Helian Qi had already drafted the state letter to be sent to the Southern Neighboring Country. Clearly listed on it were all the crimes of Yaoji, such as disregarding the virtues of a concubine and corrupting the harem. And he decided to punish her.
Regardless of what the people in the Southern Neighboring Country thought, this was already an established fact. Even if they were reluctant, they could only accept it.
On the other hand, in the Southern Neighboring Country, the king of the Southern Neighboring Country had received Helian Qi's state letter. After reading it, he couldn't help but frown and subconsciously cursed, "That useless Yaoji has actually brought such a great disgrace to our country."
Just as he was about to reply, saying that he didn't care about that woman's actions and would let the Eastern Sheng Country punish her at will, there came a cry from outside the palace.
"The Second Prince is here!"
Immediately afterwards, a man in a red robe walked in. His head full of small braids was neatly tied up at the back of his head, looking extremely energetic. As soon as he came in, he respectfully saluted and then said, "Father, are you worried about Yaoji's matter?"
The Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country frowned even more tightly looking at his son in front of him. Since his eldest son died in the Eastern Sheng Country, he seemed to have changed into a different person.
Although he used to be taciturn, he always looked like a gentle and kind young master. But now his eyes were full of a cold and fierce look, as if filled with countless complex emotions.
Thinking of this, he closed the state letter in his hand and replied, "What do you come here for?"
Ye then replied, "Father, I still suggest that you don't show your favor to the Emperor of the Eastern Sheng Country so soon. Although Yaoji has done some inappropriate things, she has always been working for our great plan!"
After hearing his words, the Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country couldn't help but look a bit angry. Then he said, "What, is Ye grown up now and wants to teach his father how to do things?!"
There was a hint of displeasure in his tone, and his words were directly aimed at the man in front of him.
But Ye remained calm without any panic and then replied, "Father, I don't want to teach you anything. But just think about it. The Emperor of the Eastern Sheng Country is just a young emperor. Why is he worthy of your submission? Moreover, elder brother..."
He stopped here. There was a hint of pain in his eyes, as if he didn't want to mention those embarrassing past events.
But just thinking that Shun was killed within the territory of the Eastern Sheng Country and the murderer was Helian Qi, his heart couldn't help but ache. If he had known that he was such a despicable person, he shouldn't have handed over the antidote back then.
Thinking of this, the dangerous look in his eyes deepened. He said to the emperor on the high seat, "Why don't we take this opportunity to avenge elder brother?!"
After hearing his words, the Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country frowned. His heart skipped a beat. He didn't expect that his son, who usually seemed to be indifferent to fame and gain, actually had such ambitions. When did it start?
Speaking of Shun's death, he was also very sad. After all, Shun was his most beloved son. And the queen almost fainted after hearing the news. She even threatened to kill Ye, but was finally stopped by him.
After all, he only had this one son left. He didn't dare to take any more risks. In the past, he always thought that only the eldest prince Shun had the appearance of a real emperor. But now it seemed that Ye's talent was no less than his. He just ignored it before.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh and then said, "How can I not hate the Eastern Sheng Country? But back then I didn't give you the order to harm the Eastern Sheng Country. Why did you do something extra? We could have taken our time. You did this and were killed by them. Even if I wanted to reason, I had nowhere to go."
There was full of helplessness in his words. When Ye dragged Shun's body back, his vicissitudinous heart couldn't help but tremble a few times. That was the feeling of heartache.
"Now, neither the national strength nor the army of our Southern Neighboring Country can compare with that of the Eastern Sheng Country. Why do we have to take risks?" he added.
But Ye below sneered, as if he had expected the man in front of him to say so. Then he raised his eyebrows and said, "I've naturally considered these problems. But have you ever thought that our country's soldiers are more brave and good at fighting than those of the Eastern Sheng Country. It's just that the number is relatively small."
The Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country nodded in agreement after hearing this.
Ye hooked his lips and then said, "But we can recruit soldiers! Recruit brave and good - fighting warriors from the common people!"
"No! What are you talking nonsense about? How could the common people agree to a war that is easily launched? This proposal is really absurd. Don't mention it again!" he roared angrily.
What he said was absolutely right. Generally, a country didn't recruit soldiers unless it was invaded by foreign enemies and the court had no other choice but to recruit soldiers from the common people. But there was no saying that they would recruit soldiers for an initiative war. Wouldn't this just add trouble out of nothing?!
But Ye seemed to have expected his answer. Then he waved his hand and shook his head. Then he said, "Father, don't be impatient. Listen to me slowly..."
"Isn't Yaoji's being captured a good opportunity for us? Although she has gone to the Eastern Sheng Country for the marriage alliance, her popularity in our country is still very high. Everyone respects her as the Holy Maiden. What will the subjects do if the Holy Maiden is in trouble..."
His words were spoken one by one, with a persuasive meaning. It made the Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country a bit shaken. After all, he was also an emperor. He also desired to rule the world and didn't want to be always suppressed by another country. So now that his son had put forward such a reasonable and seemingly flawless suggestion, it would be a surprise if he wasn't tempted.
Just as he was lowering his head in deep thought, there came another cry from outside the palace: "The Queen is coming!"
Immediately afterwards, a woman in luxurious clothes and still having a charming appearance walked in from outside. She ran in a bit flustered, saluted the man sitting on the high seat.
Before the emperor could ask her what she came for, she knelt on the ground first and pleaded, "Your Majesty, please don't give up on Yaoji. She is my last child!"
After saying that, she began to wipe her tears constantly. Having just experienced the pain of losing her son a few days ago, and now hearing that her daughter was in trouble, how could she, as a mother, not be worried.
When the Emperor of the Southern Neighboring Country saw that she had knelt on the ground like this, he immediately stood up. His frown deepened and he asked loudly, "How did you know about this?!"