mention others, even Emperor Jiang Jing was shocked by Ji Junye's generosity. He knew that countries always fought for every inch of land. Ceding land and paying indemnities were the humiliating acts of a defeated country seeking peace. But this guy was actually using five hundred li of land as a betrothal gift?!
If he wasn't going to marry his daughter, he would surely scold him for being a fatuous emperor!
"However, there is a condition."
Emperor Jiang Jing steadied himself and unconsciously sat up straight. "Speak."
"Open this area for trade between the two countries, sign a mutual - trade agreement, and exempt customs duties."
All that Ji Junye had said was leading up to this last sentence.
Customs duties.
Nowadays, most people emphasized agriculture over commerce, but in fact, merchants played an important role in promoting the flow of silver.
For example, if a family still had spare money after paying taxes, they would want to buy new things. Where did these things come from?
Merchants.
If the people were to be wealthy, silver couldn't just be a dead asset. It must flow. He had read the historical records. Many monarchs looked down on merchants, but he didn't think so, especially after finding out about the details of the south of the Yangtze River.
The noble families in the south of the Yangtze River all originated from merchant families. They controlled the economic lifeline of the south of the Yangtze River, and even the imperial power had to be wary of them.
He had long wanted to carry out mutual trade. What he didn't tell Shen Qing was that the national strength of the Jing Kingdom had indeed reached the end of its strength. After capturing the Beirong tribe, if the Jiang Kingdom took the opportunity to send troops, the land they had obtained would be lost again, which would not be worth the loss.
Mutual trade was beneficial to both countries with only one drawback. Ceding a piece of idle land, along with the signed agreement and the marital relationship, could ensure that there would be no more wars or disputes between the two countries for decades or even a century.
Emperor Jiang Jing was silent for a moment. "This matter is of great importance. I need to discuss it with the civil and military officials before giving an answer. Just enjoy the banquet today. Emperor Ye and the envoys should have a good taste of the fine wine of our Jiang Kingdom."
Having said that, Emperor Jiang Jing gave a look. Liang An immediately understood and clapped his hands. The dancing girls entered in a line, and the music of string and wind instruments filled the air.
Ji Junye was not in a hurry. He raised the wine cup in front of him and toasted Emperor Jiang Jing from afar. Then, regardless of whether Emperor Jiang Jing saw it or not, he drank it up.
"Sure enough, it's fine wine."
Seeing Li Yue standing beside him, Ji Junye waved her over and whispered a few words in her ear.
The dance and music had already started. Shen Qing didn't hear what he said. She only saw Li Yue respond and then retreat. Before long, she appeared beside Liang An.
As soon as Liang An heard it, he didn't dare to delay. He quickly leaned over to the emperor and the queen. With a slightly surprised look on Emperor Jiang Jing's face, he whispered, "Emperor Jingye said that besides the idle land, he is also willing to offer the head of Princess Zhaohua."